A majority Liberal government will:
- Invest a further $416.5 million into road infrastructure over seven years, including targeted investments across all regions of the State.
- Deliver the next four 10 Year Strategic Action Plans for the Bass, Channel, Huon and Tasman Highways, building on the success of the Tasmanian Liberal Government’s $565 million Midland Highway 10 Year Action Plan.
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is continuing to invest in transformational infrastructure projects that provide long lasting generational benefits.
The 2020-21 Budget outlined a $5 billion infrastructure program, which included a total investment of $2.4 billion into our road transport network over the next four years.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will build on this investment across a range of roads projects over the next term of government.
Strategic road investment planning
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will progressively develop 10-Year Strategic Action Plans for each of our major highways, building on the success of our $565 million 10-Year Midland Highway Action Plan.
Utilising the information developed through our current corridor study approach, we will set out a program of identified priority projects to be delivered over 10 years, scheduling upgrades in a structured approach to achieve the greatest benefits.
Bass Highway
We have already completed corridor studies on the Bass Highway between Cooee and Wynyard, and from Wynyard to Marrawah, and we have now commenced a corridor study to identify upgrades between Deloraine and Devonport.
To date, the Tasmanian and Australian Liberal Governments have jointly committed $200 million towards implementing the findings of the completed corridor studies, and the first packages of work have been tendered for the 2021-22 construction season.
The Bass Highway between Wynyard and Marrawah is the key link between the far north west of Tasmania and the key ports of Burnie and Devonport and further to Launceston and Hobart.
Current freight volumes on the Bass Highway are close to two million tonnes per annum, and volumes are forecast to increase up to 2.7 million tonnes per annum by 2034 (42 per cent growth).
It is clear that we need to continue to invest for the future growth in Tasmania’s economy and that a strategic approach is needed.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will develop a 10 Year Strategic Action Plan for the Bass Highway, with detailed project costings to guide further investment by the Tasmanian and Australian Governments.
Channel Highway
The Liberal Government recently completed and published a corridor study, identifying priority projects along this key highway in southern Tasmania.
Recognising the traffic congestion issues that are already being experienced, we have already committed $12 million towards a $60 million project to deliver a grade separated interchange at Algona Roundabout, and duplicate the Kingston Bypass.
Building on the priority projects identified, we will develop a 10 Year Strategic Action Plan for the Channel Highway with detailed project costings to support the funding of this program through future Budget bids at the State and Federal level.
Huon Highway
The Liberal Government recently commenced the development of a corridor study on the Huon Highway, which will identify potential upgrades and safety improvements between Kingston and Huonville, together with reviewing the opportunities for further upgrades south of Huonville.
Following the completion of the corridor study, we will develop a 10 Year Strategic Action Plan for the Huon Highway with detailed project costings to support the funding of this program through future Budget bids at the State and Federal level.
Tasman Highway
The Tasman Highway is Tasmania’s longest highway, and includes the Great Eastern Drive – our premier tourist route, with major attractions including Maria Island, Freycinet National Park, together with pristine beaches and newly developed mountain biking hotspots at St Helens and Derby.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will undertake a corridor study of the Tasman Highway between Sorell and Scottsdale to identify a long-term program of upgrades that will build on our $30 million investment in the Great Eastern Drive.
Following the identification of priority projects through the corridor study, we will develop a 10 Year Strategic Action Plan for the Tasman Highway with detailed project costings to support the funding of this program through future Budget bids at the State and Federal level.
Deliver more cycling infrastructure upgrades
In 2018, the Tasmanian Liberal Government committed $6 million to boost active transport options around Tasmania, linking cycling routes on local roads on a negotiated basis.
This successful policy has delivered important safety upgrades such as the improvements at Bonnet Hill between Taroona and Kingston, and motorists and cyclists alike are appreciating the benefits.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will continue this successful program in partnership with local government, with another $6 million in funding over four years from 2022-23, delivering $2 million in improvements in each of the three regions.
Invest a further $416.5 million into road infrastructure over seven years, including targeted investments across all regions of the State
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will add to our $2.4 billion roads and bridges program, with a series of targeted investments across all regions of the State, in the period 2021-22 to 2027-28.
Northern infrastructure program
We will:
- Invest $84 million in upgrades to the East and West Tamar Highways. Building on the Australian Government’s commitment of $16 million to the West Tamar Highway, this will deliver a $100 million package of targeted upgrades to both sides of the Tamar, including lane separation, junction upgrades and overtaking lanes, and integrating with the new Tamar River Bridge.
- Commit $14 million towards $70 million in further upgrades of the Tasman Highway at the Sideling, and put forward a strong case to the Australian Government to secure the remaining $56 million.
- Upgrade Palana Road with an investment of $2 million to commence the staged sealing of priority sections of the road.
We have also announced that as part of our integrated package of measures to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow in Launceston and the Tamar Valley, a re-elected Majority Liberal Government will:
- Contribute a total of $80 million towards the construction of a new Tamar River Bridge, to cost approximately $400 million, and within 100 days of the election, put forward a strong case to the Australian Government for a co-investment of $320 million in line with the agreed funding model for national highway projects.
Great Eastern Drive
- Invest a further $25 million in our very successful Great Eastern Drive program, to deliver more priority upgrades to this iconic tourist route.
Southern infrastructure program
- Invest $50 million to upgrade the Arthur Highway.
- Invest $60 million to deliver a major upgrade to the Algona Roundabout and the Kingston Bypass.
- Invest $55 million to duplicate South Arm Road from Pass Road to south of the commercial district, and to upgrade the Acton Road intersection.
- Commit a further $8.5 million towards the Huon Link Road, bypassing Huonville to the Channel Highway.
- Provide $5 million to Huon Valley Council to complete the construction of Mary Street in Cygnet, reducing the congestion on the main street and improving pedestrian safety and amenity for the township.
North West and West Coast infrastructure program
- Provide $25 million to deliver targeted improvements along the primary tourist approach to Cradle Mountain, including Sheffield Road, Claude Road, Cethana Road and Cradle Mountain Road, supporting our plan to grow visitation to this jewel in our tourism crown.
- Invest $10 million in safety upgrades to the Stanley Highway, from the Bass Highway intersection to Dovecote Road, providing shoulder sealing and lane widening on the gateway to this tourism icon
Costings:
The cost of this policy is $416.5 million over seven years from 2021-22 to 2027-28.