Upgrading the city during isolation

Published on 07 May 2020

With the temporary closure of Salamanca Market and other businesses and with many people staying home, City staff are progressing several projects in and around the CBD, including some that are difficult to do when the city is busy.

“Life has slowed down in the city while we all follow physical distancing measures to keep everyone safe during the pandemic,” said Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds.

“That provides a great opportunity for us to move forwards several infrastructure improvements without interrupting traffic and pedestrians.

“Hobart’s streets may have slowed down but the City of Hobart certainly hasn’t.”

Some of the works being carried out include:

• Ongoing works to refurbish the Salamanca Precinct, including improving pedestrian safety and realigning the road network to establish a new plaza.
• Stormwater works in Salamanca to improve public amenity by accessing areas that are usually difficult to work in when the area is busy, including under some of the umbrellas outside businesses along the strip.
• Realigning the kerb and footpath in Murray Street near Liverpool Street, where pedestrian numbers are normally very high.
• Clearing a blocked stormwater main by excavating the footpath outside Myer on Liverpool Street – an area that is usually packed with shoppers.
• Replacing the road surface and adding new line markings on parts of Harrington Street, on Davey Street near the Southern Outlet, and on Hampden Road.
• Resettling loose pavers throughout the CBD to improve pedestrian safety.

Cr Reynolds said that in addition to this fast-tracked work, City of Hobart staff were progressing other projects, including ongoing repairs related to the damage caused during the May 2018 storm.

“Our dedicated staff are, of course, also still out there day-in-day-out, cleaning public toilets, sweeping the streets, collecting waste and maintaining bushland, parks and gardens, just as they normally would.

“Our whole team is doing its utmost to ensure that when the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, the community will find a clean, safe and improved city waiting for them.”