North Huon Collective Update – November 2025

The NHC has been active over the last couple of months and provides the following information as an update.

Roads Working Group

This topic is usefully discussed in three parts, North Huon Road, Denison Road and Lonnavale Road. We have information that other roads such as She Oak Road are receiving much needed attention. In general, the roads are substantially better than they were previously however there remain several areas where the ARRB guidelines have not been followed. This has led to rapid deterioration in some locations.

North Huon Road was maintained during the last few months by filling in potholes (at least) eight times from the previous grading that occurred prior to the NHC petition. This illustrates two important factors.

Firstly, poor repair and grading will prove ineffective and expensive for council. The last major repair was conducted prior to the NHC petition and intervention, and the grading and work was thus not in accordance with the ARRB guidelines that have since been accepted by Council as best practice. The guidelines point out that pothole filling is not cost effective and deterioration will occur rapidly – especially when repairs are conducted when the holes are full of water.

Secondly, the fact that Council filled holes eight or more times shows:

1. A commitment on the part of council to keeping the road at a better standard than previously. This is positive and we are grateful for that effort.
2. Council are regularly inspecting this and the other listed roads, and responding when they deteriorate. This is also positive.

Council staff sent an update to the NHC indicating they would undertake grading of the aforementioned roads… this has been completed. The Lonnavale Road has lasted really well and provides an exemplar of improved drainage and appropriate crossfall.

Importantly Council used a roller on North Huon Road and have increased crossfall slightly. This should improve durability. It is noted that transition zones (the flat bits between opposing corners) have suffered during the recent wet weather.

It is also noted that Council have managed to go over four months between grading on Denison and Lonnavale Roads. This suggests the better work practice is paying dividends.

Rivers Working Group

This group has also been highly active. River monitoring has been continued and a recent testing of the Russell River scored 7.4 which is its best reading to date… this part of the river is healthy! Judds Creek also improved but remains a lower at 5.4.

The working group has expended considerable effort engaging with politicians in an attempt to extend the review on Salmon Farming to include the river elements and hatcheries that are essential to the industry. Please note that the NHC is NOT “anti-salmon” we seek only to ensure that the salmon industry complies with the law (environmental as well as Local Govt regulations or any other law) and keeps our river and tributaries clean so as to preserve the health of the Community. To this end submissions have been made to parliamentarians and meetings have been held.

It is fair to say that the NHC has had information provided to it that is of concern relating to the Huon Aquaculture site at Lonnavale. This is currently subject to further investigation and confirmation, and we will report on the outcome in the future.