A Shorten Labor Government will invest $25 million to upgrade the Burnie Port, creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs across regional Tasmania.
We need real change – because more of the same isn’t good enough.
Member for Braddon Justine Keay said that Labor’s investment was targeted and would actually create jobs, unlike the Liberal’s announcement last week which industry has said will not create one new job.
“We took the time to consult with TasPorts and port users rather than rushing at the last minute as the Liberals seem to have done,” said Ms Keay.
“Labor’s project supports development within the TasPorts Master Plan – the Liberals’ does not.
“Modelling shows that Labor’s project will generate additional capacity at the port through dredging and could create between 3,000 and 5,000 direct and indirect jobs across regional Tasmania.”
“That’s because the upgrade work prioritised by Labor will allow larger container ships to dock in the port and the faster loading of those ships.
“We’re spending our money more responsibly than the half-baked cash splash from the Liberals; targeting it to where we will get the best boost for jobs at the Port and across regional Tasmania.”
Labor’s announcement of $25 million of funding will enable TasPorts to undertake the following work at Burnie Port:

• Capital dredging to increase the depth at Berth 6 to achieve safe under keel clearance for vessels at a deadweight tonnage of 65,000 to 80,000 tonnes up from around 35,000 to 40,000 tonnes.


• Building of additional ship loading infrastructure such as a mobile crane or reclaimer and conveyors.


• Removal of the redundant portainer crane.


• The construction of new storage and stockpile areas within the port.

“We’ve already seen Labor promise strong investments across a range of industries here in the North West and West Coast,” said Ms Keay.
“We’ve announced additional funding to create jobs in civil construction, tourism, health and aged care, manufacturing, primary industry and education.”
The project is estimated to take between 18 months and two years to complete. The total cost of the project is estimated at $35 million with TasPorts to contribute $10 million.
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Funding for this commitment has been included in Labor’s Fair Go Budget Plan, available at http://www.alp.org.au/labors_fiscal_plan