Statement – Department of State Growth, 26 May 2021
Tasman Highway Closure near Orford
The Department of State Growth will close the Tasman Highway at Paradise Gorge, west of Orford, for several weeks, starting 11:55 pm on Friday 28 May 2021, in the interests of public safety.
As part of its work to maintain a safe road network, the Department of State Growth has been proactively monitoring the stability of rocks above the Tasman Highway at Paradise Gorge near Orford.
The Department has received expert advice that, while the road remains safe to travel on today, a detailed survey of the area has identified that there is a need to investigate removal of rock to manage the risk of a rock fall. There is also a risk that severe weather, including heavy rainfall or frost, could result in a rock fall.
Frost is forecast in the area for the early morning of Saturday 29 May 2021, so the road will be closed from 11:55 pm Friday to ensure that everyone is safe, and to enable rock removal to start.
There will also be intermittent closures of up to 10 minutes at a time this Thursday, 27 and Friday 28 May to enable preparation works for the rock removal.
The road closure will impact traffic in both directions, about 1.5 km before you reach Orford when travelling from Hobart. Once closed, the road will not reopen until the rock has been removed.
The Department will start works to remove the rock this weekend, starting with site set up and preparation works, including protecting the road from the falling rocks.
The work will be complex and take some time. The community should prepare for a lengthy closure, as the works may take several weeks to complete.
We will keep the community and key stakeholders informed throughout the works, and let people know once we have a confirmed date to reopen the road.
We know this will affect local communities and will cause significant disruption for many, but the Department’s priority is the safety of the public.
Traffic from Hobart will need to access the east coast via Lake Leake Road. Detour signage will be installed at key locations.
While Wielangta Road can be used, it is a gravel road and is not suitable for large volumes of traffic. Road users should drive to the conditions.
Media release – Michael Ferguson, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, 26 May 2021
Important safety work to begin on Tasman Highway at Paradise Gorge
The Department of State Growth has been monitoring the stability of rocks above the Tasman Highway at Paradise Gorge near Orford, and has received expert advice that there is a need to work swiftly to remove rock to manage the risk of a rock fall.
While the advice is that the road is currently safe to travel on, there is a need to commence work quickly as adverse weather and frost forecast for this weekend could increase risk.
This means the road will be closed from 11:55pm this Friday 28 May, with work immediately getting underway.
The site of the road closure is around 1.5 kilometres from Orford (if travelling from Hobart) and will impact traffic in both directions.
This work will be complex and, unfortunately, will mean a closure of several weeks. I want to acknowledge the impact this will have on many in our community, but safety must come first.
An alternate route to the east coast is available via the Midland Highway and Lake Leake Road, however this journey will be significantly longer than the direct route via Tasman Highway and road users are urged to plan ahead.
Motorists can also use Wielangta Road, which is having additional safety works undertaken today, but they will need to drive to conditions given it is a gravel road. This road is not suitable for heavy vehicles.
The Department of State Growth is writing to all residents, schools, emergency services, transport companies, organisations, and businesses in the region to advise them of the situation, and the details and timetable for the Government’s work to safely remove the dangerous material, and how they will be kept informed. The Department is also working closely with essential services and providers to ensure appropriate planning and alternate arrangements are in place.
While we understand this will cause disruption to many Tasmanians and tourists to our State, we simply can’t jeopardise the safety of our road users.
Further information on the emergency works will be available on the department’s transport website at www.transport.tas.gov.au or by calling 1300 139 933. We will keep the community informed regularly as works progress.
Media release – Brian Mitchell MP, Federal Member For Lyons, 27 May 2021
Tasman Highway Closure At Paradise Gorge
The Tasmanian Government needs to pull its finger out and ensure Tasman Highway on the east coast re-opens to traffic ‘in days, rather than weeks’, says federal Labor MP Brian Mitchell.
From midnight Friday 28 May, the highway at Paradise Gorge south of Orford will close for an undetermined period to allow State Roads to repair and possibly remove elements of a steep cliff that could otherwise collapse onto the narrow section that runs through the gorge along the Prosser River.
This morning on ABC Radio, the General Manager of State Roads, Denise McIntyre, could not say how long the road would remain closed, including up to and beyond 12 weeks.
“I support the decision to close the road to ensure public safety but it is clear to me that State Roads does not understand the severe impact this closure is going to have on the east coast, particularly Orford and Triabunna.
“A closure that lasts weeks, or perhaps even months, is unthinkable. The state government must pull its finger out to get this road re-opened in days, rather than weeks.
“The east coast simply cannot afford for State Roads to move at a business-as-usual pace. Decisions need to be made and action taken immediately.
“Every resource should be brought to bear to ensure this road re-opens as quickly as physically possible, not as quickly as is convenient for State Roads.”
Mr Mitchell said the closure proved how important it was that Wielangta Road be permanently upgraded as an alternative east coast route.
“The state government must stop trying to handball responsibility for Wielangta Road onto cash-strapped local councils and do the right thing by east coast communities and make this road safe to travel on as an alternative route.”
Media release – Jen Butler MP, Labor Member for Lyons, 27 May 2021
Tasman highway closure must be explained
The Liberal Government must explain the timeline of the decision to close the section of the Tasman Highway near Orford.
Labor Member for Lyons Jen Butler said the community had been left in the dark about the decision.
“The decision to close part of the Tasman highway has caused a great deal of confusion and anger in the community,” Ms Butler said.
“Residents and businesses have now, with minimal notice, been forced to face the reality of hours being added to their commute.
“Labor supports these necessary works to keep members of the community safe, however questions the timing and advice to the community.
“Emergency services need quick access to the area, and students, teachers and businesses will have their daily activities severely interrupted.
“When did Infrastructure Minister Michael Ferguson first become aware this road needed these repairs? Is there a shorter, safer alternate route that can be established for residents?”
Ms Butler said Wielangta Road was unsuitable for most traffic and the Midland highway route led to a significantly higher travel time.
“The alternate travel routes proposed by the Government are unsuitable, and with an indefinite project length, the Government must find an alternate traffic solution to help residents.”
Media release – Michael Ferguson, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, 26 May 2021
Unnecessary politics on an important safety matter
Nothing has changed within Labor, just like the bushfires, the flood and the pandemic they are playing politics during a very serious situation.
To answer the political question Ms Butler poses, I first became aware of the serious risk on Tuesday, and we acted immediately to protect Tasmanians and effect the necessary repairs, including the resheeting of Wielangta Road.
Right now, our focus must only be on planning and implementing the urgent repairs as quickly and safely as possible. Everyone is working hard and I thank all those making valuable contributions to get this matter resolved.
