$5m upgrade planned for Bellerive ferry terminal, see the designs

About 500 commuters use the Bellerive to Hobart ferry daily. The government hopes a $5m ferry terminal upgrade will encourage more people to use the service. See the designs here...

New concept designs for a $5m upgraded Bellerive Wharf ferry terminal have been released showing improved all-weather protection for the 500 commuters who use the ferry daily.

Plans from Hobart architecture firm Raum Studio, revealed on Sunday, show an enclosed shelter both on land and on the wharf for commuters with added bike storage facilities.

New concept drawings of the proposed new Bellerive ferry terminal.

Transport Minister Eric Abetz said the Bellerive to Hobart ferry service remained popular with commuters as an alternative to driving or other transport, prompting the upgrade to encourage more people to use ferry transport.

“We’ll see $5m spent here to make a terminal that is commuter friendly, that will ensure that there is all-weather coverage and help encourage people to use the public transport system,” he said.

“Everybody that is off our roads and on to a ferry will reduce the congestion that we do see across the Tasman Bridge and within our city centre during the peak hours.”

Since the start of the Bellerive to Hobart ferry service, people have taken over 380,000 trips.

New concept drawings of the proposed new Bellerive ferry terminal.

Mr Abetz hopes to submit the designs as part of a development application to the Clarence City Council by the end of October and expects their approval “within the next six to 12 months.”

The uptake of ferry services also prompted the state government to look to make announcements on three further terminals in the “next few years” in Sandy Bay, Wilkinsons Point and Lindisfarne.

Mr Abetz confirmed the next ferry terminal build would be in Lindisfarne, but was awaiting a decision from the Clarence City Council on the exact location.

“We hope commuters will increase as the amenities improve,” he said.

“It’s a very convenient way to get to and from the city, especially at the moment, with half-price fares.”

New concept drawings of the proposed new Bellerive ferry terminal.

Clarence City Council Mayor Brendan Blomeley welcomed the upgrade designs, stating the existing terminal has proven to be “highly valuable” for removing cars from main roads.

“The service was first established using largely existing infrastructure and has proven to be

highly valuable by taking cars off key roads – especially the Tasman Bridge during peak hour

– while adding to the vibrancy of the City of Clarence,” he said.

“The upgrades will only serve to make the service more attractive, as well as add to the

aesthetic of the Bellerive foreshore.

“It is now a regular form of transport for many commuters and benefits residents, workers,

and many business operators in Clarence.”

New concept drawings of the proposed new Bellerive ferry terminal.

Originally published as $5m upgrade planned for Bellerive ferry terminal, see the designs