Calls to fast-track Tassie infrastructure projects amid coronavirus economy fears

The Deputy Prime Minister is calling for Premier Peter Gutwein to name more Tasmanian infrastructure projects that can be fast-tracked to cushion the economic blow of coronavirus.

TASMANIA has the chance to fast-track more crucial infrastructure projects as the Federal Government seeks to cushion the economy from the impact of bushfires and coronavirus.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has written to Premier Peter Gutwein and Infrastructure Minister Michael Ferguson calling for them to name any shovel-ready projects that could be brought forward this year in a bid to create jobs and stimulate the economy.

It comes after the Reserve Bank of Australia cut the cash rate to a historic low of 0.5 per cent on Tuesday.

The Federal Government called on the states as recently as last year to name projects they wanted to fast-track, before announcing a $3.8 billion package in November to bring forward infrastructure.

But Mr McCormack yesterday said he wanted them to name projects which could be started in the next three to six months to “make sure that the economy stays on track”.

States could put forward suggestions from big projects such as highways or byways “right down to roundabouts,” he said.

Mr Ferguson said the Tasmanian Government would work with the Australian Government to identify opportunities that could be brought forward.

A number of key projects were already underway or soon to be started.

“Last year we fast-tracked funding for the Bass Highway and Burnie shiploader,” Mr Ferguson said.

“We are now looking at the next stage of the planning and design of specific projects on the Bass Highway after recently releasing information on the plans.

“The Hobart Airport interchange will commence in the coming months.”

Tasmanian Labor Senator Carol Brown raised concerns that Federal Government funding to tackle Hobart traffic congestion was not flowing fast enough.

Senate Estimates heard just $500,000 of a planned $8 million would be spent by the end of June.

Senator Brown added that projects to improve traffic flow in Hobart had yet to even be identified.

“Scott Morrison is a salesman,” she said.

“He’s great at making promises, but when it comes to actually delivering results, he’s a great disappointment to Tasmanians.”