Parks to go with flow

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DESIGNATED parking spaces for food delivery drivers are being urgently installed in one of Hobart’s hospitality hot spots following a significant spike in the service.

Hobart alderman and local business owner Marti Zucco hosted an emergency meeting with the executive of the North Hobart Traders Association on Thursday to find solutions to the influx of particularly Uber Eats drivers to the area in the past several days.

Ald Zucco said the COVID-19 emergency had seen a spike in drivers parking in the area, in particular the Elizabeth St strip.

“Over the past days I have had a number of traders contact me with their general concerns of poor trade due to the COVID-19 situation, but the spike of Uber drivers has caused further drop in local trade and there is an obligation to find solutions in these difficult times,” he said.

Traders Association president Aaron Brazendale said parking on the main strip had always been an issue, but since the COVID-19 crisis the situation had worsened.

“If there was more parking available for customers rather than Uber drivers clogging up parking, it would help in these desperate times as trade is dramatically suffering,” he said.

“Unless there is a total shutdown, now more than ever is the need for all parties to work together to keep small businesses afloat on the North Hobart strip.”

In response, Hobart City Council general manager Nick Heath authorised the installation of 20 new designated food delivery parking spaces in the Condell Place and Lefroy St - Salty Dog Hotel, Kingston - Maning Reef Cafe, Sandy Bay

- Luma, Cambridge - Spencers, Lindisfarne - Post Street Social, Hobart - Gastown East, Bellerive - Tacos Mexican Restaurant, Hobart

- Hotel Soho, South Hobart - Belles, South Hobart - Billy’s Burgers and Bar, Hobart

- Da Angelos, Battery Point - Sunbear, Hobart

- Tom McHugos, Hobart - Sonny, Hobart

- La Mensa, Salamanca - Templo, North Hobart - Don Camillo, Sandy Bay - Solo Pizza and Pasta, Sandy Bay

- Landsdowne Cres Cafe, West Hobart

- Kraken Fish and Chips, North Hobart

- Lizzie and Lefroy, North Hobart

- Waffle On, Hobart

carparks. The spaces are exclusively for food delivery drivers.

“We expect this will help to free up on-street parking for other users, while providing certainty to food delivery drivers around where they will be able to secure a park,” Mr Heath said.

“Temporary signage will be installed at the carparks and information flyers are being prepared to inform delivery drivers of the new arrangements.”