Prime Minister, Premier and Mayor sign City Deal

Published on 20 April 2017

Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten says today's signing of the Launceston City Deal marks the dawn of a transformational era in Launceston.

The Launceston City Deal is only the second such deal in Australia; a strategic partnership between local, state and federal governments.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Premier Will Hodgman and Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten signed the deal at Launceston Town Hall just after noon today. 

The Launceston City Deal comprises a range of commitments under six key domains:

• Governance, city planning and regulation
• Infrastructure and investment
• Jobs and skills
• Innovation and digital opportunities
• Liveability and sustainability, and;
• Housing

Mayor van Zetten said the signing of the deal would benefit Northern Tasmania for decades to come.

"The City Deal represents a major investment in the future of the city and sets out a vision for better educational and job opportunities, regional economic growth and rising incomes," Mayor van Zetten said.

"Its goal is that by 2022, Launceston will be one of Australia's most liveable and innovative regional cities with growing incomes and falling levels of disadvantage.

"It encompasses intergenerational projects like the $260m University of Tasmania relocation, the $19m first stage of the Launceston City Heart Project, delivering improved outcomes for the Northern suburbs, and creating clearer governance to improve the health of the Tamar River.

"While the City Deal has a focus on Launceston, the entire Northern Tasmanian region will benefit from this initiative.

"The City of Launceston has been working with the State and Federal Governments for many months on this game-changing deal for Launceston, and we're delighted to be formally signing it today.

"This is a very important day for Launceston.

"We're proud that Launceston has played a crucial leadership role in the future prosperity of the region.

"We are going to see new opportunities and increased confidence in our city, and this shared vision is going to have a positive influence on Launceston for decades to come.

"The City of Launceston is proud to sign the Launceston City Deal and we look forward to a new era of confidence, investment and opportunity in Launceston and across Northern Tasmania."