More than half of Hobart residents are against a proposal to install dual bike lanes on Collins Street, an EMRS survey suggests.
The plan, which includes removing 49 car parks between Molle and Murray Streets in the CBD, has sparked significant backlash from local businesses, resulting in the state government withdrawing funding support.
In October, business owners voted to initiate an elector poll to challenge the council’s $170,000 proposal at a meeting held by the Confederation of Greater Hobart Business.
The Confederation then commissioned a question for EMRS’ November Omnibus survey, asking: “To what extent do you support or oppose this plan?”
The results show 58% of respondents from the greater Hobart area were opposed to the idea of bike lanes on Collins Street, compared to 38% in favour. 5% said they were unsure.
Within the Hobart City Council area, 56% of those asked opposed the plan, while 41% supported it and 3% remained unsure.
Both results show a 95% confidence level, according to EMRS.
Confederation Chair Edwin Johnstone said the results were a clear signal that “the majority of Hobartians” would like to keep Collins Street as it is.
“They have been imposed by the Hobart City Council without consultation with shop-owners and traders on the street,” Johnstone said.
“By severely curtailing vehicle access and parking, these changes will smash local traders who are already battling high inflation, high interest rates and depressed economic conditions.”
“Even worse, shop-owners are being lectured by the council that council knows best, that these foolish changes will somehow be good for your business.”
“We call on Hobart City Council to scrap their foolish bike lane proposal for the benefit of small business and shoppers in Hobart.”
A petition that could force an elector poll has so far attracted more than 800 signatures, with 1,000 needed to have the council first hold a public meeting.
If the threshold is reached, ratepayers could face a non-binding elector poll, estimated to cost anywhere from $140,000 to $200,000.
Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds has previously dismissed the poll as a “publicity stunt” orchestrated by opponents and said the results “really need to be taken with a big grain of salt”.
The survey, conducted between November 5 and 14, sampled 190 respondents in Clark and 92 in Hobart.
