I wish to make a submission in relation to two important Infrastructure projects for Southeast Tasmania. Background I am the owner for the historic Black Snake Inn, which is the earliest Ferry Inn in Australia. There has been a structure on this site since at least 1811 as Governor MacQuarie visited for breakfast on the 27th November that year and a Ferry Inn was established around 1815, interestingly the first Ferryman was Richard Burrows but apparently there is no family connection The present building was built in 1832 by an American and is currently used as a home and I am the owner /occupier having been in my ownership for 48 years. I fully support the replacement of the Bridgewater Bridge Infrastructure project. I believe this project should be commenced immediately, I have been told that it is considered marginal based on the Commonwealth criteria but I believe there is a strong case based on other important issues. I fully support the extension of the InterCity Bikeway/walkway from Hobart to Bridgwater. I cannot support the Northern Suburbs Light Rail (I believe it will be not only being a waste of capital but will place the State government in the unenviable position to either having to continue to subsidise it or finally close it down. This would waste the original capital and in the meantime stops other more needed and cheaper Infrastructure developments taking place along the abandoned Rail corridor.) Replacement Bridgewater Bridge. A project that I support I have attached an article which was published in the August edition of the Royal Tasmanian Automobile Club Magazine, about the need for replacing the Bridgewater Bridge I believe that is quite self-explanatory. There are a couple of other issues that were not adequately emphasised in the article. I have commuted regularly to Hobart CBD and I still do but less frequently, the distance is almost exactly 20 km to what is locally known as the Railway Roundabout and that takes between 15 in the middle of the day and 20 minutes in peak hour times. Over the period of 48 years that time has not changed. Any delays are concentrated at 2 points The first chokepoint is the Railway Roundabout area; it takes at least 5 to 10 minutes to precede 500 to 800 m. This is the major chokepoint for Hobart and is an urban transport issue which successive State Governments and Hobart Council have avoided for over 80 years. The second chokepoint is the 1 to 2 km at Bridgewater Causeway and Bridgewater Bridge, it is signposted at 60 km/hr on a 100 to 110 km/hr Midlands Highway and for much of the day the actual speed is closer to 20 km/hr. The Midlands highway which is part of the Australian National Highway has a speed limit of 110km/hr except for the 2 km of the Causeway and Bridge at Bridgewater The existing lifting spam is some 70 years old and recently $15 million was spent just to keep it operational for the next five years. It has been projected it will cost the same or more every 5 years to keep it operational. This is a substantial sum and over the years will mount up for no return as ultimately it MUST be replaced. More importantly this is a very fragile structure and would need to be completely closed if there was a significant vehicle crash, or vandalism or a terrorist attack. This would cause massive dislocation to the Transport and Tourist Industries throughpot Tasmania but in particular on the South East where over 50% of Tasmania’s population lives The financial hardship for Hobart and surrounding areas would be considerable, possibly of a similar order to that when the Tasman Bridge was knocked down. About 30 years ago the Bridgewater Bridge was closed for over 3 months for maintenance and in that time a significant number of Glenorchy businesses went bankrupt. Equally important is that the alternatives transport routes would NOT be able carry the extra commuter traffic when combined with the heavy haulage vehicles. Land acquisition for the Bridge building corridor has now been secured but no funding has been provided for detailed planning. The construction time for the replacement Bridgewater Bridge is estimated at 5 years but an extra 1 year has to be added to that because there is no detailed plan. This is the most vital and important section of the Midlands Highway and could bring land based transport between the north and south of Tasmania to a temporary holt ,and when running again, it would cause a lot of local problems and discontent for road users, as well as possibly putting a number of Glenorchy Business out of business I can only give reported costs for this project; I would expect it to be of the order of $300 million. Extension of the Inter City Bike way to Bridgewater A project that I support, as an alternative to the Light Rail Currently there is a concrete bike track from near the Hobart CBD to the Suburb of Claremont which has replaced one set of tracks along the abandoned rail corridor from the City to Bridgewater. Hobart to Claremont is approximately 15 km and has become a very popular walking and bike track. Since it was originally constructed its popularity has increased dramatically and it can be at times rather crowded The InterCity Bike/walkway track has been in existence some 10 to 20 years The hilly nature of the Hobart topography makes the provision of a graded bike way almost impossible to achieve and this section of abandoned rail infrastructure provides the ONLY ideal corridor. This 20 km is the very best route for easy walking and cycling anywhere in the greater Hobart area. Thus the abandoned rail corridor is ideal and more or less ready made for conversion. The use of the existing 15 km has increased dramatically since it was completed. The current volume of walkers and cyclists is such that it is becoming crowded and because of the number and speed of the athletic cyclists there is a strong demand to separate the walkers and the cyclists. This could be done if the second track of the abandoned railway track was given over to widening of the walking and cycling track and separating the 2 modes. Currently there is only a single track from Claremont to South Granton adding an extra 8 km or so to the total distance, but an important extra extension. This would create a total return ride/walk of 40 km with a number of pleasant rest areas along the way. The important issue is that when the bike /walk way is extended to South Granton it would allow an extra 20 km of track to be constructed to New Norfolk. This could be done by building a separate bike/walkway beside the existing Lyell Highway, with some sections raised on piers over the reed beds between the Lyell Highway and the Derwent River and for the final section around a cliff face, a short floating section to arrive at the old New Norfolk Regatta Grounds section (like is planned for London on the Thames) This would create a wonderful bike/walkway of some 80 km return with great views of the River Derwent, a gentle grade for Mum Dad and the Kids riders as well as the athletic riders and walkers. It would offer the opportunity for the establishment of food and drink stalls in the many of the old Rail stations and other parks along the way. It would be desirable to use the recently available vehicle safe Solar cells for the all new work undertaken in the extension and expansion of the cycleway/walkway, ultimately to New Norfolk as this provides signalling and light and communications such as Wi-Fi. It is capable of bearing vehicle weights at a cost comparable with concrete, but without the Carbon footprint. Because of its length and the fact it passes through most of the Northern Suburbs it would allow easy access to local residents wishing to take a recreational walk or cycle for a short distance as well as allowing for longer distance trips to Hobart CBD It would also allow for the athletic cyclists an 80 km return ride and offer the possibility of commuter cyclists from as far away as New Norfolk but most certainly from the Northern Suburbs an easy and quick access to the Hobart CBD. This project is the ideal and already proven makeover of the existing abandoned Rail corridor, It is well established in Europe and encourages people to exercise by way of walking and cycling. This added health benefit thus saves the government at all levels in health costs. The capital expenditure would be a one off because and there is no need for subsidies and very little for maintenance. Unfortunately I am unable to give any costs for this project, but based on costing of the existing 15 km of concrete bikeway I would expect it to be of the order of $5 million to $10 million. Extension of the Inter City Bike way to Bridgewater And Provision of Innovative Tiny Houses and Tiny Shops A project that I support. Sections of the Rail corridor area could be used very constructively and creatively in other ways which would add to the convenience of walkers and cyclist and the general public My proposition is to build what in America is referred to as “tiny houses” these are fully equipped compact and lightweight well insulated houses.