PM Transcripts

FOR PRESS PM. No. 63/ 1971
BELL BAY PROJECT
Joint Statement by the Prime Minister ( Mr W. McMahon)
and the Premier 6 Tasmania ( Mr W. A. B ethune
The Prime Minister ( Mr McMahon) and the Premier
of Tasmania ( Mr W. A. Bethune) this morning discussed the
financing of the Bell Bay Railway Project
This project is being planned by the Tasmanian
Government to serve the development in Northern Tasmania of
a wood chip industry based on large export contracts with Japan.
The improvement in rail services will also assist more generally
the development of the Bell Bay region.
Today's discussions were against the background
of Commonwealth assistance already approved towards the
construction of a new rail link between Nelson's Creek and Bell
Bay at an estimated cost of $ 3.5 million.
In the light of further submissions now made by
the Premier, the Commonwealth has agreed to extend this assistance
so as to relate to a total cost of $ 5 million to take in the upgrading
of the Nelson's Creek/ Launceston sector of the existing line and
certain minor associated works.
It was understood that responsibility for arranging
the provision of the necessary additional rolling stock would lie
with the Tasmanian Government.
CANBERRA, 17 June 1971