Christmas miracle for traders as Brisbane St lane opens after six months of closure
It’s a Christmas miracle for retail traders affected by a Brisbane St road closure, as a single traffic lane opens just in time for the busiest time of year.
Tasmania
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It’s a Christmas miracle for retail traders affected by a Brisbane St road closure for the past six months, who will have a reprieve with the opening of a single traffic lane.
A section of Brisbane St, between Elizabeth St and Murray St, will be accessible for motorists from Murray St, after a single traffic lane opened up last week just in time for Christmas trading.
“It’s vital for small businesses to be visible to passing traffic to maximise our exposure, be it
pedestrians or road users. This is especially important at Christmas, and in the current
economic climate,” Lily & Dot owner Katinka Dineen said.
“We also look forward to the return of the car spaces along the Brisbane St block so our customers can easily call in to browse or quickly pick up their click and collect orders.”
The road closure was expected to be for 16 weeks but weather events delayed the road closure to nearly six months.
“What you find under the surface doesn’t always match the plans and that was the case
here. Along with some heavy downpours, that meant the work took a little longer than we
had planned,” Hansen Yuncken project manager Alex Gorton said.
The delays started after the University of Tasmania carried out sewerage and stormwater upgrades for its Forestry Building.
“We understand it’s progress but timewise it got pushed from 16 weeks to six months and we’re still not there yet so frustration is setting in a bit,” Choices Flooring store owner and manager Scott Henderson said.
“If you go to a specialist place, you want to be able to stop and get samples and do your shopping … they come here and expect to be able to park out front and come and get served.
“We actually take the business out to the clients now because they can’t get here because there’s restricted parking behind.”
Within the next two weeks, blockages will be removed from the road which will open up street carparking spaces.
While Mr Henderson said he understands it’s a difficult situation and is grateful for the open communication with UTAS, his business has dropped in sales “dramatically”.
“With interest rates that have affected everybody including us, compounded with the roadworks, it’s difficult,” he said. “For the next two years we are running at one lane.”
UTAS executive director of campus services Phil Leersen said they’re grateful for their neighbours patience..
“We know the closure of Brisbane Street has been frustrating at times for our neighbours
and we are incredibly grateful for their patience,” he said.
“It’s great to complete this part of the construction and see the street reopened for the busy Christmas trading period.
“There are a lot of fantastic local businesses in Hobart’s Midtown and we are excited to be part of the area.”
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