Bikes, boots and barbecues

Some images of Australia Day in Maydena, thanks to the Maydena Community Association.

Morris slams premature plaque party

STATE Infrastructure Minister David O’Byrne had ignored safety issues on the Lyell Highway in order to prematurely declare a recent upgrade had been completed, Greens MHA Tim Morris said last week. He said Mr O'Byrne's recent plaque unveiling had been carried out while works were still ongoing and despite a lack of speed signage on a significant portion of the highway.

Mr Morris said the minister had asserted that the safety of the highway had been “greatly enhanced,” but the safety of the the roadworks was compromised by inconsistent speed zone signage. "The minister unveiled a plastic plaque that had been sticky-taped to a concrete plinth, which seemed to be a perfect example of the unfinished state of the roadworks themselves," Mr Morris said. The plastic plaque has since gone missing.

“Despite the minister’s declaration ... that the roadworks were complete and that the safety of the Lyell Hwy has now been 'greatly enhanced', there are still workers on the roadside," Mr Morris said. In the last week, workers have painted white circles around patches of the new road surface which have already pot-holed.

At the time of Mr Morris' comments last week, there was still a lack of consistent speed signs on a significant portion of the route. “Travelling west from Granton to New Norfolk the Highway is limited to 80km/h, but in the other direction, after leaving the New Norfolk speed limit area, the limit is 100km/h all the way to, and through, the roundabout at Granton,” he said.

Temporary speed signs were installed on Thursday and made permanent on Friday. Also on Friday, a speed camera vehicle spent part of the day monitoring cars in the merging zone at the New Norfolk end of the Murphys Flats overtaking lanes.

New petition supports fast food plan

THE proposal to build an as-yet-unspecified fast food joint in New Norfolk has spawned a second petition - this time in favour of the development. The pro-fast food petition can be found at various locations including the New Norfolk Newsagency.

A view of the future

THE landmark Bridgewater Bridge is likely to remain for generations to come, Derwent Valley Councillors were told this week. A representative of the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources attended a councillor workshop on Thursday night, bringing with him number of images showing a new bridge built alongside the existing crossing.

The department is consulting councils and communities in the region to obtain feedback on a draft proposal which includes a $300 million two-lane bridge downstream of the old bridge. The new crossing would form part of the national highway between Hobart and Launceston, while the old bridge will be retained for local traffic, cyclists, pedestrians and trains.

The proposed new bridge includes a 16.2m clearance for river traffic, which is said to match the Bowen Bridge. There would be provision to build a further two lanes in the future. It is expected that a final proposal will be put to the Federal Government mid-year. More information is available online here.

The new bridge would connect directly to the Brooker Hwy

The new bridge will be downstream of the existing structure

Praise for New Norfolk Cup

LAST week's New Norfolk Pacing Cup attracted about 2000 people, specialist racing news website Harnesslink reports here. An earlier report here describes pacer Touchwood Bucksta's win as one of the most impressive harness racing victories ever recorded in a New Norfolk Cup at Kensington Park.

Willow Court report nearly there

MANAGEMENT consultant Malcolm MacDonald has this week briefed the Derwent Valley Council on his draft report on future options for Willow Court and is expected to return with his final report in three weeks' time.

Mr MacDonald was engaged last year to review and consolidate all previous plans, studies and documents relating to the Willow Court barracks precinct; to develop a business plan and development strategy; to make recommendations about future employment requirements; and make a start on the development in any time remaining.

At a closed meeting on Monday night, the council voted to receive the draft document and asked Mr MacDonald to have his final report ready before State Cabinet's visit to New Norfolk at the end of February.

Junior cricket results

GRETNA Cricket Gretna Club has provided the following results from the junior matches played last Sunday, January 30.

Under 13s: Gretna 5 for 122 off 25 overs defeated New Norfolk 4 for 67 off 25 overs at Boyer Oval. Batting - Jacksyn Mann 34 not out (5 fours, 1 six), Luke Crosswell 23 retired (3 fours), Reece Williams 13, Zac Crosswell 8, Jack Stevenson 4no, Josh Farrow 3. Bowling - Josh Farrow 1 for 1 off two overs, Reece Williams 1 for 2 off three, Josh Russell 1 for 4 off two overs.

Under 15s: New Town 10 for 125 off 37 overs defeated Gretna 10 for 92 off 30 overs at Gretna. Batting - Alex Blair 31 (1 four), Nathan Wakefield 14 (2 fours), Josh Whitford 10 (1 four), Josh Raspin 3, Connor Salter 3, Dylan Carver 2. Bowling - Trent Grant 2 for 8 off four overs, Dylan Carver 2 for 9 off four overs, Aaron Dawes 2 for 10 off four overs, Nathan Wakefield 2 for 16 off four overs, Aaron Triffitt 1 for 8 off six overs, Josh Whitford 1 for 16 off four overs.

This Sunday's games: Under 13 - Gretna V Brighton at Gretna. Under 15 - Gretna v Clarence at Rokeby Village Green.