opinion
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Council Plans Safety Officers for Hobart
Hobart may soon have a small team of uniformed officers patrolling the CBD under the council-led Safer Hobart Program. The plan would see three officers working business hours, Monday to Friday, engaging with local businesses, monitoring trouble spots, and connecting rough sleepers and at-risk individuals with support services. The program draws on similar models in…
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Should Glenorchy merge with Hobart?
Glenorchy councillors unanimously voted down Hobart’s merger proposal this week, sending a clear message that the city is not ready to be folded into a much larger neighbour. A report by Glenorchy City Council CEO Emilio Reale highlighted the council’s strong financial position, noting it is debt-free, maintains low residential rates, and has a fully…
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Hobart must focus on what matters
Published Mercury Newspaper Local Government Minister Kerry Vincent’s warning to Hobart City Council should not be dismissed as political noise. It is a clear signal that confidence in the council’s direction and priorities is wearing thin, not just within government, but among ratepayers, businesses and investors who expect better from those elected to represent them.…
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Ongoing Problems for Hobart CBD Bike Lanes
Hobart’s Argyle and Campbell Street bike lanes are being used by about 250 cyclists a day, but a council review shows key safety and enforcement problems remain unresolved. The $1.7 million project was promoted as a major safety upgrade, yet illegal parking continues to block clearways. While Hobart City Council has issued fines, it still…
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Our piecemeal water repairs are draining
Published Mercury Newspaper HOBART’S AGEING AND FRAGILE STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE URGENTLY NEEDS WIDESPREAD INVESTMENT, WRITES EDWIN JOHNSTONE Last year, Hobart was given a blunt reminder of what happens when underground infrastructure is allowed to age out of sight and out of mind. World War II – era water mains beneath Liverpool and Murray Streets burst, flooding…
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Record-breaking Taste of Summer proves culture is a powerful engine for Hobart
Arts and cultural events provide important economic impact, writes Edwin Johnstone The recent Taste of Summer on Hobart’s waterfront shows that festivals like this are more than entertainment, they are economic powerhouses. Nearly 100,000 people attended, 10,000 more than last year, and about a third came from interstate or overseas. Over eight days, crowds packed…
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Illegal to ride e-scooters in bike lanes
The City of Hobart has admitted it gave incorrect advice for years by telling e-scooter riders they could legally use bike lanes, despite Tasmanian law banning the practice. Launceston coffee roaster Robin Smith, who is now pushing for law reform after being stopped by Tasmania Police while riding a Beam e-scooter in a Hobart bike…
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Congestion highlights impacts of Collins Street changes
I campaigned against the changes to Collins and Victoria streets, warning they would restrict access to the CBD, and the current Christmas congestion shows those concerns were well founded. Shoppers are experiencing long delays exiting Centrepoint, with reports of motorists stuck for up to 30 minutes. This outcome was clearly predicted. The independent Midson traffic…
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Should car dealerships be banned in Hobart
A proposal before Hobart City Council to ban automotive retail from the CBD risks doing real and lasting damage to jobs, investment and confidence in the city. While presented as a planning measure to encourage different forms of development, the reality is far more serious. If adopted, the policy would represent a masterclass in how…
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Calls to ban car yards from CBD
A motion is being put forward at the next Hobart City Council meeting on Monday 15 December to prohibit “automotive retail” in Hobart. This is exactly the kind of overreach that could drive business out of the city. Actively restricting an entire industry from operating here is a huge red flag for anyone considering investing…