Council moves for review amid carparking headaches spurred by Derwent Ferry users
A council has unanimously passed a motion to review parking arrangements for Derwent Ferry users, which are causing headaches for residents, tradies and business operators.
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Clarence City Council has unanimously passed a motion to review parking arrangements for ferry users, which are causing headaches for residents, tradies and business operators.
Alderman Richard James moved the motion at a meeting on Monday evening following months of community backlash over all-day parking spots on Victoria Esplanade and surrounding Bellerive streets being filled by Derwent Ferry users.
“It seems that tradesmen and builders working for the property owners along Victoria Esplanade have been unable to access the properties because of ferry patrons parking their vehicles there all day,” Mr James said.
“It is requested that parking restrictions in ferry affected areas in Bellerive be reviewed by Council’s Traffic Working Group and consider a parking time limit of three hours between 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday and that the findings of the parking review be presented to a council workshop as soon as practical after the review is completed.”
Mr James said the three hour limit was suggested by several residents, but was flexible.
Alderman Beth Warren said the state government’s decision to instate the service before preparing adequate infrastructure had created problems for council.
Ms Warren said council largely praised the move, but had raised questions many months ago about parking difficulties.
“(We) were told in no uncertain terms that it would be for pedestrians and bike riders and therefore there wouldn’t be a parking problem,” she said.
“Obviously the popularity of the service has in fact resulted in a significant parking problem.
“We also don’t want to disadvantage our residents who are really suffering as a result of this very fast decision without a chance to put the infrastructure in place.”
Alderman John Peers supported the motion, but reminded the council some locals, such as nearby business staff, benefited from the existing all day parking spots.
Alderman Tony Mulder questioned the viability of the new service and its impact on traffic and parking.
“Public transport is a state government responsibility,” he said.
“We’ve got to be so careful in here that we’re not ending up with a cost shift to local government.
“There’s no free ferry rides. Everyone’s paying for them whether they use them or not.”
Mr Mulder commended Mr James’ motion.
“Bellerive is not a cheap parking spot for Hobart commuters,” Mr Mulder said.
Parking pain: Ferry passengers hogging car spots
Parking spaces along Victoria Esplanade at Bellerive have been taken up all day by passengers using the River Derwent ferry service, stopping others in the area from using the spaces, a Clarence alderman says.
On Monday, Clarence alderman Richard James will move a motion for the council’s traffic working group to consider introducing a parking time limit of three hours between 8am and 5pm from Monday to Friday as part of a review.
He has suggested the rule be considered for Victoria Esplanade along with surrounding streets.
Mr James said residents in the area had suggested introducing restrictions to allow normal business usage of the space.
“It has become apparent that patrons using the trans-Derwent ferry, drive and park and
leave their vehicles all day along the esplanade and in the surrounding streets within
walking distance to the ferry terminal,” Mr James said.
“It seems that tradesmen and builders working for the property owners along Victoria Esplanade have been unable to access the properties because of ferry patrons parking their vehicles there all day.”
Mr James suggested the findings of the review be presented to a council workshop as soon as practical.
REVEALED: Potential locations for ferry expansion
Kingborough residents are increasingly determined to see the popular River Derwent ferry trial expanded to their municipality, a local councillor says.
The community was left buoyed by federal Labor’s announcement on Friday of a new $20m plan to extend the trial – currently operating between Bellerive Pier and Brooke St Pier – and eventually bring the service to the Kingborough and Brighton council areas.
Kingborough councillor Clare Glade-Wright said she had “only heard the community expressing their desire for ferries in Kingborough”.
“Any way we can relieve pressure on the Southern Outlet would … benefit the community,” she said.
“Obviously these types of projects need feasibility studies and determining the best locations that infrastructure (should be located). There’s a whole range of factors that need to be taken into account.”
Labor’s announcement came after Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds, Glenorchy Mayor Bec Thomas, Clarence Mayor Doug Chipman, and Kingborough Mayor Paula Wriedt issued their joint priority projects for the Greater Hobart Area ahead of the looming federal election, seeking funding commitments from the major parties and other candidates.
Foremost among these was a call for an investment of $20m over three years to support the “expansion and ongoing operation” of ferry services on the Derwent.
On Friday, Labor said it had listened to the councils and would honour their request if it won the election.
Opposition cities and urban infrastructure spokesman Andrew Giles said Labor believed Hobart could become “even more productive, more sustainable and more liveable” if all three levels of government worked together.
“I was hearing earlier today about this being the only place in the world where your commute to work involves whale-watching,” Mr Giles said. “That is what we are offering today – an opportunity for more people to have a more sustainable commute to work.”
Labor’s investment would help facilitate the construction of a new network of jetties and terminals up and down the Derwent, building infrastructure at Lindisfarne, Sandy Bay, and Wilkinsons Point, while also upgrading the Bellerive Pier.
Since the ferry trial began in August last year, more than 60,000 passengers have used it for their commute, with more than 10,000 using it during the Ashes Test alone.
A spokesman for federal Transport Minister Barnaby Joyce said the Morrison government was investing $13.5m in a Hobart Congestion Package and $73.7m in a Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.
“Labor can’t say how they’ll pay for their promises,” he said. “And they can’t manage money.”
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