Ms BURNET – I’d like to get back on to the Southern Outlet, so to speak. In 6.4 in the Budget paper number one, we have the Greater Hobart Traffic Solution. That amounts to $217.8 million altogether, as an overall project. Could you explain how much has been spent so far on the Southern Outlet transit lane, including on reports and compulsory land acquisition?
Mr ROCKLIFF – If I can get that information for you, bear with me just a moment, Ms Burnet. We’ll get the breakdown for you just to make sure we’re right.
Ms BURNET – Do you want me to ask another question while you’re –
Mr ROCKLIFF – Yes. You can ask another question.
Ms BURNET – Okay. I appreciate you organising a briefing for me, Premier, which was not forthcoming with the former Infrastructure minister. So, I thank you for that.
Just in regard to current works, road widening, the couplet upgrade and the Macquarie Street lane changes, what safety upgrades are occurring and is this a black spot with high crash history at that intersection, the Macquarie Street intersection with Huon Road?
Mr ROCKLIFF – If we’re going to, just to get that information for you. In relation to safety aspects, is that the question you asked?
Ms BURNET – Yes, the safeness of that intersection because I’m thinking it’s a dangerous intersection. How is this going to be improved?
Mr ROCKLIFF – Now, while we’re getting that information, I do have information in terms of the potholes. We have the data from your earlier question and, of the 3488 potholes, 2842 have been filled. The question on notice data, potholes on specified state roads since 26 August 2024, as at today: the Murchison Highway, 279 potholes identified, 179 potholes completed; Illawarra Road, 149 total identified and 149 completed; Bass Highway, 844 identified, 752 completed; Midland Highway, 439 identified, 434 completed; Southern Outlet, 17 identified, 16 completed; Channel Highway, 84 identified and 64 completed.
Mr WINTER – Sorry, was that the Southern Outlet in the north or the south?
Mr ROCKLIFF – Thank you for the question. I make the assumption it’s the northern Southern Outlet, if that makes any sense to you, in Launceston, but I’ll clarify that for you.
Huon Highway, 36 identified, 31 completed; Tasman Highway, 108 identified and 103 complete;. I think I mentioned the Channel Highway, 84 identified and 64 completed.
I think the importance of the blitz cannot be understated, recognising the safety aspects and the frustration. An enormous amount of work has been done, there has been increased funding into maintenance and I’m looking forward to getting greater information through briefings and consultation around road improvements.
Construction on Davey Street between Murray Street and the Southern Outlet to repair the pavement and facilitate the bus improvements work has been completed. Constructing a new northbound transit lane on the Southern Outlet requires changes to Macquarie Street to accommodate four lanes of traffic exiting the Southern Outlet. This project also included an extended peak-period clearway on Macquarie Street to improve traffic flow and to improve greater capacity for the left‑hand turn onto Molle Street. The new peak‑period clearway on Macquarie Street was implemented in April this year. The next stage of construction involved upgrades to the existing bus shelter and construction of a cycleway on Davey Street. This work was completed in August 2024. The second stage will see construction of the transit lane connector that extends the Southern Outlet with an additional traffic lane between Davey Street and Macquarie Street. The contract for construction of the transit lane connector was awarded and construction commenced on 12 August 2024. That is the advice I have before me.
Ms BURNET – It doesn’t answer the question, which was about the associated costs, to date, on reports and compulsory land acquisitions.
Mr ROCKLIFF – Yes, that was the first part of the question. I’ve just answered the second part of the question.
Ms BURNET – It’s around black spots and crash history
Mr ROCKLIFF – We’re getting that information for you. We’re happy to take it on notice to ensure that we get the answer to you whether it’s today, or when we finish we’ll take it on notice, if that’s okay?
Ms BURNET – Thank you.
