Securing Tasmania's Future by Supporting the Derwent Region

A majority Liberal government will:

  • Continue to support the Derwent region with a range of key investments that create jobs, economic and social value for the benefit of local communities.
  • Provide $1.8 million plan to improve the visitor experience at Mt Field National Park, the jewel of the Derwent Valley. This will include a Master Plan for the Mt Field Gateway, road realignment of Lake Dobson Road through the park visitor zone to create a new arrival concourse outside the Visitor Centre, befitting the entrance to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, as well as the construction of car and bus parking facilities.
  • Recruit an additional three paramedics for New Norfolk, adding to the four permanent paramedics already – a 75 per cent increase. We will consult with the local community on the best model for these new positions, and the paramedics will be in place within the next two years*.
  • Provide $840,000 over four years for additional staffing at the New Norfolk District Hospital, working closely with stakeholders to develop the best way to attract more health professionals to our regional communities*.
  • Deliver $600,000 to upgrade equipment at the New Norfolk District Hospital, including helping in its response to trauma patients*.
  • Invest $1 million towards the $2 million completion of the Glenora Road upgrade, a key tourism route providing access to Mt Field National Park and many tourism attractions in the Derwent Valley. This adds to the $2.5 million already invested by the Liberal Majority Government for Glenora Road works*.
  • Fund $71,900 for upgraded clubrooms and toilets, re-carpeting, air conditioning and new fencing of the Claremont Golf Club on the scenic River Derwent, the only private club with public access in Hobart’s northern suburbs. The upgrades will ensure the Club can offer modern facilities for a variety of local community functions and events into the future.
  • Provide $200,000 towards facility upgrades at Tynwald Park, one of the busiest sporting precincts in the Derwent Valley. We will work with the Derwent Valley Council to ensure better facilities for football, cricket and soccer.
  • Providing $350,000 to deliver a lighting upgrade for the Cadbury Oval, benefiting the Claremont Junior Football Club and St Anne’s Cricket club, and fund $100,000 for the Claremont Junior Football Club, which has around 350 registered players, to develop clubrooms.
  • $500,000 towards the proposed expansion of the Hobart Gymnastics Academy Centre to cater for demand and deliver more than 65 per cent increase in floor space, as well as increased height*.
  • Provide for Gagebrook and Herdsmans Cove, $500,000 towards park and playground redevelopments, such as stage one of the Cris Fitzpatrick Park and Playground redevelopment, in partnership with the Brighton Council, Centacare Evolve and MONA’s 24 Carrots Program.

These projects add to significant investments currently underway by the Majority Liberal Government in the Derwent region, including –

  • Funding the $576 million new Bridgewater Bridge as part of the Hobart City Deal, with the Australian Government – the largest single transport infrastructure project in Tasmania’s history.
  • The new $50 million Brighton High School, providing state-of-the-art learning facilities for Years 7-12 students.
  • Building 54 social housing residences in the Derwent Valley and 74 in the Brighton area.
  • $5 million replacement of the old 1968 New Norfolk Police Station, to be completed by December 2021.
  • Upgrading of the Maydena Police House, due for completion in 2022.
  • $700,000 to modernise the outdated nurse call system at the New Norfolk District Hospital, to be completed this year.
  • $70,000 for New Norfolk High for resealing of internal play surfaces
  • $79,000 for New Norfolk High lighting, painting, floor covering and fire safety upgrades
  • $65,000 for upgrades to the New Norfolk Primary School.
  • $600,000 in funding to the Tasmanian Association of Tourist Railways, towards the cost of insurance premiums for heritage rail, including Derwent Valley Rail.
  • $50,000 for the New Norfolk Library for upgrades to commence in 2021-22.

In addition, a re-elected Majority Liberal Government will assist people in the Derwent region with our Plans to:

  • Invest an extra $50 million into our Agricultural sector and supporting Tasmanian farmers.
  • Deliver new and expanded Health services, including 22,300 extra elective surgeries and endoscopies, and improved community and in-home palliative care.
  • $200 million Stage II redevelopment of the Royal Hobart Hospital, with new wards, expanded ICU and expanded Emergency Department.
  • Secure 500 jobs, and 120-150 extra jobs at Incat, with an interest-free loan over 3 years to construct a 120-metre high-speed vessel.
  • Provide $13.8 million for Local Jobs for Local People, including a new Jobs Hub in Brighton to cover the Derwent Valley.
  • Invest $98.5 million into TasTAFE, with 100 extra teachers and greater access for rural and regional students.
  • Create a High-Vis Army to grow construction jobs by 25%.
  • Create a new $8 million Events Support and Attraction Fund.
  • Provide $1 million to upgrade inland angling facilities and improve access and $75 000 for waiving junior angling licence fees for 4 years.
  • New $5 million in funding for the arts and creative sector.
  • $58.4 million in land tax relief to help land tax payers and shack owners.
  • $9.2 million for sports, including doubling Ticket to Play vouchers, new funding for sports grounds and no-interest loans for solar for sports clubs.
  • $11.7 million to secure and grow jobs in our forestry sector.
  • A further investment of $18 million to ensure bushfire safe communities, and to support our volunteer firefighters.
  • Extending school lunch pilot to 30 schools and investing an extra $4.6 million into food security to help the most vulnerable.

See www.tas.liberal.org.au for full information on all these Plans, and policies still to be released.

Our record of delivery in Government:

  • $800,000 for Stage 2 for the Maydena Bike Park for additional trails.
  • $500,000 towards the Western Wilds Drive Journey – to drive visitors to the Derwent Valley.
  • $1.2 million for the Highland Lakes Road project at the “Pub with No Beer” corner near Bothwell.
  • $2.3 million redevelopment of the New Norfolk High School to deliver a new state-of-the-art year 11 and 12 area.
  • $1.6 million for the Mt Mawson Public Shelter at Mt Field National Park.
  • $300,000 upgrade for Russell Falls track.
  • $1 million for the Learner Drive Mentor Program, including “Drive Time” from the Derwent Valley Community House”.
  • Built 21 social housing residences in the Derwent Valley and 302 in the Brighton area.
  • $575,000 towards the $2.3 million new home of the New Norfolk Rowing Club and Derwent Valley Boat House.
  • New Working Together for 3-year-olds free early learning in the Derwent Valley.
  • $125,000 to upgrade the Inland Fisheries offices in New Norfolk.
  • $220,000 for the Salmon Ponds Heritage precinct.
  • $250,000 to upgrade the Liawenee Field Station.
  • $55,000 to upgrade the Bushy Park police house.
  • Delivered extra school bus services on weekdays.
  • New Super Express bus service to improve travel times to the city.
  • $1.65 million upgrade of the Blair Street roundabout on the Lyell Highway.
  • $1.35 million over 2 years in improvements to the Lyell Highway west of Dee River Bridge.
  • Gordon River road upgrades from Liawenee to Haulage Hill ($6.1 million) and Jordan River Bridge strengthening ($1 million).
  • $3 million upgrade to Marlborough Road.
  • $1.5 million upgrade to the Lyell Highway west of Strickland.
  • $50,000 to the Claremont Football Club towards an electronic scorecard.
  • $50,000 to the Claremont Men’s Shed.
  • $49,585 to the Derwent Valley Police & Community Youth Club, Nourishing our Neighbourhood.
  • $13,000 to the Lions Club of New Norfolk for a new entry sign.
  • $36,363 to the Metro Claremont Soccer Club towards undercover at the Club.

Costings

This policy costs $3 million.

*Costed elsewhere, or under relevant portfolio policy documents.