Farmers concerned over issues with shipping to and from King Island

King Island farmers are airing their frustrations with shipping to the remote island forcing some long-time graziers leaving the industry. Why they say the answer lies in Victoria.

Cattle loading at Stanley wharf. King Island shipping.

The shipping woes on King Island have gotten so bad for lamb farmer Noel Cooke that he has had to shift his focus to cattle.

The island’s cost and lack of shipping frequency are causing grief for many producers.

There is currently no direct shipping route from King Island to Melbourne, with freight going via Devonport both ways instead.

King Island farmer Noel Cooke. Picture: Supplied.

“It’s an issue I have been raising with anyone who would listen for the past 20 years while watching the situation degrade to the point that living and farming on King Island is becoming unviable,” Mr Cooke said.

“To put it straight, if Tasmania had to send all cargo to Melbourne via Sydney,

paying for the extra, unnecessary double leg – as we do – they might understand how

hard things are.

“While we have the Eastern Line on an ad hoc basis to Welshpool, it is too

far out of the way.

“They sail into the wrong end of Victoria to do any kind of efficient trade with the mainland, especially where livestock are concerned.”

TasFarmers President Ian Sauer, Nutrien Ag Branch manager Ian Herbert. The Mercury Bush Summit in Launceston. Picture: Rob Burnett

Meanwhile, TasFarmers President Ian Sauer described the shipping situation on King Island as “an expensive shemozzle”.

“Farmers are telling us freight is too infrequent, they’re not consistent, and they are horrendously expensive,” Mr Sauer said.

“The farmers on King Island just feel left alone and betrayed when it comes to shipping for the last 20 to 30 years.

“They’re just sick of it.”

According to Mr Sauer, the shipping issues had made the cost of living on the island “10 times more expensive” than in the rest of Tasmania.

“The time has come for the government, TasPorts and the farmers to be able to get together to find a long-term solution for the shipping on King Island,” he said.

“They can’t keep kicking under the carpet as they have done for the last 25 years.”

Minister Eric Abetz in parliament on Tuesday 19th November 2024. Picture: Linda Higginson

Transport Minister Eric Abetz said he sympathised with King Islanders.

“The Tasmanian Government recognises the critical importance of a regular and efficient shipping service for the King Island community and businesses,” Mr Abetz said.

“We acknowledge the difficulty farmers have had in accessing shipping and livestock, particularly through recent drought conditions.

“We have been working closely with TasFarmers and TasPorts to identify the best way we can support farmers through this challenging period and recently took action to double shipping services by the Bass Island Line.

“The Tasmanian government has long supported changes to the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme to more appropriately reflect shipping costs, improve efficiency and simplicity, reduce administration costs – supporting our farmers and agribusinesses.

“The Tasmanian Liberal government will continue to stand by our farmers.”