Ferry bid looks to interstate examples

Jessica Benton
PORTARLINGTON’S proposed ferry could be modelled on similar services in Brisbane and Sydney.
Bellarine Ferry Group secretary John Rae said the organisation would investigate interstate services to determine the best option for the Bellarine Penin-sula.
Geelong’s council has given the group funding to help run the study.
“Part of the funding will be used to investigate other ferry operations running at the moment,” he said.
“It’s difficult to find a ferry that operates across a bay but Sydney could be good because its service also integrates with existing buses and train systems, which is what we’d like to see happen with Portarlington and Station Pier in Melbourne.
“Brisbane is another location we’ll look at.”
Mr Rae said the investigations would begin in the next few months.
The group would also study demand for a Portarlington ferry, he said.
“We’re organising a survey in the peninsula to establish who travels to Melbourne daily and how many people would use the ferry service daily,” he said.
“The money will also be spent on merchandising material.”
The Independent reported last month that Parks Victoria had allocated space for the ferry service in a draft plan to redevelop Portarlington’s harbour.
Parks Victoria strategic relations manager Elaine Carbines warned that the berth did not guarantee a ferry.
Ms Carbines expected Parks Victoria to release the draft plan in June.