Traders Association says lack of parking options in North Hobart is hurting businesses

FRUSTRATED North Hobart residents and businesses may finally get more car parking spaces if a Hobart City Council decision goes their way.

North Hobart Traders Association president John Kelly at the Condell Place carpark. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

FRUSTRATED North Hobart businesses and residents may finally get much-needed parking spaces with Hobart City Council to consider seeking expressions of interest for a new apartment complex and carpark.

At the next council meeting, aldermen will vote on whether it will seek an EOI for Condell Place carpark to be transformed into a multi-level residential block and carpark lot to ease the traffic congestion around the area.

North Hobart Traders Association president John Kelly, who also owns the State Cinema, said residents, businesses and patrons had been crying out for more car parks for more than a decade.

“North Hobart is choking on its own success at the moment,” he said.

“Our number one problem is parking.

“Council has been talking about this for more than decade and finally we are seeing some action.”

There have been two informal approaches to the council from separate developers seeking to submit proposals for development of the carpark.

Mr Kelly said the lack of parking options near the restaurant strip along Elizabeth St was costing businesses money.

“I see plenty of people driving off because they can’t find a space and I see money driving away,” he said.

Condell Place has 88 parking spaces and Alderman Marti Zucco, who has fought for better car parking facilities in North Hobart, said the right development could easily double that amount.

“You could potentially go down one level and have a two or three-level car park,” he said.

“We’re screaming out for more apartments so it’s a win-win for businesses and residents.”

Ald Zucco said this was only the first step in the process and the community would still have its say if it went beyond the EOI phase.

A council parking occupation survey of the 715 parking spaces in and around Elizabeth St was commissioned late in 2017 and provided compelling evidence that at peak dining periods the number of vehicles parking was close to capacity.