Parking discount after price hike backlash

After backlash from residents and business owners, Hobart City Council has announced half price parking for Salamanca and the waterfront. HOW TO GET THE DISCOUNT >>

After backlash from residents and business owners in recent months about price hikes to metered parking, the Hobart City Council has announced half price parking for Salamanca and the waterfront area for this week.

The discounted price can be accessed by those who use the EasyPark phone app for payment, in the relevant area until Sunday October 3.

The council website states the reason for the discount is part of council’s program of initiatives to support Hobart businesses impacted by ongoing border restrictions.

The discount is an initiative of the council’s Hello Hobart program and is a partnership with TasPorts.

Picture: MATT THOMPSON

The Mercury reported on August 3 that at the start of July, the price of hourly metered parking in Hobart’s CBD went up from $3.60 to $5 and this increase was criticised by business owners and residents.

At the time the council defended its parking price hike and denied parking officers were encouraged to book vehicles, saying the increases were essential to provide control over carpark usage and to help fund ongoing parking infrastructure maintenance and the growing cost of council services.

City of Hobart CEO Kelly Griggs declined to comment on whether the half price parking was a mitigation against recent coverage of price hike backlash.

The EasyPark app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play and for specific details on discounted parking areas visit www.hobartcity.com.au

Calls to re-evaluate Salamanca and CBD parking meters | September 27

The Hobart council will be urged to consider re-evaluating the on street parking meters in Salamanca and across the Hobart CBD, with one Alderman set to move a motion at the next council meeting.

Alderman Marti Zucco said businesses in Salamanca and the CBD were doing it tough.

“It is obvious that the current Covid-19 crises is affecting businesses and the general public in Hobart Tasmania with Salamanca and the CBD being impacted by the pandemic,” Ald Zucco said in his rationale.

“Understanding that the HCC has provided a range of business support under Covid there seems to also have been an impact due to the increasing cost of parking to shop in these areas.

“It is evident that the recent increases in on street parking has impacted on businesses in these areas and that an evaluation and consultation with business is imperative and good customer service for the HCC.”

City of Hobart Councillor Marti Zucco says the parking meters in Salamanca and Hobart need to be re-evaluated. Picture: Chris Kidd

Ald Zucco will move that Hobart council:

•Re-evaluate on street parking meters in Salamanca and the Hobart CBD in relation to the potential impact of the recent parking fee increase.

•That the CEO consult with business owners about current street parking requirements.

•That a “shop and save” initiative be introduced, where shoppers can receive discounts.

•That the CEO prepare a report that evaluates the re-establishment of a “parking fund”, which would change how revenue generated from parking would be distributed.

“Traders have expressed their concerns and it’s been brought the attention of the HCC and an evaluation would demonstrate that the HCC is listening,” Ald Zucco said.

“I have personally spoken to a vast number of traders who are frustrated and concerned.”

The motion comes after the council hooded parking meters in North Hobart following community concerns they were contributing to a loss of business in the area.

Ald Zucco had moved for the meters, which were introduced earlier this year, to be suspended earlier but the council held off to consider a report by the City of Hobart CEO Kelly Grigsby, which was released four weeks later.

Last Monday Ms Grigsby’s recommended the meters be hooded and that a campaign be launched to draw more visitors to North Hobart.

Parking meters have been suspended on the North Hobart Elizabeth Street strip. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The council operates 2047 paid parking spaces, with the hourly rate of 828 bays increased from $3.50 to $5 in July.

1219 bays cost between $2 and $3 an hour while 440 bays operated by the council are free.

Ald Zucco said parking in rates in other states did not justify the price.

“It’s been noted that other capital cities parking is far more expensive than Hobart, the issue is that the City of Hobart is surrounded by three well established Local Governments that boast free parking that is relative in proximity to the Hobart CBD,” Ald Zucco said.

“Any comparisons must take into account the local situation and not compare what other far more larger cities may be charging.”

The motion will go before the council on October 11.