CONSTRUCTION of the much anticipated coastal track at Eaglehawk Neck is under way.
Eaglehawk Neck Action Community Taskforce President Arthur Orchard said:
“It’s been a long haul to now, from the public meeting held at the EHN Hall back in 2013, when the idea for the track was overwhelmingly agreed to be a priority to provide a safe connection for residents and visitors around Pirates Bay.’’
Mr Orchard said the project had been a real community effort with many making a direct financial contribution, working-in-kind or giving a significant discount for work undertaken.
Roadworks began on Tuesday, February 15, and Mtn Trails Pty Ltd arrived on site on Monday, February 28, to start the coastal reserve section of the track.
The route was cleared by a remote-controlled automated track-mounted mulching machine which churned through the vegetation leaving the mulch in place, saving days of back-breaking clearing using brush cutters.
AJR Construct Pty Ltd will soon arrive on site to construct a boardwalk and ramp across the coastal reserve to the beach just north-east of the Officers’ Quarters Museum.
The Tasman Council agreed in July 2020 to construct its sections of stage one of the track that are on its land and will soon be calling for expressions of interest from contractors to undertake this work.
The Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service have said they would construct the 100 metres of track from the car park at the Officers’ Quarters Museum to he new bus stop, to be installed opposite the intersection with Old Jetty Road.
The coastal reserve section is expected to be completed before July once weeding and planting has been undertaken following the track construction.