A Clarence councillor wants the council to fix a crash-prone intersection on Hobart’s eastern shore next financial year, even if it misses out on federal funding again.
Tony Mulder will move a motion at Monday’s meeting urging the council to deliver safety upgrades at the Shoreline Drive and Clarence Street intersection.
The site is a recognised Black Spot with a history of crashes, many of them head-on.
Black Spots are road locations where serious crashes have happened or are likely to happen.
The federal government funds safety upgrades at these sites through a $150 million-a-year national program.
The Shoreline Drive and Clarence Street site has missed out for more than six years running.
Mulder, a former Tasmania Police commander, says drivers turning right into Shoreline Drive cannot see what is coming.
In his motion, he says southbound cars on Clarence Street are blocked from view by vehicles waiting to turn into Tranmere Road. A curve and crest make the problem worse.
He says traffic from the Shoreline Plaza supermarket click and collect operation has “exacerbated” the danger.
“In the interests of public safety, council has a moral obligation to prioritise these works ahead of other sites, irrespective of the Black Spot funding failures,” he said.
Mulder raised the issue at an earlier meeting after a serious head-on crash nearby.
“I fear that we are going to find ourselves … explaining to justify our inaction on this dangerous spot to a coroner and families,” he said.
The council has again nominated the intersection for the 2026-27 Black Spot program. The project would cost $155,000, split evenly between the grant and the council.
The works focus mainly on pedestrian safety, including a larger refuge island, a relocated crossing and a head start for pedestrians at the lights.
Council chief executive Ian Nelson said setting aside money could have “budget impacts on other approved projects and priorities”.
“Additionally, if the project is to progress in the FY2026/27 financial year, it will be dependent on resourcing levels and prioritisation of other projects,” he said.
