Events strategy should be developed for Derwent Ferry service, Labor says

The state Opposition has joined forces with an event management specialist to call for a strategy to be developed for the Derwent Ferry service when it comes to major events.

Derwent Ferries. Ferry leaves the Eastern Shore. Picture: Richard Jupe

Labor is calling for the development of a “comprehensive” strategy to maximise the use of the Derwent Ferry for major events but Transport Minister Eric Abetz says the idea is little more than a “thought-bubble”.

Luke Edmunds, Labor’s sport and events spokesman, said the ferries supported some large events, such as the Big Bash League (BBL) final, but they did not complement others.

“What that’s doing is it’s confusing patrons who would like to support those events and also probably lowering the take that the people putting the events on are getting,” he said.

Events management specialist Nikki Long, Labor transport spokeswoman Meg Brown, and Labor sport and events spokesman Luke Edmunds. Labor is calling for an events strategy to be developed for the Derwent Ferry service. Picture: Supplied

“When people know they can rely on a ferry service, they can plan their day, they know their transport is sorted out, they know they can let their hair down if they want to or that they can rely on getting home safely.”

Mr Edmunds said a broader events framework needed to be applied to the operation of the Derwent Ferry and that Labor wanted to work with event organisers and the operator of the ferries “to ensure that we can actually use [the service] to its best ability”.

The government currently puts on additional ferry services on a case-by-case basis, taking into account events and other factors.

The Liberals announced on Saturday that four free extra ferry services would operate between Brooke St Pier and Bellerive for the BBL final on Monday night, with ferries set to run every 15 minutes.

Derwent Ferries. Ferry arrives on the Eastern Shore. Picture: Richard Jupe

Events management specialist Nikki Long said while Tasmania boasted strong event attendance, there were “definitely gaps that we need to fill”, such as access to public transport.

“We have to have better options so that our overall visitor experience for events is a positive one from the get-go,” she said.

“If you’re going with a group of people that you can’t all fit into an Uber [with], jumping on the ferry adds to that social connection that you’re going to have at events. And that’s what events are all about – creating those memories and social connections.”

Mr Abetz said Labor’s “thought-bubble announcement” offered “absolutely no detail as to how these additional services would be funded”.

Transport Minister Eric Abetz. Picture: Caroline Tan

“Labor cannot have it both ways: attacking debt and deficit and then calling for new spending,” he said.

“Labor’s cheap search for a quick headline says it all. As per usual, they are all spin, no substance.”

The government, together with the four Greater Hobart councils, is working to expand the Derwent Ferry service to new terminals on the river, including at Sandy Bay and Wilkinsons Point.

Originally published as Events strategy should be developed for Derwent Ferry service, Labor says