- Infrastructure Tasmania sitting on its hands
If there’s one thing we’ve learnt from the Liberals’ mishandling of the proposed $576 million Bridgewater Bridge replacement, it’s that they will say almost anything to cover up their lack of action on infrastructure projects.
Shadow Infrastructure Minister Shane Broad says the Liberals have been in government for six years, and have promised the world on this project, but delivered nothing.
“After consistent claims that the Bridgewater Bridge replacement is on track, the Liberals are only now advertising for a Project Director to help salvage the troubled project.
“Four years ago Tasmanians were told by the Liberals that work on the Bridgewater Bridge could begin as early as 2019, yet they’ve only now decided it would be a good idea to employ a Project Director.
“The government has also just issued a tender for the necessary geotechnical work for the project. This work is preliminary investigation and proves that the Bridgewater Bridge replacement is nowhere near on track.”
Dr Broad said the Liberals’ management of the project has been a monumental fail and an admission from Michael Ferguson is long overdue.
“Infrastructure Tasmania is supposed to be leading progress on this project, but they’ve done nothing for nearly three years.
“Meanwhile Infrastructure Australia says the project doesn’t represent value for money and has kicked it off the priority projects list.
“And a Senate inquiry late last year heard we won’t know until the middle of this year what the scope of the project will be, let alone a delivery date.
“The government has gone back to the drawing board on this project, and Michael Ferguson can’t continue to tell Tasmanians with a straight face that the bridge project is on track.
“The Liberals don’t have the skill or the will to deliver major infrastructure projects.”
Shane Broad
Shadow Infrastructure Minister
