How Spirit of Tasmania’s new home is taking shape

Geelong is set to reap the benefits when the Spirit of Tasmania vessels begin berthing at Corio Quay. TRACK THE PROGRESS.

Geelong is set to reap the benefits when the Spirit of Tasmania vessels begin berthing at Corio Quay.

The Bass Strait service will depart from Port Melbourne’s Station Pier for the final time on October 22 and will dock at its new Geelong hub the next day.

Geelong Pier chief executive Brett Winter said: “The benefits for Geelong are tremendous and the way we’ve looked at this is really about a long-term partnership.

“The initial benefit is really around employment,” Mr Winter said.

“We’ve had around 230 people working on site.

Spirit of Tassie

“Beyond that once the facility is operational, you’ve got 100 full time jobs of course to continue to support that during the year.”

The 12ha site includes a new passenger and freight terminal, which comes at a cost of $135m, shouldered entirely by GeelongPort.

The works include a three level access ramp for cars to be boarded at the same time as freight vehicles.

Spirit of Tassie

The project also includes a secure 24/7 freight yards to allow cargo to be picked up or dropped off at any time.

Mr Winter said Geelong will have a steady stream of visitors when the terminal opens.

“The benefits around tourism 450,000 people coming through the area, supporting the great tourism features we have right across Geelong

“We’re really going to look to leverage that from a community perspective.”

He said the site been significantly upgraded to improve traffic flow and included the construction of those two new entrances – one for passengers and one dedicated to freight.

“In addition to that you can see he upgrades being performed on Corio Quay Road, we’ve been working with the Victorian government on that and that’ll install some signalised traffic light there.”

Mr Winter said it was also close to transport.

“We’ve got two train stations in close proximity, we’re obviously aware there’s that convenience factor of being able to do that, so we’re still working with the Victorian government and Geelong Council.”

Spirit of Tas pics

The port is designed to support both the current vessels and the new ones being built by Finnish company, Rauma Marine Construction.

“We have built the facility to cater to both the current and the new ships so we’ll be well and truly ready in both cases,” Mr Winter said.

Spirit of Tasmania chairman Mike Grainger said the decision to move the port from Melbourne’s Station Pier to Corio Quay was a “no-brainer.”

“We couldn’t stay where we were … currently the vessel sailings are absolutely full, every single day,” he said.

“If we wanted to progress the company and move forward and be more efficient, we had no choice but to leave.”

Mr Grainger did not believe passengers would be put out by being further away from the Melbourne CBD.

“They can drive off, have a very pleasant drive, bypass Melbourne if they need to or drive into Melbourne or they can go along the Great Ocean Road,” Mr Grainger said.

“So it’s going to provide a lot more opportunity with our tourists.”

Originally published as How Spirit of Tasmania’s new home is taking shape