The positions will be with the Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment Department with 65 positions to be in Launceston and 35 in Devonport.

Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff said the total cost of the concept was not expected to exceed $2.4 million over four years.

This would be spent on capital upgrades at the Mount Pleasant Laboratories at Prospect and Stony Rise and on the cost of moving staff.

“It’s important to highlight – there will be no forced relocations – and the positions will occur through natural staff turnover and voluntary incentive programs,'' Mr Rockliff said.

Premier Will Hodgman said the plan would stimulate economic growth in the regions and would help the Liberals work towards its goal of growing the value of agriculture in the state.

“It is also important to move the department to where it can be best utilised by those who need and use it the most, our rural communities,” he said.

“Tasmania’s North and North-West are key contributors to economic growth through our primary industries such as agriculture, agribusiness, fisheries, as well as nature-based tourism.''

There has long been lobbying for the state’s regions to get a share of lucrative, well-paid state public service jobs.

Interstate governments in the recent past have moved full departments to assist regional towns and cities impacted by industry downturn and masses of jobs losses.