Call to release reports into future of restaurant and entertainment strip

Residents and businesses are lining up to have their say on the future vision for the popular North Hobart restaurant strip.

North Hobart’s restaurant strip is regularly bumper-to-bumper traffic. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

A VISION for North Hobart’s retail and entertainment precinct will soon be put under the microscope, with residents eager to again have their say on the future of their “much-loved” suburb.

A report to Hobart City Council’s meeting on Monday night has recommended that detailed reports by two consultants into the Elizabeth St strip be released for public feedback.

It comes after the council last year launched a plan for better public amenity, access and parking on and near the retail and restaurant precinct.

Council said placemaking specialists Village Well and sustainable transport planners MRCagney were engaged and started work on the project in January, with a number of community forums held.

In the 169-page report to Monday’s meeting, Village Well outline a vision for the future North Hobart to be “a welcoming, green urban village, with a flourishing high street at the core of community life”.

Its plans for the high-profile strip focus on an eclectic variety of eateries, diversity, convenience, retaining streetscape character, and being pedestrian-friendly and accessible.

MRCagney’s recommendations include the development of a travel plan for the suburb, consolidation of bus stops, improved cycling infrastructure and considering the implementation of paid parking along the Elizabeth St precinct.

It also suggests investigating new opportunities for the carpark at Condell Place, saying it was a genuine opportunity for redevelopment.

The Condell Place carpark in North Hobart. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

North Hobart Residents and Community Association spokeswoman Jenny Smith said residents and businesses were looking forward to further engagement with council on the future of the area.

“We hope for great things for North Hobart, including the sustained provision of retail outlets, restaurants and entertainment,’’ she said.

But she said residents were concerned about commercial interest for access to land in the centre of the precinct, including Condell Place which is currently used as a car park.

“This is public land and a highly valuable resource for the future. Anything that happens here must be in the public interest,’’ she said.

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said further engagement with the community about the future of the precinct would allow time for reflection on the recommendations.

Council general manager Nick Heath recommended to councillors that the consultants’ reports be released for community engagement for one month from July 20 — with a further report by officers with their recommendations to the council by September.

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