The Tasmanian Liberal Government is getting things done by building ports for the future with the largest wharf infrastructure upgrades in 27 years underway.
The $240 million infrastructure project at the Port of Devonport is a once-in-a-generation development and will future-proof Devonport as a tourism and freight gateway for the next 50 years.
Touring the site works today, Premier Rockliff said the TasPorts QuayLink Upgrades will deliver a 40 per cent increase to freight capacity for Bass Strait operators.
“When works are completed, an additional 160,000 passengers will be able to enter Devonport every year, adding an expected $200 million to tourism expenditure across the State,” Premier Rockliff said.
“This boost to tourism and trade will increase the Gross State Product by $130 million.
“This is great news for the State and great news for Devonport.”
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Michael Ferguson, said that the project addresses existing capacity constraints and unlocks a billion-dollar investment in shipping companies seeking to invest in larger, more efficient vessels to meet growth and demand.
“TasPorts contractors, the Hazell Brady Joint Venture is more than halfway through the dredge and reclaim. They will then construct a state-of-the-art wharf for the next generation of Spirit vessels,” Minister Ferguson said.
“The three new vessels are currently being built and are expected to arrive from 2024 onwards.”
Since January, more than 30 Tasmanian businesses have been directly engaged for works ranging from crane hire, electrical, diving, reinforcing, surveying, marine, civil contractors, welding, earth moving, plumbing and waste management.
And this doesn’t include new in-direct jobs, with more businesses opening and existing businesses booming due to QuayLink.
The Tasmanian Liberal Government’s Buying Local is 9.5 per cent above the target, which is great news for Tasmanian contractors and small businesses.
TasPorts have staged the works, there are nine work packages overall, to stimulate local supply and spend.
The project is on schedule to be completed by 2027.