Labor splash cash in the region

As Australia prepares for the next Federal election, Tasmania is attracting promises for funding of a range of projects, including forward-looking infrastructure projects in the Derwent Valley.

Announced this week by the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Labor’s Lyons candidate, Rebecca White MHA, local projects range from housing in Brighton and restoration of the Princess Theatre in Launceston to larger scale projects in Hobart and Devonport.

In Lyons, Tasmania’s largest electorate, just over $500,000 has been promised to the Upper Derwent Valley Precinct to support infrastructure planning to improve connectivity in multiple townships.

Seven small communities – Maydena, Plenty, Hayes, Bushy Park, Glenora, Westerway and Mount Field – have been named for the project.

The federal funding will support the development of precinct plans/concept designs, business plans and feasibility studies designed to bring them together as a single regional precinct.

At its core, the funding is to underwrite infrastructure projects that improve connectivity, support tourism and the regional economy.

Funding for the Upper Derwent Valley Precinct is provided through the Albanese Government’s regional Precincts and Partnership Program, which provides investment to transform regional, rural and remote places. 

Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government minister Catherine King said such projects could transform the everyday lives of locals, building towns they can be proud of. 

“The Upper Derwent Valley precinct will reshape this beautiful Tasmanian region, drawing more visitors to the area and unlocking its potential as a key tourist destination,” Ms King said.

Local tourism entrepreneur, Rachel Power told the Gazette: “It’s good to see the planning to be done first to identify where the investment makes the biggest impact.

“In such a vibrant area as the Upper Derwent, seeing tourism and community work together will see the success of the entire destination,” she added.

The Prime Minister also announced $10 million to to the South Brighton Development Precinct to help unlock up to 600 more homes.

The funding, delivered through the Housing Support Program, will go to critical infrastructure including a new sewerage pump, upgrading local roads and delivering a shared path to connect the development to the Brighton Industrial Hub.