Three Greater Hobart mayors question whether $576 million Bridgewater Bridge project is value for money
Three mayors have raised concerns about whether spending $576 million – or more – to replace the Bridgewater Bridge is the best way to spend Hobart City Deal funding.
Tasmania
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THREE Greater Hobart mayors have united to publicly question whether a $576 million Bridgewater Bridge replacement is the right way to spend cash allocated in the Hobart City Deal.
The mayors of Kingborough, Glenorchy and Hobart spoke out about their concerns after being briefed on Monday by the Federal Government’s infrastructure advisory body, Infrastructure Australia.
The briefing outlined IA’s reservations about the proposal, including its evaluation that the business case did not demonstrate that the project’s benefits would outweigh its costs.
The proposal would see a new 1.6km-long bridge built downstream of the existing bridge and causeway with a 110km/h speed limit and new southern approach from the Brooker Highway.
IA outlined risks that could result in higher project costs and recommended a revised, lower-cost proposal for the 70-year-old bridge.
Kingborough Mayor Dean Winter said as signatories to the deal, local government members wanted to ensure Hobart’s federal infrastructure funding was spent wisely.
Cr Winter said IA estimated the benefits of the project would equate to only 53 cents for every $1 spent.
Cr Winter said funding for the bridge was the first significant federal investment in southern Tasmania since the Royal Hobart Hospital rebuild funding almost 10 years ago.
“With our city facing major growing pains, congestion issues and a hopelessly underfunded public transport system, could a less expensive solution at the Bridgewater Bridge provide the opportunity for the Australian Government to invest in more critical infrastructure projects across greater Hobart?” he said.
Glenorchy Mayor Kristie Johnston said the project was not a priority for her municipality, but reducing traffic congestion and enhancing public transport were.
“The briefing was an exciting opportunity for aldermen to get a clear understanding into the independent assessment into the viability of the bridge and it comes up short on numerous fronts,” Ald Johnston said.
“It raises questions for our aldermen about whether the Bridgewater Bridge represents the best bang for buck, and raises questions about whether there are other high-priority areas that funding could be spent.”
Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds described the briefing and the issues raised within it as “illuminating”.
Cr Reynolds said she hoped all state and federal MPs were familiar with the advice from IA – and said it needed to be taken seriously.
“Personally speaking, from the information I received at the briefing, I have some fresh concerns about the proposed design and the practicality of it and cost of it,” she said.
“I have no doubt that there’s an important need for work on the Derwent crossing at that point and around that area, but I do feel the IA advice is pretty compelling in terms of some of the issues they’ve raised.”
Clarence Mayor Doug Chipman was overseas at the time of the briefing, but on his return to Hobart today said he was looking forward to being briefed on the matter.
Ald Chipman said the council would consider the Hobart City Deal in its entirety as a priority.
Kingborough and Hobart councils will examine the Hobart City Deal on Monday, while Glenorchy and Clarence councils will consider it seven days later.
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