Council rejects traffic claims

At a council meeting on Monday, aldermen approved traffic-flow changes to many of the major streets in the central business district.

This included changes to parts of Charles Street, Brisbane Street and George Street set to be reduced to one lane.

A city business owner, who did not wish to be identified, said his business had not been consulted throughout the duration of the proposal process.

"Making [George Street] two ways was what the plan originally said, and that was what they put to consultation but they're actually making it one way and that was never put out to consultation at all," the business owner said.

"We don't know what the plans are, we don't know what parking is available, we know nothing.

"They were consulting anybody that didn't have a stake in the place, they were asking everybody in the city what they wanted to do but they didn't bother coming to the business owners."

The council said that public consultation began on July 1 and ran until August 25.

According to the council, consultation included face-to-face meetings with identified key stakeholders, direct mail to 31,226 surrounding residents and 1000 property owners in the Launceston City Heart Project area of the CBD and online surveys, overview maps and YouTube videos.

"About 35 per cent of people agreed with the proposal, 17.6 per cent were neutral and 47.3 per cent were against," the council said on its Facebook page.

"What the council has attempted to do is reflect the opinions unearthed in the consultation, from the people who wished to see two-way streets installed, to those who did not, and those who wanted a more pedestrian-friendly environment in the CBD.

"Fewer lanes mean more space for footpaths, street furniture, greenery, parklets, flexible event spaces and much more."

Changes are dependent on securing funding for the City Heart Project.