The Rockliff Liberal Government is building the infrastructure Tasmania needs for now and into the future.
The Quaylink Project at the Port of Devonport represents the largest investment in port infrastructure in Tasmania in more than a quarter of a century.
This $240 million infrastructure project at the Port of Devonport is designed to future-proof the city as a tourism and freight gateway for the next 50 years.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Michael Ferguson, said QuayLink unlocks a billion-dollar investment through shipping companies seeking to invest in larger, more efficient vessels to meet growth and demand.
"Three new vessels, commissioned to arrive in 2024, will increase Devonport's freight capacity by 40 per cent, with an additional 160,000 passengers visiting via Devonport every year," Mr Ferguson said.
"This boost to tourism and trade is estimated to increase Gross State Product by $130 million.
"Through this project, TasPorts will deliver a real-time three-dimensional vessel port-monitoring system, renewable energy shore power for our customers and an improved port layout.
"In August 2022, a Tasmanian joint venture established by Hazell Bros Group Pty Ltd and Brady Marine & Civil Pty Ltd was awarded a major works contract that forms part of Project QuayLink.
"Works are well under way with 56 workers directly onsite, 88 Tasmanian businesses contracted directly and generating a local spend of $61 million, above and beyond the required two-thirds of the contract's value to be spent with Tasmanian businesses.
"There are local expertise in crane hire, electrical, diving, reinforcing, surveying, marine, civil contractors, welding, earth moving, plumbing and waste management all pitching in together to get the job done.
"With the reclaim area now fully complete, TT Line will start work imminently on the new three-tiered ramp to embark and disembark the new Spirit of Tasmania vessels.
"Currently the building of the new berth pocket and wharf infrastructure are progressing well with local businesses providing the aggregate for the rock bags, concrete for the on-site pour and pre-cast for the different elements of the wharf.
"TasPorts has staged the works to stimulate local supply and spend.
"All but the final of 51 piles are in place and four of the 61 tonne headstocks were in place by the end of October.
"TasPorts has also released its first sustainability report for QuayLink, a year-on-year assessment of sustainability measures and environmental monitoring.
"The engagement work undertaken by QuayLink assisted in the EcoPorts accreditation for the Port of Devonport.
"There's also a local community engagement with the Project QuayLink team. TasPorts has implemented a school's engagement program with the Devonport East Primary School to inspire and educate local children.
"This program provides interactive learning experiences about Tasmanian ports via the science, literacy and art curriculums. Through this program students from East Devonport Primary School have been challenged to imagine 'boats of the future'. As well, more than 20 TasPorts representatives with different career backgrounds have visited the school to share their knowledge and talk through career possibilities.
"In the coming months, TasPorts employees will facilitate outdoor excursions to further build the knowledge of students at the school and open their eyes to future local career opportunities."
