The Hobart City Council has hired ten new parking officers to strengthen enforcement across the CBD, including cracking down on peak-hour clearway breaches.
Cars routinely block lanes on Campbell and Bathurst streets after 4pm, turning the evening commute into a crawl for other drivers.
Some vehicles have remained in restricted zones for extended periods without receiving fines.
Chief executive Michael Stretton said the council patrols 13 clearway zones during morning and afternoon peaks, but enforcement had been inconsistent.
“The city manages the regulation of these zones within our existing resources and often our enforcement efforts have been guided by community reports,” he said.
“Recently however, the recruitment of ten new parking information officers, has increased the city’s capacity to manage and enforce clearways as needed.”
The recruitment drive follows repeated complaints from frustrated commuters to Pulse about blocked clearway lanes during peak periods.
Pulse last week observed multiple vehicles parked after 4pm on Campbell and Bathurst streets, despite clearway rules requiring the lanes to be empty by then.
Two remained unticketed on each clearway at 4:30pm, forcing drivers to swerve around them.
Stretton said the additional staff would help improve CBD traffic flow, which regularly slows during peak periods.
“Improved management will result in the reduction of congestion, will improve traffic flow and support safer streets for all road users,” he said.
However, the council appears keen to avoid an immediate blitz of penalties, preferring an education-first approach.
“The city is encouraging motorists to comply and is always hopeful that enforcement is a last resort,” Stretton said.
“Motorists need to be aware that parking in a clearway during restricted times, such as after 4pm on Campbell and Bathurst Streets, may result in a fine.”
