Construction of $135m Spirit of Tasmania ferry terminal begins at Corio Quay

GeelongPort has unveiled crucial new details of the Spirit of Tasmania ferry terminal as work at Corio Quay begins.

New details surrounding Corio Quay’s $135 million Spirit of Tasmania port facilities have been revealed as construction of the major project begins.

Major landside works at the Spirit of Tasmania passenger and freight terminal precinct are underway, with work at the GeelongPort’s Corio Quay precinct expected to ramp up ahead of its Spring 2022 opening.

Works will soon start on the berth infrastructure which will include a world-first three-level boarding ramp for cars, caravans and trucks to board simultaneously.

Spirit of Tasmania concept image

The hub will house a state-of-the art terminal building and boarding area with the capacity for the marshalling of 600 cars and a separate parking area for 150 trucks.

GeelongPort chief executive officer Brett Winter revealed Fitzgerald Construction Australia had been appointed as a contractor and were now undertaking demolition of the existing berth structure.

The group will continue with the significant marine works to expand the wharf, berthing and loading facilities for the terminal.

Mr Winter said BMD Constructions would deliver the landside civil construction within the 12-hectare site, while Kane Constructions would undertake construction of the passenger terminal building.

Spirit of Tasmania concept image

“We are very excited to be reaching this major milestone with the appointment of these experienced contractors who have also delivered some iconic projects across the region over the years,” Mr Winter said.

Mr Winter said GeelongPort staff had been working closely with contractors to help generate jobs in the region.

“I am also proud to say that we have been working with them to ensure the project provides value to our region throughout construction with a large portion of goods and services being sourced through local businesses,” he said.

Kane's Richard Frisina, left, SOT project manager Paul Kirkwood, Geelong Port CEO Brett Winter, BMD general manager Peter Anusas and Fitzgerald construction manager Bruce McCracken celebrate the start of major works for the Spirit of Tasmania passenger and freight terminal precinct. Picture: Alison Wynd

He said most of the pile and all complex steel structures for the three-level access ramp had been sourced through Corio-based Thornton Engineering Australia.

Spirit of Tasmania chief executive officer Bernard Dwyer welcomed the start of major works at the site.

“There has been a considerable amount of planning and design work leading up to today,” he said.

“I am looking forward to seeing the development evolve over the next 12 months, so we begin welcoming passengers to Geelong in Spring 2022.”

Start of major works of the spirit of tas terminal

The contractors will be working in parallel to deliver their individual packages of work, with works all contained within the port precinct.

GeelongPort said it was continuing to work with state and federal governments to support essential road upgrades in time for the facility to open.

Every year more than 450,000 passengers and a huge amount of freight are shipped on the Spirits with the figures set to grow as the Tasmanian government commissioning two larger replacement vessels within the next few years.

Originally published as Construction of $135m Spirit of Tasmania ferry terminal begins at Corio Quay