MONEY from a $100 million federal government jobs and growth package for Tasmania has begun to flow, six months after the successful applicants were named.
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Huon Aquaculture's $3.5 million is the first of the 31 successful projects to be ticked off by the Coalition Government.
Assistant Minister for Infrastructure Jamie Briggs said 100 jobs would be created in the construction phase of the processing facility and 60 permanent full-time jobs in the first year of operation.
``The project will provide the equipment to process fresh fish as well as smokehouses and other machinery for boning, skinning, proportioning and mincing,'' Mr Briggs said.
In July, the former Labor federal government selected the recipients of the $100 million package, which was originally tied to the forestry peace deal.
The commitment was matched by the Liberal Party, but the new federal government has been conducting a due diligence process after what was described as a rushed original assessment.
The state Labor government has criticised the time taken to hand over the money to allow the projects to get underway.
Tasmanian Liberal Leader Will Hodgman welcomed the announcement that money would now flow.
``This is a significant investment in the aquaculture industry and will create much needed jobs,'' Mr Hodgman said.
``By working with, rather than against the Federal Government, we can achieve a lot for our state and the delivery of projects like this is proof.''
Lyons Liberal MHR Eric Hutchinson said the development at Paramatta Creek, in the state's south, was a good example of public-private cooperation to expand industry in Tasmania.
The redeveloped site is expected to be operating from December.