Frustrated businesses are preparing to challenge Hobart City Council over its controversial plan to remove 49 car parks on both sides of Collins Street for a dual cycle lane trial.

the advice decision to move forward with the projectdespite the State government withdraws $170,000 in funding due to “considerable concern,” has ignited fury among many.

Now the Greater Hobart Business Confederation is threatening to press ahead with the start of an election survey, which could hit taxpayers with a $200,000 bill.

Jacques Cawood, owner of Hobart Family Dental at the top end of Collins Street, was one of many speakers upset by what he said was a lack of consultation by the council.

“No one ever came to ask us… How many patients do you see? What is your billing? Where do your patients park? How are things going to change for you? said.

“How is a 92-year-old woman in a wheelchair going to have access? We have lost all our parking spaces. The closest will be 250 meters away.”

“I think just the effective use of space and area is going to be a big deterrent to our practice as we move forward, just (from) an accessibility standpoint.”

The Bed Bath N’ Table store manager said they only received “a sheet of A4 paper” describing the project.

“I haven’t seen a single person come into my store and talk to myself,” she said.

Fullers Bookshop owner Tim Jarvis said unloading books would become “completely unviable” with planned changes to loading zones, potentially forcing delivery drivers to make “12 trips with a trolley”.

He also fears the impact on evening events at his store, as the loss of parking will create more obstacles for attendees.

“It has been a constant mistake for us that Centrepoint closes at 6.15pm This means people cannot attend our events,” he said.

“I think losing so much parking on Collins Street will be a real blow to this end of town.”

Also at the meeting was one of Tasmania’s richest men, Robert Rockefeller, who called for Hobart City Council to be “placed into administration”.

The real estate mogul said the community was “starting a political movement against absolute nonsense.”

“What the bike lane is missing is the pub test, it’s the common sense test and that’s what people understand,” he said.

“It doesn’t even matter if you’re a cyclist or not. “It doesn’t pass the pub test.”

In a statement to Pulse, City of Hobart chief executive Michael Stretton disputed what had been stated at the meeting and said consultation had taken place.

“During the sustained engagement period, the City of Hobart held 65 face-to-face conversations, four business information sessions, knocked on doors throughout Collins Street, sent emails and letters to all Collins Street homeowners and tenants and also conducted two information pop-ups. sessions on Collins Street,” he said.

“The City of Hobart received 44 emails and nine formal written submissions.”

“Ultimately, while some changes could be made as a result of this feedback, not all could be accommodated due to the temporary nature of the testing infrastructure and the cost implications.”

“However, there is an opportunity to help shape the design and determine what infrastructure should be included if it becomes permanent.”

The Confederation will now need to submit a petition with a minimum of 1,000 signatures from Hobart City Council residents and those on the General Manager’s list to begin the elector voting process.