Election promises stand: Nationals Senator

New Norfolk Cricket Club president Jamie Hill, right, with
Nationals candidate Deanna Hutchinson and Senator Steve
Martin at the funding announcement at Willow Court last month.

MORE than 100 Federal Election commitments made by the National Party throughout Tasmania will be fulfilled, Senator Steve Martin said this week.

Despite looking unlikely to retain his seat, Senator Martin said the various projects including those in New Norfolk would be funded by the returned Coalition Government.

"The re-election of the Liberal and Nationals Government is terrific news for regional Tasmania," he said. “What this means is that every one of the 100-plus projects worth over $150 million I secured and which Labor had threatened to cancel, will be delivered in full by the new government."

This includes $2.1 million for projects in New Norfolk, which are:

• $500,000 for improvements to site access, infrastructure and parking at Willow Court;
• $500,000 for Stage 2 of the New Norfolk Esplanade Revitalisation, including landscaping, lighting, a playground, further trails, pedestrian safety measures and the rehabilitation of the New Norfolk Pool surrounds;
• $500,000 for the redevelopment of Derwent Valley PCYC, including gyms spaces, change rooms, meeting rooms and the kitchen; and,
• $600,000 for the redevelopment of the Tynwald Park sports facility, including the development of a new pavilion including change rooms, toilets, a canteen and a community function space.

“The projects which range of upgraded and new sports facilities to new playgrounds and cultural assets are a game changer for regional Tasmania and will make our towns more attractive to locals, tourists and migrants,” Senator Martin said. “I am very proud of what my team has achieved for regional Tasmania. No other Tassie pollie comes close to this level of success across the state.”

Senator Martin said he was disappointed the Tasmanian Nationals had not seen success on polling day, but pleased the Nationals legacy would live on through better facilities right across regional Tasmania. “I want to thank my family, my staff, our great candidates Wendy Hilditch, Sally Milbourne, Carl Cooper and Deanna Hutchinson and all of our fantastic supporters for the hard work they all put in,” he said.

New Norfolk Cricket Club president Jamie Hill was with Senator Martin at last month's funding announcement, which he said was "huge" for the Derwent Valley. "It doesn't only benefit our cricket club but it benefits the junior soccer club and the junior football club as well," Mr Hill said at the time.

"With female sports coming along like they have been recently, currently we don't have facilities to allow for growth in that area. So for girls and women wanting to play cricket and football and soccer, that's going to mean a huge amount to us," he said.

Senators such as Mr Martin who look set to lose their seats following last weekend's election will remain in office until June 30. Regardless of the date of each Federal Election, outgoing senators retire on June 30 every three years and incoming senators begin their term on July 1.