As the City of Hobart prepares to begin the next phase of its Collins Street Streetscape Improvement Trial, local retailer Tim Jarvis says that while the project has been a "journey", he hopes it will ultimately benefit the precinct.
Works between Victoria and Murray streets have begun, introducing safer walking and riding connections, outdoor dining areas and the CBD’s first raised platform bus stop.
Construction is expected to take around six weeks and forms part of the City of Hobart’s tactical approach to testing low‑cost, flexible streetscape improvements.
Mr Jarvis, the long‑time owner of Fullers Bookshop on Collins Street, has been closely engaged throughout the process.
“I've been on a bit of a journey with this one,” he says.
“I think from a civic perspective, the more people who feel safe to ride bikes and walk instead of driving, particularly those who live close in, I think that's better for all of us.”
He believes supporting more convenient short trips into the city will be good for businesses in the area.
“Encouraging people who live in these kind of nearby suburbs and encouraging them to make short trips into the city on bikes, I think would be good.”
Plans for the second stage of the Collins Street trial.
Mr Jarvis was one of several business owners who raised concerns about early design concepts, but said working directly with City officers helped address many of those initial issues.
“I had some kind of public reservations about initial versions of the design,” he says.
“But I've worked with the council, the council office has been very receptive and I feel like we are landing in a good place. I'm feeling cautiously optimistic that it will be a boon in the local area.”
As part of these works, the Victoria Street exit onto Collins Street will return to two lanes. This change follows feedback and monitoring during stage one of the trial.
The second stage will introduce a raised platform bus stop near Fullers — an upgrade to the existing stop — along with new planter boxes, kerbs, signage and outdoor dining infrastructure. Safe access to all businesses will be maintained throughout the works.
Hobart Deputy Lord Mayor Dr Zelinda Sherlock and Fullers Bookshop owner Tim Jarvis inspect plans for the Collins Street trial stage two works.
Mr Jarvis said construction impacts are always a consideration for retailers, but believes the upcoming disruptions will be manageable.
“As a retailer you always prefer that no disruption ever happens anywhere near you. I think the changes, the works themselves, are not going to take that long. They're fairly minor. I think disruption will be minimal.”
Parking has been one of the main concerns raised by Fullers customers, Mr Jarvis said, but he noted that the temporary nature of the trial means adjustments can be made.
“I've heard from a lot of customers who are very concerned about particularly the loss of parking nearby. I think that's been reasonably adequately addressed. And, that's why it's a trial, I guess.
“We'll see how it goes.”
With the project team continuing to monitor the trial and engage with stakeholders, Mr Jarvis says he’ll keep the conversation going.
“The officers responsible for the project are actively assessing it and I know how to reach them," he said.
"If there is a concern that I discover, I know I can pass on whatever I hear back from my customers.”
Learn more about this project on our website.