Infrastructure at Burnie Port falling apart

Tasmanian Labor
  • Masterplan for Burnie Port going nowhere under Ferguson
  • Section of a loading berth collapsed while a ship being loaded
  • Minister doesn’t know if WorkSafe is investigating
  • The Gutwein Government’s lack of maintenance and inspections of port infrastructure has resulted in a serious wharf failure at the Port of Burnie nearly two weeks ago.

    Until Shadow Infrastructure Minister Shane Broad brought the incident to the attention of the Parliament today there had been no attempt by this Government to make it public.

    “Worse still, the hapless Infrastructure Minister Michael Ferguson could not tell the Parliament whether WorkSafe is investigating,” Dr Broad said.

    “When part of a wharf collapsed underneath a woodchip loader it was extremely fortunate that no workers were injured.

    “Given the significance of the collapse it’s understandable that workers at the port are concerned that WorkSafe was not immediately notified.

    “In the meantime this critical export gateway for Tasmania is operating on a restricted basis while repairs are carried out, with increased risks and costs for TasPorts.”

    Shane Broad MP

    Shadow Minister for Infrastructure

    /Public Release. View in full here.