KIM WATERS
A regionaL rail project cost blow-out could sink plans for a ferry service and a harbour upgrade at Portarlington, according to a community group.
Portarlington Ferry Group secretary John Rae said representatives would meet State Government staff next month to determine the fate of the $56 million upgrade, which would have included berthing space for ferries.
He feared for the proposals’ future after state Transport Minister Terry Mulder announced the cost of the regional rail network, proposed under the Brumby Government, had blown out to $4.3 billion.
Mr Rae said the “blow-out” in costs could leave little left over for the safe harbour construction.
“The blow-out in costs could ultimately lead to the abandonment of the plan,” Mr Rae said.
“However, the rail link situation re-emphasises the importance of the Bellarine ferry service because a large part of the Melbourne transport needs of 50,000-plus people on the peninsula could be met by the ferry, which in turn would reduce traffic out of Geelong.”
Mr Rae said “a number” of domestic and overseas companies were interested in the proposal to run commuter ferries from Portarlington to Melbourne.
“But we need stage one of the harbour project complete before we can run the commuter ferry,” he said.
The former State Government included a ferry berth in its plans to redevelop Portarlington Pier for the “safe harbour” project. The project appeared to stall in 2010 after the Government told the Independent it was weighing up funding options, which could include a public-private arrangement.
A 2009 Government report said the ferry service would be “potentially viable from a travel time perspective” but would require about $7000 in taxpayer subsidies for each day of operation. A Government ferry survey released in July revealed Bellarine Peninsula residents made about 28,200 trips to Melbourne each week.
Mr Rae said the results indicated a ferry service across Port Phillip Bay was “potentially viable”.
Marine Farmers Group chairman Lance Wiffen said the harbour upgrade was “crucial” for Portarlington’s mussel fishermen.
“There’s a limited lifespan on the existing facilities and it won’t take long before it has to be shut.”
