Veteran Australian journalist Charles Wooley has announced that he will run for Lord Mayor of Hobart at the upcoming October local government elections. Wooley has launched his campaign with a platform focused on reducing political divisions within Hobart City Council and promoting what he describes as practical, middle-ground solutions.

Wooley, a former 60 Minutes reporter and former deputy mayor of Sorell Council, is running under the slogan “Hobart for Hobartians.” He has released a detailed manifesto outlining his priorities for the city and has positioned himself as an independent-minded candidate rather than a career politician.

One of the central themes of his campaign is the need for greater cooperation within Hobart City Council. Wooley has criticised what he describes as partisan disagreements and ideological disputes among councillors, arguing that the council should concentrate more heavily on practical outcomes for residents.

Housing is one of the major issues highlighted in his campaign. Wooley has proposed looking at ways to make better use of existing buildings, including large homes and inner-city office properties that could potentially be converted into residential accommodation. His position reflects the broader pressure facing Hobart's housing market and the need for additional accommodation in the city.

Transport and cycling infrastructure are another focus. Rather than taking an entirely pro-car or pro-bike position, Wooley says decisions about bike lanes should be based on factors such as location, usage and practical requirements. His campaign argues that different parts of the city may require different approaches.

Short-stay accommodation is also included in his policy platform. The growth of short-term rentals has become an important issue for many Australian cities because of concerns about housing availability, tourism and the impact on local neighbourhoods.

Wooley has also addressed the controversial Macquarie Point stadium project, calling for a pragmatic approach rather than allowing the issue to become another source of prolonged political conflict. The stadium has been one of the most debated development projects in Hobart and Tasmania.

Tourism is another area of interest for the candidate. Wooley says Hobart needs to balance the economic benefits of visitors with the interests and quality of life of permanent residents.

He has also criticised the level of council rates compared with Launceston and raised questions about Tasmania's broader local-government structure, arguing that the state has too many councils for its relatively small population.

Wooley says he intends to serve only one term if elected. His campaign is now underway ahead of the October elections, giving Hobart voters another candidate to consider as they decide the city's future direction.