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Hobart Council candidate says he was offered votes over waterfront walkway

A Hobart City Council candidate has claimed a former Tasmanian health minister offered him a block of votes if he opposed the controversial Battery Point walkway.

Independent Matt Hastings said former Labor politician John White made the offer in a phone call earlier this month.

Mr White lives nearby where the potential walkway would be built in the Hobart suburb of Battery Point.

Mr Hastings said Mr White told him he would attract about 60 votes if he opposed the walkway.

"He opened the conversation saying he could guarantee me pretty much 60 votes, maybe more including family and friends," he said.

"I'd like to let people know that this is happening, there potentially are candidates that are being bought off by deals."

Mr Hastings, who is a member of the Labor Party, said he was in favour of the walkway.

"You've got 5 per cent in the back of your mind like, wow 60 votes, who's ever going to know about this?

"But [it's] ridiculous. That 5 per cent of my mind was crushed very quickly.

"It's a bit ridiculous."

Former Labor minister denies making offer

Mr White told the ABC he did not make any such offer and said it would be impossible to deliver because he could not tell other people how to vote.

Rather, Mr White said he told Mr Hastings that he would tell family and friends of the candidate's views if he did oppose the project.

Mr White said he believed the full walkway could cost $30 million.

He said he had contacted several candidates and asked their position on the walkway, and how it would be funded.

Mr White declined an on-air interview, but told the ABC he had every right to contact candidates and ask their views on the issue.

Polling in the local government elections closes next Tuesday.

Controversy over Battery Point walkway

The walkway proposal has been debated for more than a decade.

Supporters believe it would open up a scenic and practical link for cyclists and pedestrians.

But nearby residents with waterfront properties claim it would restrict access to the river and impact on water views.

Stage one of the proposal was approved by the full council earlier this month, in an 11 to one vote, but the appeal period is still open.