Mona ferry proposal for Derwent service
A ferry service from the Eastern Shore to Sullivans Cove could be be operating almost immediately, with a Clarence alderman saying ‘it’s a no brainer’.
Tasmania
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A DERWENT River ferry service could be operating almost immediately, a Clarence City Council alderman believes, with calls for the State Government to show urgency to make the service a reality.
Alderman Brendan Blomeley said the infrastructure was in place and the operators of the Mona ferry service were receptive to running morning and afternoon peak hour services.
Ald Blomeley said a service between Bellerive and Sullivans Cove could start “as soon as tomorrow” with potential expansion to other points to the north and south of the Derwent.
“It’s a no-brainer,’’ he said.
“I am staggered it has taken this long. It is not rocket science. The answer is obvious.
“We have the infrastructure already in place for a ferry service so why isn’t it being used?”
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The potential establishment of the service is part of the $1.6 billion Hobart City Deal, with $2 million of State Government funding currently assigned to the project.
In an implementation plan for the deal, released in October last year, a business case for the service was listed as being due to be completed by 2020-2021.
But Ald Blomeley said there was a strong case for the process to be expedited, believing it would help to ease worsening traffic congestion.
“The biggest challenge here is the Hobart psyche where we’re used to jumping in a car from home, driving to the front door of a shop or our office and there being a park available,’’ he said.
“Those days are long gone, congestion is a real issue as we’re all aware in Hobart now and we’ve got to be smarter about the way we address the transportation requirements.”
Ald Blomeley said the existing Mona service operates outside of peak hours, meaning the vessels could service early morning and late afternoon services.
A spokesman for Navigators Group, which operates the Mona ferry service, said it was open to talks on the project.
“Our door is always open to discuss the potential operations of ferry services on the River Derwent,’’ he said.
“We have long advocated for ferries to be considered as part of an integrated transport strategy that provides a cost effective, efficient and equitable public transport options for the community of greater Hobart.”
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The spokesman said there was much to consider in infrastructure and planning from all levels of government, the private sector and the community to ensure a service would be sustainable in the long-term.
“However, when the Remembrance Bridge was being constructed we were able to quickly deliver a successful and popular service that linked Bellerive and Hobart with existing ferries and infrastructure during the highway closure,’’ he said.
“We are a second-generation family owned business, with more than 75 years’ experience of providing ferry services on the River Derwent, and we are very excited to be part of discussions that may see the further utilisation and revitalisation of our River and Harbour for the future.”
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A State Government spokeswoman said planning has started for landside infrastructure at Bellerive and Sullivans Cove required to realise the commencement of a passenger ferry service.
“This includes the investigation of opportunities to provide improved public transport, pedestrian and cycle linkages to the terminals and assessment of potential sites for park and ride,’’ she said.
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Questions to the Government about how soon the service could be up and running and the expected timelines for the project went unanswered.
cameron.whiteley@news.com.au
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