Jeremy Rockliff,Minister for Infrastructure
We recognise that the recent bushfires have impacted the start of the school year for a number of students and their families in the Huon Valley.
We've been working closely with the community to ensure appropriate bus arrangements are in place to support students and families as they return to their schools.
With schools in the Huon region reopening this week, interim school bus services have also recommenced.
We want to ensure it is as easy as possible for school students in bushfire affected areas to get to school.
In the context of ongoing discussions with bus operators and the recent bushfires, we have decided to defer the introduction of planned changes to school bus services in the Dover and Geeveston areas until the start of the 2020 school year.
The bus operators have agreed to continue the existing school bus routes and timetables for Dover District School, Geeveston Primary School and Sacred Heart School in 2019.
This means students will continue to access school bus services that are the same or very similar to last year's services.
While we remain committed to introducing the revised bus services, deferring these changes will provide some immediate certainty for families in the area and is a tangible way we can support the community with their recovery.