Night fires delay demolition day
THREE vacant houses previously acquired by the crown to make way for the new Bridgewater Bridge were set alight in a suspected arson attack late on Sunday night.
Police spent Monday investigating fires at 32, 34 and 36 Old Main Rd, Bridgewater at 10pm last night.
The properties were slated for demolition on Monday morning, to make way for the contentious new bridge.
Instead, construction fences with asbestos warnings were erected.
Detective First Class Constable Anthony Marr said police had no suspects but believed that the fires were deliberate.
“Initial investigations indicated the suspects forced entry via the rear of each property prior to lighting the fires,” he said.
“Number 32, 34 and 36 were all listed for demolition this morning. We’ve had to conduct our investigations and that destruction has been put on hold momentarily.
“Police are calling for witnesses who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the area around about 10pm (Sunday) night.”
Constable Marr described the fires as “very serious”, but said police did not believe the fires were related to any opposition to the bridge.
“We believe that the three fires are linked and are obviously keeping an open mind with our investigations,” he said.
In May a state government department lodged plans to demolish the houses, which was at the time labelled a “concerning” move, amid the ongoing uncertainty around the project.
Costs for the bridge had blown out from $150 million in the early 2000s to $576 million at last estimate. The State Growth Department had lodged planning applications with Brighton Council to demolish the houses, which were acquired in 2013- 14.
Glenorchy Mayor Kristie Johnston said at the time that she was concerned about the future of the project, particularly in terms of the final design and the cost.
Fire crews from Bridgewater and Glenorchy attended the three properties.
A Tasmania Police spokeswoman on Monday night said there had been no further developments regarding the investigation.