Opinion

Congestion highlights impacts of Collins Street changes

22nd December 2025 – 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.
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Should car dealerships be banned in Hobart

17th December 2025 – 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.
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Calls to ban car yards from CBD

13th December 2025 – 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.
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Macquarie Point Stadium

1st December 2025 – I strongly support the development of the Macquarie Point Stadium. Tasmania’s economy in the past has been transformed by bold, future-focused projects, and this stadium has the potential to be the next one.
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Hobart’s Best Days Are On The Horizon

4th November 2025 – We need to foster a general culture of positivity instead of negativity being the default option, writes Edwin Johnstone.
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Education is key in battle to save city’s soul

8th October 2025 – Hobart’s heritage is both fragile and irreplaceable. In recent months, two incidents have highlighted just how vulnerable our most cherished public places are: the theft of bronze plaques from Soldiers’ Memorial Avenue, on the Queens Domain, and the damage inflicted on Kelly’s Steps, in Battery Point, by e-scooters.
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Markets play an integral role in driving economy

17th September 2025 – As the days lengthen and Hobart’s streets warm under the first sun of spring, the city’s markets are once again bustling with energy, colour and fresh local produce. From the Salamanca, Farm Gate and the Hobart Twilight markets to suburban pop-ups, these vibrant gatherings are more than weekend markets, they are a vital force in Hobart’s economy and community life.
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E-Scooters Vandalising historic Kelly’s Steps

13th September 2025 – Kelly’s Steps are still being trashed by e-scooters. I first raised this issue four years ago, and despite repeated warnings and clear evidence of damage, the only response has been the installation of a sign, which riders routinely ignore.
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Hobart’s CBD Must Retain Function and Accessibility

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.
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Bike lane bullies

29th March 2025 – When the bike lanes in Collin St debate first started many businesses in the area vocalised their opposition to the proposal, but they quickly stopped being public about it. Behind the scenes support from businesses did not stop but they were genuinely concerned about tactics being deployed by those in favour of the proposal.
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Practical Solutions for Bike Lanes and Traffic Needed

10th Febraury 2025 – Debate raging over bike lanes in the CBD must be steered towards practical solutions it’s time the cycling lobby put the brakes on its ideological approach and listened to the views of all stakeholders.
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Scrambling to Hurt Hobart Businesses

12th December 2024 – A majority of Hobart councillors voted to continue the scramble crossing trial indefinitely. Why call these things a trial? The outcomes are predetermined and never put in place with local businesses in mind, just ideology.
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Business Wants Data on Cycleway Impact

9th November 2024 – Last week over 100 concerned business owners and residents of Hobart attended a public meeting on the bike lane proposal for Collins St. The event was organised by the Confederation of Greater Hobart Business.
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Small businesses need help as well

28th May 2024 – There is no doubt that small businesses are doing it tough at the moment. The growing number of vacant shops is an obvious sign with many more just scraping by. Now more than ever it is vital the State Government recognises this and assists where possible. 
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Is a backflip all that bad?

1st March 2024 – During this current Tasmanian State election campaign plenty of terms and slogans are being bandied around in equal measure by both major parties. Terms like moving forward, strong plan and cost of living relief are used when they describe themselves but what words are used to describe each other’s actions when it comes to policy changes?
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Save Hobart Small Businesses from Worsening Traffic Chaos

1st November 2023 – Hobart Small Businesses are suffering from current traffic management decisions, and it is only going to get worse. Current and proposed lane closures by UTAS combined with the new scrambled crossing are having an impact.
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