THE federal government has promised $100m in funding to strengthen Tasmania’s economic performance under the Tasmanian Jobs and Growth Plan, announced late last week.
A range of new and growing industries will receive a funding injection, including natural gas, advanced manufacturing and timber processing, to tackle the economic impacts caused by rapid change in the state’s forestry industry.
The funding allocation comes on the back of news Tasmania’s unemployment rate reached 8.9% in June, drawing concern from state Premier Lara Giddings.
“My number one priority is jobs and this funding represents a huge injection into creation in regional areas,” Ms Giddings said.
“Importantly, the package contains an emphasis on creating jobs for people displaced by changes in forestry and supporting projects that will help further diversify the forest industry the future.”
Grants have already been allocated to 31 individual projects, including $6m to the Smithton gas extension and $700k to the Northeast Marine Engineering dry dock project.
For more information about the Tasmanian Jobs and Growth Plan, click here.
