--- title: "Major Announcement: Work on the Burnie Port Optimisation Project set to commence" date: 2014-12-12T11:30:54+11:00 author: Walker Designs canonical_url: "https://tasrail.com.au/news/major-announcement-work-on-the-burnie-port-optimisation-project-set-to-commence" section: News --- 1. [ Home](https://tasrail.com.au/) 2. [News](https://tasrail.com.au/news) 3. Major Announcement: Work on the Burnie Port Optimisation Project set to commence # Major Announcement: Work on the Burnie Port Optimisation Project set to commence Work to redevelop crucial rail and freight transport facilities at the Port of Burnie is set to commence within weeks. Post Date### 12 Dec 2014 Representatives from the Project Oversight Committee comprising TasPorts, TasRail and Toll Group today announced the finalisation of commercial agreements to facilitate the start of works. The total cost of the project is forecast at $12 million, funded by a $4 million contribution from the Australian Government and $2 million from the Tasmanian Government. Toll is also contributing $2 million with $1 million from TasRail and the balance from TasPorts. TasPorts (as the project manager) is currently in the process of finalising the agreed construction schedule with the approved contractor, Fulton Hogan. It is expected that the project will take around 10 months to complete and create local employment opportunities. TasPorts Chief Executive Officer Paul Weedon welcomed the announcement, and said the project represented a positive step forward for Tasmania in relation to the better integration of freight transport services. "This project is a great example of the public and the private sector working together to develop integrated freight solutions that benefit all parties ' and ultimately the Tasmanian economy,†Mr Weedon said. Toll Shipping and Toll Tasmania General Manager Tony Stewart said the redevelopment will greatly improve safety, efficiency and capacity at the port. “The redevelopment will allow us to increase our capacity to carry freight in and out of Tasmania,†Mr Stewart said. “A direct interface with the port and the railhead will help us take trucks off the roads and will increase our capabilities to move freight interstate and intrastate.†TasRail Chief Executive Officer Damien White believes the project will provide for the creation of a high productivity transport link for all freight users within the port, and will complement TasRail"s Brighton Transport Hub in the south that includes Toll"s newly opened state-of-the-art facility. “The redevelopment will also deliver improved community amenity through the elimination of shunting along the Burnie foreshore,†Mr White said. [ 19 Dec ![Christmas Rail Safety Message](/assets/images/photo-coming-soon.jpg) ## Christmas Rail Safety Message \+ Read More ](https://tasrail.com.au/news/christmas-rail-safety-message) [ 24 Nov ![TRNW0714 551](https://tasrail.com.au/volumes/images/images/rb_library/_600x400_crop_center-center_none/5355/TRNW0714-551.webp) ## Letter to the Editor - The Examiner Newspaper \+ Read More ](https://tasrail.com.au/news/letter-to-the-editor-the-examiner-newspaper)