Will Hodgman: Supporting Our Competitive Strengths

The Liberal Government is committed to growing the state’s competitive strengths and supporting regional Tasmania.

I congratulate Huon Aquaculture on the launch of the first of its four new feed barges that will assist this valuable Tasmanian business to expand and meet growing market demands.

The farm gate value of the Tasmanian salmonid industry is fast approaching $500 million.

The Liberal Government is committed to supporting this important growth sector to help it reach its projected potential of a billion dollar industry by 2030.

The new barge will help Huon Aquaculture to change its farming operations and allow for a boost in production to meet the increasing hunger for Tasmanian salmon nationally.

The $14.5 million barges will be built by Tasmanian company Haywards Steel Fabrication and Construction at Margate, creating eight new jobs.

Huon Aquaculture has employed 30 additional workers since January and the new barges will support the company to train and retain its existing workers.

Further job growth will result from Huon Aquaculture’s fish-pen development, investing in hatcheries to supply smolt to sea farms, and more purpose built vessels.

Huon Aquaculture is a valuable employer particularly in regional Tasmania and is key to our reputation as a world renowned producer.

This government is working hard to support the creation of job opportunities in all regions of Tasmania and the success of the aquaculture industry in this state is a shining example of just what we can achieve.
Will Hodgman, Premier