DORSET councillors at their meeting on Monday formally acknowledged the importance of the Tasman Highway between Scottsdale and Launceston, as a strategic and major freight route.
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The acknowledgement came after councillors supported a notice of motion from Deputy Mayor Greg Howard requesting that emphasis as a major freight route be allocated to the Tasman Highway and not Golconda Road.
Cr Howard spoke to Treasurer Peter Gutwein and Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding about the importance of the Tasman Highway for freight.
It is understood that Cr Howard was prompted to act because there is no major infrastructure spending planned for the highway between Scottsdale and Launceston.
The motion asks that the state government formally acknowledge the highway's importance as a major strategic freight route and requests of the state government that it undertake a strategic assessment of the highway.
It also requests that the state government develop and fund a capital upgrade implementation plan, with projects designed to deliver a quality road meeting freaight and community demands as well as reducing travel time between Launceston and Scottsdale.
Council infrastructure and regulatory services manager David Jolly said that Cr Howard's notice of motion was consistent with the council's existing road plan and recommended that councillors pass it.