Industry welcomes fast tracked funds for construction as part of infrastructure blitz

The State Government, two-year “infrastructure blitz” promising 15,000 jobs and a thousand homes has missed the opportunity to support some of the state’s most vulnerable, Labor says.

CARPENTRY apprentice Georgia Griffiths is one of thousands of Tasmanian construction workers welcoming fast-tracked government funding for the COVID-19 affected construction industry.

Premier Peter Gutwein has unveiled his $1.8 billion two-year “infrastructure blitz” geared towards giving the industry a massive boost.

The 20-year-old from Lenah Valley is a third-year apprentice working for Bennett Construction, specialising in commercial projects

“This should give a much-needed boost and help things pick back up again,” she said.

“I was a little concerned about my future, but I didn’t really think, being the industry that it is, that it would shut down too much, but it’s good to have that certainty with the additional funding.”

The Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomed the announcement: “We congratulate the Premier for acting so swiftly to kickstart our economy”, chief operating officer Colleen Reardon said.

“These projects will provide a real shot in the arm to our economy.”

Third year carpentry apprentice Georgia Griffiths, 20 of Lenah Valley. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Property Council executive director Brian Wightman called on the government to ensure local firms got their fair share of work.

“With $3.1 billion of work on the books, the State Government should ensure that procurement processes unashamedly award projects to Tasmanian firms or firms with a significant presence in our state,” he said.

The Tasmanian Building and Construction Industry Training Board also welcomed the $7 million Trades and Water Centre of Excellence.

“The package will help businesses of all sizes, across all sectors, and that’s something the industry really needed to see at this time,” said Dr Karin Mathison.

Labor Leader Rebecca White welcomed the package, but said it was a missed opportunity to provide support for those hardest hit by the pandemic, including women and young people, tourism, hospitality and the arts sectors.

Labor leader Rebecca White said the $1.8 billion “infrastructure blitz” skips the state’s most vulnerable groups. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“Coming out of this crisis, the government had a real opportunity to reshape Tasmania, allowing everyone to share in the benefits of a rebuilt economy,” Ms White said.

“Labor applauds the government for putting social housing at the centre of its infrastructure package ... but the opportunity to make improvements in the quality of life for all Tasmanians has been overlooked.”

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Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said the measures to help ease the housing crisis were to be applauded.

“The construction industry is in desperate need of support, and building new houses is the best bang for public stimulus,” she said.

Shelter Tas CEO Pattie Chugg said Tasmania was leading the way by boosting the supply of social housing: “Building social housing provides both an economic boost and a public good.

“Tasmania has shown great leadership by including social housing in the post-COVID economic stimulus.”