Time to get on with the plan

Ask a politician what the number one topic raised with them by voters in and around Hobart is, and the answer is usually — without hesitation — “traffic”.

ASK a Tasmanian politician what the number one topic raised with them by voters in and around Hobart is, and the answer is usually — without hesitation — “traffic”. And that’s not surprising when you consider our capital city relies on a system of decades-old arterial highways that meet in the centre of town. It’s the type of network that might have made sense even 30 years ago, but it is one that is hopelessly out of step with today’s needs — let alone tomorrow’s.

The State Government’s solution so far has meanwhile been simply to take over the “couplet” where these main arterial roads meet — Macquarie and Davey streets — so they can add busways and clearways, and better synchronise the traffic lights. A fifth “tidal-flow” bus lane for the Southern Outlet has also been proposed. And the Government is moving ahead — slowly — on a ferry service between Sullivans Cove and Bellerive. In the short-term, that’s really it.

The Government’s policy is to also investigate a new eastern link between the Tasman Highway at Cambridge and the Bowen Bridge as well as a western city bypass road and perhaps even another river crossing. But there appears to be very little momentum behind any of these long-term options.

It should come as no shock, then, to discover that 91 per cent of our readers believe that not enough is being done to combat traffic congestion. And with 87 per cent of the more-than 1300 respondents to the Mercury’s Future Tassie survey also saying they believe Hobart’s traffic congestion has worsened in the past year, it’s probably past time the Government started to show a bit more energy on this front.

BIKES, FERRIES, TRAINS, CARS IN TRAFFIC SOLUTION

The good news is that Hobart’s traffic problems — while frustrating — are as yet nowhere near the levels experienced in the mainland capitals. The Department of State Growth, for instance, has estimated we would only need to reduce the number of vehicles on our major roads by 6-7 per cent to enjoy school holiday-style traffic levels year-round. And so stronger encouragement of public transport might help in the short-term. As our readers have suggested, perhaps it could be made cheaper — particularly at peak times.

It is clear, however, that we must make significant changes in the long-term. Having the foresight and planning to build the stuff now that will be needed in five or 15 years is the key to good public administration. The proposed Hobart light rail (or similar) system is likely part of the puzzle, and will hopefully be funded as part of the Federal Government’s City Deal. A proper River Derwent suburban ferry system that extends beyond just Bellerive could also play a part (a link to Kingborough anyone?).

But Hobart is a car-dependent city, and there is little chance that will significantly change at any time in future decades. And that is why the Government should get cracking on developing a proper transport vision for our capital city — one that is aligned with the plans the region’s councils have for future population growth areas. That done, the Government should take the risk to find the cash and start investing in actually delivering on the vision. Tinkering around the edges is fine, but it will only ever be that. What is needed to secure Hobart’s future liveability is far more significant.