A new port for the Spirit of Tasmania vessels in Victoria will future-proof the service, increase freight capacity and provide access to secondary tourism markets from New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia.
TT-Line’s announcement today that it will move its Victorian port to Corio Quay, north of Geelong, will ensure the service has a bright future and can continue to grow.
Our tourism industry is hurting right now but it is important we are ready to welcome visitors back to Tasmania in the future, post COVID-19.
Importantly, the massive new 12-hectare site will increase freight capacity to get more Tasmanian goods to interstate markets. The current freight holding yard at Station Pier is small and well below standard. This is causing major traffic and logistics problems and is putting pressure on our primary producers’ ability to meet projected market growth demand, and we want to be able to meet that increased demand.
The new site will also allow for more efficient passenger vehicle check in, a passenger vehicle marshalling area for 600 cars, passenger amenities, security facilities, food and beverage outlets, children’s play area and a pet exercise area.
The new port also provides an excellent financial outcome for TT-Line and its customers, where TT-Line would otherwise have seen significant cost increases at Station Pier, which would have been passed onto freight customers and passengers, without the fit-for-purpose and future proof facility that new port offers.
Supporting comments from the Chairman of the Tasmanian Logistics Committee, Brett Charlton: “The fact that the port of Geelong has a larger footprint for operations than Station Pier with less urban encroachment means that efficiencies in loading and unloading as well as staging should see any concerns negated.”
Supporting comments from the CEO of the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania, Luke Martin: “This is an historic, long-term decision for our tourism industry and the Tasmanian economy… Having personally toured the Geelong site, it became quickly obvious to me why TT Line would make this move, and the opportunities it presents for both their freight and passenger services. This site is on the doorstep of Melbourne’s western growth corridor, with enormous population growth projected over coming decades, and it is going to be much more accessible to visitors from Regional Victoria, NSW and South Australia.”
