Post by ferryfast admin on Feb 21, 2012 12:15:45 GMT -5
Backing for fast ferries
MICHELLE PAINE | February 21, 2012 12.01am
www.themercury.com.au/article/2012/02/21/302881_tasmania-news.html
HOBART needs to capitalise more on the River Derwent, tourism leaders say.
A proposal by former Brisbane Ferries manager Rick Metcalfe to embrace fast commuter ferries that were also used by visitors has been welcomed by several groups.
Tourism veteran John Harrison, who runs accommodation at Austins Ferry and who introduced a city ferry to Melbourne's Yarra River, said the river was a hugely under-utilised asset.
But he said the State Government needed to be the catalyst, in part because much of the jetty infrastructure was owned by the Crown or privately.
"Compare our river to the Swan or Hawkesbury -- the Derwent is virtually dead," Mr Harrison said.
He said tourism was down dramatically and the service would be a huge boost.
Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said the ferry plan should be seriously considered but the big issue was having enough attractions on the ferry route.
"The ferry trips that work, MONA, Peppermint Bay, show our river has enormous visitor appeal and we need to capitalise on it," Mr Martin said.
"The challenges is that people want an attraction or an experience on the doorstep, for example Cadbury, and now with MONA, Peppermint Bay and Bruny Island."
"We've got to get it back on the agenda, we need a decent ferry terminal on the waterfront for a start." Metro chief executive Heather Haselgrove said it was not the Metro's place to support or otherwise such proposals, and that Metro legislation referred only to land-based services.
But she said Metro would work with any operator.
Tomorrow, Elwick MLC Adriana Taylor, Derwent MLC Craig Farrell and Mr Metcalfe will meet Infrastructure Minister David O'Byrne.
Mr Farrell has proposed a ferry route along the Derwent's eastern and western shores including tourist attraction MONA and New Norfolk, as well as a faster trip that could go from Kettering to Hobart via Bruny.
Lord Mayor Damon Thomas, excited about the prospect of a regular ferry services, will also meet Mr Metcalfe this week.
______________________
Tourism Industry
Council Tasmania
www.tict.com.au/
MICHELLE PAINE | February 21, 2012 12.01am
www.themercury.com.au/article/2012/02/21/302881_tasmania-news.html
HOBART needs to capitalise more on the River Derwent, tourism leaders say.
A proposal by former Brisbane Ferries manager Rick Metcalfe to embrace fast commuter ferries that were also used by visitors has been welcomed by several groups.
Tourism veteran John Harrison, who runs accommodation at Austins Ferry and who introduced a city ferry to Melbourne's Yarra River, said the river was a hugely under-utilised asset.
But he said the State Government needed to be the catalyst, in part because much of the jetty infrastructure was owned by the Crown or privately.
"Compare our river to the Swan or Hawkesbury -- the Derwent is virtually dead," Mr Harrison said.
He said tourism was down dramatically and the service would be a huge boost.
Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said the ferry plan should be seriously considered but the big issue was having enough attractions on the ferry route.
"The ferry trips that work, MONA, Peppermint Bay, show our river has enormous visitor appeal and we need to capitalise on it," Mr Martin said.
"The challenges is that people want an attraction or an experience on the doorstep, for example Cadbury, and now with MONA, Peppermint Bay and Bruny Island."
"We've got to get it back on the agenda, we need a decent ferry terminal on the waterfront for a start." Metro chief executive Heather Haselgrove said it was not the Metro's place to support or otherwise such proposals, and that Metro legislation referred only to land-based services.
But she said Metro would work with any operator.
Tomorrow, Elwick MLC Adriana Taylor, Derwent MLC Craig Farrell and Mr Metcalfe will meet Infrastructure Minister David O'Byrne.
Mr Farrell has proposed a ferry route along the Derwent's eastern and western shores including tourist attraction MONA and New Norfolk, as well as a faster trip that could go from Kettering to Hobart via Bruny.
Lord Mayor Damon Thomas, excited about the prospect of a regular ferry services, will also meet Mr Metcalfe this week.
______________________
Tourism Industry
Council Tasmania
www.tict.com.au/