Joan Rylah,Parliamentary Secretary for Regional and Community Development
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is set to reboot the economy with a record construction blitz over two years, underpinning around 15,000 jobs.
On the North West Coast, this will include an extra $12 million for the Cooee to Wynyard stretch of the North West Coastal Pathway.
The $12 million will be provided over two years to the Burnie City and Waratah-Wynyard Councils to complete the multi-use pathway along this spectacular stretch of the Bass Strait coastline.
This funding is confirmation of our commitment to support the completion of this important community infrastructure and will enable works to repair existing damage threatening the rail embankment and to protect the corridor from future erosion risks.
I had the pleasure of joining my colleague the Minister for Infrastructure Michael Ferguson in turning the first sod on the $14.4 million Coastal Pathway project in December last year, and I am delighted that this project will play a key part in stimulating the economy in the North West as we rebuild.
To the people of the North West Coast, this is more than an infrastructure project.
The pathway will eventually cover 110km between Wynyard and Latrobe, connecting many small communities across five municipal areas.
It will have immeasurable social and health benefits for communities along the coast; connecting people through physical activity and social interaction.
A Working Group, comprising members from of State Growth, Burnie City Council and the Waratah-Wynyard Council, will ensure the Coastal Pathway route attains the best possible safety and cost outcomes.
The $12 million announced today builds on the $6.6 million that the Tasmanian Liberal Government has already contributed to this project, and shows what can be achieved when Federal, State and local governments work together.
The Tasmanian Government's $1.8 billion infrastructure package 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.
