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First Year Agenda

Fourth QuarterReport

31 March 2019

Building your Future

Delivering a Strong Economy and more Jobs Fourth Quarter Initiatives and Outcomes

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The Fund and governance arrangements are now in place, and the first meeting of the Industry-Government Fund Committee to define funding priorities was held on 7 February 2019, with proposals to address the long-spined sea urchin and increase the sustainability and productivity of the abalone industry a priority.

The development application is being progressed for the proposed shelter on Sarah Island, with works to include upgrading of tracks, building conservation and new interpretation signs.

The concept plans are being developed by the Launceston City Council and are expected to be delivered to Government shortly.

The Request for Tender opened on 1 December 2018 and closed on 25 February 2019. The assessment process is now underway and expected to be concluded shortly.

The Cableway Investment Prospectus will be released in mid-2019. This new timing will allow for various studies to inform the Prospectus.

The latest Tasmanian Red Tape Audit Report was released on 5 March 2019, confirming that of 118 identified red tape issues, more than 76% have been resolved through industry consultation and direct engagement with small business.

Assessment of first round applications completed and successful applicants announced. The second round of grants opened on 18 February 2019.

Construction commenced in July 2018 and will be completed shortly. Macquarie House will open as an Innovation Hub, providing space for start-ups and programs. The building will be operated by Enterprize Tasmania Limited.

The new Brand Tasmania Statutory Authority commenced on 29 March,2019 with the Chair and Board Members appointed. The new Authority is the first statutory place-branding authority in Australia and will ensure our State continues to stand out from the crowd and compete in the global market place.

Establish the $5.1 million Abalone Industry Reinvestment Fund.

Commence implementation of the Sarah Island Visitor Experience Plan, on the West Coast.

Realise concept plans for the Cataract Gorge Light Show.

Finalise selection of provider to deliver increased mobile coverage to at least 95% of the Great Eastern Drive.

Release the Cradle Mountain Cableway Prospectus.

Release the third Red Tape Audit Report.

Complete assessment of first round of applications for exploration activity under the mining exploration program.

Open the Macquarie House Innovation Hub.

Commence operation of the new Statutory Authority to take Tasmania’s Brand to the next level.

Building your Future First Year Agenda - Fourth Quarter Report

Delivering a Strong Economy and more Jobs Fourth Quarter Initiatives and Outcomes cont.

The Scholarship to support agricultural education and jobs has been extended for a further six years and was launched in January 2019. The Government is partnering with Blundstone to maintain the total value of the scholarships available for students - studying Associate Degree in Agribusiness - at $120,000 per year. Details can be found online at www.utas.edu.au/students/student-news/blundstone-supporting-tasmanias-future-agriculture-leaders A Mineral Resources Project Team has been formed and the concept design phase is underway.

A new FarmPoint Helpline 1300 292 292 is up and running, combined with phase 1 of the updated FarmPoint website, providing easier access and a single point for the State’s primary producers to find information. Phase 2 of the FarmPoint website will follow incorporating user-testing.

The Government and West Coast Council have agreed to a shared pathway to transform the West Coast Visitor Information and Booking Centre, and work will commence on the development of the “experience centre” concept.

The new Chair of the Weeds Action Fund, Mr Ian Sauer, was announced on 16 March, 2019 following an EOI process. The Chair will work with all levels of government, landowners and the broader community in tackling invasive weeds, which conservatively cost Australian farmers $1.5 billion a year.

Details of the new Tasmanian Rural Water Use Strategy to guide Tasmania’s future water management arrangements were released on 15 March, 2019. Stakeholder engagement is underway. The Strategy will update the State’s rural water management framework, which has served us well to date, to ensure it reflects current best practice and the modern operating environment.

Fund the extension of the Blundstone Scholarship for four years and increase opportunities for students wishing to study agribusiness.

Commence upgrade works at Mornington Core Library.

Modernised FarmPoint website released.

Formalise an agreement with the West Coast Council to transform the West Coast Visitor Information and Booking Centre on Strahan’s Esplanade.

Establish the new Weed Action Fund and the Weed Advocate role.

Commence preparation of a new Rural Water Use strategy for Tasmania.

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Action on the Cost of LivingFourth Quarter Initiatives and Outcomes cont.

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The Government’s $3 million Ticket to Play program was launched on 7 February 2019 and will support around 30,000 children and young people across the State to participate in sport and active recreation. The sports voucher system provides those eligible with up to $100 towards sporting memberships. www.communities.tas.gov.au/ticket-to-play

The first of the meter exchanges took place on 29 January 2019, with no set up fees to the customer. Once a PAYG meter is replaced, customers have the option of transitioning to standard regulated tariffs or the new PAYG+ product. All alternative products are prices at a lower rate than the current PAYG product.

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Introduce Ticket to Play, a sports voucher system to boost participation in sport and physical activity for eligible Tasmanians.

Commence implementation of cost neutral transition for PAYG electricity customers.

Investing in Health, Education and Tasmanians in Need

Fourth Quarter Initiatives and Outcomes

The Fund, which was an election commitment, will provide $6.6 million for initiatives that will improve the health of communities, including broad initiatives like preventative health, mental health first aid training or medical equipment. It will be open shortly.

Preparation has commenced, with an architect appointed in December 2018, and construction of the $1.1 million facility to commence in 2019.

The review was completed in late March 2019 and is currently being considered by Government. The outcomes of the review will be made public following consideration.

Launch the Tasmanian Community Health Fund, to provide grant funding to individuals and groups with ideas to improve the health of their community.

Begin preparation for construction of the Smithton Ambulance Training facility upgrade.

Review the benefits of the Glenorchy Health Centre.

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Fourth Quarter Initiatives and Outcomes cont.

Release the Affordable Housing Action Plan Stage II for an additional 1500 new affordable houses and assistance for around 2000 households.

Begin development of the 2019 winter health and hospitals plan.

Extend Penguin District High, Parklands High, Kings Meadows High, Winnaleah District High and Prospect High to Years 12 in 2019.

Commence development of a funding agreement with the Salvation Army to continue operating 12 drug and alcohol rehabilitation beds in Ulverstone from June 2019.

Complete ground floor fit-out of K-block at the Royal Hobart Hospital redevelopment, excluding the commercial lease tenant.

Implement the extension of the Strahan to Burnie (return) bus service, seven days a week.

The $125 million Affordable Housing Action Plan 2019-2023 was released on 28 March 2019, and builds on the work of Stage One, bringing the total Liberal Government investment in housing to almost $200 million over eight years. Details can be found at: www.communities.tas.gov.au/housing/tasmanian_affordable_housing_strategy

Work is underway on the 2019 Winter Health and Hospitals Plan to ensure our health agencies continue to have the necessary coordination and capacity to deliver health care in the event of a high demand flu season. The Plan will be released prior to June 2019.

All these schools began offering a Year 11 and 12 program in 2019 - Winnaleah is in partnership with Scottsdale High School. The Extension Team provides continuous support for all extension schools throughout the year. The Government’s Year 11-12 High School Extension Program has seen the Year 12 attainment rate up by over 10% since 2014.

The funding agreement has been signed, with the continuation of the 12 drug and alcohol rehabilitation beds part of a suite of new Government investments in alcohol and drug support, including 30 additional new rehabilitation beds around the State and new community-based supports and services.

Finalising the fit-out of the ground floor has been re-prioritised, as contractors are currently using this space for the temporary provision of construction worker amenities. This will not impact practical completion.

The Government has delivered on our election commitment to commence a 7 day a week service from Strahan to Burnie, ensuring that local communities on the Coast are now better connected to employment, education, services and recreational opportunities in the North-West.

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The system-wide roll-out of bus network changes in southern Tasmania has been completed. This has resulted in a doubling of bus services on weekdays between Sorell and Hobart, and Margate and Hobart, with increased weekend services also now occurring on weekends between regional centres and the Hobart CBD. The changes are aimed at better reflecting community needs and lifestyles, now and into the future.

Consultation has commenced with key stakeholders. The selection of a preferred site is pending, while the future of the Derwent Entertainment Centre remains uncertain. The project to consult, achieve approvals and commence construction is over three years from 2018-19 to 2021-21.

All eligible people with disability - between 0 and 64 years of age – can now request access to enter the NDIS, one of the biggest and most important reforms Australia has ever seen. The Tasmanian Government is providing $878.7 million in support for the NDIS over four years.

Building works have been completed and the new hospital is currently in the commissioning stage (cleaning and moving in), ahead of an official opening shortly. There is a community open day planned for early April with the official opening to follow later.

The construction of the Rehabilitation Clinic is now complete. The area is currently being used as an Acute Medical Ward while minor infection control works take place, with rehabilitation services to commence in the facility soon after these are completed.

The review and consultation meetings have commenced with key Aboriginal communities. A Discussion Paper for public consultation will be released in Quarter 1 of AGENDA 2019.

While Council has advised that plans in relation to the facilities are being revised, the State Government funding is confirmed.

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Fourth Quarter Initiatives and Outcomes cont.

Commence delivery of better bus services for regional centres in southern Tasmania, including a doubling of bus services between Sorell, Midway Point and Hobart, and better bus services for New Norfolk and the Huon, commencing in early 2019.

Finalise the design work for the new $10 million indoor Multi-Purpose Sports facility at Glenorchy.

Extend the National Disability Insurance Scheme to include all eligible participants, with Tasmanian adults aged between 50 and 64 eligible from 1 January 2019.

Complete the new $12.1 million St Helens District Hospital.

Opening of the rehabilitation clinic at the Mersey Community Hospital.

Commence the review of the Aboriginal Heritage Act.

Finalise funding for the $3 million investment in Scottsdale’s sports facilities, including the Scottsdale Swimming Pool and the Scottsdale Netball Courts.

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Tenders were called in October 2018 for architectural services for the $15 million upgrade of the Burnie Court complex. The successful architect has commenced work. Planned works include additional amenities and safety improvements to enable the long-term continuation of Magistrate and Supreme Court services in Burnie as well as Devonport.

Early site works began in March 2019 on the site of the new $70 million Southern Remand Centre. The tender for a managing contractor was released in March 2019. Once complete, the Centre will house more than 140 remandees and significantly increase capacity across the entire Tasmanian prison system. More than 130 direct jobs will be created during construction and a further 50 jobs created once in operation.

A targeted Expression of Interest process for the site of the new $270 million Northern Prison was conducted by the Department of Justice. Sites from across North and North-West Tasmania were submitted for consideration and detailed assessment by a Siting Panel. A shortlist has now been provided to the Government for its consideration.

A Graduated Licence System review has been undertaken and changes are set to be introduced to make learner drivers safer, better drivers on our roads. The proposed changes (to be announced soon) will include testing, logbook use, night driving and peer passengers. The changes have been developed through research and consultation with key stakeholders and will see the introduction of a new road rule around mobile phone use by learner drivers, with other changes to come into play through 2020.

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Keeping Tasmanians Safe Fourth Quarter Initiatives and Outcomes

Invite tenders for the upgraded Burnie Court Complex.

Commence site work on the Southern Remand Centre.

Identify site for the new Northern Prison.

Upgrade the Graduated Driver Licensing Scheme to assist learner drivers.

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Building the Infrastructure for the 21st CenturyFourth Quarter Initiatives and Outcomes

Commence first stage priority works from the Cockle Creek Master Plan, including improved car parking and toilets.

Commence construction of the upgraded day walking track to Crescent Bay and Mt Brown.

Commence public consultation on the Master Plan for the Tasman National Park gateway.

Complete the $5 million capital works at St Mary’s District High School, providing students with contemporary flexible learning environments.

Commence planning for city gateway upgrades.

Commence planning for the duplication of the road from Launceston Airport to Breadalbane and from the Airport to Evandale.

Commence planning for additional overtaking opportunities on the Arthur Highway.

Following a period of public consultation, the Master Plan has been finalised. A design brief, to inform progress of priority works including improved car parking and toilets, is being progressed.

The construction tender was advertised in February 2019. These works will provide another reason for visitors to extend their stay to the Tasman Peninsula, with new day walking options for visitors.

With the Project Plan approved, a request for landscape design was released in February 2019. Public consultation is targeted for May 2019, with all works to be commenced early next year.

This work has been completed as part of the Government’s biggest investment in school infrastructure for 20 years. The funding is also providing jobs for our building and construction industry right around the State.

Initial discussions are underway with relevant stakeholders. Our city gateways provide an important first impression to visitors and need to not only be functional but reflect the character and tourist offering of each city.

Planning is now underway for the duplication of the road from the airport entrance to the Breadalbane roundabout. These works will see the existing single lane carriageway upgraded to four lanes, with an eye to the future growth at the airport, as well as the surrounding commercial and industrial precinct.

A design for an overtaking lane south of Iron Creek Bridge will be provided for public comment in April. Putting in suitable overtaking opportunities such as this, will reduce frustration and improve average transit times for residents of the Southern Beaches and Tasman Peninsula.

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Building the Infrastructure for the 21st CenturyFourth Quarter Initiatives and Outcomes cont.

The Australian Road Research Board has been commissioned to conduct the review on speed restrictions on the East Tamar Highway, with a view to increasing the speed limit to 110km per hour if safe and practicable to do so. Work is now underway and the review will be completed in coming weeks.

Safety measures at the Channel Highway intersection at Howden will be considered as part of the Kingston to Margate Corridor Study. The study will identify how this section of highway meets the current and future requirements of road users and will help shape future projects. Planning for the corridor study is underway and community consultation will begin in April.

As part of the broader Sorell to Hobart Corridor Study, planning has commenced for an east bound ramp on the Tasman Highway at Rosny (Gordons Hill Road). This will help improve traffic flow and should also assist in alleviating pressure at the Mornington interchange.

Planning is underway as part of the Government’s $500 million 10-year Midland Highway Action Plan. We are now five years into the Plan, with 13 projects completed and work well advanced on the largest single project, the $92.3 million Perth Links Road. A tender for the Melton Mowbray to Lovely Banks section is scheduled for advertisement in September.

Additional traffic operations specialists have been appointed and an integrated approach is being progressed, with police and other responders to improve response times and clear congestion- causing incidents more quickly during peak periods.

Planning has commenced for the upgrade of the Bass Highway, west of Wynyard, including consultation with local government and other key stakeholders. Public consultation will begin shortly. This stretch of the Bass Highway is important for tourist, freight and local traffic and the upgrade will improve road safety and improve travel times.

Initiate work to ease speed restrictions on the East Tamar Highway.

Begin a review of traffic safety measures at the Channel Highway intersection at Howden.

Commence planning for Tasman Highway access ramps at Rosny (Gordons Hill Road).

Commence planning for the upgrade of the Midland Highway, including Mona Vale to Campbell Town, Campbell Town to Epping Forest, and Melton Mowbray to Lovely Banks.

Establish a traffic incident response team for Hobart.

Commence planning for the upgrade of the Bass Highway, west of Wynyard.

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Protecting the Tasmanian Way of LifeFourth Quarter Initiatives and Outcomes

Submit the Public Environment Report to the Federal Minister to allow the APCA tracks to be approved for re-opening.

Double the amount of days Special Interest Vehicles are allowed to be used on Tasmanian roads.

Provide owners of VC-plated veteran and vintage vehicles with an extra 30 road days per annum, not specific to club events.

Remove the cost of motor tax from Special Interest registered vehicles, bringing it in line with Club Event vehicles.

Extend the Nubeena Jetty, with $200,000 in funding support to MAST.

Revised timelines will be developed following consultation with the Australian Government Department of Environment and Energy on technical matters related to the EPBC Act. The Tasmanian Government remains committed to the re-opening of the tracks.

This election commitment was implemented on 1 February 2019, making it easier and cheaper for special interest vehicle enthusiasts to take to the road.

This election commitment was implemented on 1 February 2019, making it easier and cheaper for classic and vintage vehicle enthusiasts to take to the road.

Legislation to approve the removal of motor tax from Special Interest registered vehicles has been approved and was gazetted on 26 December 2018. February registration renewals were sent to operators in early January 2019.

MAST has completed a detailed design and costings with the project anticipated to be tendered shortly, and construction to begin in late April or early May 2019.

Copyright: State of Tasmania 2019Published March 2019

15 Murray Street, Hobart 7000 Email: [email protected]

Visit: www.premier.tas.gov.au

Building your Future First Year Agenda

Fourth Quarter Report

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