Ms White confirmed Labor’s plans to remove the position of the coordinator general to fund a Regional Development Unit just four days ago.

However, on Sunday she said the office will operate under a Labor government, but would be “supercharged” with more responsibility in encouraging regional investment. Both the role of the coordinator general and eight regional economic outreach officers will be funded as part of Labor’s $115 million Northern Development Package.

Treasurer Peter Gutwein said Labor’s announcement demonstrated it was “bereft of experience, bereft of ideas and panicked”.

“They’ve had five positions on [the Office of the Coordinator General],” he said.

“I welcome the fact today they’ve said they support the coordinator general doing exactly what he’s doing, and that’s overseeing the UTAS relocation and the Smart Cities project.”

Ms White said the decision to maintain the office came after listening to concerns from the chamber.

The development package also detailed a new Tamar River precinct, spanning along the waterfront from Cataract Gorge to Inveresk. 

“There is great scope for new pubic spaces [on the Tamar River], exciting connections and innovation – some that could rival Salamanca in Hobart, if we get it right” chamber president Tim Holder said.

“We applaud Labor’s view that Launceston should aspire to be a world class city.” 

Labor’s pledge to build a new Charles Street bridge as part of the package, reported exclusively in The Sunday Examiner, came under fire from the state government. 

Mr Gutwein said Labor was playing “catch-up”, after the government unveiled its $92.5 million traffic vision for Launceston in January. 

A new bridge connecting the East and West Tamar was included in the plan, in addition to widening the current Charles Street bridge.

Labor’s package also outlined a broader transport plan to reduce congestion. 

It includes $1 million to support a transport strategy in greater Launceston, more buses connecting the Northern suburbs with the CBD and a $1.5 million traffic plan for St Leonards.

“It’s pleasing that both the Labor party and the Liberals have recognised that we have some opportunities to limit traffic congestion in areas like the Goderich St and Lindsay St intersection, and at Inveresk,” mayor Albert van Zetten said. 

“There are obviously other things that need to be done as well, like synchronising traffic lights properly.”

The cornerstone of Labor’s Northern Development Package is the creation of a Launceston health precinct.

The proposed precinct is underpinned by a co-located private hospital adjacent to the Launceston General Hospital. 

Mr Holder said the chamber supported hospital co-location, but would like to see the state’s health industry shift its focus. 

“Creating new buildings and efficient delivery is one thing, but creating a wealth generating industry, exporting our intellectual property to the rest of the world, is an opportunity we must pursue with greater focus,” he said.

“More focus on the economic opportunity that will generate wealth, will only serve to improve the health system for all Tasmanians.”

Labor’s health plans also include an additional Launceston-based 24/7 ambulance crew, a public mother and baby unit, and a new child and family centre in the city’s Northern suburbs.