Ms BURNET – Premier, thank you for your introduction and talking about such things as the Bridgewater bridge and how that is a project which has been on time and on budget. I know that we have quite a number of projects in the pipeline, particularly after reading the Macquarie Point project of State Significance papers. Clearly, it was quite good timing, really, to be able to see those papers. But, given the projects that we have – the existing projects such as the Southern Outlet, the Bus Rapid Transit, Tasman Bridge, the corridor projects, which are being funded in conjunction with the Australian government, and, also, given that we’ve got a significant housing shortage and ageing infrastructure in our schools and hospitals, and a housing crisis, do we have the capacity to deliver any of these other projects on time and on budget?
Mr ROCKLIFF – Thank you for the question and we’ll endeavour to do all we can to ensure that they are on time and on budget. I’m happy to further explore your question but I want to pick up on one of the areas that you raised and that was the Tasman Bridge.
The Tasman Bridge was opened in 1965 and it carries among the highest volumes of traffic of any part of the state road network, more than 70,000 vehicles per day. Pedestrian and cyclist safety has been a concern for some time due to the narrow shared‑use pathways and the height of the safety barriers both on the water and roadsides of the paths.
I’m aware, of course, of a 2016 coroner’s report that recommended structural modifications to the bridge for reasons of human safety. This is a serious and highly sensitive matter that requires respectful and responsible discussion.
The bridge is also a highly visible landmark and, with very high usage, there are public expectations in relation to this project that need to be addressed, which is what I’m doing today.
The coroner’s report was the basis for the Tasman Bridge Upgrade Project and, in 2020, the Australian government committed $65 million, matched by a $65 million contribution from the Tasmanian government for the total investment of $130 million. The key objective of this upgrade was and continues to be human safety. I am pleased to advise that objective will be delivered.
The original design concept for the bridge released in 2022, was for the construction of cantilevered three‑and‑a‑half metre wide paths and safety barriers. Since that time, more detailed engineering investigations and modelling of the bridge structure above and below the water has found that the wind load and additional weight of the proposed new pathways on each side of the bridge would have potential to overload the foundations during extreme wind events. These investigations found that the additional cost of strengthening the foundations to accommodate that design would cost hundreds of millions of dollars and be extremely difficult to undertake, according to expert advice I’ve received from the Department of State Growth.
In short, the very large cost increase and difficulties in construction have made the original concept of three-and-a-half metre wide pathways unviable, but, given the importance of this project, however, we’ve been determined to press on with an alternative, keeping in mind the key objective of human safety. We have undertaken detailed wind modelling to determine that it is possible to construct a three‑metre high safety barrier on the water side and a 1.4‑metre high roadside barrier over the length of the bridge without compromising its structural integrity.
While the amenity that may have been provided by the three‑and‑a‑half metre wide pathways is not achievable due to engineering constraints, we have determined the project can be delivered with the provision of widened sections of pathway to allow passing and will improve pathway connections on either side of the bridge.
We have shared this information with our Commonwealth counterparts and they are understanding of the outcome. This information that I’m providing today has been shared with key stakeholders on a cross‑agency working group, as well as Lifeline. Now, there are a number of individual stakeholders who have been personally informed, and I thank you for the question.
You mentioned the Tasman Bridge and I thought I should update the committee at the earliest possible timeframe.
To your very good question on our capacity for delivery, I can speak to the 10‑year infrastructure pipeline, which was most recently updated in October 2023, capturing commitments in the 2023‑24 state Budget, the pipeline includes around $27 billion in infrastructure projects. Since being first released in July 2018, the pipeline has doubled from its original $13 billion in listed projects. The 10-year pipeline allows our key infrastructure leverage schedule to be planned and executed more efficiently, making sure each dollar invested has the largest possible positive impact on our economy. Importantly, this kind of investment not only delivers the infrastructure our state needs for tomorrow, but it creates jobs, keeping businesses operating and provides a cash injection to the local economy, as I referred to when it comes to the Bridgewater bridge, but we are committed to continuing to improve the pipeline through engagement with industry.
The industry reference group is led by Infrastructure Tasmania to ensure the pipeline is relevant and meets those key industry needs. In April 2024, the Secretary’s board requested the pipeline update align with the budget cycle. The next update is to be conducted following the release of the 2024-25 Budget and will be released publicly before the end of this calendar year. Aligning the update with the next budget ensures that industry and asset owners have access to that up-to-date information about the status of the infrastructure projects, particularly projects that are funded through the State Budget.
Ms BURNET – Regarding the second part of my question about the priorities, we have the possibility of having an AFL stadium built. There are all these things that have been on the books for quite some time. How will those priorities land?
Mr ROCKLIFF – I believe that you’re asking me a question about the priority of the same project as opposed to priority of other key projects, which I think’s the point that you’re making.
We can deliver all, in my view, given that the completion for the stadium project is July 2029. Midway through 2029 is the information that I have, so, we have to go through the planning and process the priorities you’ve highlighted in other areas, but we’ll continue maintaining our roads, developing infrastructure buildings, upgrading hospitals.
We have a lot of health infrastructure to continue developing as well, particularly in mine and Mrs Beswick’s electorate of Braddon, but the stadium should not impact in terms of the delivery. We’re aiming for end of 2028 but it may well be a little later. I believe that we can do it and many others.
Given what I have just said about the construction of the Bridgewater bridge, which has gone extremely well in terms of progress to date and that’ll be completed, my expectation is by the middle of next year. While the workforce won’t be directly transferable to the stadium, I’m advised, but there may well be some transferability in terms of skills, but I’m not advised that it will be directly transferable. I believe we can finish the projects that we’ve committed to. It’s been difficult with the disruption of the pandemic in terms of supply chains, workforce development and the like, but our investment in skills, I would hope and expect, will help facilitate projects being on time.
