Bartlett’s divisive, unfair, political motivation

Mercury Editorial, Friday, 6 October
PREMIER David Bartlett’s push to build a $23 million road into the Tarkine forests in the far North-West is divisive, unfair and appears politically motivated.

Leaving aside the conservation issues, what is the Bartlett Government doing trail-blazing through remote rainforests while tourist routes in the South are being left in such an appalling state?

Anyone who has driven on the road between Richmond and Jericho recently can testify to the parlous state of roads in the South. The road surface is a disgrace and requires drivers to slow to about 70km/h and be prepared to dodge massive holes — at risk of colliding with on-coming traffic.
Richmond is one of the state’s leading tourist drawcards with one of the best collections of colonial architecture in Australia. Locals have been screaming out for years for roadworks to reduce the unbelievable clogging of the town during peak tourist seasons. The beautiful and historic bridge strains under the weight of this massive load.

The Coal River Valley has produced some of the state’s finest wines in recent years and has an exclusive group of boutique wineries and vineyards. The wines produced in this region are distinctly different from those in other regions such as the Tamar and Pipers River. The potential for this southern region is immense. But any tourist planning on travelling these roads had better beware. Take a cushion and some painkillers, you’re in for a bumpy ride.

Travel south of Hobart and there are many brave developers who have invested in tourism ventures, such as Simon Currant’s operation at Peppermint Bay near Woodbridge, who deserve better infrastructure and much better roads.

How many lives have been lost on the sub-standard roads from Hobart to New Norfolk?

The eastern approach to the Tasman Bridge is finally being re-sealed — the bumpy old surface was an embarrassing entrance to a capital city.

It is obvious; tourism operators in the South are getting a raw deal.

Take a drive on the North-West Coast, however, and the highways are huge — lane after lane of freshly sealed bitumen and gleaming roadside barriers, with nary a vehicle to be seen.

It is no secret the electorates of Bass and Braddon have lived high on the hog from politicians keen to pork-barrel their way into parliament.

Enough is enough. If there is $23 million of state money available for tourism roads, then the South should be first priority. It has been the poor relation for long enough. What sense does it make to spread the money more thinly by carving new frontiers?

The state is facing an uncertain future in the midst of a massive global economic downturn. We stand to lose international visitors in the collapse, but may pick up some domestic tourists.

The wise course would be to service tourist routes that are already feeling the pinch and give operators the best possible chance to survive.

The Tarkine push appears little more than wedge politics in the lead-up to the next state election in a bid to brand the Government “pro-development” on the North-West Coast.

Meanwhile, tourism operators with real investments and real exposure to a volatile market are left to suffer.