Businessman Edwin Johnstone gets 1000 signatures to force public meeting on city bike paths

The controversy over bike lanes for Collins St in Hobart has taken a new twist with a business group forcing a public meeting on the issue. Read the latest.

A bike rider on Collins St in Hobart. Picture: Supplied

Lord Mayor responds to claims of no ‘genuine consulting’ on Collins Street bike lanes

UPDATE: Hobart Lord mayor Anna Reynolds has hit back at the suggestion the Hobart City Council didn’t consult the public on the Collins Street proposal, stating it is ‘disappointing’ and ‘incorrect’.

“We continue to work very closely with local businesses,” she said

“Over a number of months this year, our officers held 65 face-to-face conversations with traders and shop owners.

“We also held two information sessions for businesses and two pop-up information sessions.

“We made numerous changes to the plans as a result of feedback and continue to do so. The changes made include reinstating some car parks, increasing accessibility parking and moving loading zones.

“As a council we often need to balance competing interests and views so not all suggestions could be accommodated.

“It’s important to remember this is a trial project. We also need to remember that we need to provide space for the growing numbers of people walking and riding around the city.

“I’d be concerned to see campaigns impacting the brand of one of our fabulous shopping areas. We will continue to work with traders to ensure our focus is the best for businesses.

“I’d prefer to see Council’s budget spent on positive city marketing and street upgrades.”

PREVIOUS: An elector poll could be held for Hobart ratepayers after a business group secured the 1000 signatures it needed to force the city council to hold a public meeting about the controversial bike lanes in Collins St.

Confederation of Greater Hobart Businesses chair Edwin Johnstone said the holding of a public meeting was the next step towards an elector poll on the planned bike lanes, which he wants abandoned.

“We hope it doesn’t come to that (meeting) and the council sees sense and stops this current proposal,” he said.

“It’s not too late for council to abandon their flawed Collins Street proposal and go back to the drawing board including by genuinely consulting with Collins Street traders.”

Chair of the Confederation of Greater Hobart Business Edwin Johnstone on Collins street in Hobart. Picture: Linda Higginson

Mr Johnstone argues the dual Collins St bike lanes have been imposed by the council without proper consultation with shop-owners and traders.

“By severely curtailing vehicle access and parking, these changes will smash local traders who are already battling high inflation, high interest rates, and depressed economic conditions,” he said.

“A lot are too scared to get involved, because they don’t want to upset any members of the community. Not everyone’s an activist.”

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds has said the separated bike lane on Collins St and a reduction in the speed limit, were the result of extensive engagement and would make the streets more “people friendly”.

She criticised the state government for pulling out of funding the project and said the council was prepared to fill the $170k black hole the decision left in its wake.

Proposed bike lanes to be installed in Collins Street Hobart. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Mr Johnstone said he and his group was not opposed to all bike lanes.

“A lot of people have begrudging acceptance of the cycle ways in Campbell Street and Argyle Street because those streets at least had room to include a cycle way,” he said.

“There’s a couple of lanes left of traffic there, but there’s not going to be much left of Collins Street.

“The council are definitely making concessions to the project that they weren’t prepared to make at the start.”

Under the Local Government Act, the council is required to hold a public meeting to discuss the Collins St bike lanes within 30 days of receiving the petition containing the 1000 signatures.

The results of elector polls, which can cost up to $200,000, is not binding on council.

The Clarence Council was this year forced to hold an elector poll on its plans to build an AFL High Performance Centre at the site of the old Rosny Golf Course.

Residents were split on the proposal with the Kingborough Council later successful in its bid for the centre.

The poll cost $145,000 and about 63 per cent of electors enrolled in Clarence – 28,476 of 45,351 people – returned a ballot.

An elector poll in Glenorchy this year showed ratepayers overwhelmingly support saving their war memorial pool.