Highway fix delayed: Buckland Hall transforms into satellite school
Two weeks ago, Buckland Hall sat empty, today it echoes to the sounds of happy children continuing their education despite the Tasman Highway closure. INSIDE TASSIE’S NEW SCHOOL >>
Tasmania
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TWO weeks ago, Buckland Hall sat empty, today it echoes to the sounds of happy children continuing their education despite the Tasman Highway closure.
Twenty-five students from Orford Primary and Triabunna District School cut off by the road closure are making the most of the temporary campus in the transformed hall.
Tasmania’s newest school will operate for just weeks — until the road reopens.
Triabunna District School teacher Deb Nichols says the transition has been smoother than expected.
“I think the kids are having a great time. I think it’s really nice that children from both schools are getting together,” she said.
“It’s a good challenge for all of us to get to know each other and negotiate how to how to all get along together.”
She said the temporary school had come together thanks to a lot of hard work — and a fair bit of community assistance.
“There were lots of people that assisted us … the community came along and helped and all those people from the department came along and helped,” she said.
“We’ve had people bring in craft materials we’ve got the local shop is going to help us with some canteen.
“We’ve had people from Rural Alive and Well in — and all the parents have been really supportive.”
Education Minister Sarah Courtney visited the school on Tuesday to see how things were getting on and thank staff for their efforts.
“We understand that this will be a different environment for students and families, which is why we are ensuring necessary arrangements are in place for the students and staff to continue with as much normality as possible,” she said.
“It has been wonderful to see our school community come together to support these arrangements in such a short amount of time.”
East Coast businesses given $1M lifeline
THE Tasman Highway will not reopen to through traffic for another five weeks, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson said, as the government announced grants for small businesses suffering from the closure.
Work to remove overhanging rocks and remediate the road surface below was expected to be finished by mid-July, Mr Ferguson said on Tuesday, saying the delay and inconvenience was regrettable but the safety of the public came first.
“The Tasman Highway, I’m advised, should be open by mid July, about five weeks from today,” Mr Ferguson said.
“Of course, while you know I share the disappointment of any of those who would have hoped for a much sooner time frame, my advice is that this is a realistic time frame, given the magnitude of the project and the priority to carry out the works safely for workers, as well as the motorists and the people who want to use the highway.
“While mid-July is the latest advice that I have to hand that may change, it could be longer, and it could also be less time than that.”
Mr Ferguson said he would provide weekly updates on progress of the works.
Also on Tuesday, Small Business Minister Jane Howlett announced a $1 million government assistance package for small businesses affected by the closure of the road — the main route between Hobart and the east coast.
The road was closed due to the danger posed by overhanging rocks on the approach to Orford two weeks ago.
Grants of between $2,500 and $25,000 will be available to businesses which have lost more than 30 per cent of their turnover, Ms Howlett said.
“The government will continue to work closely with the community and businesses to minimise the impact and provide regular updates, advice and support,” she told reporters.
“I’d like to thank the various members of the east coast community who I’ve spoken for their insight and patience during those very difficult circumstances.
Grants will be available to businesses located south of Lake Leake road, or in Buckland, Orford, Triabunna, Little Swanport and Swansea, as well as those businesses who can demonstrate that they are part of the supply chain through the delivery of essential goods and services in and out of the area.
“To be eligible for support of more than $2,500, businesses must demonstrate a loss in turnover of greater than 30 per cent from 28 May 2021 in comparison to the previous month prior to the road closure,” Ms Howlett said.
Details will be available Wednesday, applications will open Friday and will be assessed by an independent panel, Ms Howlett said.
The money will be paid as soon as possible and the budget will be expanded if necessary, she said.
Acting Labor Leader Anita Dow said Labor was glad the Government was finally providing financial support to businesses and staff impacted by the closure, but stressed this support must be swift.
“The hardship program needs to be rolled out fast, businesses simply cannot afford to wait for this support,” Ms Dow said.
‘Like a ghost town’: East Coast businesses hit hard
Foot traffic in the East Coast town of Swansea has all but come to a standstill according to business owners, following the closure of the Tasman Highway.
Owner of Kate’s Berry Farm Kate Bradley believed visitors to the farm had dropped by 50 per cent since the closure at Paradise Gorge near Orford.
“We’ve seen a major loss, there are no small buses, no passing traffic,” Ms Bradley said.
“People are thinking it takes longer to get to the East Coast from the south and if they’re going to Bicheno, they’re not going via Orford, Triabunna or Swansea.”
Ms Bradley said those coming from the north likely wouldn’t go as far as Swansea.
“They’re probably going to other places but they’d have to detour to get to us,” she said.
“If they go via the Midland, they’d have to divert south to come this way.”
The berry farm owner said the drop in visitors was noticeable in the township.
“We’re a small population but we cater very much for tourists from our service stations to our supermarkets,” she said.
Cellar door manager of Milton Vineyard Kerry Dunbabin said she’d also noticed a drastic drop.
“It’s like a ghost town,” Ms Dunbabin said.
“I’ve had about 18 people through today, normally we’d have 100.”
Ms Dunbabin said Victoria was part of the drop off, but the road closure was a big factor.
“They’re not coming up from the south because they can’t be bothered with Wielangta or Lake Leake,” she said.
Ms Dunbabin said it would have a big impact if the road closure continued.
“It’s a tourism business, it means we’ll have to maintain skeleton staff or give some vineyard work,” she said.
Over at the Bark Mill Tavern and Bakery, it’s a similar situation.
“Because of the road closure it’s affecting the business a lot, probably a 35 per cent downfall,” food and beverage manager Dhaval Patel said.
“People usually don’t come back from Lake Leake, they just go to Bicheno and St Helens.”
Mr Patel said the community desperately needed a timeline for the road opening.
“If the business stopped making money it would be hard to keep it open,” he said.
The State Government is expected to announce financial support to those affected by the road closure.
Ms Dunbabin hoped Triabunna and Orford wouldn’t be the only ones eligible.
“Swansea should be included in the support.”
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