Published: The Mercury 29th August 2025
HOBART’S CBD CAN BE LIVELY AND ATTRACTIVE, BUT MUST RETAIN FUNCTION AND ACCESSIBILITY A VIBRANT AND THRIVING HOBART MEANS FINDING THE RIGHT BALANCE SO THE CITY WORKS FOR EVERYONE
The anti-car agenda keeps rolling on with the Hobart City Council launching plans for more “parklets” and kerbside dining. As someone born in Hobart who has spent a lifetime coming into the city, I’ve watched the streetscape change year by year. Most footpaths in the CBD have already been widened, kerbside dining is more prevalent, and bike lanes have been steadily added. Yet once again, more space is being taken away from vehicles in the name of “activation”.
Kerbside dining and bike lanes, for that matter, are fine where they are practical and possible. They can bring colour and life to a street. But we cannot lose sight of the fact that the CBD is still meant to function as the city’s hub, a place where people come to work, shop, trade and do business.
That function depends on the basics – accessible parking, short-stay spots, loading zones, bus stops and onstreet parking. These are not outdated relics of a car-centric past; they are the backbone of a working city. Take them away and deliveries become difficult, tradespeople waste time finding somewhere to stop, buses are delayed and older residents, or those with mobility challenges, are effectively shut out.
The truth is, Hobart is not Melbourne or Copenhagen. Those cities have dense populations and comprehensive public transport systems that make car use less necessary. Hobart does not. Our city has fewer people, a far more limited bus network and a much greater reliance on cars to get into the centre. If parking and access are cut without real alternatives in place, people will simply take their shopping and business to suburban centres with easier access. The CBD, already under pressure, will hollow out even further.
Council documents promoting “parklets” often highlight their visual appeal, greenery and contribution to street life. Indeed, a small, well-designed parklet can enliven a corner, offer seating, or provide a pocket of greenery. But even these small-scale interventions must be carefully balanced. A single parklet can displace multiple car spaces and multiple parklets along a street can make parking near shops almost impossible.
In practice, this reduces convenience for customers, delivery drivers and staff, and can inadvertently harm the businesses the projects are meant to support. Outdoor dining is also valuable, especially in the warmer months, but we must ask: at what cost?
Streets clogged with kerbside cafes, while visually appealing, can create obstacles for buses, taxis and essential service vehicles. They can make loading zones inaccessible and reduce emergency vehicle access. The reality is that while creating vibrant spaces is desirable, removing too much vehicular access undermines the city’s functionality and, ultimately, its economic vitality.
A thriving Hobart requires inclusivity. That means providing space for pedestrians and cyclists, yes, but it also means recognising the essential role of cars, deliveries, buses and those with mobility needs. Successful cities don’t pit these uses against each other, they find the right balance so the city works for everyone. Streets can be lively and attractive, but they must also remain functional and accessible.
The message is simple: Hobart deserves a CBD that works for everyone. Vibrant public spaces and parklets are welcome additions, but they must not come at the expense of accessibility, convenience, or basic city functions.
The council should engage meaningfully with the community, plan carefully and implement projects that enhance the city without undermining its foundations. Otherwise, we risk designing streets that look appealing in brochures but fail the people who live, work and shop here every day.
Hobart can be both lively and practical, welcoming and functional. But achieving that balance requires more thought than simply removing car spaces in the name of aesthetics or “activation”. Let’s create a city that works for everyone, not just for the Instagram moment.
Edwin Johnstone
Chair, Confederation of Greater Hobart Business
