Rob Pennicott anger over new Bruny Island ferry operator

A SHOWDOWN looms between Bruny Island’s new ferry operator and its most successful tourism operator.

Tourism operator Rob Pennicott is not happy about the new Bruny Island ferry service announced by the Government. Picture: PATRICK GEE

TOURISM pioneer Rob Pennicott says changes to the Bruny Island ferry schedule would cost his business millions this coming summer alone and force him to shed jobs.

Mr Pennicott said ditching the current operator’s shuttle service, which rolls continuously during peak periods, would devastate businesses and disadvantage residents.

National business SeaLink Travel Group was last month awarded a 10-year contract to operate the service, promising two new boats by 2021 and more frequent sailings.

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Mr Pennicott, who launched a rival bid for the service with current operator Graeme Phillips, said capacity would be decreased this summer and a new booking system would not suit the island’s tourism market.

There will be a major downturn. We’re not talking a few thousand dollars — we’re talking millions. – Rob Pennicott

“The decision of decreasing capacity on the ferries is appalling and devastating for the community of Bruny Island,” he told the Sunday Tasmanian.

“A booking system with this decreased capacity will not work without decreasing substantially the number of vehicles compared to last summer, let alone sustainable growth for the next 10 years.

“I feel most sorry for the community of Bruny because they will lose their freedom to travel when they want to.

“This year’s downturn will mean a significant reduction in jobs and the economy in a regional community.”

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The award-winning tourism operator’s comments come with a community meeting scheduled for today on the island.

It will be attended by SeaLink general manager Paul Victory, who has pledged to meet demand for the 150,000 visitors to Bruny each year.

An artist’s impression of one of th etwo new ferries to be built for the Bruny Island ferry run, which is to be operated by SeaLink Travel Group for the next decade. Picture: SEALINK

Mr Pennicott said a booking system, rather than rolling services, will mean crossing every 30 rather than 22 minutes. He said the 36-car carrying new ferries will represent a 23 per cent decrease in capacity.

Mr Pennicott, who spent $6.7 million on a new visitor centre for his Bruny Island Cruises last year, fears he could shed 14 jobs and other businesses could also suffer.

“There is no way on earth under the current model that we will have the visitors we had last year to operate with, so there will be a major downturn,” he said.

“We’re not talking a few thousand dollars — we’re talking millions.”

If we need to make changes to increase capacity right now, we will do that. – SeaLink general manager Paul Victory

Mr Pennicott is being backed by other influential businesses, with Bruny Island Cheese founder Nick Haddow also concerned.

“The Government needs to respond quickly and decisively in order to assure businesses and residents that there will not be a reduction in the capacity to Bruny Island from September or at any time in the future,” Mr Haddow said.

Mr Victory said there would be no reduction in services this summer, and greater frequency when the new boats come on line would ensure capacity into the future.

“This summer we cannot reduce capacity — if that’s what they’re currently doing, that’s what we’ll be doing,” he said.

“If we need to make changes to increase capacity right now, we will do that.”

The Mirambeena ferry leaves Bruny Island on its way back to Kettering.

Mr Victory said all crossings would be advertised rather than the shuttling service operating outside the timetable.

SeaLink has outlined a three-year implementation plan that will result in three boats operating as often as every 20 minutes by 2021, increasing car capacity by 10 an hour.

It will mean up to 38 return crossings a day, up from the currently advertised 19 when the shuttle service is not operating.

“It will provide more capacity in the long run,” Mr Victory said.

Infrastructure Minister Jeremy Rockliff said the State Government would work with tourism operators to address concerns.

“The contract provides for flexibility in responding to demand and does not limit the number of daily sailings or boats to be used, nor their capacity,” Mr Rockliff said.

Current operator Graeme Phillips was contacted by the Sunday Tasmanian but declined to comment.