Southern Outlet ‘go slow’ slap by Labor

LABOR has taken the state government to task over timelines to build a fifth lane on the Southern Outlet, claiming it had failed to deliver on an election commitment.

In the lead-up to the state election in 2018, the then Hodgman government pledged funding to build a fifth lane along the stretch of road to ease congestion. The new lane would operate northbound for morning traffic and southbound in the afternoon peak, which would save commuters several minutes.

Labor’s treasury spokesman David O’Byrne queried the lack of progress on the project and cast doubt over whether it would be realised.

“This is a government that said it would build Tasmania out of a COVID recession, yet we are seeing absolutely no detail, absolutely no update from the government about when this project will start or if in fact it will ever occur,’’ he said.

“This is a project they said would commence this year and we’re not even seeing any evidence of that.”

Mr O’Byrne said it was frustrating for commuters battling traffic congestion, and said it was a failure by the government to deliver an infrastructure project.

But Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson said the project was on track. “If Mr O’Byrne had bothered to look at the agreed Hobart City Deal implementation plan, he would know that these projects are well on track and within the original timing,’’ he said. “Mr O’Byrne didn’t build anything when he was minister, didn’t build any of the infrastructure we are building and is acting out of petty jealously.”

CAMERON WHITELEY