What the Tasmanian Liberals will do:

Provide over $28 million to improve services and infrastructure for West Coast communities.

A Hodgman Liberal Government will:

• Establish a $25 million West Coast Road Fund over eight years to improve roads on the West Coast including the Murchison Highway and the Strahan Esplanade;
• Provide $2.7 million to improve Health services and delivery to West Coast residents;
• Provide $575,000 to improve local community infrastructure;
• Provide a Youth and Family Worker for West Coast communities;
• Provide $200,000 to support the development of the West Coast Mining Heritage Strategy; and
• Support a Geopark nomination to provide international recognition of the West Coast’s amazing industrial and mining heritage, which does not compromise existing or prospective mining leases

We will task Infrastructure Tasmania to develop a Transport Corridor Study requested by the West Coast Council to consider future infrastructure needs for West Coast communities, including road improvements, rail and port infrastructure and other public infrastructure.

At the conclusion of its preparation of the State Infrastructure Plan in 2010, Infrastructure Tasmania will be given the additional task, in consultation with the West Coast Council and other interested stakeholders, of advising on a schedule of priority works to improve road infrastructure in the West Coast area.  Additional funds will be provided to Infrastructure Tasmania to undertake this task if necessary.

The deadline for Infrastructure Tasmania to provide advice on a West Coast Infrastructure Fund will be 30 June 2011.

$2.7 million for better health services for Queenstown, Rosebery, Strahan and Zeehan
The Tasmanian Liberals will extend the current contract for medical provision to the West Coast, which currently delivers limited health services in Queenstown, Rosebery, Strahan and Zeehan.

Under a Hodgman Liberal Government, the expanded contract will deliver more doctors, more general practice sessions and more nurses.

There will be increased on‐call services from 8am to 8pm for 365 days of the year at Queenstown and Rosebery and increased locum coverage, across these West Coast towns.  Under the $2.7 million West Coast Health plan –

• There will be an increase of 2 FTE doctors to 6.5 located across the Coast (2.5 at Queenstown, 2 at Rosebery, 1 at Strahan and 1 at Zeehan) (currently there are 4.5 doctors in total providing services to Queenstown & Rosebery and a visiting service to Strahan and Zeehan, not funded within the contract);
• There will be an increase of 2 FTE nurses to 4.5 located across the Coast (1.5 at Queenstown, 1 at Rosebery, 1 at Strahan and 1 at Zeehan);
• There will be an increase to 10 general practice sessions per week (Monday to Friday) at Queenstown, 10 at Rosebery, eight at Strahan and eight at Zeehan;
• On‐call services will be continue to be available at DHHS facilities (located in the hub locations of Queenstown and Rosebery) and an improved after‐hours service to Strahan;
• The dispensary at Zeehan will continue to operate subject to the Federal Government PBS criteria; and
• Outpatient and Emergency Medical Services will continue to be delivered at Rosebery and Queenstown;

An “incentive” package that is competitive with rural locations (throughout Australia and New Zealand) will be funded and will include incentive payments and the provision of housing, motor vehicles and other payments to help attract, recruit and retain doctors to the West Coast in what has become a highly competitive market for GPs.

$575,000 for community infrastructure in Queenstown, Rosebery, Strahan and Zeehan
The Tasmanian Liberals will provide:

• $100,000 for urgent maintenance work at the Rosebery Sports Stadium for new flooring and repairs to the external cladding of the building;
• $250,000 for a cycleway at Strahan between Anzac Park and Regatta Point;
• $125,000 towards repairs to the Tullah Hall and $45,000 for a playground at Tullah for community use; and
• $100,000 for a new SES Building at Zeehan, including a garage and offices, built in consultation with local SES volunteers and the West Coast Council.

We understand the importance to the local community of the Strahan Recreation Centre.  This is a significant project and we understand the need for it.  The West Coast Council is currently waiting advice from the Federal Government on a contribution towards the total $2.6 million cost.  Should that application be successful, a Hodgman Liberal Government would be prepared to consider a State contribution in the context of the State Budget.

$200,000 towards highlighting our mining heritage
We will provide $200,000 towards assisting the development and marketing of specific sites in support of the West Coast’s Mining Heritage Strategy.

This will support the combined efforts of the Cradle Coast Authority in consultation with the West Coast Council, the Minerals Council of Tasmania, the National Trust and West Coast Heritage to recognise our wonderful mining heritage and help visitors to appreciate it.

Geo Park
The Tasmanian Liberals support the local initiative for a Geo Park to be declared in the West Coast which does not compromise existing mining leases as a great opportunity to provide an international focus on Tasmania’s rich mining heritage and the minerals and industrial heritage of our West Coast.  Labor has opposed this plan, but we believe a nomination can be prepared which does not affect any current or prospective mining activities.  We will task Tourism Tasmania and the Department of Economic Development to assist the West Coast Council in preparing a nomination.

Youth and Family Worker
The Tasmanian Liberals will set aside $192,000 to fund a dedicated Youth and Family Worker to provide support for West Coast communities from 2011-12.

Why this policy is needed
West Coast residents face particular challenges owing to the isolation of the region and the transport time to services in major towns.  They deserve better local health services, better support, improved roads and better community infrastructure.