LAST WEEK’S decision by the Tasmanian Government to accept expert advice and delay the introduction of TT Line’s new Spirit of Tasmania ro-paxes has, predictably, prompted a new round of teeth-gnashing and hand-wringing.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff announced the already-completed Spirit of Tasmania IV and early-2025-expected Spirit of Tasmania V will be ‘parked’ – reportedly at the Scottish port of Leith – or chartered out to other operators ahead of the completion of TT Line’s bespoke terminal at Berth 3, East Devonport on a revised timeline of February 2027.
The Premier says it is still intended that the outfitting of the two vessels will be completed in Tasmania, as per the government’s undertaking over local content for the $900 million vessels, which seems slightly incongruous if the vessels are to find interim operators most likely in Europe.
Interestingly, the expert report upon which the government made last week’s decision appears to have been initiated in late-May and prepared by Peter Gemell, one of two project managers appointed in mid-August to oversee TT Line and TasPorts’ involvement in the terminal project. The report is available here: https://www.infrastructure.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/547253/Project_Integrator_Report_-_Peter_Gemell_-_03_June_2024.PDF
Labor leader Dean Winter has characterised the fiasco as “the greatest infrastructure stuff-up in Tasmania’s history”, but attacks from business, agricultural, civic and tourism groups have been just as pointed.
Michael Bailey, chief executive of the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is leading calls for a Commission of Inquiry, saying the true cost of the ‘debacle’ of bungled port development for the new ships would be felt, but not fully known, for years to come.
He told local media although the Public Accounts Committee’s inquiry into the replacement program had held the government to account during its hearings, there was still much to be learned about what had occurred behind the scenes and within government departments.
“We’ve had government accepts responsibility, and then there have been ‘crickets’ behind government from there. The ongoing parliamentary inquiry has highlighted numerous issues within government and the government business enterprises, but was, by default, a political exercise.
TasFarmers president Ian Sauer said without the new, larger Spirit vessels in operation there will be significant issues for producers: “We’re forecasting a market failure in the state’s freight supply chain that will soon place enormous pressure on the agriculture sector and fresh produce exporters.”
West by North West CEO Gabriella Conti said wants focus on holding the government to account to meet the February 2027 deadline. “They’re going to be providing six monthly updates to the community and that’s something that we will be very interested in hearing and being a part of those conversations,” Mrs Conti told ACM.
Claire Connelly, president of the Devonport Chamber of Commerce and Industry, suggested the delays in the introduction of the new Spirits could cost coastal commerce: “People will be more cautious in investing in their businesses.”
“Obviously, further delays until 2027 isn’t ideal, but we need to just accept the situation, and have some confidence in it all being sorted out now. For so many months, we haven’t had any confidence in what they have been saying,” she said.
