Focus on easing red tape
LEGISLATION to slash permit red tape will be introduced to parliament this week, as the State Government prepares to unveil what’s being dubbed Tasmania’s largest infrastructure plan.
State Growth Minister Michael Ferguson said the Government would introduce the Building and Construction (Regulatory Reform Amendments) Bill, with the first tranche introducing legislative time frames for the permit processes for energy, water, and sewerage services.
“This will help us with the state’s most aggressive construction program that we’ve ever seen to actually get through the planning system,” he said.
Franklin Labor MP Julie Collins said as state and federal governments discussed Tasmanian infrastructure projects, it was critical they “actually get something built”.
The Civil Contractors Federation and Master Builders Tasmania yesterday launched their 17-point Plan for Rebuilding Tasmania, aimed at unlocking investments of more than a billion dollars and offsetting the job losses that have hit the industry.
Shadow Treasurer David O’Byrne welcomed the plan while criticising the State Government’s ability to deliver on big infrastructure promises.
“The Liberals may be good at listing infrastructure projects but they are yet to prove they are capable of adequately planning or delivering,” he said.
Mr Ferguson said all of the “very good ideas” put forward in the joint plan would be considered.
“We’re actually delivering infrastructure that our state needs and we’ll be bringing forward more projects this week,” he said.
“We’ve actually got the largest infrastructure plan in the state’s history. It’s 230 per cent larger than Labor’s when in office.”
The RACT said road projects from the North and North-West should be on the list including the West Tamar Highway, new overtaking lanes between Exeter and the Batman Highway, and the Bass Highway near Boat Harbour.
“There have been some terrible accidents in the area in recent years and the community is rightly calling for work to be fast-tracked that would make that section of the highway safer,” spokeswoman Stacey Pennicott said.