Media release – City of Hobart, 25 March 2025
Transforming Collins Street public meeting
As per the Local Government Act 1993, the City of Hobart held a public meeting regarding the Transforming Collins Street tactical trial.
The meeting, held at the City Hall, was attended by about 1000 people.
There were four motions put forward, of which one was passed, and three defeated.
The motion passed was:
Motion 2: That the meeting supports the Collins Street trial, as endorsed by the City of Hobart.
Motions passed at the meeting are non-binding.
It is intended a report of the meeting’s outcomes will be provided for noting to the Hobart City Council at its next meeting on 31 March.
Transforming Collins Street project page
Media release – Bicycle Network, 25 March 2025
Public meeting shows support for bike lanes
Hundreds of bike riders have turned up to the public meeting on the proposed Collins Street bike lanes to show their support for safer streets.
Bicycle Network’s Tasmanian Public Affairs Manager, Alison Hetherington, said the support was expected.
“Most regular bike riders are sick of having to put up with substandard safety on our roads.
“The Collins Street trial seeks to include separated cycleways because we need safer ways of getting through the city that cater to bike riders of all ages and abilities.
“Separated cycleways help prevent deaths and serious injuries and are a vital tool in our approach to making streets safer.
“We don’t debate other road safety measures as being optional or based on public opinion, and we shouldn’t be doing it for separated cycleways.
“Separated cycleways are a tool in the Safe Systems approach to road design that acknowledges all humans make mistake,s and the way we design our roads should acknowledge this fallibility.
“The added benefit of separated cycleways is that they improve safety for all road users, by calming traffic they lead to reduced crash numbers for people walking, riding and driving.
“As well as better protecting people who currently ride, we know from other cities that separated cycleways encourage more people to ride.
“More people riding can help to improve physical and mental health outcomes, reduce air pollution and climate change emissions, reduce traffic congestion and noise, and reduce cost of living pressures for more families.”
Media release – Helen Burnet MP, Greens Transport spokesperson, 26 March 2025
Abetz Must Recognise Bike Lane Support and Restore Funding
The Rockliff Government must immediately restore its funding for the Collins Street bike lane trial following the outcome of last night’s public meeting.
The Greens have always supported this project because it is a critical part of Hobart’s big picture move towards more active transport, less traffic congestion, and improved road safety. Throughout the debate on the plan, it’s been clear to us that a strong majority of people support these bike lanes, and that was confirmed by last night’s meeting.
There is certainly a vocal minority opposed to this project, but most Hobart residents want to see more investment in alternatives to driving, because they know the reduction in traffic will bust congestion, and better road safety benefits everyone, especially vulnerable road users. With the strong result from the public meeting, the Rockliff Government can no longer deny this community support, and they should move to restore their funding for the bike lane trial.
Let’s remember the funding for this project was only pulled by Transport Minister Eric Abetz because he was being lobbied by a handful of vested interests. He made this decision despite being advised against it by his Department, and despite his government’s support for the project in the Hobart City Deal and other strategies.
Eric Abetz must admit he blundered in pulling this funding. He needs to acknowledge this project is based on long-term planning, is important for road safety, and will deliver positive outcomes for the CBD and local businesses. Given the strong community support for the project, along with all these benefits, the Minister has all the reasons he needs to restore the government’s support for this project.
While the bike lane trial is going ahead no matter what Eric Abetz does, the removal of state government funding will have flow on impacts for other projects around Hobart. The Minister should stop doing the bidding of vested interests and provide the funding as he and his predecessor committed to doing.
