The Tasmanian Greens today congratulated the Break O’ Day Council for its work in providing a comprehensive wish- list of strategic infrastructure projects which the municipality hopes to engage state parties in discussions over how to best progress.
Greens Member for Lyons Tim Morris MP said the Council should be applauded for its a wholistic approach to planning demonstrated by its identified priority list which deserves serious consideration.
“I strongly believe there is an appropriate place for a State fund from which Councils can apply on a transparent and competitive basis to assist in developing these projects,” Mr Morris said.
“In the Greens’ opinion, the current system of ad hoc funding does not lead to sufficient certainty for Council that money will be available for projects in a timely manner, or funds only become available in a pork-barrelling manner around election periods.”
“Some projects on the Council’s list clearly have merit as significant infrastructure, such as the proposal to upgrade the local airport to facilitate the Royal Flying Doctors service.”
“We’d also add on the list as a priority upgrading of the Tasman Highway to address road safety concerns, including the sealing of the road edges which pose a serious hazard to cyclists.”
“Following Friday’s productive meeting over a range of proposals, the Greens will now look closely at the wish-list of funding proposals, and will keep discussing further with the Council, including suggestions about prioritising projects and setting aside funding to assist in their development.”
“Given that the total value of the projects may run to hundreds of millions of dollars the Greens cannot give specific funding commitments at this point in time, especially with the State currently running deficit budgets,” he said.
Tim Morris MP Greens Member for Lyons
