Hobart City Aldermen worried by woodchip trucks in Evans Street

The Hobart City Council doesn’t like the thought of forestry trucks mixing it with tourists.

A B double log truck in Macquarie Street.

HOBART City Council aldermen have raised concerns about the increased use of Evans St by trucks carrying forest residues for export.

The council will request a meeting with Resources Minister Guy Barnett and Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding to discuss concerns over increased truck movements on Macquarie, Davey and Evans streets.

The motion agreed to in last night’s council meeting listed Evans St as a main thoroughfare for pedestrian traffic, and said the surrounding area was becoming “an important public entertainment precinct.”

“The potential impact on pedestrian safety is a particular concern given the new movements of trucks accessing the Port of Hobart via Evans Street,” it said.

A letter to council from Mr Barnett said Forestry Tasmania had predicted there would be less than one extra truck movement per hour on Macquarie and Davey streets when exports begin. An estimate for Evans St was not provided.

Alderman Eva Ruzicka said the area near Evans St would be one of Hobart’s last great tourism precincts.

Deputy Mayor Ron Christie said he wanted to speak with the two ministers about ensuring cruise ship passenger safety.

Ald Marti Zucco said Hobart was a working port, and the motion should refer to all exports, rather than just forestry.

Lord Mayor Sue Hickey agreed Evans St was a concern but did not support the motion to request a meeting.

Alderman Helen Burnet called for a report to council on the environmental and economic impacts on exporting woodchips, but the amendment was lost.

Originally published as Hobart City Aldermen worried by woodchip trucks in Evans Street