The 2013–14 Budget not only continues the rollout of the Federal Labor Government’s current multi–billion dollar capital works program, it also begins identifying the major projects to be funded as part of the next Nation Building Program, which will commence in July 2014.
We are both building and planning for Tasmania’s future.
Accordingly, after consulting with the State Government and Infrastructure Australia, we are now in a position to release a preliminary schedule of new projects to be funded and delivered over the five year life of our next Nation Building Program (2014–15 to 2018–19).
They are:

• Midland Highway Package: Dedicated package of works that will improve safety and productivity as well as reduce travel times. It will include planning for a future Launceston Bypass; duplication of the Perth to Breadalbane section; planning and initial construction work on Bridgewater Bridge; and dedicated safety upgrades at Mona Vale, St Peters Pass, and between Mangalore and Bagdad.
  
  
  
  • Federal contribution: $500.0 million over ten years.
  
  
  
  


• Freight Rail Revitalisation: Continue the improvements to the major lines on the freight rail network, including replacing approximately 290 track kilometres of old rail track.
  
  
  
  • Federal contribution: $119.6 million.
  
  
  
  


• Brooker Highway: Address congestion and access issues at the intersections with Goodwood and Elwick Roads as well as replace the existing Howard Road roundabout with traffic lights.
  
  
  
  • Federal contribution: $25.6 million.
  
  
  
  


• Domain Highway: Planning and the development of design options to reduce congestion at the Domain Highway and Brooker Highway Interchange.
  
  
  
  • Federal contribution: $4.0 million.
  
  
  
  


• Huon Highway: Upgrade of the Huon Highway and Summerleas Road intersection, which will include raising the Huon Highway along its existing alignment and lowering the Summerleas Road to pass beneath it.
  
  
  
  • Federal contribution: $17.5 million.
  
  
  
  


• Tasman Highway Ramps: Install new on and off ramps at the intersection between the Tasman and East Derwent highways.
  
  
  
  • Federal contribution: $13.0 million (previously announced).
  
  
  
  

Importantly, this does not represent the totality of our next program, with more projects likely to be added in the period ahead. Nonetheless, their addition to this Federal Labor Government’s ongoing capital works program takes our investment in the State’s road, rail and public transport infrastructure to an unprecedented $1.9 billion.
As well as setting the agenda for the future, the 2013–14 Budget also provides the final annual instalment of $124.0 million for our current Nation Building Program (2008–09 to 2013–14), which almost doubled annual infrastructure spending from $157 to $264 per Tasmanian.
This year’s funding allocation will enable work to be completed on the following major projects:

• Straightening and widening Port Sorell Main Road as well as associated safety works.
  
  
  
  • Federal contribution: $1.0 million.
  
  
  
  


• North East Freight Roads Package:
  
  
  
  • Replacing seven bridges in the Mathinna and Evercreech area.
  
  
  • Widening the Tasman Highway and installing safety barriers between Derby and Gladstone Main Road.
  
  
  • Widening Gladstone Main Road and installing safety barriers between the Tasman Highway and the town of Herrick.
  
  
  • Upgrading the intersections of Lilydale and Prossers roads and Patersonia and Prossers roads.
  
  
  • Widening and upgrade of Bridport Main Road (due for completion in 2015).
  
  
  • Federal contribution: part of a $34.0 million package.
  
  
  
  


• Replacing sleepers, rail and ballast along key sections of the main North–South line including through the Rhyndaston area.
  
  
  
  • Federal contribution: $75.9 million.
  
  
  
  


• Replacing sleepers, rail and ballast along key sections of the Burnie to Western Junction Line as well as replacing bridges over the Leven and Forth rivers.
  
  
  
  • Federal contribution: $28.9 million.
  
  
  
  

Over the coming 12 months work will also start on:

• Construction of the new Bell Bay Intermodal Terminal, a facility which will allow more efficient freight movements through the Bell Bay industrial precinct.
  
  
  
  • Federal Contribution $5.2 million.
  
  
  
  


• Restoring the Abt Railway to a safe standard as part of a joint rescue package designed to secure a bright, viable future for this important piece of Australian history.
  
  
  
  • Federal contribution: $6.0 million.
  
  
  
  

The 2013–14 Budget continues funding for a range of initiatives which improve the State’s local roads and make them safer:

• $1.8 million to eliminate another 15 dangerous black spots;


• $49.9 million to assist councils across the State to maintain and upgrade their local roads; and


• $1.8 million for 2 projects to replace bridges on key freight routes.

From the outset Federal Labor’s mission has been to reverse the neglect we inherited and invest in the modern, well–planned infrastructure that will make working people’s lives easier, our businesses more competitive and the national economy stronger.
We know there’s more to be done. But this Government is making the right decisions for the nation’s future and across the length and breadth of Tasmania, building the infrastructure which will stand the test of time.
This Budget keeps our economy strong and ready for the future by making the smart investments in infrastructure. We are investing for the future, putting jobs and economic growth first and protecting the important services that Australians rely on.
We’re doing this to keep our economy one of the most resilient in the world—we have low unemployment, solid growth, contained inflation and low interest rates.