Brighton, Derwent Valley mayors say their councils excluded from Derwent Ferry master plan talks

Two Southern mayors have hit out at the state government following the release of the draft master plan for the future of the Derwent Ferry service. See what they had to say.

Derwent Ferries. Ferry leaves the eastern shore. Picture: Richard Jupe

The state government has drawn the ire of two Southern Tasmanian mayors, who have accused the Liberals of ignoring their municipalities amid plans to expand the Derwent River ferry service.

It comes after Premier Jeremy Rockliff and Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson released the draft River Derwent Ferry Service Masterplan for public consultation last week.

Seeking to build on the original Bellerive to Hobart service, the draft plan considered 33 potential sites for new ferry terminals, ultimately settling on Lindisfarne, Howrah, Wilkinsons Point, Sandy Bay, Regatta Point and Kingston Beach.

But Brighton Mayor Leigh Gray and Derwent Valley Mayor Michelle Dracoulis say the councils they lead were not consulted during the draft plan process, despite having ideas about how the ferry service could bring positive change to their respective regions.

Brighton Mayor Leigh Gray. Picture: Supplied

Mr Gray said it seemed “silly” for the government to build a new jetty and boat ramp as part of the Bridgewater Bridge build but not provide a purpose-built ferry terminal for a commuter service to Hobart.

Brighton was growing “at a rate of knots”, the mayor said, adding that bus services in the area weren’t “up to scratch”.

“This is an opportunity for the government to give Bridgewater and Brighton, in particular, a hand-up, rather than a handout,” he said.

“This will make Brighton a better place in 20 years’ time than some of the other options that they have taken.”

Incat founder Bob Clifford has called for ferry terminals to be built at Bridgewater, Granton, and Old Beach.

Michelle Dracoulis, Derwent Valley Mayor. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Ms Dracoulis said she understood that a weekday commuter ferry service for the Derwent Valley was not feasible, but that the council was keen to explore a weekend service for tourists interested in visiting New Norfolk.

“I think we’ll have a discussion as a council and then consider putting some sort of document to the state government of what we think might be feasible,” she said.

“It would have been good to be a part of the [master plan] discussion.”

Lyons Labor MP Jen Butler said it was “disrespectful” of the government to leave the Brighton Council out of the ferry discussions.

Labor MP Jen Butler. Picture: Chris Kidd

“Many people who live in this area find it very hard to access transport,” she said.

Government minister Nick Duigan said it was “really important to remember” that the new Bridgewater Bridge, which is currently under construction, was the largest infrastructure project ever undertaken in Tasmania and would service the Brighton community.

“I think there’s really big upside for Brighton and Bridgewater in all of this,” he said.

The federal government has committed $20 million to expanding Hobart’s ferry infrastructure.

The mayors of Hobart, Clarence, Kingborough and Glenorchy welcomed the announcement of the draft plan last week.