"Reliable public transport ranked 6th most important in the Council's Community View Survey — but second-last for satisfaction, scoring just 4.1 out of 10."
Esther Shilling, Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Huon Valley Council — Transport Forum, February 2026
Transport
A connected transport system — from your door to your destination
Transport shapes everyday life in the Huon Valley. If you can't drive, you can't connect. If you rely on one car, costs are high. If buses are limited, work, health and education become harder to reach.
Households beyond walking diatance of a bus stop.
Annual household spend on private transport
projected population increase to 2046
In a rural region like the Huon Valley, many people rely heavily on private cars. For some households this is expensive or difficult. Others may not be able to drive at all.
Circular Economy Huon is working with residents, service providers and local organisations to explore practical ways to improve transport access across the Valley.
The Huon Valley is also one of Tasmania's fastest-growing regions — projections point to more than 4,200 additional residents by 2046, requiring at least 2,500 new dwellings. That growth only works if transport works. And transport access is a housing justice issue as much as a planning one.
A transport system where people can travel from their door to their destination without needing to own a car.
This does not mean replacing private cars. Instead, it means making better use of the transport options that already exist, and filling the gaps between them.
Public transport (Tassilink, Metro)
Community transport (CTST)
Taxis and ride services
Local volunteer drivers
Shared vehicle options
Active transport (walking, cycling
Connecting services as a system
Solving the "first & last kilometre"
Reaching smaller communities
Supporting those who can't drive
Sustainable funding for rural trips
Restoring strategic planning capacity
📋No Strategic Plan
A recent Tasmanian government restructure removed strategic transport planning capacity. Local advocacy is filling a gap that should not exist.
🔗Fragmented Services
CTST, Tassilink, Area Connect and school buses all serve the valley, but mostly in silos. Coordination gaps mean many trips remain impossible.
🎓Youth Mobility
Young people aged 16–25 rated access to services as a top concern — more than 10% above the community average. Without transport, education and work are out of reach.
🚶First & Last Kilometre
40% of Huon Valley households live beyond reasonable walking distance of a bus stop. Getting to the bus is the main barrier, not the bus itself.
👵Ageing Population
CTST delivers around 1,000 trips per month in the Huon for older residents. As the population ages, this need will grow substantially.
💰Funding Model
Flat per-trip funding fails rural providers. Trips in the Huon Valley cost more than trips in suburban Hobart, and the funding system does not yet reflect this.
Following the forum, CEH is working to develop practical proposals and build the partnerships needed to make change happen. The aim is a transport pilot that can be tested in the Huon Valley.
Forming a working group to guide the project and engage with operators, Council and government
Gathering better information about transport needs — mapping unmet trips across the valley
Refining Pilot proposals with community and service provider input
Identifying and preparing funding applications to state and federal programs
Engaging the Minister for Transport on strategic planning for the southern corridor
Improving transport in a rural region requires community involvement. We welcome participation from residents, community organisations, service providers, local businesses, and volunteers.
