The Tasmanian Government has announced it is seeking almost $900 million for 22 strategic infrastructure projects in its latest submission to the Federal Government’s Nation Building 2 Program (NB2).

 

State Infrastructure Minister, David O’Byrne, said the projects would provide key support to Tasmanian industry and jobs.

 

"This submission is all about growing our economy, creating jobs and opportunities, and making our roads safer and more efficient," Mr O'Byrne said.

 

"We're talking generationally significant projects that will help shape Tasmania over the next decade and beyond.

 

"It's Government's role to invest strategically in the major works and projects that make our industries more efficient, and help them employ more Tasmanians.

 

The Tasmanian Government secured $800 million in funding for road and rail projects under Nation Building 1.

 

Under the Moving Freight scheme, the Tasmanian Government has applied for funding to:

  • Tasmanian Rail Revitalisation Program: Concrete re-sleepering of the rail network between the Burnie Port and the Brighton Transport Hub, and re-laying expired rail track on the Melba, Fingal and Derwent Valley Lines ($240 million);
  • Brooker Highway Upgrade Package: Intersection upgrades and forward-planning to address safety and efficiency on two major bottlenecks - Elwick-Goodwood to Howard Road ($32 million), and the Domain Highway Interchange: Investigating options to upgrade the Domain Highway Interchange, and review opportunities to improve efficiency and safety on the highway connecting to the Tasman Bridge ($5M planning - submitted under Innovation);
  • Illawarra Main Road Upgrades/South Perth Bypass: Bypass of the constrained eastern section to deliver a high speed, dual-carriageway link that avoids residential areas. Also targeted upgrades to Illawarra Main Road from the proposed bypass, west to the Bass Highway ($142 million);
  • Midland Highway - Mangalore to Bagdad upgrades and future Bagdad Bypass: Interim upgrades for improved safety and efficiency on a constrained section of the Midland Highway. Also final planning and land acquisition to support the future Bagdad Bypass ($35 million);
  • Midland Highway - Duplication, Perth to Breadalbane: Duplication to meet future capacity needs and address safety issues on the approaches to Launceston, and connecting to the Bell Bay Port and industrial area ($72 million);
  • New Bridgewater Bridge Development: Final project development and land acquisition to replace this critical link in the north-south supply chain and support future connectivity between key freight distribution centres in the southern region ($15 million);
  • Murchison Highway Upgrades: Upgrades to improve safety and provide a consistent standard for high-productivity vehicles between Cradle Mountain Development Road and Anthony Road, building on a package of improvements already funded by the Tasmanian Government ($34 million);
  • Birralee Main Road Upgrades: Improvements to provide a consistent standard for high productivity vehicles on this key inter-regional freight route ($48 million). 

 

Under the Road Safety Strategy:

  • Midland Highway Safety Package: Targeted infrastructure improvements to the Midland Highway between Hobart and Launceston. The Package includes 16 individual safety projects, consistent with priorities identified in the Midland Highway Partnership Agreement 2009. ($128 million);
  • Huon Highway / Summerleas Road Intersection Upgrade: Upgrade the high-accident Huon Highway / Summerleas Road junction, south of Hobart. ($22 million);
  • Tasman Highway - Tasman Bridge Eastern Approaches Upgrade: staged upgrades to improve access and safety on the eastern approaches to the Tasman Bridge, one of Tasmania's highest volume road sections ($46 million - submitted under Connecting People);
  • Tasman Highway/Holyman Avenue Roundabout Upgrade: planning and delivery of improvements to the Holyman Avenue roundabout on the Tasman Highway, the key access to Hobart International Airport, and a major intersection on the Sorell-Hobart growth corridor. ($8 million - submitted under Connecting People).

 

The Tasmanian Government is submitting the following projects under the Innovation theme:

  • Bass Highway (Latrobe to Deloraine) Planning: Identifying priority projects to improve efficiency and safety on the Highway between Latrobe and Deloraine. ($5 million);
  • Urban Intelligent Transport Systems, Hobart: Extend variable speed messaging (implemented on the Tasman Highway) to the Brooker Highway and Southern Outlet, along with SMS traveller information and improvements to traffic management systems ($19 million);
  • South Arm Highway Planning: Investigate infrastructure and non-infrastructure solutions to improve connectivity and modal choice on the South Arm Highway to Rokeby. ($5 million);
  • Tasmanian Freight Model: Develop a statewide freight model to better understand freight movements and the impact of potential policy interventions on the freight network. ($350,000).