Ferry moves closer

Jessica Benton
PORTARLINGTON’S hopes of establishing a ferry to Melbourne have moved a step closer with Parks Victoria allocating space for the service at the town’s harbour.
Parks Victoria strategic relations manager Elaine Carbines said the ferry berth had been included in a draft master plan for a $30 million redevelopment of the harbour.
“During the community consultation it became very clear that many people would like to see provision for a ferry service incorporated in the safe harbour project,” she said.
“We informed Bellarine Ferry Group last week that the draft plan will show space for a future ferry service.”
However, Ms Carbine said the berth was no guarantee an operator would eventually run a ferry.
“This project is about redesigning the harbour. While it will provide space for a future ferry service, it will not deliver the service itself,” she said.
“There are lots of issues that need to be resolved in terms of providing a ferry service and that’s not a Parks Victoria responsibility. The main thing is to make sure there’ll be space in the harbour for any future ferry service.”
Ms Carbine said Parks Victoria was preparing the draft master plan for public comment.
Parks Victoria would take submissions then send them with the plan to Environment Minister Gavin Jennings for approval.
Bellarine Ferry Group secretary John Rae said the organisation was thrilled about inclusion of a ferry berth in the plan.
Mr Rae said potential ferry operators had shown interest in the harbour redevelopment.
“We’ve had six varying degrees of interest from both local and interstate ferry operators,” he said.
“They’ve all approached us but we don’t see it as our job to organise this, as the Government will call for tenders down the track.”
Mr Rae said the group had met Station Pier operators in Melbourne to discuss a commuter ferry from Portarlington.
“We’re proposing a commuter ferry, not a tourist ferry, which will cater for up to 1000 people,” he said.
“It’s expected the service will run three trips in the morning and three at night.
“The travel time will be about 42 minutes and will link up with the light-rail service in central Melbourne.”
Mr Rae said the redeveloped harbour would also have potential for a tourist ferry services if operators considered it viable.