Call for Coalition to Provide Certainty for TRANSLink Project

Posted on May 16, 2022

Northern Midlands Council has called on the Federal Coalition to provide certainty for the proposed $70 million TRANSLink Project near Launceston Airport and upgrades for the main streets in Campbell Town and Perth.

NMC Mayor Mary Knowles OAM said today the projects were vital for the municipality and the whole northern region.

“We urgently need Prime Minister Scott Morrison to at least match the Labor commitments so as to provide certainty,” Mayor Knowles said.

The TRANSLink project will open an extra 59 hectares for new development adjacent to the airport and create 490 new jobs in the region.

The Federal Labor Party has pledged to invest an initial $5 million to start the planning process for the TRANSLink intermodal facility and to provide a further $30 million to deliver enabling infrastructure to the site once the planning work has been completed.

Mayor Knowles said Labor had also committed $8M for the upgrade of the main streets of Campbell Town and Perth.

“All of these projects are in the Lyons electorate but will benefit the whole northern region,” Mayor Knowles said.

Mayor Knowles said matching commitments from the Morrison Government would guarantee the future of the projects no matter which party won next Saturday’s election.

Council has developed a master plan for this TRANSLink intermodal facility which includes a rail spur to the precinct at Western Junction, installation of an 8 km natural gas pipeline from Youngtown and extension and upgrade of the stormwater system.

The funding would allow Council to prepare a detailed feasibility study and business case, negotiate agreements with other major stakeholders including the Federal and State governments, property owners, Tasrail, and Launceston Airport.

Mayor Knowles said the new development would ensure the continued viability of existing precinct businesses and generate an extra $33.6 million product annually in the Northern Tasmanian Region through the more efficient movement of freight, improved market access for high-end and perishable goods.

Overall, the project will need $75 million from Federal and State Government and private sector investment.

For further information, please contact Mayor Mary Knowles OAM on 0408 766 625.