More flak for Bruny ferry

THE NEW Bruny Island ferry has come under fresh criticism, with Labor’s David O’Byrne saying the vessel has “extremely limited” weight and vehicle capacity.

But the State Government says Mr O’Byrne is wrong, and that national ferry company SeaLink can meet the island’s demands in “whatever combination of vessels and frequency” is deemed best.

Mr O’Byrne said a Bruny Island Ferry Advisory committee meeting over the past few days revealed the new ferry, Nairana, would be able to carry only 20 to 32 cars – not the 36 promised.

He said this added to the ferry service’s list of problems – which he described as “high farce” and “shambolic” – with its largest vessel, the Mirambeena, having been taken out of action for repairs last month on top of ongoing challenges with the Moongalba, which is unable to unload long vehicles at low tide.

Mr O’Byrne noted the new vessel, which was supposed to be on the water late last year, was stuck in a temporary waiting area near the terminal, in a “dusty gravel holding pen”.

His comments follow news last week the Nairana couldn’t begin passenger trips because its design wouldn’t allow it to berth at the Kettering terminal.

Sections of the vessel that project from its sides, which meant it couldn’t berth properly at the terminal, were expected to be fixed last week.

The Nairana’s failure to launch has come during a summer that has seen record visitor numbers to Bruny Island.

The ferry terminal was sent into chaos the day after Boxing Day last year, with hundreds of holiday-makers queuing up along the Channel Highway.

“The people that are suffering are the people stuck in the lines, the people on the island deserve to have a non-controversial and a regular service that can get them on and off the island appropriately,” Mr O’Byrne said.

He also raised concerns about the 2017 ferry service tender process – saying the Government had “hidden” details about how and why it selected SeaLink.

Transport minister Michael Ferguson said Mr O’Byrne had previously been wrong about SeaLink’s capacity – saying the operator carried nearly 5 per cent more cars in December 2019 than the year before – and was wrong again now.

“SeaLink is contracted to provide a service that meets the demands of the island and this can be in whatever combination of vessels and frequency the company determines best to meet that demand,” he said.

SeaLink declined to comment.