Government advertises $200k a year position to manage bridge project

A $200,000 a year position to manage the project to replace a Tasmanian bridge is being advertised.

The Bridgewater Bridge.

A $200,000 a year position to manage the project to replace the Bridgewater Bridge is being advertised by the State Government.

The project, which is expected to cost at least $576 million, is the centrepiece of the $1.6 billion Hobart City Deal.

The five-year fixed-term project director role would provide leadership and oversight of all aspects of the bridge’s construction and commissioning, the job advertisement said.

It is being advertised with a salary range of between $187,591 and $206,351.

State and federal governments have promised to get the new bridge built by 2024, despite concerns about the project’s design and potential cost blowouts.

The Federal Government’s infrastructure advisory body, Infrastructure Australia, last year cited issues with the proposal, including its evaluation that the business case did not demonstrate that the project’s benefits would outweigh its costs.

Following a briefing about the project with IA, the mayors of Kingborough, Glenorchy and Hobart joined forces to speak out, questioning if the new bridge provided value for money.

Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson on Thursday said the Government expected Tasmanians to be driving on the new bridge by 2024.

Michael Ferguson. Picture: PATRICK GEE

“Important work is progressing on the new bridge, with necessary geotechnical investigations underway onsite to inform further development of the final design,’’ he said.

“This is the largest ever investment in a single transport project in Hobart’s history, and it is vital we investigate all options available to ensure the project is fit for purpose, the build cost can be met within current funding allocation, and takes on board the Infrastructure Australia assessment.”

BRIDGEWATER BRIDGE REPLACEMENT TIMELINE UNCLEAR

The project drew criticism on Thursday from the state Opposition, with Labor infrastructure spokesman Shane Broad saying the Liberals had not delivered on the project since coming to government.

Shane Broad. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

“Four years ago, Tasmanians were told by the Liberals that work on the Bridgewater Bridge could begin as early as 2019, yet they’ve only now decided it would be a good idea to employ a project director,” he said.

But Mr Ferguson accused Labor of scaremongering.

“Labor’s unhelpful potshots simply mask a party with no vision, no policies and no plan,’’ he said. “Meanwhile, we are getting on with the job of delivering vital job-creating infrastructure in a responsible way.”