Agenda of Special City Infrastructure Committee and Finance Committee Meeting

Item No. 2.1

Agenda (Open Portion)

Special City Infrastructure Committee and Finance Committee Meeting

Page 6

23/1/2017

REPORT TITLE: Department of State Growth's Hobart Traffic Congestion Report - Implementation of Clearways and Parking Incentives

REPORT PROVIDED BY: Manager Traffic Engineering

Director City Infrastructure

1. Report Purpose and Community Benefit

1.1. The report considers a number of actions recommended to progress to address traffic congestion across Hobart, but particularly measures to assist with reducing traffic impacts during February 2017 at the start of the school year. In particular, this report considers the following short term actions:

1.1.1. The implementation of parking restrictions in Davey Street upstream of the Southern Outlet.

1.1.2. Changes to parking on the right side of Barrack Street (between Macquarie Street and Davey Street).

1.1.3. The introduction of a parking trial (coincident with the start of the 2017 school year) to target a reduction in morning peak vehicle numbers in Hobart.

1.2. This report is further to the Council resolution of 6 June 2016 in relation to the implementation of clearways on the right side of Davey Street upstream of the Southern Outlet and on the right side of Barrack Street (between Macquarie Street and Davey Street), including feedback from the community consultation undertaken.

2. Report Summary

2.1. The proposal is to consider the following short term recommendations identified in the Hobart Congestion Traffic Analysis – 2016 report, namely:

2.1.1. A clearway on the right side of Davey Street up stream of the southern outlet, outside 229 Davey Street and 231 Davey Street.

2.1.2. A clearway on the right side of Barrack Street between Macquarie Street and Davey Street.

2.2. Letters were sent to residents and property owners directly affected by the proposed clearways.

2.2.1. No objections were received in relation to the proposed clearway on Barrack Street.

2.2.2. Two responses were received from Davey Street residents objecting to the proposed clearway. The objections were primarily related to issues with access into a driveway and limited on-street parking availability.

2.3. It is considered that the overall impact to the residents is low as the clearway is intended to operate for a short period of time on weekday afternoons between 4.30pm and 6.00pm.

2.4. It is recommended that the clearways be implemented on the right side of Davey Street (upstream of the Southern Outlet) and on the right side of Barrack Street (between Macquarie Street and Davey Street).

2.5. Officers have been working with the Department of State Growth to progress a number of actions to address traffic congestion across Hobart, but particularly measures to assist with reducing traffic impacts during the February 2017 period when schools resume. One of the specific short term actions was to investigate a parking trial to target a reduction in morning peak vehicle numbers in Hobart.

2.6. It is recommended that underutilised parking on the Queens Domain be promoted for use by commuters during February 2017 to divert vehicles from the city centre. It is recommended that the all-day parking rate in the TCA North and Aberdeen Street car parks be reduced from $4 per day to $2 per day.

3. Recommendation

That:

1. The Council approve clearways being implemented on the following Hobart streets:

(i) For 25 metres on the right side of Davey Street upstream of the Southern Outlet; and

(ii) The right side of Barrack Street (between Macquarie Street and Davey Street).

2. Parking rates in the TCA Ground (North) car park and the Aberdeen Street car park be reduced from $4 per day to $2 per day.

4. Background

4.1. At its meeting held on 25 May 2016, the City Infrastructure Committee considered a report on the Department of State Growth’s Hobart Traffic Congestion Report. The Council (at its meeting of 6 June 2016) subsequently resolved the following:

“That: 1. The following works be implemented to progress the short term recommendations in the State Government report Hobart Congestion Traffic Analysis – 2016:

1.1 Consideration of a 25 m clearway on the right side of Davey Street upstream of the Southern Outlet, to increase the queuing space of vehicles accessing South Hobart, subject to consultation with the frontage properties, with a further report to be provided to the Committee in respect to this matter.

1.2 Consideration of changes to parking on the right side of Barrack Street (between Macquarie Street and Davey Street), subject to consultation with the frontage properties, with a further report to be provided to the Committee in respect to this matter.

1.3. Undertake preliminary investigations to determine if the proposed lane reallocations in Murray Street (at Collins Street and Macquarie Street) and Molle Street (at Davey Street and Macquarie Street) can be achieved.

1.3.1 Council officers investigate opportunities to realign the existing lanes across the CBD.

1.4. Continue to provide data to the Department of State Growth to assist in the development of an extended Hobart Traffic Model.

2. The following short term recommendations of the Hobart Congestion Traffic Analysis – 2016 not be supported:

2.1. The installation of a clearway in Davey Street between Barrack Street and Molle Street.

2.2. A clearway in Davey Street on the left side between Antill Street and the Southern Outlet.

2.3. A clearway in Macquarie Street between Antill Street and Molle Street.

2.4. A trial of extended length clearways in Macquarie Street (upstream of Murray Street) and in Davey Street (upstream of Harrington Street).

2.5. The removal of pedestrian crossings at traffic signal locations across the City.

3. Officers continue to work with the Department of State Growth to progress the medium and long term recommendations in the report.

4. The Lord Mayor be requested to write to the Minister for Infrastructure to advise of the Council’s decision and intended actions.

4.2. Officers have subsequently been working with the Department of State Growth to progress a number of actions to address traffic congestion across Hobart, but particularly measures to assist with reducing traffic impacts during the February 2017 period when schools resume. A copy of the letter from the Department of State Growth is included as Attachment A and outlines the specific short term actions agreed.

4.2.1. The implementation of parking restrictions in Davey Street upstream of the Southern Outlet is highlighted as action 3(i).

4.2.2. Changes to parking on the right side of Barrack Street (between Macquarie Street and Davey Street) is highlighted as action 3(ii).

4.2.3. The introduction of a parking trial (coincident with the start of the 2017 school year) to target a reduction in morning peak vehicle numbers in Hobart is highlighted as action 4(ii).

5. Proposal and Implementation

5.1. Davey Street (Upstream of the Southern Outlet)

5.1.1. The proposal is to implement a clearway on Davey Street outside 229 Davey Street and 231 Davey Street (refer Figure 1). This would require the existing 2P (residential parking permit holders excepted) parking spaces to become a “No Stopping” zone during the evening peak hour.

Figure 1: Right side of Davey Street (between Antill Street and the Southern Outlet).

5.1.2. In the Hobart Congestion Traffic Analysis 2016 Report, Davey Street was identified as experiencing heavy congestion particularly during evening peak periods. Therefore the clearways that are proposed on Davey Street are intended to be in operation between 4.30pm to 6.00pm on weekdays. Outside this period the existing parking restrictions would apply.

5.1.3. Letters were sent to residents and property owners that were directly affected by the proposal on 4 November 2016. The letter outlined the recommendation from the Hobart Congestion 2016 Report, and the Council’s resolution to consider clearways adjacent to their property and requested feedback on the proposal.

5.1.4. Letters were sent to 10 residents and property owners on Davey Street. Two written responses were received. Feedback was received from the owners of 233 Davey Street and 231 Davey Street and both objected to the proposal to implement a clearway in front of their properties.

5.1.5. A meeting was held onsite between the property owners of 233 Davey Street, 231 Davey Street and City of Hobart’s Traffic Engineer after the receipt of the responses.

5.1.6. A summary of the feedback and discussions with the property owner of 233 Davey Street is outlined below (and the letter included as Attachment B to this report):

(i) The implementation of the clearway would create difficulties with accessing the driveway. The owner explained that due to the angle of the driveway he requires both the existing parking lane and the far right traffic lane to access his driveway.

(ii) With the clearway in place the property owner of 233 Davey Street foresees an issue with indicating to drivers on the far right lane of his intent to turn into the driveway and drivers may interpret his indication to turn at the intersection and not into his driveway.

(iii) The property owner requested that signage be installed adjacent to his driveway to highlight the access.

5.1.7. A summary of the feedback and the discussions with the property owner of 231 Davey Street is outlined below (and the letter included as Attachment C to this report):

(i) This property owner objects to the clearway.

(ii) The congestion is experienced at the intersection of Davey Street and Molle Street because of vehicles parking in front of St Michael’s Collegiate which limits the number of vehicles passing along Davey Street through to the Southern Outlet. The section of Davey Street outside 231 Davey Street does not experience any congestion.

(iii) The removal of parking spaces will have a negative impact on the parking availability in the area, as there is currently a high level of parking demand on the street.

(iv) The property owner does not have off-street car parking and utilises the parking space outside his property regularly. The primary concern is that there will be no parking available to them if the clearway is to be implemented.

5.1.8. While the clearway may pose as an inconvenience to property owners on Davey Street, it is considered that the overall impact to the residents is relatively low as the clearway is in operation for a short period of time (1.5 hours on weekdays) from 4.30pm and 6.00pm. Outside of the afternoon peak period the current parking restrictions would apply.

5.1.9. In regards to the comments on the level of congestion on Davey Street in the vicinity of 231 Davey Street, it has been conveyed to the property owner that the Hobart Congestion Traffic Analysis – 2016 report indicated that this short term measure to implement a clearway would contribute to improving the congestion problem in Hobart.

5.1.10. In regards to the request from the property owner of 233 Davey Street for a sign to be installed adjacent to their driveway to warn motorists of the access, such a measure is not a common practice in Hobart and is considered not to be effective in this location.

5.2. Barrack Street (Between Davey Street and Macquarie Street)

5.2.1. The proposal is to implement a clearway in Barrack Street, outside 4 Barrack Street (See Figure 2). This would require the four existing ¼P on-street parking spaces outside 4 Barrack Street to become a “No Stopping” zone during the evening peak period.

Figure 2: Right side of Barrack Street (between Macquarie Street and Davey Street).

5.2.2. The clearway is intended to be in operation during the afternoon peak period from 4.30am to 6.00pm on weekdays. Outside this time period the current ¼P parking restriction would apply.

5.2.3. Letters were sent to residents and property owners that were directly impacted by the proposed clearway on 4 November 2016. The letter outlined the recommendation from the Hobart Congestion 2016 Report and the Council’s resolution to implement a clearway on the frontage of their property and requested feedback.

5.2.4. Letters were sent to a total of seven property owners in which the Council received one response. Feedback was received from the St Michael’s Collegiate school and a copy of the letter is included as Attachment D to this report.

5.2.5. In summary, the letter stated that:

(i) The school has no objection to the proposal to implement a clearway on Barrack Street.

(ii) However, the school would object to any proposal to implement a clearway on Macquarie Street or Davey Street adjacent to the St Michael’s Collegiate school.

5.2.6. The Hobart Congestion Traffic Analysis – 2016 did recommend that a clearway be implemented on the section of Davey Street between Barrack Street and Molle Street. However, this was not supported by the Council.

5.3. Based on the results of the consultation outlined above, it is recommended that clearways are implemented on the following streets:

5.3.1. On the right side of Davey Street (upstream of the Southern Outlet); and

5.3.2. On the right side of Barrack Street (between Macquarie Street and Davey Street).

5.4. Parking Trial to Target a Reduction in Morning Peak Traffic

5.4.1. The proposal is to encourage more commuters to park on the Queens Domain and to prevent them from driving into the city centre. The TCA North parking area and the Aberdeen Street parking area are both located off Upper Domain Road (shown in Figure 3) and are currently both underutilised. The TCA North parking area has 35 spaces and the Aberdeen Street parking area has 32 spaces.

5.4.2. The Queens Domain provides the opportunity for people travelling from the Tasman Highway (via Davies Avenue) and the Brooker Highway (via Clearys Gates Road) to park their vehicles prior to driving into the city centre. The two parking areas are approximately 1km from the Railway Roundabout and provide commuters the opportunity to park and then walk into the city.

Figure3: Parking locations on the Queens Domain.

5.4.3. Both the TCA North car park and the Aberdeen Street car park are subject to voucher parking controls, with a fee of $4 per day. It is proposed to reduce this fee to $2 per day to increase utilisation and to encourage more vehicles to park outside the city centre.

6. Strategic Planning and Policy Considerations

6.1. The following strategic objectives and sub-objectives from the Capital City Strategic Plan 2015 – 2025 are relevant in considering these matters:

1.1 Partnerships with Government, the education sector and business create city growth.

2.1 A fully accessible and connected city environment.

2.1.2 Enhance transport connections within Hobart.

2.1.4 Implement the parking strategy Parking – A Plan for the Future 2013.

2.1.5 Identify and implement measures to support the use of public transport.

7. Financial Implications

7.1. Funding Source and Impact on Current Year Operating Result

7.1.1. No impacts currently identified in relation to the implementation of clearways on Davey Street and Barrack Street. The implementation of clearways requires only minor changes to parking signage which could be implemented within the current operating budgets.

7.1.2. Both the TCA North car park and the Aberdeen Street car park are subject to voucher parking controls, with a fee of $4 per day. However, parking utilisation is very low and therefore revenue is also low. In December 2016, revenue from the TCA North car park equated to $170 and revenue from the Aberdeen Street car park equated to $7.70.

7.1.3. It is anticipated that there may be an increased utilisation and therefore increased revenue as a result of implementing a $2 per day parking fee in the TCA North car parks.

7.2. Impact on Future Years’ Financial Result

7.2.1. If utilisation of the TCA North and Aberdeen Street parking areas does increase as a result of the change to the daily parking fee, then the future revenue from these two car parks would also increase (compared to the current projections).

8. Legal, Risk and Legislative Considerations

8.1. A Road Safety Audit was undertaken soon after the introduction of paid parking on the Queens Domain which highlighted safety concerns around the poor pedestrian facilities and low lighting levels along Upper Domain Road. However, during the summer months (and in particular during February) the longer daylight hours allow for safe access between the parking areas and the city centre.

8.2. A planning project is currently underway to investigate a range of track connections through the Queens Domain and to the new Brooker Avenue bridge and the new Tasman Highway bridge. Connections to car parking areas will be included as part of those projects.

9. Marketing and Media

9.1. A communications plan will be developed between the City of Hobart and the Department of State Growth in relation to communicating and promoting the measures being implemented to address traffic congestion during the February 2017 return to school period.

10. Community and Stakeholder Engagement

10.1. Consultation has been undertaken with residents and property owners directly impacted by the proposed parking restrictions on Davey Street and Barrack Street.

10.2. Consultation has occurred with the Group Manager Parking Operations and the Group Manager Open Space in relation to the changes to daily parking fees in the TCA North and Aberdeen Street parking areas.

10.3. There has been ongoing engagement with the Department of State Growth on matters relate to traffic congestion, through the Traffic Management Working Group (that meets on a monthly basis) and the Minister’s Congestion Summits.

11. Delegation

11.1. The matter is delegated to the Council.

As signatory to this report, I certify that, pursuant to Section 55(1) of the Local Government Act 1993, I hold no interest, as referred to in Section 49 of the Local Government Act 1993, in matters contained in this report.

Angela Moore

Manager Traffic Engineering

Mark Painter

Director City Infrastructure

Date: 20 January 2017

File Reference: F17/2557

Attachment a: Traffic congestion, letter from the Department of State Growth dated 25 October 2016 ⇩

Attachment b: Letter from resident of 233 Davey Street, dated 29 November 2016 ⇩

Attachment c: Letter from resident of 231 Davey Street, dated 13 November 2016 ⇩

Attachment d: Letter from St Michael's Collegiate, dated 22 November 2016 ⇩

about people	We value people – our community, our customers and colleagues.
professional	We take pride in our work.
enterprising	We look for ways to create value.
responsive	We’re accessible and focused on service.
inclusive	We respect diversity in people and ideas.
making a difference	We recognise that everything we do shapes Hobart’s future.