The Tasmanian Liberals are the strongest supporters of our regional communities, and our plan to secure the Island’s future will ensure the community can continue to thrive.

Flinders Island flights

A re-elected majority Gutwein Liberal Government will extend underwritten direct flights between Hobart and Flinders Island until the end of March 2022, bringing thousands more visitors and economic benefits to the Island, as well as providing better options for locals to access Hobart.

Tasmanians have responded in droves since the Liberal Government underwrote a new service for new regular passenger flights between Hobart and the two Bass Strait Islands last year, with a significant increase in visitation that has been fantastic for local businesses and the Flinders Island economy.

Both Islands have experienced significant increases in visitation, with Flinders Island flights carrying well over 2,300 passengers over since its commencement.

Sharp Airlines has also based an aircraft and crew in Hobart to operate these flights, ensuring the economic benefits spread even further across the State.

This represents a further commitment of around $1 million, with the ultimate goal of these services becoming commercially sustainable.

The extension of flights gives more Tasmanians the ability to explore this unique part of our State.

Full-time biosecurity positions

A re-elected majority Gutwein Liberal Government will provide $350,000 over four years to strengthen biosecurity by ensuring all biosecurity positions on the Island are made full-time and permanent.

Protecting our relative pest and disease-free status and reputation of Flinders Island as a provider of premium produce is vital to growing the production and profitability of our farmers.

The full-time biosecurity officers will assist with strategies to tackle weeds, pests and other issues affecting agricultural production and local biosecurity, and coordinate passenger arrivals to uphold our strong borders.

And to further promote Flinders Island and increase tourism potential, we are investing $900,000 to revitalise parks assets on the island, including improvements to campground facilities and access roads for RV access to camp facilities, and replacement of stairs at Trousers Point Breach.

Infrastructure improvements

We will invest in a range of infrastructure improvements on the Island, including:

• $2 million to upgrade Palana Road to commence the staged sealing of priority sections of the road;
• $120,000 to construct an additional boat ramp and upgrade current boat ramps;
• $60,000 to the Flinders Island Sports and RSL club towards new toilets and showers; and
• $39,400 to the Furneaux Island Community Shed for maintenance, including a dust extraction system, fencing, portico and range of equipment.

Veterinarian facility

Veterinarians provide an important community service to ensure the health and wellbeing of animals, and there is a current shortage of veterinary services and associated infrastructure on Flinders Island.

This is why a re-elected majority Gutwein Liberal Government will provide $980,000 to the Flinders Island Council towards the establishment of a new veterinarian facility on Flinders Island.

The Flinders Island community will also benefit from our long-term strategic partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service, locking in the service for the long-term, supporting primary health care on the Island.

And, we are also providing $200,000 to the Flinders Multi-Purpose Centre for upgraded equipment. We will work closely with the local health services and community to determine the best equipment upgrades needed to support the Flinders Island community.

Our comprehensive plan will ensure Flinders Island can continue to thrive and is an important part of our commitment to Secure Tasmania’s Future so that Tasmanians in all areas, including our Islands, can benefit.

The full policy is available here.