Tasmania’s economy is booming, and with a growing economy comes a need to manage road and infrastructure challenges, such as the increased traffic flows along our main arterials.
That is why the Hodgman Liberal Government is getting on with the job of delivering on our plan to invest in infrastructure and our transport network to better connect us to work, school, and our community.
Today in Parliament we are tabling legislation that will, as promised during the Election, allow for a new Derwent River ferry service between Bellerive and Sullivans Cove.
Our Bill will amend the Metro Tasmania Act 1997 to enable the state-owned company to operate river ferries and allow the service to become part of the public transport network.
The Tasmanian Government is committed to helping ease Hobart’s current congestion problems, which is why we are providing $2 million towards this new initiative which could potentially see thousands of vehicles off roads in and around the city.
Port-side infrastructure for the service will be provided by TasPorts, with two new ferry terminals to be established on both the Western and Eastern Shores. Further public ferry infrastructure will be considered at other locations to be determined by passenger demand following the demonstrated success of the Hobart to Bellerive services.
The new service will complement our raft of other Greater Hobart traffic measures, including the take-over of Davey and Macquarie Streets from the Hobart City Council to enable better traffic flow, and investing $35 million to construct a fifth lane on the Southern Outlet.