The Liberal Government has led successful negotiations to ensure the continuation of shipping services to the Flinders and Cape and Barren island communities.
This deal will bring relief for residents and farmers after Furneaux Freight announced at the start of this month that it would withdraw from stevedoring and shipping services from September 28.
Furneaux Freight has now committed to continue shipping to the islands from its Bridport base under a 60-day trial of a new deal.
Key to the deal was an agreement that secured a short-term, third party stevedoring service at Lady Barron Port. Australia's most prominent stevedoring companies QUBE Ports will provide this service.
The Tasmanian Government will release shipping contingency funds toward extra costs incurred during the trial period.
In the longer term, it is likely an independent entity will be established on Flinders Island to manage ongoing stevedoring services.
I am confident that the goodwill established through these negotiations will prevail as it is clearly in the best interests of island residents that we move on from this period of uncertainty
This will be a particular relief for the primary industry sector as we enter the most intensive season of livestock transport.
I commend the Mayor Carol Cox, the service's major customers, and Roberts Tasmanian General Manager Allan Barr for their hard work and determination to bring this deal about.