RACT calls on State Government to fast track Huntingfield park and ride facility

Fast-tracking a park and ride facility south of Hobart is a “no-brainer” for the State Government in these unprecedented times, says the state’s peak motoring body.

A PARK and ride facility to service one of the state’s fastest growing areas needs to be fast tracked before traffic congestion reaches its pre-pandemic levels, says the RACT.

As part of the Hobart City Deal, the State Government has committed $20.8 million towards transport infrastructure to address congestion affecting the Kingborough area.

The first stage of this is expected to be a park and ride facility based at the growing hub of Huntingfield.

The RACT has called on the State Government to fast-track the facility as a way to boost the economy and reduce congestion.

RACT executive general manager of membership and community Stacey Pennicott said traffic volumes on the Southern Outlet were quickly returning to pre-COVID-19 levels.

“As school resumes and more people return to work, Hobart’s Southern Outlet is once again becoming a major pressure point,” she said.

Huntingfield resident Martha Galea at the proposed location of the Huntingfield Park and Ride. Picture Chris Kidd

“It won’t be long before we see the absolute gridlock that the Southern Outlet has unfortunately become known for.

“We know that Government is looking at a park-and-ride facility at Huntingfield to encourage greater use of public transport and now is the time to bring that project forward. Fast-tracking this project is a no-brainer to cut congestion and stimulate the economy.

“We welcome the Government’s commitment to bring forward as many infrastructure projects as possible and we would hope that this project will be as close to the top of the list as possible.”

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A Government spokeswoman said the facility was one of a range of projects being looked at to fast track “and we will have more to say when Treasury has finished its review of the capital program.”

RACT marketing co-ordinator Martha Galea would be one Huntingfield resident to benefit from the facility.

She bought a house there 10 months ago and parks in Kingston every day for work before jumping on a bus into the city.

“The Huntingfield park and ride would pretty much eliminate my car usage throughout the week completely,” she said.

“The component that would determine whether I get a lot of use out of the facility would be how regular the buses run and the route they travel.

“At the moment, it’s only about once an hour and it travels via Hobart College and Taroona, which isn’t ideal when you want to commute straight into the city.”