The future re-berth of the Spirit of Tasmania in Geelong has prompted calls to fix “long-standing road deficiencies” near Corio Quay.
Chief executive officer of local municipal alliance G21, Elaine Carbines, called for a $15 million public road infrastructure investment to support the move.
“For some years G21 has actively lobbied governments for upgrades to four intersections along Shell Parade, which would improve road access for heavy traffic to the precinct,” she said.
“Now is the time for the state government to step up and support the Spirit of Tasmania project and fix the long-standing road deficiencies in the wider port precinct.”
In April GeelongPort announced the vessel would move from its current home in Melbourne to Corio Quay in 2022.
The construction of a new terminal for the vessel will create 75 jobs during construction over two years and more than 100 ongoing jobs after completion, according to GeelongPort.
The duplication of Bacchus Marsh Road between Geelong Ring Road and Princes Highway to connect with local employment precincts was also vital, Ms Carbines said.
“Each year over 450,000 passengers and 105,000 twenty–foot equivalent freight units sail with the Spirit of Tasmania,” Ms Carbines said.
A government spokesperson said the Department of Transport was working with GeelongPort and Geelong council “to understand the future impact” the move would have “on the transport network to maximise regional benefit.”
