Just months out from the first sailing, the $135 million GeelongPort Spirit of Tasmania terminal is on track, and on budget.
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That's the message from TT-Line chairman Mike Grainger, who on Friday conducted a tour of the passenger and freight terminal project.
Construction on the port began last year, and is expected to be complete by this coming Spring, with GeelongPort confirming recently revealed delays on the construction of the new Spirit of Tasmania ferries were not going to have an impact on operations.
A trial run will be carried out in August to test operations, before the official first sail for the new route leaves from Devonport on October 22.
"It's on budget, it's on time," Mr Grainger said. "This is a game-changer in terms of efficiencies for the Spirit of Tasmania, with this wonderful facility not too far from being put in service."
A FOCUS ON EFFICIENCY
The project boasts a range of features across its 12 hectare site, including a passenger terminal equipped with food and beverage outlets, a passenger vehicle marshalling area capable of facilitating 600 cars and caravans, and a children's play area - with a focus on preventing passengers from having to wait in their car for the entire boarding process.
A triple-level loading ramp has also been designed to increase the pace of boarding, with TT-Line confident of achieving a 90-minute turnaround time from docking to departure when the new vessels are in operation - slashing the current time in half.
Separated freight and passenger entry is also designed to assist this.
This is a game-changer in terms of efficiencies for the Spirit of Tasmania.
- Mike Grainger
"In addition to that we're installing, which is a port first, an automated mooring system," GeelongPort CEO Brett Winter said.
"That allows the ship to actually berth much more efficiently and support that overall turnaround time.
"So a significant amount of technology and infrastructure is being built that is bespoke for these vessels."
Asked about the delay in the delivery of the new Spirit of Tasmania ferries, Mr Winter said it would have "no impact" on the port's operations.
"We have built the facility to cater to both the current and the new ships. So we're well and truly ready, on both cases."
He said the project had also been fortunate to be largely sheltered from construction and material delays, through a focus on local procurement.
FREIGHT CAPABILITIES BOLSTERED
Construction of a 24/7 hour freight terminal is also focused on improving efficiency, with the yard set to enable "cargo pick up and drop-off at ay time, day or night, according to Mr Grainger.
He said this would "assist to alleviate the current freight constraints of Station Pier which required freight to be collected immediately on discharge".
"In addition, the new facility will be located within 40 minutes from 80 per cent of our Victorian-based freight customers, and 55 minutes from Melbourne's CBD."
PORT FEE SAVINGS 'SIGNIFICANT' BUT FARE CHANGES UNCLEAR
Growing port fees were a key factor in TT-Lines decision to move from Port Melbourne's Station Pier, with infrastructure minister Michael Ferguson labelling the fees proposed as "enormous".
TT-Line Chairman Mike Grainger said the savings from moving to GeelongPort would be "significant" but wouldn't be drawn on specifics.
Mr Grainger also refrained from confirming if these savings would translate to reduced passenger fares.
"The vessels that are under construction are not cheap," he said.
"It's an expensive product, it's a complex product, so we'll have to wait and see.
"I think we need to look at the efficiencies that we have. But we're giving the customers, both freight and tourists, foot passengers, motor vehicles, we're giving a much better service... that everyone's going to be very happy with it."
Asked about whether the changed location had been embraced despite adding travel time for passengers using the ferries to get directly to Melbourne, Mr Grainger said they'd received only positive feedback.
"People don't necessarily like driving through the CBD," he said. "They can drive off here and have a very pleasant drive, by-pass Melbourne if they need to, or drive into Melbourne.
"Being here is going to provide a lot more opportunities for our tourists."
It is anticipated the new site will draw in about 450,000 visitors to Geelong annually.
Transport to and from the GeelongPort site was paid for by TT-Line.