2010 FEDERAL ELECTION – REGIONAL PROJECTS 1. A second round of Innovation Fund grants for North West, West Coast and King Is. businesses $16 M The first round of Innovation Fund grants allocated $16 million to 36 projects creating 500 jobs across northern Tasmania. The program was popular and over‐subscribed, with 126 proposals seeking a total of $121 million. A second round of grants addressing proposals from SMEs in industries most affected by recent job losses would provide a second chance for good projects to create another 500 jobs in the region. $8 M 2. The next 6 investment‐ready stages of the North West Coastal Pathway ‐ 26 km in total Councils throughout the region are investing in walking paths and cycleways to improve opportunities for healthy, active lifestyles in their communities. Over 42 km of ‘shared pathway’ have been constructed along the NW Coast alone. The Authority is working with Councils from Wynyard to Latrobe on a master plan for a continuous pathway linking population centres along the North West Coast. Six projects identified in this plan, covering 26 km of new pathway in 5 Council areas, are now ready for investment. 3. District aquatic centres in Devonport and Burnie, serving eastern and western user catchments $10 M In 2002, research commissioned by the Authority on behalf of its member Councils confirmed that the region would best be served by two multi‐purpose, district level aquatics centres in Devonport and Burnie. Since then, the two Councils have prepared designs and business plans for redevelopment of existing pool facilities that together service user catchments covering the entire NW urban corridor ($5 M for each site). 4. Match State funding for development and management of tourism experiences in the Tarkine, $16 M based on recommendations in the Tarkine Tourism Development Strategy The State Government has allocated over $16 million for tourism infrastructure in the Tarkine, and is currently considering a major project with unanimous support of community, tourism industry and landholder groups, facilitated by the Authority. $16 million from the Australian Government would complement the State’s investment, supporting development of tourism experiences and management of tourism impacts in the Tarkine, based on recommendations in the Tarkine Tourism Development Strategy. SUMMARY These regional projects, totalling $50 million in federal funding commitments • • •
Are based on documented research, planning and analysis Involve significant commitments from industry, local communities and other levels of government Have support, and will create benefits, at both local community and region‐wide scales