LGAT boss Allan Garcia to take up new role as chief of Infrastructure Tasmania

LOCAL Government Association of Tasmania boss Allan Garcia will be the inaugural chief executive officer of Infrastructure Tasmania.

Allan Garcia from the Local Government Association of Tasmania speak to the Sunday Tasmanian.

LOCAL Government Association of Tasmania boss Allan Garcia has been named the inaugural chief executive officer of the newly created Infrastructure Tasmania.

In backing Mr Garcia for the top role, Minister for Infrastructure Rene Hidding today said ITas had been established to provide independent advice to himself and the Treasurer, and to co-ordinate and plan major infrastructure proposals in Tasmania.

Mr Hidding said a particular focus of the new body would be transport infrastructure.

“Mr Garcia will bring valuable skills in leadership, intergovernmental relations, negotiation and policy implementation to the new role,” Mr Hidding said.

“He will lead strategic thinking and planning to support the implementation of the Government’s long-term future directions, including the identification of current and future infrastructure needs.

“A priority task of ITas is the development of an integrated freight strategy to address system bottlenecks and barriers to efficiency and productivity.”

LGAT president and Dorset mayor Barry Jarvis paid tribute to Mr Garcia’s work as its longstanding CEO, particularly his achievements in the areas of financial sustainability, water and sewerage issues, and planning reform.

“Allan has provided a strong advocacy voice for local government and is respected by his peers within local government, as well as those he deals with in state government, the business community and the public,” Mr Jarvis said.

Engineers Australia general manager Dr Vicki Gardiner said Mr Garcia brought considerable experience to the new role, urging the new infrastructure boss to implement a plan that reduced the boom-bust cycle of project investment from both public and private sectors.

Dr Gardiner said she hoped Mr Garcia would work closely with Tasmanian Coordinator General John Perry.

“We encourage Mr Garcia to take appropriate steps to ensure adequate planning and technical expertise is sought when implementing any infrastructure strategy for Tasmania,” she said.

Mr Garcia begins in his new role on May 4.