Legislative Council, Thursday 31 October 2024

Ms FORREST question to MINISTER for INFRASTRUCTURE, Mr VINCENT

I have given the minister a little bit of time to get his feet under the desk. In correspondence in mid June to a constituent of mine who lives in Flowerdale, whose driveway connects with the roadworks that are now completed - although full of potholes - on the Bass Highway. It is around Wynyard, basically the Tollymore Road intersection, where this issue is, an address at 17006 Bass Highway, Flowerdale. The owner of the property's driveway has increased in steepness because of the dropping of the level of the road.

He was visited by the department's traffic engineer on 16 May 2024 who observed that the sightlines could perhaps do with some improvement, and said that there was going to be some review, or they will investigate what may be done to increase the line of sight. This letter to my constituents is from 14 June 2024. My question is, has that review of potentially increasing the line of sight occurred?

The second part of it is, there was concern raised that if anyone pulls into this driveway, which is on the main Bass Highway, and they are sitting to turn right into their driveway when heading in a westerly direction, whilst the road is wide enough for two ordinary vehicles to pass - so one could go around the outside of the one stopped to turn right into the driveway - the people who live at this property often tow a caravan, which is often broader than, or wider than, a regular vehicle.

I ask the minister for Infrastructure if he can update me, either now or soon, as to what that investigation found in regards to sight lines. Apart from saying you should indicate earlier and slow down to give cars plenty of time to pass - not entirely helpful when you are coming down around the corner and on a bit of a slope. It is not all that helpful.

ANSWER

Mr President, I will seek some advice.

Thank you for that question. I even have trouble remembering back that far these days. It seems that is a lifetime ago. There is some correspondence relating to that matter. If it is okay, I will get back to you with more information as soon as I possibly can.

Ms Forrest - Just to clarify, there is correspondence ready to go. Is that what you said?

Mr VINCENT - No. There has been correspondence received relating to it. I am not sure where the report into that section of road is, so I will follow that up and come back to you.