Planner calls for public service jobs to be moved out of the city

Public service jobs would be moved to outer suburban growth areas under a plan to reduce congestion on Hobart’s roads.

Heavy peak-hour traffic coming into Hobart on Davey St. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

PUBLIC service jobs would be moved to outer suburban growth areas under a plan by an urban developer to reduce congestion on Hobart’s roads.

Urban geographer and transport economist Bob Cotgrove said in the past 30 years, three-quarters of Hobart’s growth had been in the Kingborough, Sorell and Clarence municipalities, but the jobs were still in the CBD.

“It puts enormous pressure on the Southern Outlet,” he said.

“Jobs need to be taken away from the CBD to new growth areas in Kingborough.

“The State Government should move middle- to low-function public services out of central Hobart – they don’t need to be in central Hobart.”

Mr Cotgrove said Hobart housed less than a quarter of a million people but suffered road congestion similar to that of bigger cities.

“Low-density suburban development and universal car use are intrinsic features of modern post-industrial cities, not only in Australia but in all countries around the world,” he said.

Transport economist Bob Cotgrove.

“Part of the solution is to decentralise jobs from central Hobart to growth centres in Kingborough, so that more people who live in Kingborough can also work and shop in Kingborough.

“And ditto for Clarence, Sorell and Brighton.”

Kingborough Mayor Dean Winter said the region was experiencing a population boom and more than 80 per cent of workers commuted to the city.

He said congestion on the Outlet harmed Greater Hobart productivity and individual workers and businesses.

“We are still dealing with the flow-on effects of the disastrous decision to move Vodafone from Kingston to Hobart,” he said.

“The move has made congestion worse, removed hundreds of thousands of dollars from council’s revenue stream and impacted retailers across the Huntingfield and Kingston area.”

Cr Winter said the State Government needed to be talking about decentralisation as a way of dealing with traffic congestion.

“We are in a great position to be a home for businesses that are looking for quality employees,” he said.

“We need to provide move local job opportunities, support our central business district and activate the new Kingston Park precinct.”

The State Government was contacted for comment.

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