Former Hobart City Mission chief executive Harvey Lennon has announced he will run for lord mayor at October’s local government election.
Lennon said Hobart needed “experienced, credible leadership and a sensible balance”.
“It’s time to put the people of Hobart before personal politics,” he said.
He said ratepayers deserved a council that “makes decisions” rather than generating “negative headlines”.
“I’m ready to lead Council fairly and represent the capital with maturity, credibility and purpose,” he said.
“We need a city that moves, is affordable and is open for business.”
Lennon led Hobart City Mission from late 2021 until April this year, steering the charity through a period of rising demand and falling federal funding.
He has chaired the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra since 2023.
He spent almost two decades at the RACT, joining as chief financial officer in 2000 and serving as chief executive from 2010 to 2019.
He was later a senior adviser to Liberal minister Michael Ferguson and chaired community services organisation Colony 47, now Home Base, from 2013 to 2016.
His priorities include keeping rates at or below inflation for four years and publishing an independent review of council spending in full.
The council’s 2026-27 budget set a 3.5% rate rise, which it said was below Hobart’s consumer price index of 5% to the end of April.
Lennon also flagged improvements to local streets, footpaths, lighting and line markings, along with fairer parking prices.
He also wants more homes built in already built spaces, starting with the empty floors above main street shopfronts.
A single long-term plan to get Hobart moving also features on his agenda.
He called for a council “that behaves like adults, with votes on the record, decisions on a timeline”.
Lennon’s announcement comes after councillor Mike Dutta revealed he would enter the race for lord mayor earlier this week, with current lord mayor Anna Reynolds not seeking re-election.
Sitting councillors Ryan Posselt, Bill Harvey, Louise Bloomfield and Marti Zucco have also confirmed they will run for lord mayor.
The election will also see the number of elected members drop from 12 to nine.
