SNOW FEVER BLOCKS ROADS

Signs ‘completely ignored’

A MOUNT Field cafe owner has said too many drivers disregard warning signs and ruin the winter experience for everyone else as another snowy day is forecast this week.

Waterfalls Cafe and Gallery owner Rachel Power has for years called for a roundtable discussion between relevant bodies to tackle the issue of reckless drivers causing traffic jams and needing preventable rescue operations on big snow days.

“It can only be described as snow fever,” Ms Power said.

She said a large flashing sign displayed the road conditions at Mt Field during wild weather, sometimes showing messages like “fourwheel-drive only”, “closed” or “fourwheel-drive and two-wheel-drive with snow chains only”.

But Ms Power said the sign was “completely ignored” by drivers.

In the past, Ms Power said Parks and Wildlife Service staff manned the roads, resulting in a “much better experience”.

“If they don’t have snow chains they’re not allowed up, they still come in and walk to the waterfall, but the people who are doing the right thing get to enjoy the snow,” she said.

Following the recent snowy weekend and heading into more snowfall on Friday, Ms Power has called for a talk with relevant bodies and operators to find a solution.

Tasmania Police said it was “frustrated” by motorists deliberately dismissing road signs in snowy and icy conditions.

“This can place their lives and that of the responding police in danger,” police said.

Southern Tasmania Ski Association president Peter Davis said operators at Mount Mawson Ski Field in Mount Field National Park needed Lake Dobson Road cleared.

“On a big snow day you literally get thousands of people hoping to go up there,” Dr Davis said.

“The most important thing for us is ensuring the road gets cleared with a snow plough. Once it’s clear then it’s important drivers behave sensibly.”

He suggested businesses such as service stations in the Derwent Valley could rent snow chains to drivers who did not want to buy them.

Neither PWS nor State Growth responded to questions about whether they would participate in a stakeholder discussion.

A Department of State Growth spokeswoman said contractors inspected parts of Lake Dobson Road regularly during snowfalls.

Updates and alerts are available via parks.tas.gov.au/explore-ourparks/know-before-you-go/alerts or police.tas.gov.au/community-alerts