TREASURER Peter Gutwein has draped his second state budget in a high-visibility vest, shovelling an extra $200 million into job-creating infrastructure. The North and North-West of the state are set to receive the lion's share of his infrastructure splurge. Mr Gutwein said economic recovery across the two regions had been more sluggish than in the state's South. "It provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the cities of Launceston, Burnie and Devonport to change the face of those cities for the next 100 years," Mr Gutwein said. A $60 million Northern cities initiative will kick into gear in 2016-17 aimed at breathing new life into the three cities. In the interim, the Launceston-based Co-ordinator General's office will be given an extra $2.8 million to plan major projects and attract new investment. Mr Gutwein said the government was committed to helping the building and construction sectors, and had sounded a call to Tasmanians living abroad to return home to drive the growth. "We are building roads, dams, hospitals, schools and better cities," he said. "If you wear a high-vis vest and are currently working interstate or overseas, hear this message: there is work for you in Tasmania, and we want you back." The budget also includes $60 million over four years to upgrade the state's rail network, including $33million previously set aside to resurrect a direct international shipping link. Northern high schools will benefit from a $25.5 million infrastructure pledge, with Mr Gutwein saying most of the projects can begin this year. Opposition Leader Bryan Green said the budget was a missed opportunity, arguing capital works had been incorrectly prioritised over repairing essential services. Greens finance spokesman Nick McKim said the "heartless" budget put roads before people.
Treasurer Peter Gutwein has shovelled an extra $200 million into job-creating infrastructure.
TREASURER Peter Gutwein has draped his second state budget in a high-visibility vest, shovelling an extra $200 million into job-creating infrastructure.
The North and North-West of the state are set to receive the lion's share of his infrastructure splurge.
Mr Gutwein said economic recovery across the two regions had been more sluggish than in the state's South.
"It provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the cities of Launceston, Burnie and Devonport to change the face of those cities for the next 100 years," Mr Gutwein said.
A $60 million Northern cities initiative will kick into gear in 2016-17 aimed at breathing new life into the three cities.
In the interim, the Launceston-based Co-ordinator General's office will be given an extra $2.8 million to plan major projects and attract new investment.
Mr Gutwein said the government was committed to helping the building and construction sectors, and had sounded a call to Tasmanians living abroad to return home to drive the growth.
"We are building roads, dams, hospitals, schools and better cities," he said.
"If you wear a high-vis vest and are currently working interstate or overseas, hear this message: there is work for you in Tasmania, and we want you back."
The budget also includes $60 million over four years to upgrade the state's rail network, including $33million previously set aside to resurrect a direct international shipping link.
Northern high schools will benefit from a $25.5 million infrastructure pledge, with Mr Gutwein saying most of the projects can begin this year.
Opposition Leader Bryan Green said the budget was a missed opportunity, arguing capital works had been incorrectly prioritised over repairing essential services.
Greens finance spokesman Nick McKim said the "heartless" budget put roads before people.
