THE State Opposition wants more money spent on the Great Eastern Drive, along the East Coast of Tasmania, despite millions being poured into it in the past five years. Labor Leader and Lyons MP Rebecca White said the highway was in need of a significant investment to improve safety and bring it up to a standard expected of such an important piece of Tasmania’s road network.
While “a fantastic region to explore,’’ anyone who has driven the route would know that road infrastructure all along the East Coast is in much need of investment. “This has become increasingly clear recently with rising visitor numbers, flooding and damage to main arterial roads into the region, and of most concern the shocking number of fatalities on Tasmanian roads last year,’’ Ms White said.
“2022 saw the highest number of road fatalities in the state in 13 years, with 50 Tasmanians tragically killed. “Sixty per cent of those fatalities occurred on rural sealed roads. “On a per capita basis Tasmania has the highest road fatalities of any state.
“Last year serves as a reminder that Tasmanian roads are not as safe as they need to be, and that our road infrastructure, as well as how our roads are managed, must be improved.
“The Tasman Highway is an integral road that needs major upgrades to improve the safety for motorists, as well as traffic flow.
Ms White said in many sections the Tasman Highway lacked wide shoulders, enough overtaking lanes, as well as widening of the road on the countless bends, which would improve vision and reduce the risk of collisions.
The Opposition call surprised Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson who said the Government was Deadly drive on East Coast Labor call for more road funding.
“The Government delivered the Great Eastern Drive Action Plan in 2015 (Orford to St Helens), to boost regional tourism on the East Coast,’’ Mr Ferguson said. “A key commitment for the Great Eastern Drive Action Plan was the Tasmanian Government’s 2018 funding of $30 million over five years to upgrade the Tasman Highway.
The Government also committed a further $4.5 million to extend the Great Eastern Drive along Binalong Bay Road.’’ He said the plan had delivered road improvements, pull off areas and junction upgrades along the Great Eastern Drive corridor (Tasman Highway) to enhance the visitor experience between Orford and St Helens and make the drive safer.
“Following completion of many road improvements, the Tasmanian Government committed a further $25 million to the Great Eastern Drive in the 2022-23 State Budget,’’ he said.
“The Federal Government committed $100 million towards the Great Eastern Drive priority upgrades in the 2022-23 Budget. This combined funding commitment of $125 million will enable the continued rollout of identified upgrade priorities.
“State Labor on the other hand delivered no investment over its years in Government.”