New ship for King Island on cards

A NEW, bigger ship is expected to temporarily service King Island by the end of the year while the State Government sorts out the specifications for a vessel to meet the island’s needs for the next 20 years.

Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding yesterday told the Legislative Council inquiry into King Island shipping that the existing temporary vessel the Investigator was “likely” to be replaced by a substantially bigger and better vessel by December.

The inquiry has already heard the interim vessel hired to fill the freight hole left by the department of SeaRoad’s service was not up to the task.

“TasPorts’ worldwide search for a vessel has resulted in two ships of interest to operate as the next interim vessel, with commercial negotiations and practical considerations current and live,” Mr Hidding said.

“Concurrently, the Government will be provided with professional advice in the next month or two as to what an ideal new-build vessel for King Island would look like.

“This report will provide the basis for an in-depth consultation with ... all stakeholders on the final ‘ideal design’ for the next 20-year solution for the island. Considerations of design, cost of construction, financing options, and who should be the operator of the shipping service, will all be questions for resolution with the King Island community.”

Mr Hidding said that during that period, TasPorts’ much larger next interim vessel would handle the task well.

Labor infrastructure spokesman Shane Broad said: “Mr Hidding needs to come clean on how long the ‘new’ interim service be in place, if it will be a triangular service including Victoria, who will operate it and if the Government is actually going to commission a brand new ship?”