The 2.6 kilometre access road is planned to be built between Sandy Points Road to Bridport Road and would work as a second access.

The council’s town planner Rohan Willis said the new road would be invaluable to the town’s infrastructure and its capacity to effectively plan for emergencies, natural hazards and road closures.  

“The proposed road is to be designed for heavy vehicles, to a standard that provides for 26-metre B-double vehicles,” Mr Willis said in the council agenda. 

“As part of these works, the proposal would include a bridge across the Brid River.”

The council received three representations for the proposal, which addressed 12 different issues.

The land the road is built on is owned by three different bodies, including Dorset ratepayers.

The council agenda states Susan, Andrew and John Harrison own land on Bridport Road, along with the Department of State Growth. 

Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment own part of the land, with Dorset Council controlling the remaining required land. 

Seven different land zones exist on the required land. The council has budgeted $2 million in its 2017/2018 budget for the project.

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The access road is just one of a number of hot topics to be discussed at the meeting. 

Councillor Dale Jessup will move a motion asking the council to write to the federal and state governments and opposition to outline the council’s priority to upgrade the Tasman Highway. 

Cr Jessup wants the Sideling section of the highway upgraded between Minstone  and Corkerys roads to B-double standard.

“Over many years successive state and federal governments have made funding announcements committing to upgrade the Tasman Highway from Scottsdale to Launceston and whilst some sections have been upgraded the Sideling section still needs to be completed,” he said.

“The Tasman Highway via the Sideling is the most direct route to the North West and South including Launceston airport and the North West deep water ports.”

The council will also vote to approve the sale of 10 vacant lots of public land at Scottsdale.

Councillor Lawrence Archer will move a motion to ask the council to audio record its council meetings. 

He said the motion would enhance the council’s goal of communicating “openly and encourage the active participation of the community”.

Also up for discussion is whether the Scottsdale visitor information centre should be moved. 

The council will consider moving the centre into the Scottsdale RSL Military Museum. An allocation of $28,000 was budgeted in the 2017/2018 council budget.