A dangerous pothole on the Bass Highway between Deloraine and Elizabeth Town damaged at least eight vehicles on Sunday, sparking fresh criticism of Tasmania’s road maintenance.
Local tow truck operator Lee Eastley from Deloraine Tilt Trays said the potholes are a recurring problem that worsen with rainfall.
“Every time it rains, the pothole obviously develops. The cars hit the pothole and break their rims,” Eastley said.
“We’ve done seven here today. A couple of months ago, we actually [did] 21 between Sunday and Wednesday.”
One affected motorist, whose sister uses a wheelchair, said the pothole was impossible to see before impact.
“I hit the pothole that I obviously couldn’t see because there was no indication that there was one,” she said.
Her sister’s wheelchair van was left inoperable after the incident.
Lyons Labor MP Jen Butler expressed frustration at the ongoing situation.
“You can’t make this stuff up … it’s a disgrace!” Butler said.
“Clearly this is just an absolutely out of control situation.”
She said Labor have a five-point plan to address road infrastructure issues, including flexible Tasmanian road standards, improved tender advertising schedules, statutory timeframes for tender processes, enhanced tender content and fairer contract terms.
It’s understood the Department of State Growth had the new potholes repaired shortly after the incidents on Sunday, with affected drivers able to claim costs for damages.
