Initiatives to lure shoppers to CBD criticised as being ‘like putting a Band-Aid on a broken leg’

New incentives are being offered to lure shoppers to Hobart’s CBD, but one group has likened the initiative to “putting a Band-Aid on a broken leg”.

A HOBART group rallying for the hourly rate of parking in Hobart to be reduced has questioned the Hobart council’s plan to lure shoppers into the CBD.

The council announced its new incentives on Thursday in a video on its Facebook page, in an effort to help businesses who have taken a hit under border closures and other effects of Covid-19.

In its first measure to entice shoppers, the council offered a free non-alcoholic drink up to $5 at Salamanca Market to cyclists who rode their bikes to the market on Saturday.

On the 18th and 19th of September, free parking will be offered at the Argyle St, Centrepoint and Hobart Central off-street carparks.

Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the council was working with the Derwent River Ferry and Metro Tasmania to provide more initiatives.

But the council’s incentives have attracted criticism, with one group blaming changes to Hobart’s parking prices for a downfall in trade.

“I thought the measures were like putting a Band-Aid on a broken leg,” Hobart Parking Action Group founder Edwin Johnstone said.

“Blaming Covid on the downturn of trade is disingenuous.”

Edwin Johnstone, co-owner of Some Hallucination hairdressing salon at Salamanca, is not happy about the parking price increase near his business. Picture: Eddie Safarik

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

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

“The council needs to acknowledge it’s a problem of their own making and give us worthwhile permanent solutions, not piecemeal solutions,” Mr Johnstone said.

“By having free weekend parking next week, the council is admitting there is a problem.

“Having people cycle into Salamanca Market to get a $5 coffee for one weekend isn’t going to solve the downturn a lot of traders are having.”

Mr Johnstone called for the $5 an hour rate of parking to be reduced.

Cr Reynolds said the initiatives were aimed at getting people into the CBD, particularly on weekends.

“There’s obviously a downturn in tourism and visitation to the state,” Ms Reynolds said.

“But retail trade in Tasmania is actually pretty robust compared to the national average at the moment.”

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Cr Reynolds said Hobart had some of the cheapest CBD parking in the country.

“Parking fees are a fact of life in cities,” she said.

“It’s as much about the management of space and turnover to assist with trade.”

She said the new initiatives were supported by businesses.

“It is important to note this package of initiatives has been taken to our business economic recovery round table group that’s made up of a range of businesses,” Cr Reynolds said.

“They were very supportive of these proposals.”