Fix Ferry Road

Snap! – Libs promise $8 mill too

Today Will Hodgman announced the Liberals commitment to matching Labor’s $8 million promise to fix Ferry Road.  The Libs have gone one better than Labor and have committed to year by year funding, a firm timetable and a more explicit outline of  the scope of works to be carried out.  You can read more about the announcement and view some extended ABC footage here (follow the link on the right hand side of the page to watch the video of most of Will’s announcement).

Will Hodgman, Jacquie Petrusma and Jillian Law being quizzed by the media scrum on the Liberals commitment to Fix Ferry Road

WIN, SCTV and the ABC all covered the story to varying degrees (mostly fairly scant) on their evening news programs.

The full text of the Liberal’s media release is available here.

According to a report in the Mercury the Libs are also considering providing additional ferry capacity to ease the queuing  problems at peak times;  read more here.

Liberals campaign poster in Ferry Road says it all (thanks to Photoshop)

Campaign Chronicles

Today’s Kingborough Chronicle features extended coverage of the issues with Ferry Road.

Next week’s edition will feature an article on the expansive Oyster Cove Marina redevelopment.

It all helps.

Pollies given the sign

Word got around that a contingent of pollies and bureaucrats where on their way to Bruny Island this morning for the opening of the new Bruny Island Medical Centre.

Part of the convoy of pollies heading to the opening of the new Bruny Island Medical Centre

Ferry Road residents took advantage of the opportunity to do a bit more lobbying.

Ferry Roaders think that people should vote for the Party most likely to Fix Ferry Road

Lara Giddings was in the contingent and suggested that it was time to take down the signs seeing that Labor had already committed $8 million to Fixing Ferry Road.  I don’t think so Lara.  We will take down the signs when we see an excavator arrive to start work on the Road.  In the meantime Labor still have to retain government and we are yet to hear what the Libs position is on Ferry Road.  We know they say they are right behind us but let’s see the colour of your money Will.

This just about says it all

And there was even a message for Kingborough Council who decided at their November meeting to once again investigate the viability of a foreshore walkway.

Council decided in November to investigate this matter - for the umpteenth time

A promise of  $8 million to Fix Ferry Road might sound like the battle is won.  I don’t think so.  Word on the street is that the outcome of  the election is likely to result in 10 Labor, 10 Liberal and 5 Greens seats (you heard it here first).  That means a fair period of turmoil so it is essential to keep the wheel squeaking.

Labor promise $8 million for Ferry Road

Premier Bartlett has pledged $8 million to Fix Ferry Road.  The promise is part of Labor’s Community Roads Package announced yesterday.

Funding for the package is spread over 4 years and will of course be contingent on Labor still being in power come the end of March.

This is the first real sign of financial commitment to Fix Ferry Road in over 15 years of community campaigning.  Let’s hope the opposition parties will match the promise – just in case.

Kettering Foreshore Walkway extensions

One of the most pedestrian unfriendly parts of the walk between the Ferry Terminal and Oyster Cove Marina has been bypassed.

Pedestrians beware

Up until recently the only way to travel on foot in a westerly direction from the western end of South Haven Marina was along Ferry Road.  This often entailed squeezing between the Armco barrier and the queued ferry traffic.  If a log truck or a gravel truck came along while negotiating this section then extreme caution was required.

Now, thanks the enterprise of the proprietor of  Able Marine pedestrians can now continue along the waterfront  on their newly completed boardwalk.

Able Marine's new boardwalk

A Kettering Foreshore Walkway has been on the drawing board for years but as with most other government or Council initiatives that’s where Ferry Road projects usually stay.  You couldn’t be blamed if you thought that  both these organisations have a predeliction for spending all their money on consultants, studies and consultation rather than getting on and doing something practical.

Thanks for showing them the way Angelo.