A Strong Plan for Lilydale
The Rockliff Liberal Government has a 2030 Strong Plan to keep our regions strong, including Lilydale. The Member for Bass, Michael Ferguson, said the government has been listening on community priorities. (more…)
Liberals committed to poker machine harm reduction
The Liberal Party is strongly committed to poker machine harm reduction, while also providing the opportunity for people to exercise their free choice. Treasurer, Michael Ferguson, said a re-elected Rockliff Liberal Government will move immediately to take further action on reducing poker machine harm, committing $100,000 to promote awareness of the Gambling Exclusion Scheme which includes third party exclusion. (more…)
Record low unemployment continues in Tasmania
The Rockliff Liberal Government has a Strong Plan for Tasmania’s future.
As Treasurer, it was pleasing for me to today reaffirm that the Tasmanian economy is firmly holding its record-breaking jobs performance. The unemployment figure of 4.2 per cent released today continues a two-year period of the lowest long-term unemployment for our State since the ABS started collecting this data in 1978.
This unemployment rate is 3.7 per cent lower than the catastrophic 7.9 per cent it was at the peak of the former Labor-Green Government’s 2013 recession and there are over 50,000 more Tasmanians employed today than at that time.
The latest figures show 284,974 employed, including 138,930 women. Under the strong economic management of the Rockliff Liberal Government we are seeing more opportunities for Tasmanians than ever before.
The only way to protect the stability and certainty needed to deliver our Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future is to vote for a majority Rockliff Liberal Government.
Transit officers on the job
The Rockliff Liberal Government is taking action to protect our bus drivers and public transport passengers from aggressive and offensive behaviour.
Phase one of the pilot of transit officers on public transport services is operational from this week.
This increased safety presence on our bus services is highly visible and ensures our public transport system is as safe as possible for commuters and bus drivers.
Deployment will cover general access services in the south, targeting key urban corridors on both metropolitan and regional services and across different operators.
Observations from this deployment will assist the Department of State Growth in informing phase two and the future operational model, including the development of new regulations and protocols to allow for body-worn cameras and expanded powers.
I have also tasked State Growth with the development of a mechanism to enable easier reporting of non-urgent incidents of antisocial behaviour.
The vast of majority of trips on our buses are incident-free, but these actions will bring comfort to our drivers and the majority of passengers who enjoy using public transport.
These initiatives are in addition to CCTV cameras on all Metro buses which assist with safety and security on board and with investigations by Tasmania Police.
Metro also has a long-standing partnership with police for a dedicated resource.
I look forward to announcing further details as we move into phase 2 of the pilot, and thank the members of the Safe Public Transport Working Group – including Metro Tasmania, Tasmania Police, other bus operators, State Growth and the Rail, Tram and Bus Union – for their valuable contributions and look forward to their continuing support and input as we progress these initiatives.
Launceston Airport transformation begins
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is strengthening Tasmania’s future by delivering the infrastructure our growing State needs for today and beyond.
The exciting transformation of Launceston Airport has commenced, with work on the terminal upgrade now underway.
The terminal upgrade will cater to both departing and arriving passengers with improved security screening and redevelopment of both the check-in and arrivals halls.
Once complete, it will provide a greatly enhanced customer experience for passengers, with improved facilities, modernised features and larger arrivals and departure waiting areas.
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is contributing $5.15 million towards the project which is being delivered by Launceston Airport owner Australia Pacific Airports Limited.
These planned works will support the predicted increase in passenger numbers coming through the airport over the next 6 years, expected to reach some 1.9 million a year by 2028 and 2.5 million by 2040.
An increase in passenger capacity will also make Launceston an even more attractive proposition for major Australian airlines.
Importantly, the project will also include construction of a new freight handling facility, increasing the capacity of air freight operations, which is a major bonus for Tasmanian companies exporting, or looking to export, our high-end, time-critical produce to interstate or overseas markets.
By increasing the airport’s capacity to move both people and goods, we are not only improving the travel and buying options for Tasmanians, we are boosting our economic prospects by catering to more visitors and expanding trade linkages for local businesses.
We look forward to being part of the opening of the first stage of the redevelopment of Launceston Airport, expected by the end of 2023.
Construction to start soon on New Bridgewater Bridge
Tasmania’s largest ever infrastructure project, the New Bridgewater Bridge is expected to commence construction in the coming months, with early works already progressing on site.
After being announced as the preferred contractor in December 2021, McConnell Dowell was awarded the design and construction contract in July and has spent the past six months further developing the bridge design and preparing to start work on the new bridge.
The new four-lane bridge will fix the missing link in Tasmania’s National Highway, improve connections at Bridgewater and Granton, and cater for cyclists and pedestrians with a safe shared path.
The project will remove the notorious bottleneck at the Granton roundabout, providing the 22,000 vehicles that use the bridge each day with free-flowing access to the Brooker Highway, Lyell Highway and Midland Highway.
On the Bridgewater side, a new ramp from Boyer Road onto the bridge will offer easy access for local traffic wanting to travel south, while Gunn Street will join with Old Main Road under the new bridge to create a continuous connection and more open space.
On the southern side of the river, the journey from Hobart to New Norfolk will be uninterrupted, with the creation of a dedicated slip lane from the Brooker Highway onto the Lyell Highway.
Creating jobs and supporting Tasmanian industry is a key focus of the project, with McConnell Dowell working to engage a number of Tasmanian organisations to assist with the delivery of the project.
The bridge works will support more than 800 direct and indirect jobs, including creating more than 200 new jobs for Tasmanians.
Forming part of the Hobart City Deal, the Australian Government has committed $628.8 million towards the $786 million jointly funded project, with the Tasmanian Government contributing the remaining $157.2 million.
It is expected that traffic will be driving on the new bridge by the end of 2024.
Comments attributable to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:
“Reducing congestion and improving connectivity is a key priority for the Albanese Government.
“We are investing in a range of projects across Tasmania to improve traffic flow and decrease bottlenecks, while supporting jobs and economic growth.
“The investment in this project will help commuters spend less time in traffic, reduce freight costs, accommodate more efficient heavy vehicles, and better connect growing industrial and commercial areas around Brighton.”
Comments attributable to Tasmanian Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson:
“The design is the result of extensive planning and community engagement to find the best solution to meet the needs of the community now and into the future.
“The Tasmanian Government has worked extremely hard over the last 2 years to sort out funding, planning, designs and selecting a qualified contractor. I am thrilled that after decades of talk, our action has led to this project coming to life which will meaningfully improve Tasmanians’ lives”.
Comments attributable to Federal Member for Lyons Brian Mitchell:
“The works will deliver safety, capacity and connectivity improvements on this crucial link on the Tasmanian National Highway.
“This is a major transport infrastructure upgrade which aims to meet the current and future needs of motorists, cyclists and pedestrians alike.”
For more information about the project, visit https://bridgewaterbridge.tas.gov.au/home.
