May saw the Hobart City Council approve a new bike plan and the Tasmanian Budget was handed down, confirming the walk back of active transport funding, while this month you have the chance to comment on the Collins street trial.
Hobart bike plan ticked
The Hobart City Council has approved a Bike Plan that combines recommendations that have been made in local area management, neighbourhood and regional plans as well as introducing potential “quiet streets” routes.
This is the first dedicated bike plan since 1997 and includes maps showing potential cycling routes for each of Hobart’s suburbs.
Cycling projects scheduled for the coming financial year include a shared path along Burnett Street connecting painted bike lanes on Argyle and Campbell streets, a wider path to connect to the Battery Point quiet streets route and consultation on Augusta Road bike lanes.
The decision to approve the plan was not unanimous. The councillors who voted for the plan were Anna Reynolds, Zelinda Sherlock, Bill Harvey, Ben Lohberger, Ryan Posselt and Mike Dutta.
Councillors who voted against the plan were Marti Zucco, Will Coats, Louise Bloomfield and John Kelly.
Councillor Gemma Kitsos was an apology for the meeting and Louise Elliott has been suspended from council for three months.
Collins Street 1 year consultation open
We are already seeing a handful of council candidates beating up on Collins Street so if you want to see cycling infrastructure remain, show your support via the one-year consultation.
Supporting the concept doesn’t mean you have to support all of the current design, but letting the council know you appreciate what’s being attempted and want them to continue is important.
Head to https://yoursay.hobartcity.com.au/transforming-collins-street to fill out the short online survey or email more detailed responses to communityengagement@hobartcity.com.au
State budget blues
The Tasmanian budget has confirmed the removal of dedicated active transport funding to help local councils build safer cycling infrastructure.
The government will continue to fund active transport infrastructure as part of road and public transport projects.
In the coming four years that could include a shared path along the West Tamar Highway between Riverside and the Tailrace park; a shared path along the South Arm Highway between Oakdowns and Rokeby and shared path crossing of Channel Highway at the Huntingfield Park and Ride.
The federal government budget announced ten years of funding for its Active Transport Fund which could help Tasmania build more paths, but it will be difficult for councils to meet the matched funding amounts without state government help.
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