Huon and Derwent Valley councils commission feasibility study into road connection drawing early criticism from some locals

The quest to create a sealed road linking the Huon and Derwent valleys is back on the agenda, with upgrades to a rough track behind Mount Wellington mooted.

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PUBLIC meetings will be held in the coming weeks to discuss the best potential sealed road connection for the Huon and Derwent Valleys, with one option already drawing criticism from locals.

The two locals councils are collaborating with the state government and have appointed Deloitte Access Economics to speak to stakeholders and do a cost-benefit analysis of options for upgrading Jefferys Track.

Jefferys track crosses the Wellington Park from Lachlan in the Derwent Valley to Crabtree in the Huon Valley.

Huon and Derwent Valley councils pushing ahead with a feasibility study into potential upgrades to Jeffereys Track. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

Engineers had determined upgrading the southern part of the track to an industry freight road was not viable and a potential alternative road starting in Judds Creek Rd in Judbury and linking to Jefferys Track via White Timber Trail has been identified.

The current travel time from Huonville to New Norfolk via Hobart is about 80 minutes in a car and the proposed industry road from Judbury would cut that time to about 42 minutes.

However, that option is already facing opposition from some of the local community.

“Judds Creek Road is a very narrow, curvy, gravel one lane, with steep drop offs and an unstable culvert at the 9km mark,” said Carol-Ann Gravestock on social media.

“Impossible to create any industry or tourism road from what’s here at the moment, without causing an environmental disaster for the flora and fauna and spending an astronomical amount of [money].”

Photo from the Mercury’s Historical Archive Collection showing New Norfolk residents who walked from Lachlan to Crabtree to highlight the need for a road along Jeffreys Track.

Huon Mayor Bec Enders said the concept of linking the Huon and Derwent Valley has been discussed at length for several years.

“Most recently, since the completion of the Plenty Link Rd feasibility study in 2015 and that particular route being deemed unviable, questions remained in relation to whether Jefferys Track was a better option as it is significantly shorter,” she said.

“It was also acknowledged however the route had issues regarding topography and whether local residents would support or oppose its upgrade.”

Cr Enders said the council understood there were community concerns around the proposals.

“It is important the community understands this is a conversation only – no decision has been made to undertake any upgrades to JefferysTrack at this time,” she said.

“The purpose of the study is to better understand the options available and to better inform any decisions about it, into the future.”

Community members can have their say by doing an online survey or by attending a public meeting in Huonville on September 3 or New Norfolk on September 9.