Prime Minister visits Tasmania to drop money on big projects
Anthony Albanese brought his cheque book during a visit to Tasmania on Wednesday. Here’s what’s in line for a cash injection.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Tasmania as the nation waits for the government to call the federal election in the coming months. Here’s what projects are in line for a financial boost.
Princess Theatre redevelopment boost
The federal government has invested $12.7m into the redevelopment of the Princess Theatre adjoining Earl Street Arts Centre in Launceston.
The project is expected to cost $30m in total, and the Albanese government says it will provide 280 jobs during the construction phase.
Federal Arts Minister Tony Burke said the Princess Theatre was essential to Launceston.
“The Princess Theatre has been at the heart of the local community for more than 100 years, and today’s announcement means it will live on for generations to come,” Mr Burke said.
“Regional theatres are a lifeblood for communities, injecting new ideas as well as providing support for emerging artists to hone their skills.”
Airport funding lands for Flinders Island
While the Prime Minister was making his way around mainland Tasmania on Wednesday, another member of Anthony Albanese’s cabinet announced funding for the Flinders Island Airport.
The federal government will put forward $2.68m towards upgrades to the remote airport.
The airport will get runway lighting for night landings and also a new operations office.
Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said the upgrades were much needed.
“Quality infrastructure in regional areas is more important than ever,” Ms King said.
“This much-needed funding for Flinders Island Airport will ensure its long-term viability as a hub for the Furneaux Islands region.
“The project focuses on modernising Flinders Island Airport while embracing sustainability and enhancing liveability for the community here.
“By creating a more attractive and reliable travel gateway, the project is also expected to increase tourism and business opportunities for the Island and beyond.”
Brighton housing precinct support ‘simply fantastic’
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has used his trip to Tasmania to throw his support towards a housing precinct slated for the Hobart outskirts.
The federal government has pledged more than $10m towards the South Brighton Development Precinct.
Mr Albanese said the funding would help the Brighton community expand and thrive.
“This $10m will unlock the development that is needed to build 600 new homes here in this Brighton industrial precinct, providing for those essential services that are key to homes being built here,” he said.
“We’re investing real dollars in real infrastructure to build real homes to help families here in Tasmania.”
Brighton Mayor Leigh Gray said the federal government’s funding announcement was “simply fantastic for our rapidly growing community”.
“It will facilitate a range of residential and commercial development opportunities in our most appropriate growth precinct,” Mr Gray said.
“This project is a testament to the importance of long-term vision and planning and then successfully bringing these plans to fruition through partnerships and collaborations between the tiers of government and other institutions.
“We have taken a low-density area on the edge of town and have master planned it to equitably turn it into a new urban precinct around the new high school and growing commercial centre.”
“On behalf of Brighton Council and our community, I would like to thank the Albanese government for recognising the needs and opportunities in rapidly growing outer-urban areas such as ours and providing the support necessary to build a bright future for our communities.”
Devonport first stop for PM
The federal government will give the Devonport City Council $6m for stage three of its Living City project.
The project is an initiative by the council to build new infrastructure and aims to revitalise Devonport.
Stage three of the Living City project will see the council and private investors construct a new subdivision with 30 affordable housing units, redevelop the Indie School — an institution for young people unable to complete their studies in the mainstream education system — and retail sites.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the project would greatly benefit the Devonport community.
“Building Australia’s future relies on critical investments to infrastructure projects – transforming communities and lives,” Mr Albanese said.
“This announcement of more than $6 million for North West Tasmania does just that.
“North West Tasmania is a beautiful place to live, work and visit, and my government wants to ensure it has the infrastructure and housing it needs to continue to grow and thrive.”
Mr Albanese is in Tasmania today and will also announce $12.7m for the redevelopment of the Princess Theatre in Launceston, $619,241 for the construction of the Circular Head Community Health and Wellbeing Hub in Smithton – and, as previously reported by the Mercury – more than $10m for the South Brighton Development and Upper Derwent Valley Precincts.
Originally published as Prime Minister visits Tasmania to drop money on big projects
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