On Transport – Kingston Bypass, Hobart Bus Station, Park & Ride, Saturday Bellerive Ferry …

Media release – Michael Ferguson, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, 1 December 2021

Public consultation opens on Algona interchange and Kingston Bypass duplication

The community’s views are being sought on planned improvements to the Kingston Bypass, which includes upgrading the Algona Road roundabout to a grade separated interchange.

The Tasmanian Government has committed to improving traffic flows and safety along the Kingston Bypass, Channel Highway and at Algona Road.

We are looking at improvements for a 3.5-kilometre section of the Kingston Bypass from Algona Road to the Groningen Road overpass, including connections with Summerleas Road and the Huon Highway.

Improvements include duplicating the Kingston Bypass to provide two traffic lanes in each direction and upgrading the Algona Road interchange to be fully grade separated and to remove the current roundabout.

The first phase of this project is to seek information and feedback from the public to help us to identify and shortlist options.

You are invited to have your say on issues that are important to you on this section of road, such as road safety, public transport, walking and cycling, travel times and the environment.

Feedback can be provided online via an interactive map on the Transport website:
www.transport.tas.gov.au/kingson-bypass-algona-roundabout

Information will also be displayed on Kingborough Council noticeboards at Channel Court, Kingston Beach Hall, Blackmans Bay Hall, Kingborough Community Hub and Civic Centre noticeboards.

Public consultation is open from Wednesday, 1 December until Tuesday, 21 December 2021.

Work starts on Huntingfield park and ride

Works are now underway on a major new park and ride facility at Huntingfield that will improve public transport to the Hobart CBD and make commuting by bus more convenient.

The site near the Algona Road roundabout has been an informal park and ride area, but new sealed parking and amenities will create a dedicated, purpose-built facility where commuters can leave their cars behind at no cost, and travel comfortably and efficiently to Hobart.

The park and ride will house parking for 180 vehicles, including motorcycle and accessible spaces. There will be a bus shelter with seating for 10 people and a large amenities building with ambulant and wheelchair accessibility, baby change table and lock-up storage for 26 bicycles.

Buses will continue to service the stop during construction and there is no change to bus timetables.

The project is part of the Hobart City Deal – Southern Projects program, a suite of coordinated transport projects to improve public transport use and ease traffic congestion along the southern corridor.

The Huntingfield Park and Ride continues the Tasmanian Liberal Government’s commitment to delivering faster and more reliable bus services between Hobart and Kingborough. Work on a similar facility at Firthside started in August 2021.

The Firthside facility on Browns Road will provide parking for 62 vehicles, including disability and motorcycle spaces, an upgraded bus shelter and storage for 23 bicycles.

The two new park and ride facilities, which are due for completion in 2022, will support an expansion of bus services in the region, with up to 70 additional services planned to be introduced in the first half of 2022.

The Southern Projects also include a dedicated transit lane on the Southern Outlet and bus priority measures on Macquarie and Davey Streets, which together will create a convenient alternative to private car travel.

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Media release – City of Hobart, 1 December 2021

Saturday ferry service to set sail later this month

Free ferry travel will be available for Saturday shoppers this summer, with the City of Hobart today confirming it will facilitate the additional day’s sailing.

The Derwent Ferries service will add Saturdays to its sailing schedule starting 18 December, with timetables to be finalised shortly.

“We’ve had a lot of feedback from the community that they’d like to be able to access the ferry on weekends – particularly on Saturdays to visit Salamanca Market,” Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said.

“We also know that market stallholders are very keen to see the service running.”

Derwent Ferries have also experienced high demand for a Saturday sailing timetable.

“Our survey that we undertook when we started operating cross-Derwent services showed that Saturday was the second most popular day for people to travel, just behind Friday,” Derwent Ferries Skipper Josh Newton said.

The City of Hobart has committed funds to the summer service as part of a package to support local businesses, and is working with the City of Clarence on a potential partnership arrangement that will be discussed at the Clarence City Council meeting on 13 December.

“We’re thrilled to be able to get this up and running for the holidays,” Cr Reynolds said. “Residents and visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful River Derwent at a relaxed pace as part of their weekend outings.

“It also provides an option for weekend workers who would prefer to leave their cars at home.

“Ferry travel could play a huge role in our city’s future transport network – the success of the weekday trial to date has shown that commuters are ready to embrace the river as a transport option.

“We hope to see this Saturday service just as well-supported, and that a more permanent expanded ferry timetable can be considered going forward.”

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Cassy O’Connor MP | Greens Leader and Member for Clark, 1 December 2021

Ferguson Refuses to Deny Plans to Convert Historic City Hall to Transit Centre

In Metro Tasmania GBE hearings today, Infrastructure Minister, Michael Ferguson refused to deny plans to convert Hobart’s treasured meeting place, City Hall, into a transit centre.

The Greens understand, after scrapping their farcical plan for an underground bus mall, the Liberals now want to refashion City Hall into the transit centre. When we put this Mr Ferguson, he would not rule out the plan.

Not content with compromising City Hall as a public meeting space, we also understand the plan includes paving over part of the heritage-listed Hobart Rivulet. None of this should come as a complete surprise, given the Liberals’ attitude to publicly-owned property and heritage gems.

Hobart City Hall is a cultural and heritage treasure that has served as the backdrop to many moments in this little city’s story. Locals would want to know what Michael Ferguson has planned for their public space. It seems highly unlikely their opinions will be sought.

The plan to convert City Hall to a transit centre has been under wraps, without any public say. Hobartians who have gathered in there for public events, concerts or to stand up for what they believe in all deserve a say in what happens to the building.