Clarence City Council has supported a motion from Councillor Tony Mulder calling on the Department of State Growth (DSG) to release the full feasibility report on the proposed Flagstaff Gully Link Road, and to provide answers on long-term infrastructure planning for the eastern shore.
The motion highlights the growing concerns over worsening eastern shore congestion on routes feeding into the Tasman Bridge and the lack of viable alternative connections between the Tasman Highway and Bowen Bridge.
Mayor Brendan Blomeley said it was time for the State Government to front up with answers and commit to action.
“Once again, Clarence residents are being left behind when it comes to long-term transport planning,” Mayor Blomeley said.
“We’ve seen report after report identify the eastern shore as a pressure point, yet viable projects like the Flagstaff Gully Link Road are being dismissed without full transparency.”
The motion notes that traffic is increasingly diverting to unsafe alternatives like Grass Tree Hill and Brinktop Roads, while areas like Gordons Hill Road and Begonia Street are facing rising congestion.
“The Tasman Bridge is under immense pressure, and yet there is no public plan for how we respond if it fails or becomes unusable,” Mayor Blomeley said.
“We have seen through the development of the Bridgewater Bridge how long it takes from concept to completion – the Tasman Bridge already 60 years old – planning for its replacement needs to have already started.
“We have proposed traffic solutions for Clarence for many years including Tasman Highway on and off ramps to Gordons Hill Road to fix the Cambridge Road gridlock and queues leading to the Mornington Roundabout, which, like the South Arm Highway realignment, is another case of a State Government snail-paced road infrastructure project.
“We are also waiting on advice from DSG in relation to feasibility study for a Brighton to Cambridge freight link, to address the informal use of back roads by heavy transport vehicles.
“We’re asking basic questions that remain unanswered. What we really need is a 20-year plan for improved connectivity between the rapidly growing municipalities of Brighton, Clarence and Sorell.”
Mayor Blomeley said the case for the Flagstaff Gully Link Road remains strong, pointing to the Ratio Report which shows a return of up to $3.50 for every $1 invested — significantly higher than other major road projects in the state.
“We’re not asking for favours — we’re asking for fair consideration and the data to back the Department’s decisions,” he said.
“Clarence is growing, and our infrastructure needs to keep up.”
Council will continue to pursue discussions with DSG and advocate for practical, long-term solutions to relieve pressure on the region’s key traffic corridors.