FERRY GOOD NEWS

After years of talk, finally commuters have some ...

NEW ferry terminals will be built on both sides of the River Derwent as the State Government moves to finally establish a crossriver commuter service.

The Government has tabled legislation to allow Metro to run the ferry service between Bellerive and Sullivans Cove — with Infrastructure Minister Jeremy Rockliff saying additional stops could be added.

“This initiative could potentially see thousands of vehicles off roads in and around the city,” said Mr Rockliff, adding he wanted to ensure the service was operational “as soon as possible”.

TWO new ferry terminals will be established on Hobart’s western and eastern shores as part of the State Government’s plan for a commuter ferry service to ease traffic congestion in Hobart.

The Government has tabled legislation in parliament allowing Metro to run a new ferry service between Bellerive and Sullivans Cove.

But Incat founder Bob Clifford said the single route was far removed from his original proposal.

“As the announcement of a simple Bellerive-Sullivans Cove ferry service is far removed from the multi-stop, multi-vessel services of my proposal, I think it best that I make no comment at this time,” he said.

Mr Clifford’s proposal is for an extensive ferry service up and down the River Derwent, with 16 floating jetties serviced by a fleet of passenger vessels.

Infrastructure Minister Jeremy Rockliff said the Government’s plan could be broadened in the future.

“Further public ferry infrastructure will be considered at other locations to be determined by passenger demand following the demonstrated success of the Hobart to Belle- rive services,” Mr Rockliff said.

He said change to the Metro Tasmania Act, tabled yesterday, would enable the state-owned company to operate ferries as part of the public transport network.

Mr Rockliff did not say when the new ferry service would begin, but processes had been put in place to ensure it happened “as soon as possible”.

He said the Government had provided $2 million for a scoping study for Metro to develop the service.

He said port-side infrastructure for the service would be provided by TasPorts.

Metro chief executive officer Megan Morse said Metro was delighted to have the chance to offer Hobart residents another mode of public transport.

Mr Rockliff said the exact starting date and locations of the two new terminals were yet to be determined.

Hobart’s Brooke Street Pier has 400,000 passenger movements every year, the bulk of which are people going to Mona on the ferry operated by the Navigators Group.

Mona ferry operator Michael Roche, the director of Navigators Group, said he was open to speaking with Metro about being part of the new service.

“Our door is always open to discuss the potential for ferry services on the River Derwent,” Mr Roche said.

Clarence Mayor Doug Chipman welcomed the new form of public transport headed to his municipality. “We’ve long recognised that if ferry services are to work then Metro is a key player,” he said.

Ald Chipman said Metro buses would help bring people to the ferry at Bellerive, as car parking would be limited.

While the Eastern Shore location of the ferry terminal is yet to be decided, Ald Chipman said there were a few options, including the Bellerive Boardwalk or the site of the new Kangaroo Bay hotel development.

Kingborough Mayor Steve Wass said his council would watch with interest to determine whether such a service would work for Blackmans Bay and Kingston Beach.