Scant benefit for Tasmanian infrastructure projects in Federal Budget

TASMANIA has attracted little of the action from Treasurer Scott Morrison’s $75 billion “unprecedented investment in infrastructure”.

TASMANIA has attracted little of the action from Treasurer Scott Morrison’s $75 billion “unprecedented investment in infrastructure”.

The Budget included a once-in-a-generation $20 billion commitment to upgrade passenger and freight rail, as well as $5.3 billion for the Badgerys Creek airport, $8.4 billion for the Melbourne to Brisbane inland rail, and $1.6 billion in Western Australian projects.

There is no sign yet of the $400 million University of Tasmania’s STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) project, despite the enthusiasm of Infrastructure Australia boss Mark Birrell and the recent priority listing of the project.

A long-awaited replacement for the Bridgewater Bridge didn’t rate a mention in last night’s Federal Budget..

Infrastructure Australia’s listed initiatives — the $535 million Bridgewater Bridge and a $730 million of water and sewerage projects in Hobart, Launceston and Devonport — were not mentioned.

But there will be plenty of roadwork for north-south motorists, with the Federal Government providing $96.5 million in 2017-18 of its $400 million contribution to the Midland Highway upgrade.

“This will enable the completion of two projects and allow three further projects to start construction in 2017-18, including the Perth link roads project that has been brought forward by two years,” Infrastructure Minister Darren Chester said.

Other road projects include a number of election promises:

$5 million towards the $24 million Hobart Airport roundabout.

$5.7 million towards the $17.5 million Huon Highway–Summerleas Rd intersection upgrade.

$4 million for Domain Highway/Brooker Highway interchange and 150,000 towards the $26.7 million Elwick to Howard Rd consolidation of intersections..

$2.4 million for an upgrade of Highland Lakes Rd in the Central Highlands.

$2 million for Soldiers Settlement Rd upgrade near George Town and $1.4 million for a separate section.

$1.5 million for Bridport western access road.

$1.5 million for a Legana road upgrade.

$1 million Bass Highway–Wynyard intersection upgrade.

There is also $500,000 in funds for studies and planning of a dangerous section of the Bass Highway between Cooee and Wynyard.

The Roads to Recovery program allocates $60 million over four years. The island state also receives $9.2 million over four years for black spots and $5 million until 2019-20 for bridge renewal.

Tasmania receives $12.9 million in 2017-18, and $15.3 million in 2018-19 in the final two years of the $59.8 million Freight Rail Revitalisation program, which has undertaken resleepering and track replacement.

The recently announced Launceston City Deal includes $130 million for the relocation of UTAS campus in Launceston, $7.5 million for the City Heart project, and $2 million for the National Institute for Forest Products.

The 500m extension of the Hobart Airport runway receives its last instalment of $13.25 million next year after $22 million is spent in 2016-17.

A $10 billion National Rail Program aims to improve urban and regional services and upgrade critical freight rail infrastructure over 10 years. Hobart’s light rail project may be eligible but Budget documents specify that funding will be allocated to projects only after key conditions have been met, including positive assessment of a business case.

Under a Regional Jobs and Investment package, Tasmania receives $25 million from a national $220 million fund promised at the 2016 election. Funding will be available across three streams: local infrastructure, business innovation, and skills and training.

The Tasmania Freight Equalisation Scheme is touted to receive $171 million in 2017-18 including the extension announced in 2015 for northbound export goods from companies such as Nyrstar, Cadbury, Bell Bay Aluminium and Norske Skog.

Tasmania receives $40.1 million over the next two years on the Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure Program, which includes the $60 million tranche II projects announced by Tony Abbott in 2015.

The National Institute for Forest Products has been allocated $4 million over five years for a hub at the University of Tasmania campus in Launceston — the 2016 election commitment — with the other half in Mt Gambier. The Government predicts it will generate $12 million of investment over five years.

The Government established a new $472 million regional growth fund for regional infrastructure projects which would make a difference to local economies.

The Budget confirms the Government’s $49.8 million commitment to year-round access to sub-Antarctic outpost Macquarie Island, with funding over 11 years.

Funding for a chairlift project at Cradle Mountain, promised in 2016, was not listed but is likely to be included in a separate program according to Treasury officials.