Coronavirus recovery: Plan to build our way to future prosperity

Billions of dollars worth of investment across dozens of developments is set to underpin the state’s post-COVID recovery. SEE THE FULL LIST OF PROJECTS >>

• Tassie industries bracing for massive job losses
• Call to cut state’s internal coronavirus restrictions

THE construction of dozens of key infrastructure projects will aid the state’s COVID-19 recovery but more private sector support is needed, industry leaders say.

A list of Tasmanian pipeline developments compiled by property analysis company Propertyology shows billions of dollars will be spent across 41 major projects over the coming years.

A recent Deloitte Investment Monitor report shows the state had $8.7 billion worth of private and public sector building projects either under construction, committed to, or being considered.

The $260 million Derwent Entertainment Centre development and the $576 million Bridgewater Bridge project highlight upcoming Hobart developments.

The proposed Kangaroo Bay hotel development. Picture: Hunter Developments

Destination Southern Tasmania chief executive Alex Heroys said the overall statewide investment in roads, hotels and entertainment hubs would increase tourism numbers and the economy.

“Obviously, investment in the Hobart Airport to double passenger capacity in the next 10 years will have a huge impact on southern Tasmania,” he said.

“Plus, hotels such as the newly opened Crowne Plaza, the Marriott Luxury Collection The Tasman late this year, the Vibe, the Kangaroo Bay hotel and the Movenpick will increase visitor accommodation options.

“But visitors must also have new products to consume, which is where projects like the Hedberg Centre for the performing arts and the Macquarie Point’s Stage One entertainment precinct will attract interstate and international interest.”

The newly opened Crowne Plaza Hotel in Hobart’s CBD. Picture: Francois Fourie

Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Michael Bailey said further investment in infrastructure was needed to support local businesses.

“While we welcome the government doing its share of the heavy lifting, it will be the private sector that rebuilds the economy in Tasmania and we need to invest in more infrastructure, invest in our people and help businesses reopen and stay open,” he said.

“These projects are now more important than ever and we will work with government to make sure they happen.”

The right mix of public and private sector projects could create jobs to stimulate the economy and help get the state through the challenging times ahead, Master Builders executive director Matthew Pollock said.

“There are more small businesses in building and construction than any other sector and the return on investment is significant,” he said.

“Private investment needs to be encouraged and supported. The government can’t do all the heavy lifting.”

An artist’s impressions of an upgraded Derwent Entertainment Centre.

Civil Contractors Federation Tasmania chief executive Rachel Matheson agreed.

“Investing in infrastructure projects is fundamental to our economic recovery post-COVID,” she said.

“We need the government and organisations to bring forward infrastructure investment right around the state to stimulate regional economies and support local jobs.”

Labor infrastructure spokesman Shane Broad said several projects had been “plagued” by delays or were yet to get off the ground: “We have seen embarrassing delays in several major projects.

“The government has a historical record of underspending on infrastructure.

“There’s no time for more delays and I’m urging the government to get on with the job and deliver the results.”

The Hedberg building under construction in Hobart. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

Building and Construction Minister Elise Archer said the government was working hard to stimulate the economy and support Tasmanian businesses, families and individuals.

“The best way to get our budget back on track, grow business confidence and create jobs for Tasmanians is to grow the economy, and that is what we are doing,” she said.

Ms Archer said the current infrastructure package of $1.8 billion over two years would support an estimated construction value of $3.1 billion.

ROAD TO RECOVERY

1 Assorted statewide road projects $378m 2 Royal Hobart Hospital $689m 3 Derwent Entertainment Centre $260m 4 Bridgewater Bridge $576m 5 Hobart Airport $200m 6 Macquarie Point $1b 7 STEM Hub $400m 8 The Hedburg $110m 9 Hobart Port $60m 10 Kangaroo Bay Hotel $80m 11 Vibe Hotel $46m 12 Crowne Plaza 13 Parliament Square $150m 14 Movenpick Hotel 15 Kingston Playground $7m 16 Launceston university $260m 17 Tamar Valley Traffic $75m 18 Launceston Hospital $87m 19. Northern prison $270m 20 Fragrance hotel $50m 21 Hotel Verge $10m

22 City Heart Project $20m 23 North Bank $9m 24 Defence Innovation Hub $30m 25 Northern Suburbs Community Hub $15m 26 Cattle Hill Wind Farm $300m 27 Burnie University $90m 28 Port of Burnie $311m 29 Hermal Group Hardwood $190m 30 Cradle Mountain $160m 31 Biomar Manufacturing Plant $67m 32 Granville Harbour Wind Farm $280m 33 Robbins Island Wind Farm $1.5b 34 Battery of the Nation $5b 35 Marinus Link Project $3.5b 36 Hellyer Gold Mine 37 Rogetta Project $100m 38 Riley Project 39 Rentails Project 40 Savage River Mine 41 Mount Lyell Copper Mine