Business owners nervous about Collins Street changes

Business owners are nervous about Collins Street changes after it was announced 59 parking spots will be removed to make way for bike lanes.

Heidi and Robert McIntyre owners of Autocraft with Michael Johnstone of The Tasmanian Wine Centre. Collins Street businesses who are unhappy about the proposed changes to parking on the street. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Business owners on Collins Street say they’re nervous about proposed changes, which would result in the removal of dozens of on-street car parks.

On Monday the council approved plans for new bikes lanes along the street, along with the option for parklets and more greenery.

Since then, some business owners and operators have said they’re concerned about the changes and the potential impact on their businesses.

Tasmanian Wine Centre general manager Michael Johnstone said the removal of 59 on-street parking spots was his main concern.

“There’ll be less parking available for people to go visit the businesses in the area,” he said.

“Without that convenience, customers will go elsewhere.

“We sell wine and wine’s not light. To carry a box of wine a block or two isn’t realistic.

“It will affect our bottom line.”

Mr Johnstone said he’d first heard of the proposed changes two weeks ago, and had met twice with council staff.

New plans for Collins Street. image: City of Hobart.

He said he was frustrated by the consultation process.

“I feel like we’ve been railroaded,” he said.

“We had to push and push for certain details.”

Artery owner Linda Spowart said she was concerned about the loss of on-street parking spots.

“A lot of people don’t want to come to town to go to a carpark,” she said.

“They want to race into town, stop grab what they need and head home.”

“In a time when retail and bricks and mortar retail is having such a hard time, the council is not making it any easier.”

She said the move would deter them from visiting the CBD.

“In Melbourne they’ve got trams that go round, that sort of thing is what we need, an inner city shopper bus, that people can jump on and off of,” she said.

Autocraft owner Heidi McIntyre said she was worried about the physical changes to the street.

“Already the cars banks back from Barrack St to Molle St just trying to get around the corner,” she said.

“Narrowing the road so then trucks, cars with trailers can’t get into the driveway or will struggle

“And turning from Collins St onto Barrack Street, when it goes down to one lane.”

New plans for Collins Street. image: City of Hobart.

Owner of Fellini, Pina Angelone was also concerned about the proposed changes.

“I lose so many customers as it is because of parking,” she said.

“When they are parked in those half-hour spots, they run out so they don’t get a fine, but at least there’s the opportunity.”

Ms Angelone said the council needed to look at ways to attract shoppers to the CBD.

“It’s so dead in the city at the moment, this is the last thing we all need.”

City of Hobart City Futures Director Neil Noye said the council had been engaging with business owners over the last three weeks.

“While we have had preliminary conversations with businesses to get to this point, the engagement period is open for another six to eight weeks so there is plenty of time to provide feedback before Council makes a final decision to proceed,” he said.

“The feedback received from those who will be directly impacted by the additions to the street has been overwhelmingly positive, but we have also received concerns and we’ve heard them, taking on some constructive feedback as to how to proceed with these designs.”