$200m ports investment for Tasmania

THE body overseeing Tasmania’s cruise sector has released a new 15-year masterplan, which will guide $200m in infrastructure development in Hobart, Burnie, Devonport and Bell Bay.

TasPorts chairman Stephen Bradford said the new Port Master Plans and an array of associated major projects would help meet customer demand, attract new business and provide value to customers.

Key projects include the reorganisation of the cruise precinct at Hobart’s Macquarie Wharf to provide additional berths for passenger cruise ships, and more cruise facilities at Burnie to enable additional vessel visits and tourism growth.

Up to $60 million will be invested in a new Antarctic logistics facility in Hobart to support a new Australian Antarctic Division icebreaker which will replace the existing Aurora Australis, while Devonport East will be expanded to provide a new home for larger Spirit of Tasmania ferries.

Paul Weedon, ceo of TasPorts, said the organisation would also continue to support existing operations at King and Flinders Islands, Port Latta, Inspection Head, Strahan, Stanley and Sullivans Cove in Hobart.

Sullivans Cove will also be enhanced to make it a “visitorfriendly waterfront tourist destination,” Weedon said, while $50-$60m will be spent at Devonport to extend berthing facilities for passengers, cargo and freight.