Hoods on unpopular meters

PARKING meters in North Hobart will be temporarily suspended as part of eight recommendations from Hobart council chief executive Kelly Grigsby to revitalise the area.

The report prepared by Ms Grigsby follows a petition calling on the council to remove the parking meters installed on Elizabeth St in North Hobart and adjoining streets which attracted 1205 signatures.

Recommendation three of the report was to “hood” parking meters in Elizabeth St until other supports to enhance the precincts were achieved.

“The intention here is to resolve a number of issues through initially looking at a temporary hold on parking meters … in North Hobart,” Ms Grigsby said.

“We recognise that an element of this report responds specifically to the issue of parking and certainly the issue raised via the petition.”

Ms Grigsby also recommended a precinct plan be developed for North Hobart, that options for more off-street parking be investigated, and that a marketing plan be implemented to draw more visitors to the area.

Alderman Marti Zucco, who last month moved a motion for parking meters to be suspended in response to concerns, urged councillors to support the report.

The recommendations were carried unanimously.