Labor says Hobart showground project is the type of kickstart needed

Redeveloping the Hobart Showgrounds and Burnie Port are among the list of projects Labor says would kickstart Tasmania’s post-COVID-19 economy. Find out what else the recovery package includes >>

A HOUSING development at the Hobart Showground has been put forward by Tasmanian Labor as the type of project needed to kickstart Tasmania’s social and economic recovery.

Labor leader Rebecca White released the party’s COVID-19 recovery package yesterday, saying Tasmania had an opportunity to emerge from the pandemic a better and fairer state with opportunities for all.

Labor leader, Rebecca White alongside President of the Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania, Peter Spotswood as Labor launched their COVID-19 Recovery Package. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

The package will form the base of Labor’s submission to the Premier’s Economic and Social Recovery Advisory Council.

“The Hobart Showground Renewal Project presents a great opportunity to redevelop the site to provide more than 500 new homes, including affordable housing, community spaces, a new exhibition space and sports field,” Ms White said.

“This is the type of project Labor believes will create jobs and also contribute to the social recovery of our state.”

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Other projects listed in Labor’s submission include fast-tracking the TasWater infrastructure program, aggressively progressing the Burnie port plan and completing the Derwent ferry trial.

Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania president Peter Spotswood said the $200 million project was something badly needed in the northern suburbs but $42 million was needed to get it up and going.

Labor leader, Rebecca White alongside President of the Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania, Peter Spotswood and Labor MP's Josh Willie, Ella Haddad and David O'Byrne as Labor launched their COVID-19 Recovery Package. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

Infrastructure Minister Michael Ferguson said Labor’s list of projects had not been costed except for those that were government initiatives and already under way.

“For some of these projects, we have costed plans with the Commonwealth, but Labor wants the state to bear the cost,” Mr Ferguson said.

“We have already released our robust Roadmap to Recovery, which includes a $1.8 billion fully costed package, and which we are already implementing, with infrastructure projects already being fast-tracked.

“This will underpin and support an estimated construction value of $3.1 billion across the next two years, stimulating investment in the private sector, strengthening the economy and creating thousands of jobs.”

The Government has also established the Premier’s Economic and Social Recovery Advisory Council.