Western end of Collins Street to become Hobart’s first red tape free Precinct
Hobart, Lord Mayoral candidate today announced that if elected he would ensure that a “Demonstration Street Treatment” demonstrating the Gehl principles would be implemented at the western end of Collins Street.
“Collins Street could become the Paris End of Hobart if the Council give it a Gehl makeover. It is almost a clean slate. It could also complete the makeover of Collins St (As the eastern end of the Street was done a few years ago)
“Gehl identified that over 2,000 people commute either on foot or cycle daily from South Hobart using the Rivulet Park into the Mole/Collins Street intersection.
“It’s a fantastic part of Hobart, containing a former 19th Century Flour Mill, woolen mills, brewery, malthouse and the earliest known surviving slab cottage from the early 1800‘s.
“It’s the ideal street to do first the Gehl Makeover and using the principle of putting people first.
“This part of the city would be ideal for coffee shops and cafes to be developed in the nearby buildings to service commuters, residents and visitors.” Ald. Briscoe said.
He added there is already a revival underway with art galleys opening or planned nearby, residential units planned and potential for sympathetic redevelopment of a number of iconic buildings.
“On the corner of Mole and Collins Streets, The Tepid Baths is subject to a current development application, but due to delays and conflict it has been delayed.
“The corner, is a disgrace for an important entry to Hobart. A redevelopment is what is needed to bring this part of the CBD to life.
“I want it to be a people place, free of red-tape so that businesses and people with imagination can get on with setting the precinct free, uninhibited from excessive regulation.” Ald. Briscoe said.
With some imagination the following could flourish:
• Market stalls that are unregulated eg like the old days at Salamanca
• Inner city Bee Hives
• Community garden that is part of the redevelopment of the entry to the rivulet park
