City Deal to open Hobart up
- Written by Scott Morrison
Federal, state and local governments have come together on a landmark agreement to bust Hobart congestion and back the fast-growing tourism and science industries that are key to Hobart and Tasmania’s future.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the 10-year $1.43 billion Hobart City Deal would open the city up by tackling congestion bottlenecks, boosting tourism and making the airport a true international gateway, driving scientific investment and creating an extra 720 jobs.
“Our Hobart City Deal will open the city and Tasmania up for locals and for the world,” the Prime Minister said.
“The $1.43 billion investment going into the Hobart City Deal is about driving investment into the city to make it an even better place to live and work, but also to drive benefits well beyond Hobart for all Tasmanians, whether in the north or the south, especially through the investment in the airport.
“With ink on the page on this landmark second City Deal for Tasmania, the state will be in prime position make the most of its tourism drawcards and its potential as a science hub.”
Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge said the Hobart City Deal relied on productive collaboration between all three levels of government.
“The Deal will make sure we get ahead of the curve on population growth, bust congestion and address housing affordability issues,” Mr Tudge said.
“We want to get Tasmanians home sooner and safer, so we will undertake the single largest Tasmanian transport infrastructure project – the $576 million replacement of Bridgewater Bridge.”
The success of the Launceston City Deal demonstrates the benefit of governments coming together, agreeing on a vision for the city and then aligning our policy and investments to achieve that vision. Together the City Deals have attracted over $1.8 billion in investment in Tasmania.
That is on top of other transport infrastructure investments from the Morrison Government including:
- $400 million over 10 years to upgrade and improve safety on the Midland Highway
- $400 million for Tasmania through the Roads of Strategic Importance (ROSI) intiative with initial commitments of $60 million for Bass Highway upgrades from Marrawah to Wynyard, and up to $10 million for Murchison Highway upgrades
- $119.6 million for the Tasmanian Freight Rail Revitalisation project which will improve freight transport links to key domestic and export markets
- $38 million for the recently completed Hobart International Airport Runway Extension and $24 million for the Hobart Airport Interchange project to improve traffic flows to and from the airport.
The Hobart City Deal includes;
- An international gateway - $82.3 million for border services including immigration, customs and biosecurity at Hobart International Airport.
- A hub for jobs - the Morrison and Hodgman Governments will continue to work together to realise the full potential of Macquarie Point as a major scientific, tourism and cultural hub, and the Commonwealth will provide more than $450 million for the upgrade of Australia’s Antarctic research station network and supporting infrastructure as part of our ongoing efforts to back Hobart as the gateway to Antarctica.
- Busting congestion - An extra $25 million from the Morrison Government and $105.5 million from the Hodgman Government for projects including the Kingston bus interchange, easing traffic congestion in the Kingston area and activating the northern suburbs transit corridor, on top of the $576 million replacement of the Bridgewater Bridge, funding for a fifth lane on the Southern Outlet and setting up a Derwent River ferry service
- Affordable housing - Boosting the supply of community housing across the city with a
$30 million investment from the Morrison Government for projects in partnership with community housing providers, delivering over 100 new dwellings.
Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman said as Hobart continues to see positive economic and population growth, the investments under the Deal would be a game-changer for the people who live and work in and around Hobart.
“Through collaboration between all three levels of government, the City Deal secures $1.43 billion of investment and a long term plan to help facilitate growth, create jobs and improve livability for our State’s capital,” Mr Hodgman said.
“The Deal creates the right conditions to protect our enviable way of life while, enhance Hobart’s natural amenity, and secure its reputation as a vibrant, liveable and connected city.”
Treasurer Peter Gutwein said the City Deal will further enhance Hobart’s reputation as the preeminent gateway to Antarctica by building on past investments with the development of a world-class Antarctic and scientific precinct at Macquarie Point.
“Macquarie Point is one of the most attractive, centrally located capital city development sites in the entire country. By taking full advantage of the site’s potential we can unlock millions of dollars of investment, create hundreds of jobs and deliver a hub that will serve the community for generations to come.”
The deal will also see the City deal partners activate the Northern suburbs transit corridor through transit-oriented development that underpins urban renewal and improves housing supply and affordability whilst reducing congestion.
Daily Bulletin
