Derwent Ferry: Concept designs of new terminal at Sandy Bay released, consultation begins

The new Derwent Ferry terminal planned for Sandy Bay is set to be built by the middle of next year and Hobart City Council is seeking community feedback on the proposal.

Artistic render of the proposed ferry terminal at Sandy Bay. Picture: Supplied

Sandy Bay is a step closer to having its very own Derwent Ferry terminal and one local private school believes the expanded service would result in less kids turning up late to class.

The Hobart City Council has launched a public consultation process for the establishment of the terminal at its preferred location of Lords Beach, opposite Waimea Ave adjacent to Wrest Point Hotel.

Concept designs of the new facilities were published on Wednesday, with plans for a kiosk, toilets, bike storage, and charging infrastructure for e-bikes and e-scooters.

The council is seeking input from the community to find out what else people might like to see included in the design.

Artistic render of the proposed ferry terminal at Sandy Bay. Picture: Supplied

Since the Derwent Ferry service between Bellerive and Brooke St Pier was launched in 2021, more than 360,000 passengers have hopped on board.

The Greater Hobart councils received $20m in funding from the Albanese government to expand the service to three new terminals at Sandy Bay, Lindisfarne, and Wilkinsons Point.

One Sandy Bay school set to benefit from the expanded ferry service is Mount Carmel College, where about 25 per cent of the student cohort and 30-35 per cent of staff live on the Eastern Shore.

Mount Carmel director of primary Melanie Sluyters said parents and students were “really excited” about the prospect of the Derwent Ferry coming to Sandy Bay.

Artistic render of the proposed ferry terminal at Sandy Bay. Picture: Supplied

“At the moment, we have a dedicated bus service that we offer at Mount Carmel, which is fantastic, but we do have our problems with Sandy Bay Rd, and we also have our problems … with the [Tasman] Bridge, as well,” she said.

“So we do have students that will arrive late and it only takes a very minor problem on that bridge. And you can have our students walking in 10-15 minutes late, which actually interrupts our prime learning time within the whole school.

“The ferry coming across to Sandy Bay and Lords Beach would be absolutely fantastic for us as a college.”

Dr Christian Narkowicz, a senior lecturer in pharmacology at the University of Tasmania, said he already caught the ferry into the city on work days but would relish the opportunity to cut even more time off his commute by travelling directly to Sandy Bay.

Artistic render of the proposed ferry terminal at Sandy Bay. Picture: Supplied

“Going to Sandy Bay would make it a bit of a shortcut [for me] and cut out probably one of the trickiest little bits of roadway in Hobart,” he said.

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the council was required to have the new terminal built by mid-2026 under its contract with the federal government.

“We have very low usage of public transport in Hobart compared to other capital cities and we know that providing people with new and better choices will see that increase and will take traffic off the roads,” she said.

“And we know that people love catching the river.”

To have your say on the proposed new Sandy Bay Derwent Ferry terminal, visit yoursay.hobartcity.com.au/sandy-bay-ferry-terminal-derwent-river-service-expansion

Originally published as Derwent Ferry: Concept designs of new terminal at Sandy Bay released, consultation begins