Better and less congested freight connections across Tasmania are on the way thanks to upgrades under the Federal Liberal and Nationals Government’s Roads of Strategic Importance (ROSI) initiative.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Government has committed $530 million to upgrade key freight corridors in Tasmania’s northwest, with a priority around the Bass Highway and between Hobart and Sorell to better connect industry to markets and reduce congestion.
"ROSI funding will address pinch points and other impediments to freight movements across the state to improve travel times and reduce freight costs, providing a significant boost to the Tasmanian economy," Mr McCormack said.
"Ultimately, these upgrades will promote growth opportunities for Tasmania’s world-famous primary producers by ensuring cost-effective access to industry and markets."
The Federal Liberal and Nationals Government is investing:
- $130 million for the Hobart to Sorell corridor
- $24 million to upgrade Birralee Road between Westbury and Frankford
- $25 million in additional funding for Murchison Highway upgrades, bringing the total commitment to $35 million
- $16 million for the Old Surrey Road/Massy-Greene Drive freight route upgrade
- $15 million for the Lyell Highway Upgrade from Queenstown to Strahan
"The funding package will also improve safety and access for local communities. The Hobart to Sorell corridor is about ensuring locals and tourists have reliable transport and will promote more opportunities for tourism in this beautiful state.
"This is a fantastic investment for Tasmania, with the funding package designed to improve freight connectivity to Tasmania’s ports, support regional development and ensure safety for all road users."
Deputy Premier of Tasmania and Minister for Infrastructure Jeremy Rockliff said this investment is crucial to the state’s growth and prosperity.
"Our investment will improve travel times and reduce congestion for all road users," Mr Rockliff said.
"This investment forms part of the Federal Liberal and Nationals Government’s Roads of Strategic Importance initiative, which will be boosted to $4.5 billion nationwide in the upcoming Budget, ensuring the nation's key freight roads efficiently connect agricultural and mining regions to ports, airports and other transport hubs."
The $130 million Hobart to Sorell corridor will be a new initiative in the 2019–20 Budget. The other projects form the next suite of priority projects under the $400 million Tasmanian Roads Package which is initially focussed on corridors in the North-West and funded from the Federal Government 2018-19 Budget for ROSI.
Projects previously announced under the $400 million Tasmanian Roads Package ROSI funding are upgrading the Bass Highway between Marrawah and Wynyard ($60 million) and the Murchison Highway ($10 million).
