Incat founder speaks out against local residents group opposing private jetty proposal in Sandford

Following residents opposition to a private jetty proposal at Ralphs Bay, Incat’s founder Bob Clifford has warned there will never be a River Derwent ferry service without similar developments.

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WITHOUT jetties on Crown Land, there will never be a commercially viable River Derwent ferry service, says the founder of world leading Tasmanian boatbuilding company Incat.

On Monday, the Clarence City Council will consider an application from local developers Sultan Holdings for a private 60m concrete jetty within Ralphs Bay near Dorans Road, Sandford.

The proposal would be next to a 1.5ha foreshore public open space lot, which was transferred to council in 2015.

The council report said there were “no restrictions to public access to the foreshore’’.

The project has been recommended for approval.

There were eight representations against the application received and a local residents group has formed called Save Ralphs Bay Again in response to the proposal.

Robert Clifford of Incat with new ferry Buccoo Reef that will be used in Trinidad and Tobago. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Incat chairman Robert Clifford said without jetties on Crown Land, there could not be any future River Derwent ferry service.

“All jetties are built on Crown Land – that is land below the high tide mark,” he said.

“Objections to a jetty off the Sandford peninsula that would be very beneficial to the community and make for a quick ferry service to Sullivans Cove are hard to comprehend.

“For a successful ferry service, many jetties are required from Sandford to Old Beach, including jetties at Blackmans Bay, Howrah, Lower Tranmere and Droughty Point.

“Unless multiple jetties are built, there is no chance for a commercially viable ferry service.”

Mr Clifford’s comments came as his company’s latest ship left the Derwent Park dry dock ahead of its delivery to Trinidad and Tobago later in the year.

New Incat ferry Buccoo Reef on the River Derwent. Picture: SEAN LOWRIE/INCAT

Designed by Revolution Design, the 100m passenger catamaran named Buccoo Reef has been built over the past 18 months, with work set to continue until the end of the month.

The vehicle deck has capacity for 182 cars or 239 when in car-only mode.

The 1000-person passenger deck has bars and food service areas already installed as well as hard floors and carpets, most of the passenger seats, televisions and other passenger facilities.

Commissioning and testing of engines and other machinery will be done ahead of sea trials next month.