Background
The City of Hobart plans to remove 59 parking spaces from Collins St in the inner CBD to make way for dual bike lane. On this page you will find information regarding those changes and how they could potentially affect Hobart small businesses in the CBD.
Update: 11th October 2024
The Confederation welcomes the news that the Tasmanian Government will not progress funding for Hobart City Council’s Collins Street bike lanes.
The reason given was, “there was considerable concern in the community about this measure, and we have listened”.
The Lord Mayor of Hobart commented this morning on ABC radio that the lanes will go ahead without state funding. Big call considering the much publicised budget position of the City of Hobart.
State Government Media Release
11 October 2024
The Tasmanian Government will not progress funding for Hobart City Council’s Collins Street bike lanes. Minister for Transport, Eric Abetz, said the decision came after reviewing feedback from affected community members.
Edwin Johnstone, Chair of Confederation of Greater Hobart Business welcomes this move. ‘Small businesses need access to customers – and this project in my view reduced access enormously such that many small business owners were highly concerned about the impact”.
“Installation of 2 bike lanes in Collins Street should be measured in job losses, reduction in turnover and numbers of insolvencies in the area. The city’s main function is commerce and trade, Collins Street is a vital road in the inner CDB of a capital city, it is not a suburban street”.
Eric Abetz, Minister for Transport
Update: 16th September 2024
Whilst we have not had a formal response to the petition (lodged 24 June with 2231 signatures), the proposed changes to Collins Street have now been approved by council 7 votes to 5. A few issues that we lobbied for that ended up being successful were:
- Leaving Victoria Street around Centrepoint one-way
- More accessible parking options
- Reduce the number of car space lost (49, originally 59).
Links
No such thing as a free ride for Council
Published: The Mercury 15th October 2024 It is welcome news that the Tasmanian government will not p…
Collins Street: Parking Petition
View Petition Update: 10th October 2024 PETITION –COLLINS STREET BICYCLE LANES I refer to your petit…
Parking Crucial For City Traders
Published: The Mercury 26th July 2024 Hobart’s Central Business District is undergoing significant c…
Collins Steet: Questions to Hobart City Council
Public Question Time on Tuesday 24th June 2024 QUESTION 1: Why do the proposed changes to Collins St…
Collins Street: Give businesses full picture on bike trials
Published: The Mercury 28th May 2024. The Hobart City Council are planning to take 59 on stree…
Collins Street: Feedback
The small businesses of Hobart need your help with stopping these current planned dual bike lan…
Collins Street: Bike Lanes Concept Plans
The City of Hobart plans to remove 59 parking spaces from Collins St in the inner CBD to make way fo…