Tasmanian State Budget 2019: River Derwent ferry funding remains the same despite report

The State Government has not increased spending to establish a River Derwent ferry service despite an official report revealing they should.

THE State Government has not increased spending to establish a River Derwent ferry service despite an official report revealing they should.

This year’s State Budget allocated $500,000 annually to Metro over three years from 2019-20 to establish a ferry service between Sullivans Cove and Bellerive.

But as revealed by the Mercury on Thursday, a $105,000 study commissioned by Metro to investigate passenger ferry options and released under Right to Information laws, found only a morning and afternoon peak-hour service would be possible from the current budget allocation.

REPORT SAYS DERWENT FERRY FUNDING MUST RISE

$2 MILLION FOR STUDY INTO DERWENT FERRY SERVICE

The Government has promised to deliver a comprehensive seven-day-a-week service supported by investments in park-and-ride facilities and with linkages to bus services, cycleways and walking paths.

Kirstie Hobden, 26, of Oakdowns who catches Metro buses to work in the city, said she would use a ferry service. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

When quizzed why the Budget allocation hadn’t increased despite the report, Infrastructure Minister Jeremy Rockliff told the Mercury they weren’t going to “pre-empt” costs.

“A project working group has now been established to develop a detailed project plan that includes time frames for the delivery of a ferry service and costs,” he said.

“It has already commenced consulting with stakeholders. The work being done will inform future budget submissions.

“We are certainly not going to pre-empt working group findings, but our commitment is clear — we want to deliver a comprehensive service that Tasmanians support and can be proud of.”

MORE STATE BUDGET COVERAGE:

STATE BUDGET 2019: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

BUDGET BOOSTER FOR TASTE OF TASMANIA

FAST-TRACK PLAN FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING

In October last year a Metro survey of 604 people found 75 per cent said they would use a Hobart-Bellerive ferry service.

An artist’s impression of a ferry on the Bellerive to Hobart route across the River Derwent.

Eastern Shore resident Kirstie Hobden, 26, who catches the bus to work in the city from Oakdowns every day, said she would “absolutely use the ferry”.

“It would make life a lot easier and there’d be a lot less congestion on the roads during the morning and evening peaks,” she said.

“If the bus and ferry ticketing was packaged together it could be a really great service for the Eastern Shore.”

The Budget also included $7.5 million over four years to Metro for investment in a single integrated ticketing system.

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