Derwent Valley business advocacy group calls for $50m high-speed ferry

A Derwent Valley business advocacy group is calling for a $50m high-speed ferry service between New Norfolk and Hobart, calling it a “must have investment” for the region. THEIR WISH LIST

New Norfolk and the River Derwent, Tasmania Photo-Tourism Tasmania

A $50m high-speed ferry service between New Norfolk and Hobart is a “must have investment” for the Derwent Valley, says a business advocacy group.

Business Derwent Valley are pushing for the ambitious project as part of five election “game changers” they say will “supercharge” the regional economy.

“We feel it’s time the valley stands up and is counted in an election,” BDV president Rachel Power told the Mercury.

“We know it’s a big, bold, ambitious plan but if we don’t start planning now we will never get it.”

The plan includes a new ferry terminal with park-and-ride capability, with council-owned land near New Norfolk’s existing boat ramp identified as the “ideal location” to build a public transport hub.

Ms Power said current public transport options from Hobart were centred around school and work access, making it undesirable for tourists.

“There is little access to Derwent Valley as a whole in terms of public transport, but it is a destination in its own right,” she said.

“We see examples of ferries being used for tourism every day, things like the Mona ferry.”

Hobart’s Mona Ferry. Picture: Richard Jupe

BDV said the terminal and ferry service would be a long-term, multi stage initiative to support future growth.

“At this stage it is early, we really just want these conversations to start,” Ms Power said.

Alongside the ferry, the group is calling for a regional strategy initiative, a $20m regional training hub, $3m in events activation and $10m in road upgrades.

Ms Power said it was time for the region to receive “big, game-changing infrastructure” to meet increasing demand from locals and visitors.

“The key thing that underpins our election ‘game changers’ is a regional strategy initiative to properly identify the potential risks and opportunities in our region,” Ms Power said.

“The opportunity is here, and we’re ready to work with a government that sees our region’s potential.”

This follows Labor’s $10m pledge to the Derwent Catchment Project’s nature repair and regional jobs initiative last week, marking their largest single election commitment for the region.

BDV vice president Kelvin Derksen-Luelf said the commitment to environmental programs would drive “hundreds of millions” of dollars in future investments.

“The $10m commitment from the Labor Party is a game changer. It will leverage hundreds of millions in future investments, making a tangible difference to Australia’s landscapes,” Mr Derksen-Luelf said.

Originally published as Derwent Valley business advocacy group calls for $50m high-speed ferry