Tasmania’s roads would get a major overhaul under a Labor government, with the opposition vowing to scrap what it calls outdated and inflexible Victorian building standards.
Labor leader Dean Winter on Tuesday unveiled a five-point road reform plan as a key election commitment, taking aim at what he says are costly mainland standards that don’t suit Tasmania’s unique conditions.
“Last year, Tasmania’s roads fell apart after a single storm event. More than 3,000 potholes appeared across Tasmania’s state roads,” Winter said.
“Since then, they have been patched up, but are just waiting for the next storm event before they open up again.”
Winter believes the damage could have been avoided with the right materials and smarter construction methods.
“We will build Tasmanian Roads for Tasmanian conditions. We will build the roads right, the first time,” he said.
At the heart of Labor’s pitch is a promise to scrap the Victorian road standards introduced by the Liberal government in 2016, rules Winter says stop contractors from using “common-sense” solutions.
A Labor government, Winter said, would allow builders to use locally sourced materials and reuse what is already on site, cutting costs and improving results.
The plan also includes a shake-up of the state’s tendering process, which some contractors have labelled “a work of fiction” due to long delays and poor planning.
Under Labor’s proposal, major road tenders would be brought forward to run between April and June, with construction timed to take advantage of better weather.
Statutory deadlines would force the Department of State Growth to award tenders within 60 days for standard projects and respond to clarification requests within 14 days.
Labor also plans to overhaul contract terms, blaming the current AS4000 process for driving some contractors off jobs entirely.
The Civil Contractors Federation Tasmania has thrown its support behind Labor’s plan, welcoming the focus on local expertise and practical reforms.
“Just ask any one of our workers, and they’ll soon tell you that Tasmania’s conditions are as tough as they get in civil construction anywhere in Australia,” CCF’s Andrew Winch said.
“That’s why it’s so important we have standards that are written by Tasmanians, for Tasmanians, not just a set that’s been picked up from Victoria.”
The federation is especially pleased with the proposed tender reforms, saying the current system fuels damaging “boom-and-bust” cycles.
“Our industry relies and thrives on certainty,” Winch said.
“It means businesses can plan workforce, training and investments in plant and equipment and Labor’s plan will deliver this.”
