KING Island has been promised a grab-bag of goodies by the Liberals in the lead up to the State Election.
Braddon Liberal candidate Sarina Laidler and Premier Jeremy Rockliff in front of Lions Van at the King Island Show with President Bert Nievaart and Lion Larraine Nievaart.
Under their ‘2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future’, a re-elected majority Liberal Government would ensure that King Islanders receive economic support in the areas of:
• council land sub-division for housing development;
• funded feasibility study for Grassy Harbour Port expansion;
• new purpose-built Ambulance station;
• work with the council to refurbish and repurpose the vacant Hydro building in Currie;
• resolve Memorial Park titles issues; and
• support value add Group 6 Metals activities and $1.5 small business grants program.
“King Island is one of the most magnificent parts of Tasmania and of my electorate of Braddon, but with that beauty comes the challenges of distance and isolation,” Premier Jeremy Rockliff said.
The Premier and Liberal Party officials were on King Island this week electioneering and visiting the King Island Show on Tuesday. “One of the most pressing needs on King Island is the availability of housing for residents and visitors,” he said.
“To support economic and population growth for King Island, a re-elected majority Liberal Government will commit $1.2 million to unlock large scale subdivision work on King Island.
“This investment will help unlock essential housing for health workers, tourism and hospitality workers, and industry workers to meet growing demand for housing on the Island.”
Mr Rockliff said that he understood that freight and logistics is a key issue on the island. “A re-elected Majority Tasmanian Liberal Government will commit $150,000 to revisit and complete a Study on the Grassy Harbour Port expansion, through the Department of State Growth.
“The study will assess current and identify future shipping requirements for general freight and logistics, the growing shipping needs of industry on the island, explore cruise industry opportunities and other opportunities that may impact future capacity requirements.”
Liberal candidate for Braddon and King Island resident Sarina Laidler said she was pleased to have been able to provide the Premier with direct feedback about the growing needs of the King Island community.
“As a volunteer ambulance officer, I understand just how important the local volunteer ambulance service is,” Ms Laider said.
“I am so proud that a re-elected majority Rockliff Liberal Government is committing $5 million for a purpose- built ambulance station on King Island to provide a contemporary, fit-for-purpose facility for the volunteer-based service on the island.”
The new King Island ambulance station will be located adjacent to the King Island District Hospital and Health Centre grounds and have a dedicated driveway to provide direct access to Edward Street, providing the island with a longterm, positive, impact through the provision of new infrastructure and support attraction and retention of volunteers.
Additional measures in the Liberals’ Plan for King Island include working with Hydro to provide Council with the existing Hydro building in Currie, now surplus to needs, that will enable the Council to refurbish and repurpose the building to a multi-user services depot.
They also aim to support Council to deliver quality recreation facilities at the Memorial Park by resolving multiple title issues, enable growth in the critical minerals sector by supporting value-added activities for the Dolphin Tungsten Mine and help small businesses grow and thrive with $1.5 million in grants programs.