University lecturer Christian Narkowicz enjoys the stress-free tranquillity of the River Derwent ferry and is fully on board extending the run to Sandy Bay.
He currently takes the ferry from Bellerive to the Hobart waterfront before jumping on his bike and heading to the University of Tasmania’s Sandy Bay campus in his job as a pharmacology senior lecturer.
But that might be about to change, with the City of Hobart opening community engagement on the proposed passenger ferry terminal at Lords Beach, Sandy Bay.
Have your say on Sandy Bay ferry terminal
A new ferry service to Sandy Bay would help ease congestion on the Tasman Bridge, the city and Sandy Bay Road for the many who live on the Eastern Shore and attend the university, Hutchins, Fahan or Mount Carmel College, as well as being a viable option for Sandy Bay residents.
“It is always a pleasure to commute on the ferry,” says Dr Narkowicz.
“I often meet people I know for a chat or have a conversation with other regulars and the ferries are spacious and comfortable. There has never been a delay.
“A service to Sandy Bay would make it viable for more staff and students to commute by bicycle, scooter or ferry to the university.
“Residents of suburbs a bit more distant from Bellerive, such as Howrah and Tranmere may engage more with the service if the cycle leg on the western shore is shorter.
“Sandy Bay Road can get very busy and slow for commuters.
“A ferry service could be the answer for some residents of Sandy Bay. There is also the potential for using the service for social activities, particularly if the hours extend into the evening.”
Christian Narkowicz is a senior lecturer at the University of Tasmania and catches the ferry from Bellerive to Hobart every day.
Eastern shore to Sandy Bay
It isn’t only individuals who would benefit from a new terminal.
Mount Carmel College directory of primary school’s Melanie Sluyters said about 25 per cent of their students and more than 30 per cent of their staff live on Hobart's eastern shore and commute to Sandy Bay daily via the Tasman Bridge and the city centre.
She believes a dedicated ferry service to Sandy Bay could also make a positive impact on student learning.
“At the moment, we have a dedicated bus service that we offer at Mount Carmel, which is fantastic, but we do have our problems with Sandy Bay Rd, and we also have our problems … with the (Tasman) Bridge, as well,” she said.
“So, we do have students that will arrive late, and it only takes a very minor problem on that bridge and you can have our students walking in 10-15 minutes late, which actually interrupts our prime learning time within the whole school.
“So the ferry coming across to Sandy Bay at Lords Beach would be absolutely fantastic for us as a college.
“It's also got a romance to it as well of being on the water and heading off to school which I think is fantastic for our students right through from our youngest to our year tens.”
Mount Carmel College deputy principals Melanie Sluyters and Lyndal Tewes.
Hobart Children’s Mayor Lola Mennitz (below) is another ferry fan, and her submission to be Children’s Mayor focused on expanding River Derwent ferries.
“With a better transport system more people will be able to catch the ferry reducing the number of cars on the road creating less emissions,” Lola said.
To have your voice heard in this proposal, please visit here.
Hobart Children’s Mayor Lola Mennitz.