The City of Launceston expects to roll out more than $15m worth of targeted infrastructure upgrades in the first quarter of 2021 as part of its five-year $40m Accelerated Capital Works Program.
The Accelerated Capital Works Program is an initiative of the City of Launceston's Community Care and Recovery Package, Tasmania's largest local government response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over five years the program will bring forward a range of infrastructure upgrade and improvement projects across the municipality, aimed at sparking new economic activity and employment opportunities.
The program is designed to be agile, allowing the Council to bring forward necessary community projects, while also weighing demands on the local construction industry to ensure value for money.
In coming weeks the Council will roll out a series of road re-sealing and upgrade projects, as well as other infrastructure projects including the construction of a new landfill cell at the Launceston Waste Centre.
Reseal works have begun this week on Poplar Pde in Youngtown, between Blue Gum Rd and Redwood Cr, in a project expected to take around eight weeks to complete. A major reseal of Quarantine Rd will begin on Monday, January 11, and will also take an estimated eight weeks to complete.
The project involves renewal of the road surface and upgrades to sections of kerb and channel on Quarantine Rd between Hobart Rd and Penquite Rd.
A major reseal of Invermay Rd will take place later this year, between Forster St and Vermont Rd, as well as a reseal and road widening project at Golconda Rd.
A number of smaller-scale resealing projects are also either underway or shortly set to commence across the municipality, including:
● Victoria Street, between Hobart Road and Hubert Way, Youngtown
● Gorge Road, between Bald Hill Road and Fulford Street, Trevallyn
● Ernest Street, between Harold Street and Reid Street, Kings Meadows
● Hart Street, between Hoblers Bridge Road and Olive Street, Newstead, and;
● Mimosa Place, Youngtown
Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten said the Council would work closely with contractors to minimise disruptions wherever possible. "The Accelerated Capital Works Program is designed as a mechanism we can utilise to target specific projects, aimed at improving and renewing public infrastructure, and spurring economic activity," Mayor van Zetten said.
"Some sectors of the construction industry are already experiencing high demand, and we're eager not to over-stimulate those sectors. "However, where we can intervene through the Accelerated Capital Works program to make a positive difference for our community, ensure value for money, and create economic activity and employment opportunities, we will.
"There are a series of road improvement projects included in this initial series of projects for the year, and our aim is to undertake them with as little disruption as possible.
"However, we'd like to remind motorists that there may be delays or short detours in place as these projects are completed. People may wish to plan their routes accordingly.
"Where appropriate, we'll bring forward more projects under the City of Launceston's Accelerated Capital Works Program over the next five years and we hope they'll make a positive difference in Northern Tasmania."
