Will Hodgman’s Government is failing to get infrastructure projects out the door on schedule, even with the help of their Federal counterparts.
Shadow Infrastructure Minister Shane Broad said there’s been a lot of fuss about an injection of Federal funds to ‘fast track’ projects in Tasmania, but these projects are already woefully behind schedule.
“Will Hodgman’s Government has a terrible track record in terms of actually building the infrastructure it announces,” Dr Broad said.
“The four projects identified for fast tracking with an injection of Federal funds are either well behind schedule or not starting for another year. Nobody could sensibly call this fast tracking.”
- The airport roundabout upgrade has been beset by delays and cost blowouts. Work was originally promised to start in 2018 and be finished in late-2020.
- The Burnie shiploader was an election commitment at the last Federal election.
- The Cooee to Wynyard and Marrawah to Wynyard projects were also election promises, and apparently work won’t be starting until 2020-21 at the earliest.
- Work on the Spring Hill upgrade was supposed to start two years ago and the Melton Mowbray to Lovely Banks Rd was already planned to start this year.
“At a time when every state government and the federal government are pushing to get money out the door to invest in crucial infrastructure, Will Hodgman’s Government is failing in this space.
“Cuts and mismanagement by this government are why we’re seeing long delays to crucial infrastructure including the so called fast tracked projects, but also the Bridgewater Bridge, the Royal Hobart Hospital and the new TT-Line vessels.
“It’s worth noting that infrastructure spending during the last 5 years of the Labor Government was nearly $100 million greater than the five years of Will Hodgman’s Government.
“It’s clear the Government can’t manage the large infrastructure projects that are so crucial to state growth, job creation and provision of services.”
Dr Shane Broad
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure
