Hobart Lord Mayor Ron Christie fears an influx of tourists is putting our way of life in peril

RON CHRISTIE: Hobart is under threat from mass tourism eating into our idyllic and healthy lifestyle.

Ovation of the Seas cruise ship at Macquarie Wharf in Hobart. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

MASS tourism is going to kill our city. It has started, quickly eating into our idyllic and healthy lifestyle.

Traffic congestion is increasing, more people are arriving for festivals, hotels are being constructed at bullet train rate with height limits pushed to the max, Airbnb numbers have tripled, house prices are soaring while the homeless seek shelter at the showgrounds and we are constantly told, maybe brainwashed, by our tourism industry, government and hungry real estate moguls to embrace it.

Why? Because the political system I work in is focused on business growth and commercial opportunities — in short generating wealth — rather than putting the interests of our people and their needs first.

That’s why I said recently “it’s time to slow down, put the brakes on and assess”.

If we do not do this immediately, our small city will go down the same path as the larger internationals like Rome, Barcelona and Paris where citizens are screaming enough is enough — go home, don’t destroy us. It is inevitable. No turning back now Hobart.

Now don’t get me wrong. We welcome tourists and their wallets, especially those who appreciate and respect our history, heritage buildings and envy our lifestyle.

We will wave politely, thank them for visiting and smile when they leave. It’s the masses that will destroy us.

Let’s put some perspective on this — less than 12 years ago we were a quiet little backwater, smallest capital in Australia, Slowbart.

Sure, times could have been better. In 2007 the Myer fire ripped the heart from of our city. Traders suffered badly.

Hobart Lord Mayor Ron Christie. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

Four years on Mona came along with its questionable arts and weird festivals getting people thinking and reacting, and targeting 500,000 visitors at next year’s Dark Mofo.

China’s president arrived in 2014 and that visit went viral, resulting in 35,000 international visitors last year, according to Tourism Tasmania figures.

It was predicted 1,500,000 visitors would arrive by 2022 and that figure will be reached in 2019-20.

Less than seven years ago 10 to 15 cruise ships arrived in Hobart during the October-March season. This year 62 cruise ships are expected.

In terms of real estate, Hobart is the fastest selling capital in the country. It’s out of control.

If we continue to move at this rate the heart of our city and community will be destroyed. Guaranteed 100 per cent.

Your small council with its meagre $135 million budget is not ready for this rate of growth. We have been told by our community in a recent forum exactly want they want.

Give us a city that is liveable, sustainable, educated and more importantly connected.

They said: “You asked us to do this, now listen to us”.

When I looked around the room several of your elected members found that pill hard to swallow.

You and your children are entitled to live in a healthy, sustainable community, but you need to be more vocal before it is too late.

Tell us now as the clock ticks. Tell your government exactly want you want. Is it just about mass tourism, skyscrapers and wealth? Or is it about the way we want to live?

We are not Melbourne or Sydney, don’t want to be. Tell your government to stop selling us off to mainlanders in its “You in a Year’ social media campaign.

We are elected by you to represent you. If we do not listen to you — sack us. Our City of Hobart is 214 years old — it will be here for another 214.

The only thing leaving is you and me. Now is the time to make your mark — for our community future and our kids.