Building Tasmania’s prosperity
The Tasmanian Division of the Property Council of Australia welcomed the State Budget on Thursday, praising it as a vote of confidence in the property and construction sector.
A quicker than predicted return to surplus by 2016/17 was also warmly welcomed with the announcement certain to deliver increased business confidence in the State.
Executive Director Brian Wightman said that the budget presented a significant opportunity to grow prosperity, jobs and strong communities.
“The State Budget offers a range of reform and investment measures which have been on the advocacy agenda of the Property Council for a significant time.
“The State Government has obviously listened to the sector and recognised the essential role that it continues to play in the revitalisation of the State’s economy,” he said.
Tasmanian Division President, Mr Sam Hogg said that Members would welcome the confidence expressed in the Planning Reform Taskforce with an additional $1.7 million dollars set aside to speed-up planning reforms.
“The planning system must be fixed. It remains complicated and over regulated. Today’s announcement will assist to ensure that we have a modern and robust single state-wide planning scheme by 2016,” he said.
Mr Hogg also welcomed the continued funding for the Coordinator General and the establishment of Infrastructure Tasmania.
“The Tasmanian Division’s 2014 State Election document, A Contest of Ideas was very clear in its advocacy for both the role of the Coordinator General and the creation of Infrastructure Tasmania.
“Continued funding over the forward estimates for the Coordinator General along with $800,000 for Infrastructure Tasmania is good news for development and investment in the State,” Mr Hogg said.
The Property Council acknowledged the progress that had been made in advancing discussions concerning local government amalgamations; however it continued to call on the State Government to take a stronger leadership role.
“The $400,000 investment to further discussions concerning council amalgamations is most welcomed but the fact remains that reform won’t occur by simply having a talkfest.
“Local government amalgamations alongside the additional funding for planning would have valued added that investment,” Mr Wightman said.
The Property Council also expressed support for the $315 million jobs package which aimed to deliver 8000 new jobs.
“Like the State Government, the Property Council is focused on job creation. The Tasmanian Division warmly welcomes the $315 million jobs package, and in particular the Northern Cities Major Development Initiative which will assist with the Launceston UTAS relocation,” Executive Director Mr Wightman said.
Tasmanian Division President Sam Hogg expressed a wish for the State Government to consider the role that it plays in delivering job enabling infrastructure currently managed by TasWater and TasNetworks.
“The State Government must assist in formulating a vision for utility providers in Tasmania.
“We should no longer tolerate a legacy of inadequate investment, a lack of accountability and poor management which delivered non-compliance, exorbitant pricing regimes and zero contestability.
“It remains a handbrake on the State’s economy,” Mr Hogg said.
Media contact: Brian Wightman | M 0429 073 773 | E [email protected]