Overseas flights for Hobart, $1.43bn deal

Boosting tourism and scientific research and cutting congestion are the major goals of the $1.43 billion Hobart City Deal.

Traffic on the Tasman Bridge in Hobart.

A 10-year funding deal for Hobart has been agreed between the federal, state and local governments. (AAP)

Overseas flights are expected to land in Hobart next year as part of a $1.43 billion deal to boost tourism and scientific research in Tasmania.

The long-awaited Hobart City Deal, a ten-year funding arrangement between federal, state and local government, was signed by Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Premier Will Hodgman on Sunday.

It includes $82.3 million for border services at Hobart Airport, with Mr Hodgman saying international freight and passenger flights would begin in 2020.

"To have this airport restored to international status has been a dream of this government for many years," he said in Hobart, adding it would allow more produce to be exported overseas.

"This is a massive investment that will secure Tasmania's international status."

Mr Hodgman said discussions were ongoing with international carriers.

Australian Federal Police would return to Hobart Airport once international flights begin, Mr Morrison said.

The deal also includes $450 million in upgrades to Australia's Antarctic research station network and $576 million for a previously announced replacement bridge at Bridgewater north of Hobart.

Other investments, aimed at cutting traffic congestion, include a Kingston bus interchange and a northern suburbs transit corridor

"The ... deal is about driving investment into the city to make it an even better place to live and work," Mr Morrison said on his second Tasmania trip in two weekends.

There is also $30 million in federal money for more than 100 affordable houses.

Labor has criticised the deal for lacking detail, re-hashing old announcements and not having specific funding for light-rail service in Hobart's north.

"They've been very broad about this. There's not a lot of new money in it," Franklin MP Julie Collins said.

The federal government has previously signed City Deals with Townsville, Launceston, Darwin and Perth.

HOBART CITY DEAL SPENDING:

* $576 million for a replacement Bridgewater Bridge

* Hobart International Airport gets $82.3 million for border services including immigration, customs and biosecurity

* A $450 million upgrade of Australia's Antarctic research station network

* State government will contribute $105 million for the Kingston bus interchange, easing traffic congestion in the Kingston area and activating the northern suburbs transit corridor

* Up to $25 million in federal funding to tackle traffic congestion

* Up to $30 million in federal funding for community housing


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Published 24 February 2019 1:04pm
Source: AAP


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