Pier group pressure to shift Spirit fails

[proud_ionian]

Source: The Age

A PLAN by Melbourne City Council to bring Tasmanian passenger ships up the mouth of the Yarra into the Docklands has been scuppered by the State Government and Port of Melbourne Corporation.

A contingency study by the council found that shifting the Spirit of Tasmania from Port Melbourne's Station Pier to Victoria Dock would bring more than 1 million visitors to Docklands each year.

Council planning committee chairman Peter Clarke said the proposal would stimulate tourism and retail activity in the precinct, which has been hit hard by the closure of the $120 million Southern Star observation wheel.

"It's a great idea and would provide a magnificent vista for visitors entering Melbourne," Cr Clarke said.

"There was potential for a significant project which would have activated jobs, construction and tourism and you would have thought the Government would have grabbed it with both hands."

Cr Clarke said a wholesale fish market had also been considered for Victoria Dock, which would receive a major revamp under the plan. The bid would require approval from both Tasmanian and Victorian governments, he said, but Minister for Major Projects Tim Pallas had dismissed the idea at a recent meeting with councillors.

The proposal is supported by Victoria Dock owners Salta Group, but Port of Melbourne Authority was scathing.

"This plan has more holes than a golf course," said Port of Melbourne spokesman Peter Harry.

He said moving the Spirit of Tasmania to Victoria Dock would add 90 minutes to journey times to Tasmania.

"It wouldn't even go into the Docklands, it would be west of the Bolte Bridge. We're talking about an area that has no public infrastructure and no tram lines. Victoria Docks is a designated bulk freight area," Mr Harry said.

He said Station Pier in Port Melbourne was an ideal passenger terminal.

"A $15 million investment in Station Pier has helped develop a heritage pier into the premier passenger terminal for Victoria. So why change that?"

A spokeswoman for TT Line, which owns the Spirit of Tasmania ferries, said it had no plans to move.