Hobart City Deal: More than $90 million to be unveiled to bust congestion
More than $90 million in new funding from all levels of government will be announced today for projects aimed at busting traffic congestion under the Hobart City Deal.
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MORE than $90 million in new funding from all levels of government will be announced today for projects aimed at busting traffic congestion under the Hobart City Deal.
Clark Liberal MHA Elise Archer will today join federal Cities Minister Alan Tudge to announce new cash for southern infrastructure projects, including upgrades to the Kingston bus interchange, money towards easing traffic congestion in the Kingston area and $25 million towards “activating” the northern suburbs transit corridor.
DEAL PART 1: $30 MILLION BOOST FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Ms Archer labelled the latter project a potential game-changer for Hobart.
“The northern suburbs transit corridor is a priority area for urban renewal under the City Deal,” Ms Archer said.
“A greater diversity of housing solutions will be encouraged along the corridor and this will support the future delivery of the most effective public transport solution, while also reducing congestion.”
Glenorchy Mayor Kristie Johnston welcomed the rail corridor funding.
“Glenorchy residents can be excited that the City Deal provides the first significant down payment on the establishment of a passenger transport service along the rail corridor,” she said.
The local, state and federal governments will tip in a total $730 million for the Hobart City Deal traffic infrastructure package, including about $570 million for the previously announced Bridgewater Bridge, funding for a fifth lane on the Southern Outlet and $2 million from the state towards establishing a Derwent ferry service.
Mr Tudge said $23 million to be chipped in by the four greater Hobart councils – Hobart, Glenorchy, Clarence and Kingborough – was about securing a sustainable and cost-effective transport system for the South.
“Hobart suffers congestion at times, just like other cities,” Mr Tudge said.
“Hobart is also growing and we want to eliminate those local, frustrating pinch-points but also future-proof the wider network for those generations.
“This is all about reducing congestion so the community can spend more time with family and friends and less time in the car, providing significant civil construction jobs and making it easier for Tasmania’s world-famous industries to get their goods to the market.”
Other projects to form part of the package include progressing a Hobart transit centre, “modernising and integrating” the public transport system and considering how to improve traffic through the CBD, including Macquarie and Davey streets.
Kingborough Mayor Dean Winter welcomed the funding for traffic projects in Kingston.
“The deal provides the funding to rebuild the Kingston CBD and invest in projects like a bus interchange and park and ride hubs around the municipality,” Cr Winter said.
Tasmanian Liberal senator Eric Abetz was tight-lipped on the remaining projects from the City Deal after announcing $30 million towards affordable housing.
Other elements floated to date include the $400 million University of Tasmania STEM centre and the redevelopment of Macquarie Point.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will fly into Hobart tomorrow to sign the deal.
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