Cradle Coast slams TasRail over pathway
Cradle Coast Council Mayor Jane Bonde has slammed TasRail for a bureaucratic attitude that has delayed the Don to Leith section of the Coastal Pathway.
The Cradle Coast Authory has asked Premier Peter Gutwein to intervene with the state-owned enterprise and have scheduled a meeting with him to outline their grievances.
Speaking in The Advocate newspaper, Councillor Bonde said the north-west councils had long been frustrated by TasRail’s “often excessive requirements and bureaucratic attitude”.
She said that while councils are keen to work with TasRail on the Coastal Pathway, dealing with TasRail is “typically difficult and slow”.
A TasRail stament said there is conflict between the preferred Coastal Pathway route and TasRail’s policy position not to permit the pathway within the “operational railway corridor” but that it is working with the Cradle Coast Authority to “explore alternative options”.
RACT launches 30 yr Launceston Mobility Vision
The RACT has launched its 30 year mobility vision project for Launceston, calling for submissions from the public on projects they want to see get up in that timeframe.
You can provide a submission through the website for your idea to improve mobility in Launceston. https://launcestonvision.ract.com.au/submissions/
The RACT will use the public submissions, along with advice from its expert panel and community organisations to develop a submission to the greater Launceston Transport Vision process being run by the Tasmanian Government and six greater Launceston councils.
It describes the government process as a solid base to work from but is calling for a long-term, comprehensive vision for the area.
Mac Point path still closed
The Macquarie Point Development Corporation has let us know that the cycling path through the site is still closed due to the construction taking place next to it.
They were hoping to re-open the path at the end of this month, but it now looks like taking a little longer. In the meantime, please use the Davey Street path.
Legislative Council elections this Saturday
If you are not one of the thousands of Tasmanians who have already voted in the Legislative Council elections for the seats of Huon and Rosevears, this Saturday is polling day.
If you want to know where the candidates stand on improving bicycle infrastructure and support, check out our Safer Cycling Pledge and who has signed on to it.
Thanks to Janie Finlay, Vivienne Gale and David Fry in Rosevears and Robert Armstrong, Pat Caruana and Bastian Seidel in Huon for supporting our Safer Cycling Pledge and better conditions for bicycle riders.
Draft Hobart MTB plan gets thumbs up
The City of Hobart has released a report on public comments on its draft mountain bike plan for the foothills of kunanyi/Mt Wellington with 93% of riders and 72% of runners happy with the proposed network: https://yoursay.hobartcity.com.au/riding-the-mountain
Less happy were people who walked in the area, with only 52% saying they were happy with the network and 25% saying they were concerned about the environmental impact of adding more tracks to the park.
West Coast MTB paths get $2.5 m
The Tasmanian Government has announced the Mt Owen MTB track on the west coast has received $2.5 million in Commonwealth funding, ensuring it will go ahead.
The funding money will also be used on track design in Zeehan and marketing and communications activities.
George Town MTB hub secured
George Town Council has bought the old RSL building to convert it into a mountain bike hub which will be the first port of call for people riding the new tracks after 2021.
The hub will have trail information, shuttles, bike wash and showers and a hospitality training centre for local secondary school students.