NEW PHOTOS: 2000 tonne of rock removed from the Tasman Highway

The state government has released new photos of the Tasman Highway works as 2000 tonnes of rocks are cleared from the roadway at Paradise Gorge. PICTURES >>

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TWO thousand tonnes of rocks are being cleared from a section of a major highway on Tasmania’s East Coast as authorities press on with plans to re-open the road this month.

Earthmoving crews are set to work throughout the weekend with the goal of removing rock debris from the Tasman Hwy at Paradise Gorge next week.

The road has been closed since May amid concerns the rocks overhanging the highway posed a significant safety risk.

Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson said efforts to repair the highway surface would then begin, with a plan to re-open to traffic in mid-July.

“Good progress has been made in clearing about 2000 tonnes of rocks and debris brought down from the rock face which posed a safety risk to road users,’’ Mr Ferguson said.

“Earthmoving crews have cleared the protective gravel cushion from about 70 metres of the highway and are starting to remove the main pile of rocks dislodged from the rock face, as well as the remaining gravel.

“In promising news, damage to the section of highway cleared so far appears to be limited to the surface of the road without affecting the road base.

“However, the full extent of repairs required will not be known until the road has been completely cleared of the heavier rocks, and a full assessment done.”

Affected motorists have been forced to use the Lake Leake Rd or Wielangta Rd while the work has been done.

The prolonged closure meant many East Coast businesses suffered a financial hit, prompting a support package to be rolled out by the state government.

Businesses could apply for grants of between $2500 and $25,000 if they had lost more than 30 per cent of turnover.

Fifty-four applicants received a combined total of more than $580,000 worth of support.

2000 tonnes of rocks is being cleared from a section of the Tasman Highway. Source: RoadsTas.

Budding tourism operator’s double whammy with highway closure

A new tourism operator on the East Coast said he’s been hit with a double whammy after the opening of his venture coincided with not only the closure of the Tasman Highway, but also border restrictions.

Buckland resident Nick Ferrar opened the Ardoss Campground two weeks ago on a 3000 acre property he wasn’t using.

“I’ve been setting it up for the last three months and now it’s time to start running it,” Mr Ferrar said.

The space is open to caravans.

“There’s a lot of people in Tassie with caravans that have nowhere to go at the moment,”Mr Ferrar said.

“I think having such a vast area can handle a lot of caravans but can still have the privacy to relax, unwind and spend some time in the bush.

“There’s mountain bike riding, there’s bushwalking, there’s trout fishing, things people like doing out in the bush, plus you have stability to camp there too.”

But Mr Ferrar said he hadn’t seen a soul since he opened and he said unfortunate timing outside of his control are to blame, one of those being the road closure on the Tasman Highway.

“I suppose the people travelling up the east usually come from Hobart and go up from Orford to Buckland, apparently they’re not doing that at the moment,”

“A lot of people aren’t travelling up the east coast at the moment because they don’t want to take the rough roads.

“I’ll get signage on the road in the next couple of weeks, but it won’t be until the highways open that anyone will be able to see it.”

The tourism operator predicted Tasmanian visitors would only account for twenty per cent of his business.

He expects the other eighty per cent will be from the mainland.

The other factor, Mr Ferrar said, is the unfolding coronavirus situation interstate.

“A lot mainlanders are waiting to get over here but they’re a bit tired with the Covid situations,” he said

“Most of them are saying when the Covid situation is over they will be over to stay here.“

Mr Farrar is now watching both situations closely and hopes his luck will change.

“I was expecting to get something up and running pretty quick but now things might not kick off for months.”

‘Bone crunching’ potholes riddle Tasman Highway alternative

Residents have called for urgent repairs to be made to Nugent Road, with claims increased traffic due to the Tasman Highway closure has made it unsafe.

Nugent Road connects onto the Wielangta Road which many are using as an alternative to the Tasman Highway.

Nugent resident Bryan Green said the Buckland side of Nugent Road was impassable in some areas.

“There are a lot of people coming through that way,” Mr Green said.

Potholes along Nugent road near Buckland.

Potholes along Nugent road near Buckland.

“It’s not safe, if you’re travelling at even 50kms, some of those potholes are bone crunching.”

Owner of the Buckland Store, Alison Palmer said the road is the worst she’s ever seen it.

“It’s terrible, it’s like moon craters,” Mrs Palmer said.

Mrs Palmer said she was often asked by tourists about Tasman Highway alternatives, but she was reluctant to send motorists through Nugent Road.

“I don’t feel confident sending people that way,” she said.

Mr Green said only one side of the road was actually damaged.

“Sorell have been doing potholing on their section of Nugent Road, it seems that council has taken the time do at least do potholing, they haven’t graded it.”

Potholes along Nugent road near Buckland.

But he believed the state government should be the one to make repairs.

“The government should be keeping an eye on the links to various destinations and make sure they’re up to scratch,” he said.

The Glamorgan Spring Bay Council General Manager Greg Ingham the council was responsible for maintenance along the road and denied the damage was caused by extra traffic.

“There is a logging operation in progress which will be impacting the road,” Mr Ingham said.

“Council is monitoring and carrying repairs as required.”

“Council has deferred maintenance grading on Nugent Road until the highway opens next month.”

Mr Ingham said only one complaint relating to Nugent Road had been received by council.

State growth began works clearing rocks and rubble from the Tasmanian Highway at Paradise Gorge on Wednesday afternoon with the road expected to reopen mid July.

Works to clear the rocks and rubble from the Tasman Highway at Paradise Gorge started today. #politaspic.twitter.com/hmru51dwx4

— GutweinTeamMedia (@GutweinTeam) June 30, 2021