ALBANESE GOVERNMENT BUDGET DELIVERING INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT IN FRANKLIN

The Albanese Labor Government is continuing to deliver for Tasmania through the 2026-27 Budget, with new and additional investments for the road, rail and community infrastructure we rely on to get home safely and connect our communities.

Through this Budget’s nationwide investments in transport and community infrastructure, the Albanese Government is also working to strengthen our critical freight routes and supply chains, boost our sustainability and make our regions and suburbs even greater places to live. We are delivering:

• $500 million for the Active Transport Fund, with funding available every year, building on the initial success of this program to upgrade and build new bicycle and walking pathways across the country and help reduce reliance on cars.
  
  
• $750 million across the Thriving Suburbs and Growing Regions programs, extending both programs that have already funded over 180 projects across the country, creating more liveable and more connected communities. This has already included investment in Franklin, with a $2.2 million funding contribution to deliver the Clarendon Vale Oval Pavilion Reconstruction and Sports Lighting project which is now contracted.
  
  
• $22.5 million for the next round of the Stronger Communities Program, which has already delivered over 18,000 local infrastructure projects identified by the community, including 12 projects in Franklin in the last round.

As at the 2026-27 Budget, the Government’s total infrastructure commitment to Tasmania over the next 10 years, is $2.2 billion, including $1.8 billion towards major road and rail projects and nearly $400 million for smaller projects and programs such as the Roads to Recovery, Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure, and Black Spot programs.

The Albanese Government is delivering a Budget in the face of global uncertainty that builds our national resilience, strengthens our critical freight routes, and invests in the transport and community infrastructure Franklin needs.

Our government is also focused on delivering on our existing commitments.

Funding has been approved to deliver major road infrastructure upgrades that will significantly improve safety, connectivity and traffic flow across Hobart’s southern and eastern corridors.

The Australian and Tasmanian governments are jointly funding the Rokeby Road – South Arm Road Upgrades project, with the Australian Government contributing $44 million towards this project, with the Tasmanian Government contributing the remaining $11 million.

This project will deliver much needed duplication and intersection upgrades, as well as improved bus, pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, addressing congestion and deliver safer, more efficient travel.

This is critically important for capacity and travel time reliability for residents of Hobart’s eastern shore, connecting Lauderdale, Rokeby, Oakdowns and Hobart. It also delivers significant safety improvements around Lauderdale Primary School.

Major construction for this stage is expected to start in October 2026, with completion anticipated in late 2027.

Funding has also been approved to deliver the Algona Road Grade Separated Interchange and Duplication of the Kingston Bypass project in Hobart’s south.

The Australian Government has committed $61.12 million towards this project, with the Tasmanian Government contributing the remaining $15.3 million.

The project will undertake design, approvals and construction of a roundabout upgrade at the intersection of Algona Road and the Channel Highway, and the duplication of the Kingston Bypass from Algona Road to Huon Highway.

This will improve travel times and reliability through the Algona Road roundabout and along the Kingston Bypass, which together form a key corridor between Kingston and Hobart.

Major construction is expected to begin in early 2027 and be completed in mid-2028.

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Franklin Julie Collins:

“This is about strengthening connections between surrounding residential suburbs, local industry and key highway corridors, while helping to accommodate continued population and employment growth in Hobart’s south and east.

“These projects form part of a broader program of investment to modernise Tasmania’s road network, support population growth, and improve access for local communities, freight operators and emergency services.

“By addressing current congestion, these works will improve network efficiency and provide more consistent journey times for commuters, freight and public transport.

“These are critical projects aimed at improving capacity, reducing travel times and enhancing safety for some of Tasmania’s busiest transport corridors.”