• Labor to end deadlocks at Launceston, Mac Point and Mona Stage 2
• Major, game-changing projects are not even on Liberals’ radar
• TasWater to be left to focus on its core business
Fresh from Tasmanian councils’ overwhelming rejection of the Government’s compulsory acquisition of TasWater, Labor has called for the Liberals to adopt Labor’s approach to fixing the major water and sewerage issues facing our state.
Shadow Minister for Local Government Madeleine Ogilvie said that Minister Peter Gutwein must listen to the clear message from local government.
“It is clear that there are problems with water and sewerage that need fixing but instead of picking fights, all levels of Government should be working towards solutions,” Ms Ogilvie said.
“In contrast to Mr Gutwein, we are sitting down with local government to get good outcomes not just on water and sewerage, but across a range of local government issues. Only Labor is listening.
“Our strategy* which does not require the compulsory acquisition of TasWater by State Government, addresses the three big infrastructure challenges; fixing Launceston’s storm water, Macquarie Point and Cameron Bay to unlock Mona stage two.
“These projects do not even have a start date under the Liberals.”
• Labor will advance the replacement of Launceston’s deplorable sewerage and storm water system
• Labor will relocate the sewerage works on Macquarie Point to pave the way for up to $1 billion in private investment
• Labor will fix the Cameron Bay treatment plant, which stands in the way of Mona’s transformative $300 million stage 2 development.
“Labor will work with TasWater to put those plans into action on the first day of a Labor majority government and deliver more than a billion dollars of investment before 2025,” Ms Ogilvie said.
Labor will tender these projects for equity investment from Australian industry super funds to expedite their completion.
Labor’s progressive approach will take advantage of historically low interest rates and an extremely competitive superannuation market that is looking for low risk, long term infrastructure opportunities.
*http://taslabor.com/fixing-water-sewerage-good/
Madeleine Ogilvie MP Shadow Minister for Local Government