TASPORTS has warned that urgent work to temporarily equip TT Line’s East Devonport No.1 berth to accommodate the new Spirit of Tasmania ropaxes will delay later stages of the QuayLink project.
In a detailed profile of QuayLink, which the GBE describes as the largest port upgrade project under the Port Master Plan and TasPorts’ largest infrastructure project in a generation, the company cautions that the requirement to focus on contingency berthing infrastructure at Berth 1, is expected to impact Terminal 2 Landside Works (civil and service connection and also marine works) and the eventual Terminal 1 (marine and landside remediation).
“TasPorts understands the critical importance of the Spirit of Tasmania vessels to Tasmanians and the Tasmanian economy and remains focused on working collaboratively with all port partners and the Government while targeting the earliest possible date for the completion of this work,” the company says.
In a comprehensive timeline posted on its website TasPorts details the chronology of the “game-changing infrastructure project” from its 2016 origins to the present day.
“As a project, QuayLink consists of a number of works packages, some of which are being delivered by TasPorts while others are being delivered by our exclusive port tenants, TT-Line and SeaRoad. Our $240 million investment covers only TasPorts works, with our port tenants responsible for the cost of their own works. This approach to port development is consistent nationally and internationally, where base infrastructure is delivered by the port, with bespoke terminal infrastructure designed and delivered by the dedicated tenant and operator,” TasPorts says.
It goes on to outline the works required and delivered so far, including noting that those aspects of the new TT Line berth (No. 3) and terminal for which it was responsible were finished “just two days after its scheduled completion date, and 7% under budget”.
“In early 2024 the Tasmanian Government was advised that TT-line had retendered for works at Terminal 3, resulting in projected delays to the completion of the Terminal 3 tenant works. Soon after that, the Government intervened to action the delivery of a temporary berth facility ahead of the arrival of the new Spirits of Tasmania.
“On 17 June 2024 it issued a Ministerial Direction to the TasPorts Board to undertake an upgrade of Berths 1 and 2 to ensure contingency infrastructure was in place to enable earlier commissioning into service of the new vessels at an albeit temporary facility and with some restrictions on loading (noting the completion of Terminal 3 works will redress the loading restrictions).
“While responsibility for the delivery of Terminal 3 works remains with TT-Line, the Government also instructed TasPorts to take all necessary action to support TT-Line in its undertaking of Terminal 3 infrastructure works and refuelling infrastructure as far as it was reasonably possible to do so.
“The TasPorts Board’s sub-committee immediately responded establishing a dedicated project team, to ensure the appropriate support and expertise to deliver on the necessary infrastructure for our customer and the new Spirit of Tasmania vessels,” the company said.
“TasPorts also implemented strong governance and extended the Gateway Review independent process already in place for TasPorts’ QuayLink project, as a critical assurance mechanism to effectively and transparently support the project delivery, and routine reporting to keep shareholders and stakeholders updated.”
In other updates TasPorts notes that Devonport’s new Tug Berth Facility is now fully operational, and that 11 new 80-tonne capacity bollards to improve mooring safety at Grassy, King Island, have now been delivered and are being installed. Completion is expected next month.
