Derwent Ferry: Incat’s Bob Clifford says river can be ‘mini Sydney Harbour’ if ferries done right

Incat founder Bob Clifford, who rose to prominence operating ferries on the Derwent in the 1970s, says the river could become a “mini Sydney Harbour” if the state government’s expanded ferry service succeeds.

Bob Clifford, founder of ship building company Incat. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The Derwent River could become a “mini Sydney Harbour” within the next decade if the Tasmanian government’s expanded ferry service is a success, according to Incat founder Bob Clifford.

The catamaran pioneer, who rose to prominence operating ferries on the Derwent in the 1970s, said any new terminals along the river should be kept “simple” and free of mod cons so that they may be built quickly and in greater numbers.

“Quite frankly, I think glorified bus stops are really all we need,” Mr Clifford said. “Because we need a lot of them. We need them to be pretty simple – just simple pontoons that the ferry comes alongside.”

Bob Clifford of Incat. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“By all means, if [people] want to add to them, that’s great. But you’ve got to get value for money, that’s the point.”

Mr Clifford’s comments come after local architect Mark Drury unveiled his vision for multipurpose terminals featuring a raft of facilities, including cafes, saunas, allied health services, and meeting and training spaces for hire.

Mr Drury believes his proposed ‘Jetty Project’ would draw increasing numbers of people to use the ferries and promote “connection, social interaction, health and wellbeing”.

Concept design of a new ferry terminal at Bellerive. Architect Mark Drury, 'The Jetty Project', Derwent Ferries. Picture: Supplied

But the Incat chairman said the terminals didn’t need to resemble “Brooke St Pier” and should merely be able to accommodate two ferries at a time, including a large vessel with the capacity to carry 300-400 passengers.

“The [design] that’s in my mind is about 10x10 metres, with a ferry either side, and a bit of a lid on it to keep the rain out,” he said. “And then a gangway to the shore. They can all be built and floated into position.”

The state government is preparing to expand the Derwent Ferry service, which has been running between Bellerive and Brooke St Pier in a trial phase since August 2021.

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

There are plans to build new terminals at Regatta Point, Sandy Bay, Wilkinsons Point, Howrah Point, Lindisfarne, and Kingston Beach.

A draft River Derwent Ferry Service Masterplan is out for consultation, with the public feedback period set to close on Monday, January 8.

Mr Clifford ultimately wants 16-18 terminals built on the river and feels that the government should focus on making the service attractive to tourists because “the tourism market will probably end up paying for this”.

“We could be a mini Sydney Harbour in 10 years time, but we’ve got to get there,” he said.

Alison Hetherington of the Bicycle Network. Picture: Mireille Merlet

Bicycle Network spokeswoman Alison Hetherington said secure bike parking needed to be considered as an essential component of any new ferry infrastructure, as did safe cycling links to connect people to the terminals.

“It’s been fantastic that the ferry trial has allowed bikes on-board but we want to see that expanded to be able to take bikes on-board but to be able to leave your bike at a terminal and have that confidence that when you get off at the end of the day, your bike is still going to be there,” she said.