23 May 2019

Will Hodgman MP

2019-20 Budget: Maintaining the Momentum, Investing for Growth in the North

Tasmania has come a long way in the past five years. Our economic growth leads the nation, almost 13,000 more Tasmanians have found a job, and our reputation as a visitor destination and producer of world-class produce has never been stronger.

But there is still more to do. And that’s why the 2019-20 State Budget is all about Maintaining the Momentum and Investing for Growth.

Importantly, this Budget delivers on our plan to grow the economy, create jobs, invest in essential services and protect the Tasmanian way of life.

Specific Budget measures to Maintain the Momentum in the North total more than $428 million including:

• The new Legana Primary School - $15 million
• Riverside High School redevelopment - $7.1 million
• East Launceston Primary School redevelopment - $2.3 million
• Major redevelopment of the Launceston General Hospital $61.18 million
• Continuation of the Midlands Highway Action Plan $112 million
• Opening and staffing new Launceston General Hospital Ward 4K beds - $15 million
• Air conditioning upgrades at the Launceston General Hospital - $1.4 million
• Flinders Island health services and patient transport improvements $420,000
• Delivering Launceston & Tamar Valley Traffic Vision - $74.69 million
• Delivering State Road Upgrades - North - $44.98 million
• Delivering the West Tamar Highway Traffic solution - $11.2 million
• Building Mowbray Interconnector - $6 million
• Delivering the Great Eastern Drive Journey - $7.5 million
• Scottsdale-Northbourne Infrastructure - $1.3 million
• Building the new Longford Police Station - $4.2 million
• Campbell Town ambulance station upgrade - $2.82 million
• Keeping the Supercars at Symmons Plains until 2023 - $6 million
• Backing Festivale and Mona Foma - $3.8 million
• Supporting the Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre - $800,000
• Upgrading the Elphin Sports Centre - $400,000
• Investing in the Northern Tasmania Arts Program - $200,000
• UTAS Inveresk Transformation - $50 million

We have come a long way in the past five years and the 2019-20 State Budget ensures that the momentum is maintained and we are investing strategically so all Tasmanians share in a growing, prosperous State.