Iconic East Coast drive set for major upgrade

TASMANIA’S iconic East Coast drive could be pushed further south under a plan aimed at significantly boosting tourism numbers to the Tasman Peninsula.

Road through the Wielangta Forest

TASMANIA’S iconic East Coast drive could be pushed further south under a plan aimed at significantly boosting tourism numbers to the Tasman Peninsula.

The State Government has taken the first steps to improve Wielangta Rd in a bid to provide a better link between the state’s East Coast and tourism attractions, including Port Arthur in the state’s South East.

Tenders have been advertised for four new bridges along the 15km stretch of road that travels through vast forests between Orford and Copping. The bridge repairs are expected to start early next year followed by road resurfacing.

Improvements would allow for possible complete road sealing in the future.

Premier Will Hodgman said Wielangta Rd had the potential to be developed into an iconic destination for visitors.

“That’s why the Government is investing in upgrades and working with local councils to ensure ongoing management and maintenance of the road,” Mr Hodgman said.

“An upgraded Wielangta Rd will complement the investment we have made in developing the Great Eastern Drive and in supporting tourism and hospitality developments on the East Coast.

“The Government is committed to upgrading Wielangta Rd.

“We have recently reached an agreement in-principle with the Glamorgan Spring Bay Council to take over maintenance of the parts of the road in its municipality following the upgrade and hope to finalise a similar agreement with Sorell Council shortly.”

Glamorgan Spring Bay Mayor Michael Kent said “meaningful discussions” had taken place between the council and the Government.

“I think it is an absolute necessity,” Mr Kent said.

“It could make it part of the Great Eastern Drive.”

Mr Kent said the State Government had agreed to make the route a safe-driving road again and then it would pass it to council.

In 2014 RACT chief executive Harvey Lennon nominated Wielangta Rd as one of Tasmania’s best drives.

But with the downturn of the forestry industry the road, that had been managed by Forestry Tasmania, had been neglected.

A survey of councils prompted calls from the Local Government Association of Tasmania for former Forestry Tasmania roads to be upgraded as more tourists ventured into wilderness areas.

The survey, conducted in 2015, found Wielangta Rd was regarded as substandard.

Last month Mercury’s bird writer Don Knowler wrote an opinion piece spruiking the unsealed route that he said is unofficially called the Tall Trees Drive.

“Wielangta is a Tasmanian Aboriginal word for tall trees,” Knowler said.

“Travellers bold enough to tackle this route often overlook a highlight of the journey, the pristine, beautiful Sandspit River, which cuts through Wielangta.

“There have been calls for the road to be sealed and the whole area declared a nature reserve. After all, it holds not only the swift parrot in summer, but 11 of 12 bird species found only in Tasmania.”

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