The Liberal government must answer questions on its inability to deliver major infrastructure projects, with the so-called redevelopment of Macquarie Point set to potentially go nowhere for several more years.
Every day, month and year that passes without any development on the site is a loss for Tasmania’s economy.
After pouring nearly $130 million into Macquarie Point over nearly a decade, then deciding to build a stadium there instead, the government has now awarded a site remediation contract that runs to late 2025, with an option to extend to 2027.
That’s potentially five more years before any real development can take place at Macquarie Point.
Not only that, but tenders have only just opened for “archaeological excavations” at the site, including Aboriginal heritage, with that contract to run until the end of 2023.
In June Jeremy Rockliff claimed that the site was “almost fully remediated,” and that it was “time to move into a new phase of full development delivery.”
As well as underlining this government’s inability to deliver infrastructure, this raises questions about the government’s plan to build a stadium at the site, with work unable to get underway until remediation works are completed.
Under the Liberals, the Macquarie Point project has been an embarrassing and costly disaster.
To see the timeframe, blow out yet again and this mess set to continue for at least several more years simply reaffirms that when it comes to infrastructure, this government is all talk and no action.
Dean Winter MP
Shadow Minister for Economic Development
