Investing in Transport Infrastructure to Support Economic Growth

The Liberal Government is committed to strategic investment in Tasmania’s transport infrastructure to support economic growth and create jobs.

In addressing the Tasmanian Transport Association’s annual dinner tonight, I highlighted the importance of the State’s transport network in delivering for all of our diverse industries.

We are getting on with the job of not only investing in our road and rail infrastructure, but ensuring that future major projects are well targeted to support growth.

That’s why we are establishing Infrastructure Tasmania to provide a coordinated approach to planning and delivery of all major infrastructure in Tasmania.

And it’s why we have focussed the new Department of State Growth on aggressively attracting and increasing investment.

A new five-year deal signed at COAG last week has locked in more than $800 million in investment in Tasmanian roads and rail by the Australian Government.

This includes a large part of the federal commitment to our jointly funded $500 million upgrade of the Midland Highway, our most critical road.

All of this investment in road and rail supports our transport industry to better support and deliver other industries, from agriculture to mining and manufacturing to retail.
Rene Hidding, Minister for Infrastructure