Uber Eats willing to work with local government to help resolve North Hobart parking woes

UBER Eats says it is willing to work with local government to help find a solution to concerns its drivers are clogging up prime car park spaces on the popular North Hobart restaurant strip.

Zoe McKay, of North Hobart eatery Veg Bar, says more parking in the area would benefit patrons and businesses. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

UBER Eats says it is willing to work with the city council to find a solution to concerns its drivers are clogging up prime car park spaces on the popular North Hobart restaurant strip.

The fight for parking spots on the Elizabeth St strip is reaching boiling point and North Hobart shop owners say Uber Eats drivers waiting for orders, sometimes for up to an hour, are exacerbating the problem.

TRADERS AT WAR WITH UBER EATS DRIVERS

An Uber Eats spokesperson said everyone who signs up to drive for Uber or Uber Eats was responsible for following all local road laws.

“We are open to speaking with local government on finding solutions that make sense for all residents,” the spokesperson said.

“We do not want to be contributing to traffic congestion or parking problems.

“We want to partner with cities to help people move around safely and reliably.”

North Hobart Traders president John Kelly said the group was granted a meeting with Hobart City Council next Wednesday to discuss the parking problem.

“[There’s a] chronic lack of parking that’s been building over time and this Uber Eats issue has just thrown petrol onto the fire, which has exacerbated the whole problem and really brought it to a head,” Mr Kelly said.

Uber Eats drivers parked on Elizabeth St, outside Taste of Asia, waiting for an order.

Mr Kelly said North Hobart Traders had a three-step plan for the council.

One idea is to re-zone a lot of the parking areas to shorter stay and seven days a week spots, the second is to regularly patrol the strip on weekends and the third is to move anyone on who is sitting in their car in short-time zones.

“Also, too, is to call for expressions of interest for the development of Condell [Place] car park,” Mr Kelly said.

Last month, the council rejected calls for expression of interest for Condell Place car park — near the old Chickenfeed store — to be transformed into a multi-level residential block and expanded car park lot.

Manager of Elizabeth St restaurant Veg Bar, Zoe McKay, said more parking spaces would benefit both customers and Uber Eats drivers.

“It’s been spoken about for so long now and then that way at least then there’s more parks for people to be able to come into the restaurant,” Ms McKay said.