The Liberal Government has a long-term Plan to grow the economy and create jobs, and today’s announcement by Woolworths is another positive sign.
Woolworths says 1,000 new Tasmanian jobs will be created through its $70 million investment in our state.
Three stores are being constructed at Launceston, Port Sorell and New Norfolk, which will create over 800 direct and indirect jobs in retail and construction.
The new $24 million Wellington Street supermarket in Launceston where I turned the first sod today is expected to employ 125 locals once it’s completed in early 2015.
Tasmanian company Vos Construction will lead the project and employ up to 100 workers during the construction phase.
Work is also underway refurbishing five existing Woolworths stores at Kings Meadows, Prospect Vale, Glenorchy, Claremont and Huonville.
This investment is in addition to the company’s 87 Tasmanian retail outlets, which employ over 5,000 Tasmanians. Importantly, more than one in three workers is under 25-years of age, giving many young Tasmanians their first foray into the workforce.
Woolworths’ investment is another sign of renewing confidence in the Tasmanian economy since the Liberal Government won the election in March.
Just this week the NAB Monthly Business Survey for October confirmed business confidence in Tasmania is by far the highest in the nation. The Liberal Government also appointed international business executive John Perry Tasmania’s first Coordinator-General, who will pursue and deliver further investment to our state.
The Liberal Government is getting on with our Plan to encourage investment including payroll tax rebate for new jobs, the headworks holiday to stimulate new investments and the regional revival fund to drive development right around Tasmania.
Peter Gutwein, Treasurer
