Tasmanian councils' potential to help fuel the economic recovery from the coronavirus recession has been underlined by a new report.
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A Regional Development Australia Tasmania survey of councils in 2019 revealed the councils had a combined 308 projects worth $1.244 million.
They included new and potential infrastructure projects, with some fully funded, others partly funded and others not yet funded at all.
The survey found the councils were procuring for and constructing $389.5 worth of projects.
Modelling showed they created 1744 direct jobs in construction and 1153 indirect jobs in other industries, Local Government Association of Tasmania president and West Tamar Mayor Christina Holmdahl said.
She said multiplier effects added a further $193.9 million to the state economy.
"This is significant as we plan and support our communities recover from the impacts of COVID," Cr Holmdahl said.
RDA Tasmania chair Sue Kilpatrick said the "diverse and progressive nature" of infrastructure projects" symbolised "local government's commitment to create liveable and resilient communities".
She said infrastructure projects could be thought of as solutions to problems.
The Councils as Place Makers report report based on the survey found the total projects included:
- road projects, $291 million;
- recreation, $210.3 million;
- visitor economy, $149.7 million;
- waste, $74.4 million;
- service centres, $54.4 million;
- housing, $31.5 million; and
- other, $241.8 million.
Sean Ford
The Advocate Newspaper, Tasmania. Business, economics, politics, crime.
The Advocate Newspaper, Tasmania. Business, economics, politics, crime.
