TasPorts will invest more than $200 million into Tasmania’s ports to ensure the facilities are able to meet future demand and support the state’s economic growth.
Major projects include the expansion of container berths in Burnie, in response to Toll’s commitment to deploy larger Bass Straight vessels, the reconfiguration of Devonport East to provide a new home for the larger Spirit of Tasmania ferries and a new berth for sea road, and the development of the new Antarctic logistics facility in Hobart to support the Australian Antarctic Division’s new icebreaker.
These projects represent more than $120 million of port infrastructure investment in the recently released Port Master Plans, with ongoing maintenance, remediation and expansion works across the state’s port network bringing the total planned investment to more than $200 million over the next 15 years.
TasPorts Chair Stephen Bradford said the Port Master Plans and associated major projects would help the company meet customer demand, attract new business and provide the best value for customers.
“The Plans guide port infrastructure investment over the next 15 years and are expected to help inject hundreds of millions of dollars into Tasmania’s economy over the longer term,” Mr Bradford said.
TasPorts CEO Paul Weedon said the Port Master Plan was a major long-term investment to ensure that Tasmania’s maritime trade system has the capacity to grow for the benefit of the entire state.
“With more than 99% of the state’s freight coming and going by sea, ports are one of our most important infrastructure assets and it is vital we plan for the future to meet growing demand,” Mr Weedon said.
Mr Weedon said TasPorts would continue to support its operations at King and Flinders Islands, Port Latta, Inspection Head, Strahan, Stanley and Sullivans Cove in Hobart.
Related stories:
- Port Drive $110 million upgrade completed for Port of Brisbane
- Annual progress report on Launceston City Deal released
- Port of Newcastle appoints new CEO