Media release – Andrew Wilkie MP, Independent Member for Clark, 21 June 2021
MINISTER DODGES CITY DEAL QUESTION
“The Federal Government’s response to my question today in Question Time shows how out of touch it is with the community in Hobart,” Mr Wilkie said. “The Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts failed to acknowledge the traffic congestion being experienced in Hobart nowadays, and completely ignored the obvious issue which is that the Tasmanian State Government is out of its depth implementing its responsibilities under the Hobart City Deal.
“The Federal and State governments are blind to the fact that their obsession with roads, and inability to improve them in a timely manner, is a big reason for Hobart’s terrible traffic congestion. Moreover they’re oblivious to the fact that what’s actually needed is a sustainable vision for transport in the city including the broadest range of alternative technologies and systems. Not just a couple of ferries, but the reintroduction of trains, much improved public transport and a genuinely effective network of bicycle infrastructure. Doing so will not only fix current problems, but also set the city up for the challenges of the future including UTas’s relocation into the CBD.
“The Southern Outlet expansion is especially ill-considered because all it’ll do is see homes demolished and more traffic squeezed into Macquarie and Davey Streets.”
Watch Mr Wilkie’s question and the Minister’s response here: https://andrewwilkie.org/
Media release – Ella Haddad MP, Labor Member for Clark, 20 June 2021
Dynnyrne residents deserve better
The Liberal Government’s cruel plan to demolish homes to add a fifth lane to the Southern Outlet cannot continue.
Labor Member for Clark Ella Haddad said a community meeting scheduled for today had been cancelled after the Government failed to provide an update on when the public consultation period would close.
“Residents at risk of losing their homes have been left in limbo with the Government failing to provide crucial updates to the community,” Ms Haddad said.
“The Government announced its intention to add a fifth lane to the outlet in 2018 with no details or community consultation. Then in a rushed attempt to win votes this election, they renounced it, putting 18 or more homes in an historic Hobart suburb at risk.
“How can the Government put these residents in such a precarious position for so long? It not only shows incompetence but a lack of empathy.
“An extra lane on the outlet would only result in commuters arriving at the city bottleneck sooner and the community can see right through this cruel, quick fix plan.”
Ms Haddad said all sitting members for Clark had been invited to the now cancelled meeting.
“The meeting was cancelled because the Government failed to update the community and residents have been left out to dry for well over a month.
“Residents cannot be left scratching their heads any longer, the Government must make it a priority to talk with the community about this project.
“Maybe they could add this crucial community consultation to their 100-day plan.”
