Hobart Councils welcome Derwent Ferry Expansion commitment by Labour

Published on 08 April 2022

The Mayors of the four Greater Hobart councils have welcomed today’s announcement that, if elected to government in the upcoming federal election, the Australian Labor Party would deliver $20 million of new and upgraded infrastructure to support the expansion of the Derwent River ferry service.

The funding commitment, which will deliver four all-weather floating ferry terminals at Bellerive, Lindisfarne, Sandy Bay, and Wilkinsons Point, is a key priority for the Greater Hobart Strategic Partnership in this year’s federal election.[1]

Mayors joined Shadow Minister for Cities and Urban Infrastructure, Andrew Giles MP; Senator for Tasmania, Carol Brown; and Member for Franklin, Julie Collins MP, at the Brooke St Pier to support the announcement.

Lord Mayor of Hobart, Anna Reynolds, said that the expansion of the ferry service was a critical part of helping to ease congestion in Greater Hobart.

“The initial trial of the ferry service between Bellerive and Hobart has been a great success, with an average of over 600 daily passenger journeys since the trial began.

“New and upgraded ferry infrastructure will ensure that this popular transport mode continues to help people move through our city, and we welcome the Labor Party’s commitment to this investment.”

The Mayor of Glenorchy, Bec Thomas, said that the expansion of the ferry service to three new locations was a great example of the city-shaping potential of public transport for Greater Hobart.

“It’s exciting to have new transport modes in Hobart that will not only take passengers in and out of the CBD, but also provide direct connections between our other major centres, on both sides of the river.

“A new ferry terminal at Wilkinsons Point in Glenorchy will build on the significant upgrades already planned for in this precinct, and deliver fans right to the doorstep of the recently upgraded Mystate Bank Arena.

“Along with the activation of the Northern Suburbs Transit Corridor, this new public transport option will support improved connections and urban renewal throughout Glenorchy.

“I’m sure that the new service will be embraced as enthusiastically by Glenorchy residents as the trial service has been between Clarence and Hobart.”

Kingborough Mayor Paula Wriedt welcomed the announcement and the opportunity to explore how ferry services may be delivered to locations in Kingborough in the future, as part of a potential staged expansion of a wider network in the longer term.

“A key next step will be to integrate these new terminals with buses and cycleways. We look forward to working in partnership with the State Government, and the next Commonwealth government, to make this happen” said Mayor Doug Chipman.

Doug Chipman is the Mayor of Clarence City Council, Bec Thomas is the Mayor of Glenorchy City Council, Anna Reynolds is the Lord Mayor of the City of Hobart, and Paula Wriedt is the Mayor of Kingborough Council.