State and Local Investment

Burnie is experiencing significant investment from state, federal, and private sectors, supporting infrastructure upgrades, housing, economic development, and community services. These projects aim to boost local jobs, enhance liveability, and promote sustainable growth across the region.

Bass Hwy Road Works, Wivenhoe between Stowport Road and Clarke Street

The Department of State Growth is repairing and strengthening the South Burnie Wivenhoe Eastbound Rail Underpass from Thursday, 31 July to Monday, 27 October 2025, between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm. Reduced speed limit with occasional lane closures during working hours

Taswater UV Disinfection Treatment Installation

Heads up, East Ridgley! From 22–26 Sept 2025 (weather permitting), access to the eastern side of Pet Dam off Circular Rd will be closed while essential works take place. This may interrupt fishing plans, but the upgrades are important for safety. Access to the western side of Pet Dam will remain open.

Homes Tasmania - social and affordable housing

Homes Tasmania is actively developing new subdivisions in Burnie to address housing demand and support community growth.

Homes Tasmania - Park Grove land release

Homes Tasmania will deliver 55 lots for social and affordable housing in Park Grove. Site preparation works commenced in August 2025, and lots are expected for sale from 2026. The subdivision is part of efforts to boost housing supply, and the project is expected to generate over $14 million in economic benefit for the region.

Marinus Link Project Updates

The $5 billion Marinus Link 750 MW interconnector between Victoria and Tasmania received federal environmental approval in August 2025, with financial close reached in September. Construction is planned to start in 2026, creating around 2,400 jobs and enabling transmission of renewable energy to power 750,000 homes. The project is a significant milestone for the North West Coast, and for Burnie.

Wivenhoe Underpass Bass Highway

Transport Services Tasmania is currently repairing and strengthening the Wivenhoe Underpass on the Bass Highway. Work on the eastbound lane began on 31 July 2025 and will continue until 27 October 2025. During this time, there will be lane closures, reduced speed limits, and potential travel delays. These upgrades are designed to enhance the safety and durability of the underpass for all road user

Burnie Courts Complex Relocation Project

The $86.5M Burnie Court Complex at 100–106 Wilson St will feature a Supreme Court, two Magistrates Courts, a family court, and a shared court.

Enabling works begin Sept 2025, with demolition by year’s end.
Construction is planned for early 2026, pending final approvals, and completion is expected in late 2027, replacing the city’s outdated court facilities.

Cradle Coast Future Energy Hub

Tasmania's West and North West region (the Cradle Coast) is rapidly emerging as a REZ renewable energy development zone. Discover more about renewable energy projects including the TasTAFE Clean Energy Centre of Excellence, Hellyer Wind Farm, HIF eFuels Facility, Marinus Link Interconnector, and NW Transmission Developments in Burnie.

HIF Tasmania e-Fuel Facility

HIF Tasmania will be Australia’s first commercial-scale e-Fuels facility and is located at Burnie in North West Tasmania. The facility will use renewable energy from the local grid to power electrolyzers and residue biomass from the state’s sustainable forestry industry is an option for the project’s CO₂ source.

Robbins Island and Jim’s Plain Wind

The $3B wind project in NW Tasmania has received federal environmental approval as of 29 Aug 2025, with state approvals already in place. The 900 MW wind farm will install up to 100 turbines, creating around 350 construction jobs and 50 ongoing roles. It’s expected to generate $600 M during construction and $30 M+ annually, while protecting local wildlife and reducing emissions

Elementos Cleveland Tin Project

The Elementos Cleveland Tin Project, 80 km southwest of Burnie, is uncovering exciting new minerals. Drilling began on 14 March 2025 targeting shallow copper, gold, and silver, while 2024 results revealed fluorite, tungsten, molybdenum, rubidium, and bismuth minerals vital for tech and industry. Backed by a $5 million Metals X investment, the project is progressing to create jobs and boost economy

Burnie Health Hub

The $24M Burnie Health Hub, led by Jack and Dr Jerome Muir Wilson with architect Heath Clayton, is repurposing the former UTAS site on Mooreville Rd to transform healthcare in the North West. A 24-hour pathology lab is open, By July 2026, the hub will also offer pharmacy, urgent care, general practice, and Tasmania’s first TassieDoc clinic providing free GP visits.

Blue Economy Zone

The Bass Strait Blue Economy Zone Aquaculture Research Trial is underway 12 km off Burnie, trialling Atlantic salmon and kingfish. Backed by over $13 million from the Blue Economy CRC, FRDC, DAFF, and the Tasmanian Government, infrastructure works began in May 2025, salmon were stocked in August, and kingfish will follow in Oct. The three-year trial will run until 2027 to explore sustainability.

Bass Hwy Pedestrian Crossings

The Department of State Growth is improving pedestrian safety along the Bass Highway between Cooee and Somerset with seven new or upgraded crossings at key spots like Ocean Vista and Somerset. The $1.25 million project—funded jointly by the federal ($1M) and Tasmanian ($250K) governments—is in detailed design, with construction slated for late 2025.

Dulverton Food and Organics (FOGO) Facility

The $32 million Dulverton Regional Organics Facility is now operating in North West Tasmania, supporting FOGO services for Cradle Coast households and processing organic waste from aquaculture, dairy, and brewing. It will divert 7,500 tonnes from landfill each year, producing compost for local nurseries and farms to purchase, helping cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Woolworths Upper Burnie Renovation

The $7.1 million renovation of Woolworths Upper Burnie is complete, featuring a refreshed layout, improved accessibility, energy-efficient upgrades, and enhanced fresh produce areas. New customer offerings include Direct-to-Boot pickup and hybrid checkouts, creating a faster, more convenient shopping experience for the community.

Youth2Independence Y2I Youth Foyer

Stubbs Constructions has completed a $14.2 million, 25-bed facility in North-West Tasmania to provide supported accommodation, education, and employment opportunities for young people experiencing homelessness. Wurayni officially opened on 8 August 2005, the facility is located beside the Burnie TasTAFE campus and Hellyer College, and is operated by Youth, Family and Community Connections (YFCC).

Pet Dam Spillway Upgrade

Works include embankment and pipe upgrades within Ridgley WTP, and a new spillway and bridge on Circular Road, East Ridgley. Construction is planned from October 2025 to December 2027, with all activities aimed at strengthening regional water security.

Camdale Development Proposal

The proposed $35 million Strait Hotel at Camdale Beach will feature 72 beachfront rooms, luxury apartments, dining venues, and conference facilities. Led by Tasmanian developer Errol Stewart of JMC Property Group, the project aims to elevate the visitor experience along the Bass Strait while honouring the coastal landscape.

Brickport Road Sewage Pump Station Upgrade

TasWater is upgrading the Brickport Road Sewage Pump Station to reduce odours, improve safety, and protect infrastructure. Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2025, with completion expected by October 2025. Works will include a new dosing unit and SCADA monitoring, with minimal disruption anticipated during the build.

A new Woolworths is coming to South Burnie!

A $20 million Woolworths development is proposed for South Burnie, featuring a 4,000m² store, additional retail and café spaces, and 177 car parks. Planned for 2026–27, the site includes improved access via Reeves Street, Marine Terrace, and Hopkinson Street, with a proposed roundabout to manage peak traffic.

Homes Tasmania Modhomes

Six two-bedroom modular units, with an estimated cost of over $1 million, were completed by Podmatrix in Shorewell Park. The use of modular construction enabled faster project delivery, supporting the provision of quality housing and helping to get Tasmanians into homes sooner.

Minna Road Truck Wash

Construction of a modern washdown and effluent dumping facilities at Burnie to replace the Cooee truck wash at its end of life. It is part of a broader $4.7 million initiative to establish four truck wash and effluent dump stations across NW Tasmania, with locations in Stanley, Smithton and King Island for livestock transport and other vehicles, project managed by the Cradle Coast Authority.

TasNetworks' North West Transmission Developments

TasNetworks’ North West Transmission Developments project is a major upgrade to support Tasmania’s goal of doubling clean energy production by 2040. GenusPlus Group has been appointed to deliver Stage 1. Local contractors and suppliers are encouraged to register their interest in supporting this renewable energy infrastructure.

Complete Care Pharmacy

Jack Muir Wilson, Kath Witherden, and Heather Wilde are redeveloping the former Contel Communications site into a new 524 m² pharmacy four times the size of their current 129 m² store. The $1.2 million project will operate under the Complete Care Pharmacy model.

Childcare centre proposals

Several childcare centre proposals in Burnie are planned to address growing demand. These include a 70-place centre on Mount Street, a 35-place conversion on Van Diemens Crescent, and a centre in Cooee.

Ridgley Highway – Basils Road to Robothams Road

The Ridgley Highway upgrade between Basils Road and Robothams Road is strengthening the road to improve safety and freight efficiency. Works began in March 2025 and are due for completion by April 2025, with reduced speeds and minor delays expected. The project is part of Tasmania’s Freight Capacity Upgrade Program.

Tas Networks Community Battery Pilot

A community battery will be installed at the Burnie Community House car park in Shorewell Park, marking the state’s first facility of its kind. The battery will store excess solar energy and release it back into the network when demand exceeds supply, helping to support local energy needs and improve grid stability.

Upgrade planned for Burnie McDonald’s

McDonald’s Burnie is set for a major $5 million rebuild, featuring a modern dining area, McCafé, terrace, and family PlayPlace. The upgrade will also include solar panels and energy-efficient systems, with around 100 construction jobs created.

North West Mental Health Precinct

The North West Mental Health Precinct is a forthcoming $40 million facility to be constructed on a greenfield site near the Burnie Ambulance Station, adjacent to the North West Regional Hospital. It will feature a 22-bed inpatient unit and a five-bed short-stay unit, designed to deliver acute mental health services in a modern, therapeutic environment

Agricultural Training Centre of Excellence

In September 2023, TasTAFE opened a $5 million Agricultural Training Centre of Excellence at Freer Farm, Burnie. 2024 upgrades will include Stockyards, irrigation, precision agriculture, cropping tunnels, biosecurity, and training simulators. The modern facility provides industry-relevant skills and training through a farm-based learning centre, fostering collaboration with the sector.

Burnie Trunk Main Renewal - TasWater

The Burnie Trunk Main Renewal project is replacing two key pipelines, Mount Street Romaine, with completion expected by mid-2025.

North West Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) Upgrade

State Growth Transport Services is installing CCTV systems across North West Tasmania to improve road safety by collecting real-time vehicle data. Installations will occur at 19 locations in the Burnie CBD and along the Bass Highway between Burnie and Cooee.

Renewable Energy Zones

The Tasmanian Government has been exploring ways to meet extra energy demand that protects Tasmanian environmental values, supports industry, and benefits Tasmanian communities. Renewable Energy Zones (REZ) are a way to achieve this.

Old Surrey Road and Massy-Greene Drive Upgrades

The Australian and Tasmanian Governments have committed $20 million to improve productivity and safety along Mount Street, Old Surrey Road and Massy-Greene Drive.