Work on new Port of Burnie Shiploader to start next year

TasRail chief executive Steven Dietrich said the current Shiploader would be maintained to ensure a reliable service for the West Coast mining industry.

The Australian Government's decision to fast-track funding for four projects, including the Shiploader and Bass Highway, has drawn the ire of Labor who says the projects are already "woefully behind schedule".

The Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing and Energy Council and Civil Contractors Federation Tasmania have welcomed the funding announcement.

Mr Dietrich said the Shiploader was critical "last-mile infrastructure for the sector's export supply chain and the only one available to service a range of customers".

"The current Shiploader is 50 years old and has loaded millions of tonnes of material for the West Coast mines since 1969.

"TasRail maintains the current Shiploader in a fit-for-purpose condition, but like any asset, it must ultimately be replaced.

"With a resurgent minerals industry, TasRail's shiploading volumes were up 22 per cent in 2018-19 with substantially more volumes being flagged by industry.

"The new shiploader will provide certainty and confidence to the mining sector."

The new Shiploader will be built off-site and will significantly increase the number of tonnes loaded per hour.

Labor Senator Carol Brown said "ripping off rail freight infrastructure to pay for Burnie Port is appalling".

"The decision to pay for the Port of Burnie Shiploader out of the Tasmanian Freight Rail Revitalisation Program is a cut of $40 million for freight rail upgrades that are set aside to improve the efficiency and safety of our rail network," Senator Brown said.

"The Government should be budgeting for this separately as an election commitment.

"This is nothing more than robbing Peter to pay Paul and demonstrates the Government's ongoing lack of commitment to ports and rail in Tasmania."

Labor infrastructure spokesman Shane Broad said the four projects were "hardly being fast-tracked".

"The four projects identified for fast tracking with an injection of Federal funds are either well behind schedule or not starting for another year. Nobody could sensibly call this fast tracking," Dr Broad said.

MCET chief Ray Mostogl said the Shiploader was old and "on its last legs".

"It is really good that the funds are forthcoming and it is a priority," Mr Mostogl said.

Civil Contractors Federation Tasmania director Neil Armstrong was buoyed by the funding.

"Further infrastructure investment in the North and North West of the state is welcome and will have a positive impact for contractors and suppliers across the region," Mr Armstrong said.