Food delivery service drivers may be banned from parking in public spaces across Hobart

Commercial drivers of social food delivery services may be banned from parking in public spaces.

COMMERCIAL drivers for food delivery services such as Uber Eats may be banned from parking in public spaces under a plan to be considered by Hobart City Council.

The council will urgently review what actions it can take to address the concerns of some traders in North Hobart and others across the city regarding the growth of social media-based food delivery services.

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The motion for the review was put forward on Monday night by Alderman Marti Zucco, who said the vehicles should be clearly identifiable with stickers on their windscreens. He pointed to laws in Victoria, where Uber drivers completing trips using the Uber app must have their vehicle identified as a commercial passenger vehicle.

“At the moment the council does not have the right to move these vehicles on,” he said.

“We need to identify them and then if they are caught parking in public spaces we need to be able to move them on or fine them.”

Ald Zucco wants the council to lobby the State Government to make changes to help the council enforce the bylaws.

“The normal process for registration of delivery vehicles and commercial vehicles is the transport department,” he said.

“The Government cannot deny that this is a commercial business operation.”

North Hobart Traders Association president John Kelly. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

A spokesman for the Department of State Growth said the Government only regulated passenger services, not food delivery.

“Parking is an issue for local councils,” he said.

Parking tensions in North Hobart made headlines last year as Uber Eats drivers clashed with restaurant owners along the popular strip at Elizabeth St.

The council has tried to alleviate some of the issues in North Hobart by providing a dedicated “food delivery providers” parking zone installed in Burnett Place, increased patrols by council parking officers in the area, and negotiated with a private operator to lease land in Lefroy St for 39 parking spaces.

North Hobart Traders Association president John Kelly said the parking issues had not been resolved and backed Ald Zucco’s motion for greater powers.

“These food delivery provider drivers are ignoring the dedicated ranks,” he said.

“These vehicles should not be parking in public spaces.”