Think outside the spotMERCURY

WEall know the Tasmanian

attitude to parking.We will complain if we can'tget a spot right outside our

favourite shop or cafe and we will circlethe block relentlessly until a gap magi-cally appears.

We will also harrumph if we have towalk more than a block or two from ourparking spot to our ultimate destination.And, of course, we will be ill-preparedfor the capricious weather when we do.

We will complain about the cost ofparking, even though it is vastly chea-per than in cities interstate. In fact, wewill go to extraordinary lengths to find afree spot.

Such are the attitudes that are deeplyentrenched in Hobart.

But if we are to realise the visionoutlined by renowned Danish architectJan Gehl in his plans for Hobart, thenour attitudes are going to have to changesignificantly. That doesn't mean wehave to abandon the car far from it.The car gives us extraordinary freedomand flexibility that no amount of publictransport can match.

The problem, however, in Hobart, isthat parking is eating into the amenityof our favourite areas, such as thewaterfront and the Queen's Domain,places never designed for that role.

What we need to do is be prepared towalk a little more and be prepared tomake such small sacrifices. Just think ofthe benefits not just to our city but ourown health and well-being.

Of the many recommendations in theGehl report, the one that goes to theheart of what Hobart could be is thesuggestions for Salamanca Place.

It is the gem among our waterfrontgems. A great meeting place, a hive of

commercial activity, the real beatingheart of Hobart in many ways, particu-larly at weekends, evenings and at theheight of the summer festive season.

It is at its best when the cobblestonesare turned over to Saturday's inter-nationally renowned market and itbecomes a car-free zone.

Yet for the other six days, barringspecial events, it becomes the realm ofthe car again and of course, thosedogged Tasmanians circling the blockjust waiting for another car to depart.Finding a spot right outside yourfavourite watering hole, cafe or wine baris obviously a special moment for some.

If we are to realise the Gehl visionand there should be extensive publicdebate about it it can't be simply bydemonising the motor vehicle and try-ing to regulate it out of the city.

What we need to do instead isencourage further development of park-ing on the city perimeter to end theparking-space shortfall, encourage apark-and-ride or park-and-walk philos-ophy, develop easier links to the water-front area and slow the traffic allideas that have been aired before in thelong debate about our capital city'sfuture.

There are already new parking sta-tions being constructed in Hobart andthe Gehl plan will be a catalyst for moreif the vision for Salamanca Place, thewaterfront and the twin highways ofDavey and Macquarie streets are re-alised.

The resistance of many Hobartians towalking more than a few blocks or, inthe case of some businesses, expectingtheir customers to pull up outside isa tradition that needs to change.

Hobart MercurySaturday 4/12/2010Page: 24Section: EditorialsRegion: Hobart Circulation: 61,123Type: News ItemSize: 237.21 sq.cms.Published: MTWTFS-

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