Tasmanian 10-year Infrastructure Pipeline to feature 442 projects at a combined cost of $30b

The state government is spruiking its long-term plan for infrastructure, saying there will be big spending on a total of 442 projects. Here’s what’s planned.

Infrastructure Minister Kerry Vincent, Civil Contractors Federation Tasmania Board Member and Fulton Hogan State Manager Matt Grundy, Liberal Candidate for Nelson Marcus Vermey, and Engineers Australia Tasmanian Division President Max Moller. Picture: Simon McGuire.

Tasmania’s infrastructure spending over the next ten years is set to exceed $30b, with around 80 per cent coming from private investment.

The latest Tasmanian 10-year Infrastructure Pipeline has increased by $3.62b from 2024.

A total of 442 projects make up the pipeline, including the Macquarie Point Stadium and Marinus Link.

A project must be valued at over $5m to make it onto the list.

New Bridgewater Bridge under construction. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Infrastructure Minister Kerry Vincent said the pipeline gave confidence to the Tasmanian community.

“We’ve had a lot of experience in recent years with a lot of major infrastructure projects, and we know what it takes to do this,” Mr Vincent said.

“We know how many locals we have to train, we know how long it takes to train people through the system, and we know how long now it takes for companies to gear up to be able to do this level of work.

“So there’s a lot of history there, and we’re going to use that history to actually capitalise on making sure that as many Tasmanians as possible are employed in these infrastructure projects.

“This is not just the next ten years; this is rolling, so this will continue to go on. But it gives us that pathway to what we need to understand our future.”

Minister Kerry Vincent. New Bridgewater Bridge under construction. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

However, the recently released Revised Estimates Report outlined that the government’s infrastructure spending had not reached forecast levels due to delays and mismanagement, resulting in a $157.8m underspend.

“Look, management of infrastructure projects comes down to a lot of communication between government expenditure and private industry, and also having to gear up for that,” Mr Vincent said.

“We’ve made a lot of steps forward with making sure that those companies are now able to roll those projects a lot smoother.”

Mr Vincent said it had done the same with training programs as well.

“It’s very hard to get the flow of those projects perfect.

“But by understanding our ten-year pipeline, we can actually program them as best as we can.

“And weather can have an effect some years; a few other problems that come along the way.

“But overall, it gives us continued understanding for the next ten years worth of infrastructure projects.”

Regarding the spread of the projects, $9.5b is slated for the North West, $7.8b for the North, and $9.6b for the south.

A further $3.6b is for projects involving the state as a whole.

Labor MHA Meg Brown said the government had a habit of delivering infrastructure projects that were delayed and over budget.

“When it comes to the track record of this government - when it comes to infrastructure - they don’t cut it,” Ms Brown said.

“Their track record of delivering on projects is abysmal.”

TOP 10 MOST EXPENSIVE PROJECTS SLATED FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS

Marinus Link - $3.3b

Suncable - $1.8b

ABEl Energy Bell Bay Powerfuels Project - $1.7b

Robbins Island Wind Farm - $1.6b

HIF Global eFuel Plant - $1b

New Bridgewater Bridge - $786m

Tasmanian Government Radio Network - $750m

Macquarie Point Stadium - $715m

Tarraleah Redevelopment - $700m

University of Tasmania South - $500m

Originally published as Tasmanian 10-year Infrastructure Pipeline to feature 442 projects at a combined cost of $30b