A majority liberal government will:
- Extend direct underwritten flights between Hobart and King Island until the end of March 2022, bringing thousands more visitors and economic benefit to the Island as well as providing better options for locals to access Hobart.
- Provide $350,000 over four years to strengthen biosecurity on King Island, a re-elected Majority Liberal Government will ensure all biosecurity positions on the Island are made full-time and permanent.
- Complete work at the RSL park and skate park and improve footpaths in Currie, with an investment of $450,000.
- Contribute $250,000 towards the Council’s ongoing maintenance of the iconic heritage-listed lighthouse at Currie.
- Provide $33,000 for the replacement of the King Island community car, a key essential service for community health and wellbeing.
In addition, the Liberal Government has recently announced significant support for King Island, including:
- Offering a $10 million loan to progress the Scheelite Dolphin Tungsten Project mine which has been closed since the early 1990’s. This project has the potential to generate significant investment, create up to 90 jobs during construction and 55 ongoing full-time jobs, boosting King Island’s economy.
- $1 million commitment for telecommunications infrastructure upgrades on King Island, subject to gaining the remaining funding through the Regional Connectivity Program which we continue to lobby for.Better mobile coverage and faster data speeds will be a huge benefit for the Island, delivering improved connectivity to deliver superior health services, education and emergency management, helping business growth, and assisting visitors to the Island with the latest communications technology.
- A new $345,000 Golf Tourism marketing campaign, targeting golfers from around the country to test their abilities at our world-class golf courses, including Cape Wickham and Ocean Dunes, and stay on to experience all the Island has to offer.
The Tasmanian Liberals are the strongest supporters of our regional communities.
We have worked hard to support the King Island community and its plans for economic growth and job creation through its high-value brand, and increasingly, to showcase its unique island attractions as a key tourist destination.
We have invested $10.5 million into Stage 2 of the King Island Hospital redevelopment, and work is almost complete, including:
- palliative care and associated family rooms;
- acute care and observation areas;
- improved emergency and after-hours access; and
- dedicated accommodation for staff working and living on King Island.
Our support continues with further initiatives for King Islanders under a re-elected Liberal Majority Government, including our ongoing commitment to work with and consult with King Islanders on a long-term shipping solution.
We will:
Extend direct underwritten flights between Hobart and King Island until the end of March 2022, bringing thousands more visitors and economic benefit to the Island as well as providing better options for locals to access Hobart.
New regular passenger flights between Hobart and the two Bass Strait Islands commenced in September 2020, with the Liberal Government underwriting the services for an initial period to support our Islands through the pandemic.
The direct flights operate on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, providing a range of travel options for holiday packages on the Islands.
Both Islands have experienced significant increases in visitation, with King Island flights carrying well over 1200 passengers since its commencement. The Island's accommodation and rental car businesses continue to be major beneficiaries. Golf courses and hospitality venues have also reported strong support from Tasmanians through this initiative.
Importantly, the flights provide the Island’s residents greater options to access health and other services in Hobart and bring the State’s regional communities closer together.
The operator, Sharp Airlines, has also based an aircraft and crew in Hobart, bringing additional economic benefits to the State.
A re-elected Liberal Majority Government will underwrite the extension of the flights until the end of March 2022, supporting King Island during the winter period and enabling operators to be prepared for a busy spring and summer, with the ultimate goal of the flights becoming commercially sustainable.
This represents a further commitment of around $1 million based on the service since its introduction, considering passenger load factors and average fare levels.
The extension of flights gives more Tasmanians the ability to explore this unique part of our State, sample some of the nation’s finest produce or play on two of the world’s leading golf courses at Cape Wickham and Ocean Dunes, while supporting the King Island community and economy.
Provide $350,000 over four years to strengthen biosecurity by funding a permanent, full-time Biosecurity Tasmania officer on King Island
Protecting our pest and disease-free status and reputation of King Island as a provider of premium produce is vital to growing the production and profitability of our farmers.
Biosecurity officers 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.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will ensure all biosecurity positions on the Island are made full-time and permanent.
Complete work at the RSL park and skate park and improve footpaths in Currie, with an investment of $450,000
This investment to support the completion of RSL park and the skate park, as well as improve footpaths, will make access around the township easier for the elderly and young mums with strollers and children.
Contribute $250,000 towards the Council’s ongoing maintenance of the iconic heritage-listed lighthouse at Currie
The lighthouse and communication tower at Currie was built in the late 1800s to help ships steer away from King Island.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will assist the Council with $250,000 to help with painting and maintenance of this tourist drawcard and integral part of the Island’s skyline.
Provide $33,000 towards a community car
The King Island community car and transport services is an integral part of the Island’s social infrastructure, offering an essential service for community health and wellbeing.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will provide $33,000 for a new community car.
Current work underway right now:
- $159,530 to the King Island Football Association Inc to upgrade Currie Oval.
- Full integration of the Wave Swell tidal renewable energy system with the King Island Renewable Energy Integration system to deliver further diesel and CO2 emission savings.
Our record in Government:
- Ongoing funding for King Island’s Phoenix House as full member of Neighbourhood House network, so they can continue their important role in supporting local community wellbeing.
- $255,000 to strengthen biosecurity on the island.
- $220,000 for the King Island airport runway apron.
- Secured a long term (10-year) sustainable provider of Rural Medical Services.
- Extended King Island District High School to Year 12.
- $100,000 for infrastructure upgrades to the King Island Racing Club.
- $120,000 towards the proposed King Island Service Centre Hub in Currie.
- $1.3 million delivered in-transport assistance to help beef producers and a specialist extension officer to support farm productivity.
- Development of the King Island Destination Action Plan.
- $50,000 for a business case for a multi-species abattoir.
- $200,000 in additional Parks and Wildlife Staff to support the management of reserves and Crown Land.
- $49,000 to the Council for Town Master Plans for Currie, Naracoopa and Grassy.
- $20,000 to King Island Council for a telecommunications action plan.
- $10 million purchase of the John Duigan, doubling the freight capacity of its predecessor vessel.
- $9.08 million for concessional and regulated electricity power prices in 2019-20.
- $600,000 King Island School towards car parking and traffic management.
- Delivered King Island Renewable Energy Integration solar, wind and battery system, achieving 100% renewable energy performance on a megawatt scale and saving (since 2014) over 8.6 megalitres of diesel or $11.5 million
Costings
This policy costs $2.1 million over 4 years.