Fresh delay for state government’s long-awaited River Derwent ferry service

The long-awaited ferry service on the River Derwent was initially promised to start early this year, but now the state government has admitted it may still be months away from starting.

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THE start of a long-awaited ferry service on the River Derwent could still be months away.

The state government has agreed to fund a trial of a Hobart to Bellerive peak hour service as part of congestion-busting measures.

Last August, the ferry service was promised to start by “early next year”. In March, it was promised by mid-year. Contractual arrangements, it was said, were set to be “finalised within coming weeks”.

But Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson now says the service could be “months” from starting.

“State Growth has been working through contractual and logistical matters and now the government has been returned we are being updated on latest progress to ensure this project is delivered as a priority,” he said.

“As we said, we’d hope to see this service start to be commissioned and operating in coming months.”

Hobart’s Roche Brothers were announced as the preferred operators in a government photo-opportunity the day before the state election was called.

“The Tasmanian Liberal Government is pleased to deliver this election commitment and I encourage people to support the service,” Mr Ferguson said at the time.

Minister Michael Ferguson, with fellow Liberal MP Jacquie Petrusma and Clarence Mayor Doug Chipman, at the photo op announcing the ferry service. Picture: Richard Jupe

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said the only problem with Mr Ferguson’s claim was that the commitment hadn’t been delivered.

“For seven years, commuters into and out of Hobart have put up with worsening congestion and promise after promise from the Liberals,” she said.

“They repeatedly failed to deliver measures to ease congestion and liveability.

“It appears they’ve been too busy pork barrelling roads funding in northern electorates to do the basics in Hobart.

“Enough talk. We need to see ferries on the river as part of a suite of modern transport solutions.”

An artist’s impression of a Metro ferry for the River Derwent, released by the Liberal government in October 2017.

RACT chief advocacy officer Garry Bailey said it was important to get the trial right.

“We have previously welcomed the government’s support for a trial of ferries on the Derwent to help reduce congestion and increase mobility,” he said.

“While we would like to see the trial start as soon as possible, we believe it’s very important to take the time to get this trial right so that any future decisions about using the Derwent River for increasing transport options is based on sound evidence.”

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