Bike lanes, outdoor dining, greenery: Huge makeover proposed for Collins Street

A huge makeover is proposed for an inner city Hobart Street, and while it could make it easier on the eye, the transformation will come at a cost. Here’s what’s proposed.

Collins Street new bikes lanes and parklets proposed.- Jo Maddock from South Arm cycling along Collins Street. Picture: Caroline Tan

Part of Hobart’s Collins Street could be in for a huge makeover, and while it could make it easier on the eye, the transformation will come at the cost of on-street parking.

The main changes proposed for the street are new cycling lanes between Molle and Murray Streets.

It’s proposed the infrastructure be low cost and adjustable for a period of two years.

But to pave the way for the new lanes, 59 on-street parking spots will need to be removed.

The council would keep 27 spots along the street.

What a bike lane on Collins Street could look like. image: City of Hobart.

In a report on the proposed changes, the council’s planning experts said the removal of the parking spots would not have significant impacts on parking availability.

“City of Hobart parking occupancy data shows weekday average occupancy between Molle and Murray streets at 58 per cent, indicating existing supply exceeds demand,” they said.

“Parking demand varies across blocks, with weekday occupancy highest in the Harrington to Murray block (79 per cent).

“There are 1,843 off-street parking bays within 200m of the project. This includes 782 available at Centrepoint car park with weekday peak occupancy at approximately 83 per cent, meaning at least 130 spaces available at any given time to absorb demand.”

For the two years of the project, the speed limit along the section of Collins Street would be reduced to 30km/h.

There are also plans to beautify the street, including the possibility of a parklet between 143 and 149 Collins Street.

An example of what the parklet could look like. Image: City of Hobart.

The council is engaging with businesses about the possibility of the outdoor dining space, which would be initially be installed as a 12 month trial.

The council would vote after the trial to decide if it were made permanent.

The plans could also mean more street greening, including planter boxes and space for more bicycle and scooter parking.

Victoria Street would be changed as part of the proposal: the council would make it two-way to improve access to the Centrepoint carpark.

Right turns from Victoria Street towards Collins Street south would no longer be allowed.

The council will put the entire plan to a vote on Monday and if it’s approved, work could begin in the second half of the year.

Originally published as Bike lanes, outdoor dining, greenery: Huge makeover proposed for Collins Street