Clarence Council has released an updated plan to guide the development of Droughty Peninsula over the next 20 years for public consultation, including how bike riders will get around.
The Droughty Peninsula Draft Structure Plan is the second iteration of the plan put to the public for comment, with the last round of consultation in mid 2025.
The plan covers the proposed Skylands development which comprises about 80% of the land and will add more than 6000 residents to the area.
Skylands is different to most other Tasmanian development in that it recognises the benefits of building medium density housing to facilitate “walkable” communities. However, the draft plan disagrees with the Skylands masterplan in terms of where higher density can be built. As a result, the draft plan is only allowing about 1/3 of the dwellings to be medium density housing, with the remainder to be detached housing on standard or larger blocks.
Among the principles guiding the draft plan are:
- Prioritise walkability where the topography enables all ability access.
- Prioritise active transport to main collector roads (Oceana & Tollard Drive, new cross connector, and foreshore trail).
These reflect the sentiment in the 2025 consultation which found “strong support for improved public and active transport, and a preference to reduce reliance on private vehicle travel where feasible”. There was also strong support for a connected network of cycling and walking trails for recreation.
The Skylands masterplan had a mix of cycling infrastructure options but the structure plan is confining full separation from traffic and pedestrians to the main collector roads and where the slope is equal to or less than 15%. Local roads connecting to the connector roads would be low-speed to encourage walking and riding and where road width is tight, active transport will be prioritised over on-street parking.
Importantly, the Clarence Foreshore Trail will be continued around the coastline.
While the first neighbourhoods to be developed will initially feel like they have stranded cycling assets, they will eventually join up, with residents being able to easily ride to shops, bus stops and proposed ferry terminal and on to the shared path along South Arm Highway through to Bellerive.
The draft plan proposes that all the shopping centres have secure bike parking.
After the consultation is closed on 7 September, feedback will be incorporated into the draft plan and a decision on a final plan will be made by the new council in the first half of 2027.
Details on consultation https://www.yoursay.ccc.tas.gov.au/droughty-peninsula-structure-plan
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