Wheels falling off plans for transport fix

An ageing Tasman Bridge is only adding to Hobart's transport woes, write Brendan Blomeley, Sue Hickey, Anna Reynolds and Paula Wriedt.

Published in the Mercury on Wednesday, 9 October 2024 (see here).

The Tasman Bridge is the busiest road in Tasmania and the most strategic transport link in our capital city. It carries the highest volumes of any road on the state’s network, with an average of 66,000 vehicles per day across the week – peaking at over 72,000 vehicles per day on weekdays.

By 2031, demand for the Tasman Bridge is expected to grow to an average of 77,000 movements per day. The Bridge is already at full capacity at peak times – and with limited alternative transport choices – congestion at the Bridge’s eastern approach and the Mornington Interchange is resulting in queuing and delays during these peak periods.

These issues are expected to get worse in the future due to projected growth in the outer Clarence areas and further east to Sorell and the Southern Beaches. Meanwhile traffic on the East Derwent Highway and Rosny Hill Road – roads that connect to the Tasman Highway on the eastern approaches to the Tasman Bridge – is expected to grow a further 20% by 2031.

These statistics highlight the practical need to prepare for future growth by both modernising the Tasman Bridge and encouraging alternate modes of transport across the river.

Greater Hobart will soon benefit from new ferry terminals and the creation of additional ferry routes bridging both banks of the River Derwent, enhancing accessibility for our communities. While our Councils were delighted to secure a $20 million investment from the Australian Government to deliver this project, ferries alone will not solve Hobart’s congestion issues.

We know that ferries need to be delivered in tandem with other critical transport projects – none more so than the Tasman Bridge, an ageing piece of infrastructure that without proper upgrades will be viewed as a relic of the previous century’s road network.

We remain extremely disappointed by the recent decision by the State Government to drop its plans to widen the bridge to safely accommodate more cyclists and pedestrians. This project would have delivered enormous benefits to Greater Hobart on several fronts, including providing a pivotal connection to our active transport network.

Instead, we learned last week via media release that the government is dramatically scaling back the project, opting to proceed with upgrades that will do next to nothing to improve options for commuters.

Sadly, scraping plans to widen the bridge is just the latest example of the State Government’s failure to deliver critical transport infrastructure for Greater Hobart. Other examples include:

·??????? No progress on the long-awaited Northern Suburbs Transit Corridor;

·??????? Delays and confusion surrounding the Southern Outlet transit lane, including news of a surprise $80 million federal bid to extend the project;

·??????? Announcing duplicative funding for ferry terminals at Lindisfarne, Sandy Bay and Wilkinsons Point that are already fully funded by the Australian Government, rather than focusing on additional terminals and services;

·??????? Minimal investment in active transport and cycling infrastructure;

·??????? Slashing Metro bus services over the past 12 months; and

·??????? Silence on the future of the Hobart Transit Centre project.

We were very surprised to learn through the media recently that the state is seeking an additional $80 million in federal investment for the expansion of the southern outlet transit lane. While we fully support measures that encourage people onto buses, such significant federal funding could deliver a range of transport projects for Greater Hobart that may be more effective at making people switch to public transport.

Similarly, we’ve been calling for the State Government to agree on timeframes and targets for progressing the Northern Suburbs Transit Corridor, which will provide important clarity to the community, industry and other stakeholders regarding the future of the project. The lack of adequate consultation in recent times has been very disappointing, particularly regarding project funding where decisions are being made without any engagement with our councils. Relationships are important, and a failure to consult and engage only serves to undermine these critical relationships between the Tasmanian Government and the Greater Hobart councils.

Many of these projects are associated with the Hobart City Deal, where all three levels of government committed to reducing congestion and improving transport choices for the Hobart community.

It is unfortunate the wheels appear to be falling off many of these transport initiatives as the City Deal and ultimately solving Greater Hobart’s transport challenges seem to have slid way down the state and federal government’s priorities. ?

We’re always indicating our interest in working more closely with the State Government on transport planning and delivery in our city. Together, we can ensure we’re funding and delivering the best projects for Greater Hobart’s future.

The Greater Hobart councils and the State Government have a shared responsibility through the Greater Hobart Act 2019 to deliver appropriate infrastructure for the fastest growing part of the state. Making the right decisions on transport infrastructure and working together in genuine partnership is a good place to start.

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Brendan Blomeley is the Mayor of Clarence City Council, Sue Hickey is the Mayor of Glenorchy City Council, Anna Reynolds is the Lord Mayor of the City of Hobart and Paula Wriedt is the Mayor of Kingborough Council.