Parking discount applies ... for week

AFTER backlash from residents and business owners in recent months about price hikes to metered parking, the Hobart City Council has announced half price parking for Salamanca and the waterfront area for this week.

The discounted price can be accessed by those who use the Easy-Park phone app for payment, in the relevant area until Sunday October 3.

The council website states the reason for the discount is part of council’s program of initiatives to support Hobart businesses impacted by ongoing border restrictions.

The discount is an initiative of the council’s Hello Hobart program and is a partnership with TasPorts.

The price of hourly metered parking in Hobart’s CBD rose from $3.60 to $5 on July 1 and this increase was criticised by business owners and residents.

At the time the council defended its parking price hike and denied parking officers were encouraged to book vehicles, saying the increases were essential to provide control over carpark usage and to help fund ongoing parking infrastructure maintenance.