Infrastructure Australia's (IA) 2021 Priority List reinforces Labor's calls for the State Government to get on with delivering crucial projects that have been neglected for years.
Shadow Infrastructure Minister Shane Broad said the Burnie Port upgrade is one of two projects added to the list this year, yet the State Government continues to ignore it.
"The Port of Burnie is one of the state's key assets and, along with replacing the Port of Hobart's wharf infrastructure, is one of only two priority projects recognised by IA on its 2021 list," Dr Broad said.
"But despite this, the State Government has not spent a cent on the project and the Minister responsible, Michael Ferguson continues to sit on his hands.
"IA's report points out that Port of Burnie is Tasmania's only multi-use seaport capable of expanding to be the state's largest gateway for bulk and containerised shipping, but the current port capacity will limit this growth and increase supply-chain costs for bulk exporters.
"Yet this government has invested nothing in its expansion, demonstrating yet again Michael Ferguson's complete failure to deliver crucial infrastructure projects for Tasmania.
"Tasmanian Labor has a plan to get the state's vital export businesses moving again and provide much-needed support to our major export businesses in mining, forestry and agriculture, as well as bringing high-value drive tourists to the state.
"Under our fully-costed jobs plan Working for Tasmania we will contribute $80 million to upgrade the Burnie Port to accommodate larger vessels, improve bulk storage capacity and further improve ship loading efficiency, all of which will drive down costs for exporters.
"The government needs to wake up and get moving on this and other critical projects. It seems that everyone else can see how important it is except Michael Ferguson."
Shane Broad MP
Shadow Infrastructure Minister
