State roadworks to be fast-tracked

TASMANIA is hoping a Federal Government infrastructure push will speed up a series of local road projects for which funding is already announced but still some years away.

The Government plans to pump $3.8 billion into the economy through fast-tracked spending on road and rail projects, with the states contributing additional money.

The money will flow over the next four years, with $1.78 billion to be brought forward in the next 18 months.

The Federal Government will contribute $1.3 billion to a $1.9 billion package for Queensland, while Western Australia will get an $868 million injection. South Australia is set to receive $415 million.

Announcements for the other states and territories are anticipated in coming days.

Infrastructure Minister Ferguson says the State Government had sent a list of projects to the Federal Government for consideration.

“The Tasmanian Government responded to the request to provide a list of our priority infrastructure projects which could possibly be expedited,” he said.

“This included the $100 million package of works for the Bass Highway between Wynyard and Marrawah, which we have already brought forward using the Government’s $40 million commitment to this package of works, to improve the Bass Highway at Boat Harbour, with work expected to commence this summer.”

Mr Ferguson said the state’s priority infrastructure list also included the $576 million Bridgewater Bridge, $162 million South East Traffic Solution on the Hobart to Sorell corridor, which includes the Hobart Airport interchange, the $100 million Bass Highway projects and the balance of the 10-year, $500 million Midland Highway Action Plan.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the spending was intended to give the economy a boost. “What we’ve been able to do over the last six months … we’ve painstakingly gone through this process of identifying the projects that can be brought forward,” he said.

“You don’t just rush in to spending $3.8 billion, spraying it around out of a hose.”

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the extra funding would help create jobs in regional Australia.

Labor Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Tourism Carol Brown said there was a long list of Tasmanian projects for which funding had been announced years before it would actually be delivered.

“Most of this movement is still at least three to four years away, and most of the total infrastructure package off on the never-never,” she said.

“Why is it taking so long?”