WHILE the idea of reopening the Brisbane Street Mall to traffic has divided the community, Launceston is following a trend in considering it as a solution to anti-social behaviour and crime.

Pedestrian malls in 10 Australian cities have reverted back to roadways in a bid to increase business and discourage loitering- and the results have been positive.

A report sanctioned by Wollongong City Council in 2006 showed six out of those 10 councils reported a drop in crime and anti-social behaviour as a result.

Suggestions for the Brisbane Street Mall, Australia's first mall, flowed after initial reports in The Examiner of violence and crime.

Launceston City Council Alderman Rosemary Armitage said her suggestion to look at reopening the road was a conversation starter.

"I suggested something to get people talking and looking at all the possibilities," Alderman Armitage said.

"What I have had back is that many elderly people are worried about traffic but would rather see behaviour and safety improve."

Alderman Ian Norton said the response from people in the mall was equally divided.

"We went to the mall and asked and, interestingly, it was divided 50-50," Alderman Norton said.

"It has been talked about but not formally yet, but we should be discussing it."

University of Tasmania Institute for Regional Development lecturer Clayton Hawkins said closing the pedestrian strip should be a last resort.

"I'm not convinced that closing the mall will reduce anti- social behaviour, it may disperse `deviant leisure' to other areas of the city. I believe that more consultation needs to occur before a decision on the mall is made," Mr Hawkins said.

"This consultation should include young people who use the mall, maybe there are some underlying issues that have not been identified."

After acknowledging failing business and anti-social behaviour in NSW cities, Parramatta's Church Street Mall was reopened to traffic in 2007 and more recently Wollongong's Crown Street Mall faced a similar proposal.

Wollongong City Council voted against the move in favour of a pedestrian mall refurbishment.

A statement from Parramatta City Council reported a dramatic decrease in the number of vacant sites in the street and a slight improvement in behaviour.

Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten said ahead of the release of the report by international urban design consultant Jan Gehl, council would be taking measures to improve behaviour in the mall area.