Examiner Op Ed June 2020
Roadworks Report
Monday, 20 April – Sunday, 3 May 2020
Please see below a selection of roadworks that may impact your journey in the McIntyre Electorate on Tasmania’s state-owned roads.
To see a complete list of all roadworks planned over the next two weeks, download the Roadworks Roundup on the Transport website. https://www.transport.tas.gov.au/road/closures_delays
BASS HIGHWAY –
Launceston – Westbury
We are installing signs on the Bass Highway, between Launceston and Westbury, until Friday, 24 April.
There is a reduced speed limit and occasional lane closures during our working hours, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm.
Launceston – Deloraine
We will be working on drainage on the Bass Highway, between Midland Highway and Deloraine, Monday, 20 – Friday, 24 April.
There will be a reduced speed limit and occasional lane closures during our working hours, 7:30 am – 4:00 pm.
We will then be repairing the road surface on this same section of the Bass Highway, Tuesday, 28 – Thursday, 30 April.
There will be a reduced speed limit and frequent lane closures during our working hours, 9:30 am – 3:00 pm.
BRIDPORT
Bridport Road
We are strengthening Little Forest River bridge on Bridport Road, between Mickca Rivulet and Emily Street, until Wednesday, 17 June.
There is a reduced speed limit at all times during the works until 19 May. The speed limit will be reduced during working hours, 7:00 am – 5:30 pm from 19 May – 17 June.
More information: Freight Access Bridge Upgrade Program
ESK MAIN ROAD –
Tullochgorum – Fingal
We are resurfacing Esk Main Road, between Tullochgorum and Fingal, until Friday, 25 April.
There is a reduced speed limit and frequent lane closures during our working hours, 7:00 am – 6:00 pm.
Conara – Avoca
We are strengthening the rail underpass on Esk Main Road, between Conara and Avoca, until Thursday, 30 April.
There is a reduced speed limit and frequent lane closures during our working hours.
St Mary’s Pass
We will be working on drainage on Esk Main Road, st St Mary’s Pass, Monday, 27 – Thursday, 30 April.
There will be a reduced speed limit and frequent lane closures during our working hours.
Evandale Road
We are doing investigations on Evandale Road, between the Breadalbane roundabout and the entry to the Launceston Airport, until Friday, 8 May.
There will be a reduced speed limit and lane closures during working hours, 7:30 am – 5:30 pm.
Meander Valley Road
We will be working on drainage on Meander Valley Road between Westbury Road junction and Pateena Road, Monday, 27 – Thursday, 30 April.
There will be a reduced speed limit with occasional lane closures during our working hours, 7:30 am – 4:00 pm.
MIDLAND HIGHWAY
Breadalbane – Launceston
We will be repairing and installing safety barriers and repairing the road surface on the Midland Highway, between Breadalbane and Launceston, until Thursday, 30 April.
There will be a reduced speed limit with occasional lane closures during working hours, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm.
Conara
We will be working on the verge along the Midland Highway, between the Conara Road junction and Epping Forest, Monday, 20 – Thursday, 30 April.
There will be a reduced speed limit and occasional lane closures during our working hours, 7:30 am – 4:00 pm.
TASMAN HIGHWAY
Coles Bay – St Helens
We are doing construction works on the Tasman Highway, between the Coles Bay turn-off and St Helens, until Tuesday, 28 April.
There is a reduced speed limit and frequent lane closures during our working hours, 7:30 am – 4:00 pm.
Rocky Hills – Scamander
We are upgrading the Tasman Highway at the following locations, until late August 2020:
• Mariposa Beach
• Hughes Point Lookout
• Burgess Street in Bicheno
• Kelvedon Beach
• Rocky Hills Road Junction
• Rocky Hills Turn Out
• Avalon Junction
• Ironhouse Brewery access
• Elephant Pass Road.
There is a reduced speed limit and some lane closures during our working hours, 7:00 am – 5:00 pm.
These works are part of the project to improve the driver experience, overall safety, and travel time reliability along the popular Great Eastern Drive touring route.
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
*PLEASE NOTE* Due to the unfortunate situation with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and upon advice we ask that anyone with cold/flu symptoms refrain from entering the electorate office in Scottsdale. As always I welcome contact on any issue and am able to be contacted by phone – office 6350 5000, mobile – 0427523412 or email tania.rattray@parliament.tas.gov.au.
In these uncertain times, the health and safety of our community is paramount and we all need to take our personal health responsibility seriously.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and really appreciate your cooperation at this time.
Westminster Seminar
I recently attended the UK Parliament 68th Westminster Seminar hosted by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) UK in London where 60 delegates from across the Commonwealth attended the 5 day event. This years topic was Effective Parliaments where the seminar offered both theoretical and practical sessions where delegates discussed the similarities and differences of each countries parliamentary system. I was fortunate to represent the Tasmanian Parliament and was privileged to be invited to speak on the roles and functions of the Committee work that I have been involved with in the Tasmanian Parliament as a Member of the Legislative Council.
North-East ready to put on country shows
Show season is coming up in the North-East. The Ringarooma Show is first off, the mark, with the Ringarooma School and District Show on Saturday, November 9. There will be displays of everything from cookery to scrapbooking, wood-chopping starting from 10am, Miss Show Girl and Master Show Boy, and horse events throughout the day.
Read MorePromising potato price agreement
By Daisy Baker
AFTER almost two months negotiating with Simplot, potato growers around the state have accepted a new two-year contract which will deliver a price increase each year.
Just Cats to receive extra council funds
JUST Cats will now receive at least $5000 from the Northern Midlands Council to help meet operating costs this financial year, with the council to consider an additional do- nation and “strongly encourage” the state government to carry the burden of cat management.
Read MoreQuality care, exciting new facility
Ground has been broken for the long- awaited transformation of aged care in the North-East with the May Shaw Aminya Home commencing their $5.976 million development this week. The project was secured by a $3 million federal government grant which was announced at the launch on Monday afternoon by senator Eric Abetz, Bass MHR Bridget Archer, Bass MHA Sarah Courtney, May Shaw CEO Julie Orr and Mayor Greg Howard.
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