A Hodgman Majority Liberal Government will ensure that nearly $50 million is invested over the next four years in the North-East.

We commit to ensuring that the $42.5 million in road funding for North-East freight roads that was announced three years ago is expedited and spent on priority projects such as the Bridport Main Road as a matter of urgency.

We will build on this investment and provide up to further $6 million for new projects to immediately support jobs, roads and the North-East community.

Over the last four years the State Liberals have taken the time listen and understand the challenges the people of the North-East face. As a result the party has committed to a range of initiatives aimed at supporting and creating local jobs, building local roads and the investing in the broader community in its North-East Package.

The initiatives we are announcing today will ensure that local roads are upgraded and importantly local jobs are created.

Furthermore in addition to the funding commitments made today a Hodgman Liberal Government also understands very much the concerns of the agricultural and forestry sectors here in Dorset. We know that water development has not been at the pace that the community would like or needs and we are committed to ensuring that water projects in the North East are given the priority attention they deserve.

The forestry sector faces challenges in both the short and longer term. We are prepared to back the industry as we have in the past and will commit to working side by side with it to face the challenges ahead. We have already acknowledged the need for short term assistance for contractors and will continue to listen and act when necessary to ensure that this very important industry sector remains supported.

We commit to expediting the $42.5M for North east freight routes as after three years the community has waited long enough. Dorset council have made a strong case for $10M of this funding to be committed to the Scottsdale to Bridport main Rd as one of the priority projects for the NE which we support.

The new projects announced today are:

• $4 million to continue the Lilydale Road upgrade. This is not conditional on federal funding however there is an expectation that the Federal Government will also commit funding. Furthermore our new independent body, Infrastructure Tasmania, will provide advice to government on prioritising roads in the North-East for the State’s Infrastructure Plan. This will ensure funding certainty in future based on independently assessed priorities.
• $1 million to begin works on the unsealed section of the Tomahawk to Gladstone road. This road is a key tourism and freight link road around the North East and the proposed works should assist contractors who have lost work due to the delay in the Musselroe wind farm project. Support from the Federal Government will also be sought.
• The proposed Bridport Western Road Access Project will be referred to Infrastructure Tasmania for consideration as a part of its development of a strategic infrastructure plan.
• $150,000 will be committed to upgrade the Bridport Recreation Ground as a first step to enable it to develop into a multi-purpose facility able to service the needs of this growing community into the future.
• $120,000 will be provided over three years to enable the Scottsdale Ex- Services and Community Club to undertake urgently needed repairs and maintenance and commence capital projects.
• $60,000 is committed over three years to assist the continued development of the North East Rivers festival and especially the centrepiece of this festival the iconic Derby River Derby.
• $75,000 will be provided over three years to enable the Dorset Men’s Shed to continue the appointment of a part-time co-ordinator to enable it to continue its vital work in supporting men through a range of initiatives.
• $100,000 for a feasibility study to be conducted by the Department of Economic Development on the benefits to the North-East community of attracting an international golf event at the Barnbougle Dunes golf course at Bridport.
• $90,000 towards new changing rooms and office facilities to further enhance the Bridport Bowls Club’s growing operations.
• $150,000 to strengthen aged care services in the North-East and to allow for a feasibility study to look at ways to improve aged care in the North-East.
• $70,000 to assist the Scottsdale Football Club to undertake essential maintenance at its clubrooms and meet a shortfall in the cost of lighting its ground.
• $75,000 to enable the Dorset Council to develop rest rooms/comfort stop facilities in Derby to enhance services available to visitors and build on the development that has occurred in recent years.

These announcements add to the Rapid Response GP Unit and Development Fund, already announced for Northern Tasmania. The Tasmanian Liberals understand Tasmanians are entitled to health care when and where they need it.

A Hodgman Liberal Government will fund a $500,000 a year to a Rapid Response GP and Development Fund to ensure no Tasmanian is left without primary health care in the event of unexpected GP shortages. Lack of access to primary health care puts additional pressure on hospitals and can compromise the health of Tasmanians.

The RRDF will be managed by GP North and GP Workforce in the north of the State, and will have the ability to act swiftly to respond to community needs, with a team comprising a GP, practice nurse and practice manager, to ensure patients have continuity of care in urban and regional communities in the north of the State.

The announcements today will improve community infrastructure, build on current investments in the North east and importantly create local jobs for local people.