$4.8 MILLION INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADE TO COPE WITH FLOODING

Tasmanian businesses and residents will benefit from new infrastructure upgrades that will mitigate flooding along the main street of Huonville.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Australian Government invested $1.6 million to protect Huonville businesses and residents, including the Pine Lane Retirement Village.

“This project will help Huonville cope with one-in-100-year flooding and has boosted the local economy by supporting 80 ongoing jobs for the local community,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

“This is further delivery for Tasmania and yet another example of the Australian Government investing in local jobs and laying the foundations for economic recovery following COVID-19.”

Assistant Minister for Industry Development Jonno Duniam said the upgraded Huonville drainage system would stimulate even more investment into Tasmania.

“This important project will support regional development by preventing the flooding issues associated with the run-off in the Huonville Main Drain catchment. It will reduce the costs of closures and damage during heavy rainfall, giving more certainty to business owners,” Assistant Minister Duniam said.

“The project will unlock the huge growth potential of the Huon region and it will give businesses the confidence they need to invest in the community. Already it has enabled the development of new residential building lots with a new 71-block development that will be available in the next six months.”

Huon Valley Mayor Bec Enders says the project provides a high level of flood protection for generations of residents and businesses into the future.

“This is one of the largest capital works projects that Huon Valley Council has undertaken to date,” Cr Enders said.

“The new one-kilometre-long stormwater pipeline diverts flows from the existing main drain into an adjacent catchment, allowing the town’s stormwater system to handle additional flows during high rain events, with no increased impact on flooding downstream.”

This project was jointly funded, with the Australian Government providing $1,614,758 and Huon Valley Council contributing $3,185,242.