Geoff Lyons (Bass, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

(Bass) (10:33): Recently, I was pleased to represent the Minister for Employment Participation, Kate Ellis, the member for Adelaide, at the launch of the Bridport Innovations Track, a Jobs Fund project in my electorate of Bass. The project involved the construction of a 10-kilometre walking track in a circular route around Bridport and included the employment of 27 trainee participants of various ages. This development project has brought much-needed jobs to the people of Bridport and enabled track workers to gain Certificate II in Conservation and Land Management. It is an important project, which is why the Australian government has committed more than $750,000 towards its development. There are limited training opportunities in the Bridport region. Yes, it is an enviable lifestyle, but small and remote communities, by their very nature, have limited education and training pathways for young people, and that is why I am so pleased that we put our money into the walking track, which has huge flow-on benefits for our community by helping local residents gain qualifications and jobs.

The idea of a walking track has been around in Bridport for about 20 years. It commenced in 2007. The track is a great example of quality workmanship, including an impressive metal bridge, drywall, smooth and even walking surfaces, which were levelled by hand. The Jobs Fund was set up to create jobs, to develop skills through projects that build community social infrastructure—projects like the Bridport Innovations Walking Track. We established the Jobs Fund to support families and communities most affected by the global recession. In the government's view, it was money extremely well spent. Some 21 jobs and 30 traineeships were created during the development, with a number of them now in work. Under the Jobs Fund about $171 million was announced for 225 projects across Australia. In Tasmania, there are 10 of these projects worth more than $6 million.

The Tasmanian state cricket team coach, Tim Coyle, presented trainees with certificates and likened the trainees' team effort to Tasmania's recent success in cricket. Bridport Innovations have also set up a website and Facebook page for the Bridport Walking Track, in order to give visitors more information about the track. I have already had interest for the Launceston Walking Group who have used the track and, I might say, also used the coffee shops in Bridport. I congratulate the local Bridport community, the Dorset Council and all people involved in the construction of the walking track. It is a very impressive project that will bring great benefit to the local and surrounding communities for years to come.

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