FEDERAL Government should fund a feasibility study into running a fast-cat ferry between Geelong and Burnie, Tasmania’s Jacqui Lambie said today.
The independent senator vowed to begin lobbying in parliament next week for $200,000 from the Abbott Government.
“Yesterday I met with the Geelong Mayor Darryn Lyons and Tasmanian ship-building representative Richard Lowrie at the Geelong council chamber to discuss support for a shipping and tourism feasibility study,” she said.
“The people of Geelong and northwest Tassie have a lot in common. We face the same social and economic problems, so next week in parliament for both communities I’ll lobby the federal government to fund a feasibility study that examines the economic opportunities (that) will be created by a new fast-cat service between northwest Tasmania and Geelong.
“It is clear after a group discussion yesterday that a fast-cat ferry service between Geelong and Burnie, which also services King Island, is a strong possibility and would deliver robust economic growth and jobs.”
Senator Lambie wanted to know how many jobs the service could create in Geelong and Burnie.
“I also want to know if we can significantly reduce the Bass Strait travel costs for families, especially those with a car and a caravan. The new Devil Cat should be able to slash the current car and caravan charges of $1500 to $2000 and also cut out the 12-month wait that some grey nomads are forced to put up with when they try and visit or return to Tasmania.
“A feasibility study would also address the issue of seas sickness for future fast-cat passengers. Tank testing and vessel modelling at Tasmania’s Maritime College campus will help design and build a new … ferry (that) is less likely to cause sea sickness for passengers.”
Senator Lambie said the Devil Cat would cut Bass Strait crossing times by more than 50 per cent.
“A return journey could be 12 hours as opposed to the current 24. Richard Lowrie told the meeting that the new Devil Cat service could see an extra 3000 passengers a day travel between Geelong and Burnie.”
Senator Lambie praised Cr Lyons as a “positive person and a great mayor” who came up with the Devil Cat name for the ferry.
Cr Lyons backed her pledge to lobby for funding.
“The Devil Cat would be an incredible asset to Geelong and Burnie and a thorough examination into the project is certainly warranted,” he said.
“I’m very pleased that everyone present agreed that we take the first step and strongly supported the proposition that our federal government invest $200,000 into a feasibility study.
Senator Lambie wanted 500 Tasmanian workers to build the vessel.
“The Tasmanian State Government will have to spend in the next five years at least $150 million to $200 million to replace one of the existing Bass Strait ships. It’s time we got serious about supporting Tasmania’s own world-class ship building industry and workers.”
