Track erosion

cost of protecting owned asset.

“Council is in receipt of a confidential report commissioned by the department. Current estimates for mitigating coastal erosion issues in the short term is about $5.9 million,” the Waratah-Wynyard Council said.

“In addition it is estimated another $5 million will be needed in future years.”

The coast of North-West Tasmania took another battering last week as wild weather lashed the region. a state

“For the past two years the councils have been working with the government to transfer the management of the section of the rail corridor from Cooee to Wynyard for use as a coastal pathway,” the council said.

But in a letter to WaratahWynyard Mayor Robbie Walsh in May, former infrastructure minister Jeremy Rockliff suggested the $7 million the State Government had granted to complete the North West Coastal Pathway be used to remediate the erosion of the rail corridor. A revised pathway funding schedule would then need to be approved.

“It remains the government’s expectation that in order for the coastal pathway to proceed that the Burnie City Council assume responsibility as the corridor manager,” Mr Rockliff said.

“As such it will have continuing responsibility to maintain the corridor — including maintenance and preventive works necessary to ensure the integrity of the structure.”

The councils will now lobby the new Minister, Mr Ferguson, for funding to cover the cost of remediation works and to confirm future maintenance obligations.

They will also be looking to amend the Strategic Infrastructure Corridors Act to make it clear the state is responsible for protecting the rail corridor from erosion.

A redesign of the pathway route may be required pending the finalised corridor management agreement and consideration of the erosion report.