I believe in being realistic about the community’s genuine need for their own personal transport. I am not convinced that stripping cars from the city is realistic, viable or would be without negative consequences, like business closures and excluding and hardship for groups of people.

​

We should not be making it impossible to drive and park in and around our city, especially while our public transport is inadequate. If our public transport is dramatically improved, we could reduce some parking and traffic in the city, but I believe that the need for personal transport will remain to some degree at least. 

​

Emissions from transport worry me, as does the viability of our local businesses and our community's ability to access the health, professional, retail and other core services they need. I would advocate passionately for realistic and practical solutions and for ensuring the city is accessible to all.

 

I would like to see:

• the first 15 minutes free on all paid on-street parking to support and grab-and-go type activity

• introducing off-peak on-street parking rates, (such as off-peak rate during 9 am and 11 am of $3.50 per hour compared to $5 per hour peak rate)

• returning off-street carparks to first 90 minutes free and first 3 hours free on Sundays

• making Argyle Street carpark 24 hours, with low rates between 6 pm and 8 am to support hospital workers, patients and visitors, and our hospitality and accommodation sector

• introducing free parking and park-and-ride on the Domain, with frequent services between the parking location and the CBD

• investigating switching the parking in Liverpool Street between Elizabeth Street and Murray street into exclusively loading zones and Accessible Parking

• finding a solution to the terrible parking machines that are excruciating to use and implementing current technology to improve traffic flow like number plate recognition in our off-street carparks

• rewinding the North Hobart parking fiasco and increasing parking supply in North Hobart and Sandy Bay

• improving parking signage to increase clarity and so that the price of parking in an area can be determined without needing to stop and park the car and

• Council absorbing the 10 per cent surcharge that the EasyPark App charges for parking so that paying by the App costs no more than paying by the machines.

• park and ride type facilities and services with neighbouring councils in place with urgency

• the Salamanca Market shuttle bus ceased and replaced with a more worthwhile route, such as CBD to North Hobart

• Council-funded bus shelters at key locations across the city

• separated roadways on key bicycle routes

• significantly more free and secure parking spots for bikes and scooters.