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Irrigation scheme commitment
By Caitlin Jarvis
Construction of the Scottsdale irrigation scheme will form part of the state government’s commitment to irrigation schemes in the state budget.
The $17.5 million commitment will be given to Irrigation Tasmania to continue to build and extend on Tranche 2 of the schemes.
Primary Industries was the beneficiary of a $5.6 million biosecurity package to support livestock productivity, support for RSPCA’s inspectorate team and the cat management plan.
New chopper added to state’s fleet
By Hayden Johnson
A second helicopter to aid in medical retrievals and search and rescue emergencies will be added to the state government’s fleet.
At a cost of $9 million, the second helicopter has been added following a rise in flying hours for the fleet.
To pay for more police, new technology, housing and services, the budget contains a $53.4 million boost to the Tasmania Police Service.
A wellness program for emergency services will cost the government $1.5 million over the next four years.
Police officers will receive body cameras as part of a $3.4 million roll out.
The state’s firefighting capability will be boosted thanks to the addition of three aerial appliances.
Known as snorkels, the $3.75 million for aerial appliances will make it easier for crews to battle blazes in tall buildings.
‘Record spend’ for health
By Matt Maloney
The centrepiece of the government’s pre-election budget is arguably health funding with the Premier, Treasurer and Health Minister in a chorus, praising a record spend of $7 billion over four years.
This will include $144.4 million to fund more hospital beds and staff.
After roads and rail, health had the biggest share of infrastructure investment in 2017-18 with $210.4 million to be spent – or $493.7 million over four years.
For the coming year, the Royal Hobart Hospital redevelopment will receive $180 million.
For the next two years, the Mersey Community Hospital will receive $35 million for capital works.
More money for Cradle Mountain upgrade
By Hayden Johnson
An increase to funding for the Cradle Mountain project is at the centrepiece of the government’s $37 million tourism spend.
An additional $6.8 million has been allocated to progress the Cradle Mountain project – taking the expenditure to $21.8 million.
The funding will go towards upgrading the visitor centre and building new viewing facilities at Dove Lake.
Tourism Tasmania will receive an additional $11 million to market the state to a domestic and international audience.
$15m for Family Violence Action plan
By Jonathan Mallinson
More than $15 million will be invested into the Family Violence Action plan over the next two years.
Premier Will Hodgman a new initiative will also be introduced to monitor high-risk family violence offenders.
‘’The trial will allow victims the option of voluntarily carrying a small, portable GPS device to enhance the ability of officials to detect breaches involving approaches made to victims outside identified exclusions.’’
An additional $1.68 million will be allocated to the Family Violence and Sexual Assault Unit, $420,000 over two years for an eligible persons register and $3.4m over four years for the roll out of body worn cameras.
CBD and health big winners for Launceston
By Caitlin Jarvis
Health and investment into the heart of Launceston form key tenets of the budget initiatives for Northern Tasmania.
The state government has committed $35.8 million to open ward 4D at the Launceston General Hospital that will see the opening of 19 staffed beds.
In addition, the John L Grove Centre will receive $20 million in funds for 20 beds to cap off the major announcements for health.
The University of Tasmania campus move was also allocated as well as funds for Launceston’s City Deal as expected.
Meresy Community Hospital to get $35m upgrade
By Sean Ford
The Mersey Community Hospital will receive a $35 million upgrade as the state government goes big on health.
The money has been included in the forward estimates for 2019-2020 and 2020-2021, largely in response to the Mersey being an aging facility.
Health Minister Michael Ferguson said it was a commitment to the long term future of the hospital.
Education Act change to cost $57m
By Michelle Wisbey
Funding of $57 million will be spent to implement the Education Act, which is set to be rolled out, almost in full, in July this year.
The state budget included funds to accommodate student cohort changes, capital funding upgrades and refocusing teaching in the early years.
Almost eight additional full-time nursing positions will be funded, as well as $6.9 million already announced for social workers, speech pathologists, and psychologists.
Queechy High School, and Boat Harbour and Spreyton primary schools will also benefit from additional capital works funding.
INFRASTRUCTURE
By Michelle Wisbey
Health and roads will be the two big beneficiaries of infrastructure spending, with additional funds going to the Mersey Community Hospital, and the St Helens Hospital.
Roads across the state will receive upgrades, including the continuation of the Midland Highway upgrades, the East Tamar Highway at the Mowbray Connector, and the Bass Highway at Wynyard.
KEY REGIONAL FUNDING COMMITMENTS
BRADDON
North-West
- North West Regional Hospital – Eight beds and staffing $12m.
- Mersey Community Hospital upgrade $35m
- Mersey Community Hospital funding secured $730.4m
- North West Regional Hospital new dedicated new training facility $2.2m
- Bass Highway bridge upgrades $6.4m
- Northern cities major development initiative – Burnie $15m.
- Foodbank distribution base in Devonport $400,000
- Circular Head aquatic centre $3.5m
- Dial Regional Sports Complex $3.5m
- East Devonport Primary $1.75m
- Latrobe High School $10m
- Parklands High School $9.1m
- Somerset Primary School $1.75m
- Boat Harbour Primary School $1.8m
- Spreyton Primary School $1.66m
- School extensions to year 12 – Wynyard High School, School of Special Education.
- Upgrading visitor facilities at The Nut – $150,000.
King Island
- Phoenix House supporting local community well-being – $10,000
- Construction of BBQ shelters at Penny’s lagoon – $40,000
- Extending the King Island Wallaby Officer and Biosecurity officer – $650,000
- King Island School car parking – $600,000
- King Island hospital upgrades – $600,000
West Coast
- Zeehan Neighbuorhood Centre – $25,000
- Rosebery Community House – $25,000
- Copper Mines of Tasmania – $9.5m
- Mining Industry – Projects supporting new technologies and best practice – $1m
- West Coast tourism infrastructure – $400,000
BASS
Launceston
- Launceston General Hospital Ward 4D, 19 beds – $35.8m
- John L Grove Rehabilitation Centre, 20 beds – $20m
- Northern cities major development initiative – $50m
- Mowbray connector/East Tamar highway junction upgrade – $7m
- Northern suburbs community centre construction – $1.7m
- Elphin Sports Centre $230,000
- Silverdome upgrade – $1.9m
- Midland Highway bridge upgrades – $1.1m
- Launceston City deal including city heart revitalisation – $5.8m
- Tamar Estuary management taskforce – $500,000
- Queechy high School – $5m
- Riverside Primary School – $2.5
- Riverside High School $12m
- East Launceston Primary School $4.5m
- Expansion of Thyne House Youth supported accommodation $1.6m
- Missionbeat, Launceston mobile food van helping those in need $20,000
- Northern stadium strategy – $100,000
- Continuing support for the Launceston 10 and Stan Siejka Cycling Classic – $140,000
Regional
- Brid River jetty replacement – $500,000
- Bridport Road bridge upgrades – $1.95m
- Dorest Community House – $25,000
- George Town Neighbourhood House – $25,000
- Mt Strzelecki track upgrade – $40,000
- Flinders Island District High School extension to year 12
- Blue Derby mountain bike trails – $800,000
- Additional support for Tranche 2 irrigation including Scottsdale Irrigation scheme – $17.5m.
LYONS
Northern Lyons
- Cradle Mountain visitor infrastructure – $21.8m
- New Campbell Town ambulance station – $3m
- Bass Highway bridge upgrades $3.25m
- Midland Highway – $185.3m
- Midland Highway bridge upgrades – $1.35m
- Kentish bus services $400,000
- Deloraine High School – extension to year 12.
- Ben Lomond Ski Patrol $120,000
- Tresca Community Centre – $25,000
- Beaconsfield House $25,000
- Deloraine House – $25,000
Southern Lyons
- New Norfolk Hospital – 7 beds, $1.9m
- Midland Highway Jordan River bridge upgrade – $350,000
- Ellendale Road bridge upgrade – $1.05m
- Sorell School – $3.75m
- Oatlands Swimming Pool redevelopment – $2m
- Three Capes track stage 3 – $4m
- Tasman District School – $4m
- Molesworthy Primary School – $1.9m
- Derwent Valley Community House – $25,000
- Bridgewater Community Centre $25,000
- Dunalley Tasman Neighbourhood house – $25,000
- Gagebrook Community Centre – $25,000
- Okines Community House – $25,000
- Pittwater Neighbourhood House – $25,000
East Coast
- Maria Island restoration works – $1.8m
- Increasing Wineglass Bay Carpark – $170,000
- New St Helens Hospital – $11.4m
- St Mary District School – $5m
- Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania wukalina Cultural Walk development $278,000
- St Helens Neighbourhood House $25,000
- Final Valley Neighbourhood House $25,000
- Great Eastern Drive – $6.3m
- St Helens Mountain Bike Trail network $1m.
DENISON
Greater Hobart
- $76.6m for 59 hospital beds and staffing.
- Repatriation hospital new ward $7m
- Royal Hobart Hospital pharmacy redevelopment $3.8m
- Royal Hobart Hospital redevelopment $388.7m
- Hobart traffic congestion management $1.8m
- Bonnet Hill road improvement $1.4m
- Hobart Woman’s Shelter $3.8m
- Loui’s Van $20,000
- Rugby Park upgrade $250,000
- Hobart College $2.5m
- Lenah Valley Primary School $3m
- Taroona High School $5m
- Lansdowne Crescent Primary School – $4.73m
- TasTAFE Drysdale upgrades $3.2m
- New biotoxin testing laboratory to support seafood industry – $1.2m.
Northern Suburbs
- New Glenorchy Health Centre $6.7m
- Brooker Highway bridge upgrades $2.05m
- Construction and operation of new Moonah Youth Facility $4.9m
- Austins Ferry Primary School $5.5m
- Windermere Primary School $5.5m
- Bucaan Community House $25,000
- Karadi Aboriginal Corporation $25,000
- West Moonah Community House $25,000
FRANKLIN
Kingborough/Huon region
- Building new Kingston Health Centre – $5.8m
- Huon Highway bridge upgrades $850,000
- Woodbridge jetty replacement $700,000
- Snug Primary School $2.5m
- South Support School $4.3m
- Illawarra Primary School $2.9m
- Cockle Creek campground site and boat ramp upgrade $150,000
- Huon Highway/Summerleas Rd junction $21.9m
- Bruny Island Neck visitor facilities upgrade $700,000
- Bruny Island main road Neck upgrade $3.19m
- Southern Outlet proctors road underpass strengthening $300,000
- South Coast track upgrades $250,000
- Geeveston Community Centre $25,000
- Maranoa Heights Community Centre $25,000
- West Winds Community Centre $25,000
Eastern Shore
- Hobart Airport roundabout flyover $30m
- Risdon Vale bike collective mentoring youth $50,000
- Clarendon Vale Neighbourhood Centre $25,000
- Risdon Vale Neighbourhood Centre $25,000
- Rokeby Neighbourhood Centre $25,000
- Warrane Mornington Neighbourhood Centre $25,000
- Supporting development of international hospitality training college, Bellerive $200,000
- Montagu Bay Primary School $1.75m
- New orange-bellied parrot breeding facility at Five Mile Beach – $3.2