Stimulus package must boost Burnie

Tasmanian Labor
  • Infrastructure funds should be directed to enhancing Burnie Port
  • If Federal funds don’t flow, State must step in
  • Investment would protect industry now, and grow the future
  • Fast tracked investment in upgrading the Burnie Port must be included in a coronavirus economic stimulus package.

    Labor Leader Rebecca White said the State Government must advocate strongly for funding to flow to the northwest from the Federal package, or include the port in its own state stimulus package.

    “The Federal Government is right now looking for projects to invest in to stimulate the economy as coronavirus continues to affect many sectors.

    “We’re calling on them to invest in the Burnie Port.

    “It’s a key strategic infrastructure project that would deliver benefit right now to key industries but also support future economic development across the northwest coast and the rest of the state.”

    Ms White said if the Federal Government does not allocate funding to the port, Peter Gutwein must prioritise it in the stimulus package he will announce next week.

    “Visiting Forico’s mill today highlights the ongoing value of our traditional industries to the state’s economy.

    “Forico relies on the Burnie Port to get its product to market. One of the constraints on growth has been the depth of the berth.

    “We’d like to see dredging that would allow passage for bigger ships to get more product off island quicker and to market.

    “Those upgrades would also allow concurrent access to the port for forest and minerals companies, at the same time as facilitating access for the growing cruise ship market. Currently, resources companies have to halt loading to allow cruise ships access to the port.

    “We should not have a situation where two important sectors are competing for space. Prioritising upgrade of the Burnie port would allow both industries to prosper.”

    Rebecca White MP

    Tasmanian Labor Leader

    /Public Release. View in full here.