The Rockliff Liberal Government is getting things done and building Tasmania's future by delivering the infrastructure our growing State needs for today and beyond.
The start of construction on the new Virgin Australia cargo facility at Launceston Airport promises to provide a major boost to local Tasmanian businesses needing to airfreight their products to market.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Michael Ferguson, said the Rockliff Liberal Government is investing $1.6 million to support the redevelopment due to the benefits it will provide Tasmanian producers.
"Air freight links are critical to the Tasmanian economy, supporting freight supply chains for time-sensitive freight, including our valuable seafood and horticulture sectors," Mr Ferguson said.
"This investment is a vote of confidence in our export markets, will support more efficient management of the current freight and provide capacity for future growth.
"The upgraded facility will allow for more time critical cargo each year, mainly seafood and perishable goods, and the current hangar operation just won't be able to cope with the extra volume we are seeing.
"It is clear than when our industries and economy grow that the infrastructure to support them needs to grow as well and it is timely that this new cargo facility will be an integral part of the larger overall airport upgrade project.
"If everything goes to plan we expect to be seeing the quality Tasmanian produce that the world wants moving through this new facility and on to off-shore markets later this year, he said.
This project is part of the $5.15 million Rockliff Liberal Government commitment to the Launceston Airport upgrade and to building capacity through our northern Tasmanian gateway.
