In April, the City of Launceston voted to relocate the St John Street bus stop 20 metres closer to the intersection of York Street. 

A group of eight business owners who will be affected by the change are accusing the council of a lack of consultation about the move. 

They claim City of Launceston officials did not notify them of the proposal.

The group is also questioning the benefits of moving the bus stop only 20 metres.

Dorothea Freifrau von Rechenberg owns 90 St John Street – the building that houses the Emporium.

Worried about an increase in “anti-social behaviour” at the bus stop, she said her tenants would vacate if it was relocated outside the store.

Across the road, Hudsons Coffee owner Ray Heald raised concerns about the disappearance of a loading zone outside his business.

“This end of the street will have no way to service their businesses for rubbish pick-ups, dropping off machinery - whatever it may be,” he said.

“The traffic is going to be that congested because of the design.”

Both owners questioned the motives of the stop move.

“They’re just taking the problem from one area to another – why don’t they take a bit more time and fix the problem properly,” Mr Heald said. 

The owners said the first they discovered of the proposed bus stop relocation was through a story in The Examiner.

“It was already done and dusted and it was in the newspaper,” Ms Freifrau von Rechenberg said.

At the council’s meeting on Monday mayor Albert Van Zetten apologised for the lack of consultation.

On Tuesday he said consultation included surveys, and a pop-up shop in St John Street – but admitted “not all businesses have been individually consulted, and Aldermen will no doubt consider this matter further”.

“The council will take all feedback on board, and we will continue to work cooperatively with stakeholders,” he said.

Ms Freifrau von Rechenberg called for the council to move the bus stop somewhere “where it’s not disturbing the city and shop owners”. 

Read Alderman Van Zetten’s full response here.