Police cracking down on illegal parking in North Hobart streets

It has been a longstanding issue and Tasmania Police is cracking down on a particular practice raising the ire of local residents.

Police are being called to the North Hobart strip every weekend after complaints from residents about illegal parking. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

FOOTBALL patrons and diners in have been put on notice to stop parking illegally in two particular North Hobart streets.

Tasmania Police Acting Sergeant Ann Edge said officers were forced to go to Ryde and Tasma streets every weekend because of constant complaints from residents about illegal parking.

“We attend Tasma St every weekend because people park there to go to the restaurants in North Hobart and during the football season we get constant complaints from Ryde St residents about people parking in the middle of the street to go to North Hobart Oval,” she said.

“It makes it impossible for residents to get in and out of their driveways.”

It is an offence to park in the centre of a road unless it is specifically signed as a parking area — and the fine for doing so is $79.50.

A Hobart City Council spokeswoman said the council also received complaints from residents who had been unable to exit their driveways because of cars being illegally parked.

“Motorists are reminded that parking in areas that cause safety or access issues can result in a fine,” the spokeswoman said.

There are no signs saying parking is prohibited between the trees in the middle of Ryde St.

How Ryde St is supposed to look – without cars parked in the middle of the road. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Several patrons who attended one of the four Southern Football League grand finals at North Hobart Oval last Saturday copped a fine for the illegal, but widespread, practice.

SFL football operations manager Tony Gibson said more than 4000 footy fans flooded through the gates across the day.

He acknowledged there was a “lack of parking in close proximity to the venue for bigger crowds” but would not comment on what he thought could be done to resolve the problem.

North Hobart Football Club president Craig Martin suggested the league team up with Metro to arrange buses to and from major games.

“People have been parking in that way and manner, particularly on Ryde St, for many years,” Mr Martin said.

“The parking around there is an issue for the council and police, but I think on big game days there could be a little bit of leniency shown.

“The beauty of North Hobart Oval is that it’s very close to the CBD. Perhaps event organisers should have a chat with Metro about putting on some buses to and from the oval for patrons.”

Two Old Scholars Football Association grand finals will be played at the oval this coming Saturday. The reserves game between Dosa and Richmond will kick off at 11.30am, while the first siren in the seniors game, also between Dosa and Richmond, will sound at 2pm.

North Hobart resident Ebony Harris, 18, is frustrated about being trapped in her driveway during footy games at North Hobart Oval. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Footy fans create parking ordeal for residents

A NORTH Hobart resident has told of her frustrating 10-minute ordeal to reverse out of her own driveway because of cars parked illegally on Ryde Street.

Ebony Harris, 18, who drives a small Honda Jazz hatchback, said she and her family had been left with no other choice but to park elsewhere during the footy season.

“When heaps of people are parked in the middle of the street, we physically cannot reverse out of our driveway,” she said.

“A few weekends ago, I had to get a stranger to help me and it still took me 10 minutes to get out without hitting a car.

“It happens pretty much every weekend there’s any footy on at North Hobart Oval.

“It’s really annoying because there’s nothing we can do and it’s all blocked up.”

Ms Harris called for clear signage prohibiting people from parking in the centre strip to be installed.

She described hunting for a legal spot on the weekends as “hectic”.

She said she often had to park her car around the corner and carry her shopping several hundred metres to her house.

“You’d think it’s common sense not to park in the middle of the street,” Ms Harris said.

“If no one parked in the middle, there’d be no issues for the people who live here. We just want to be able to get to our houses.”