VTIC calls on Labor to join ferry funding

THE Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) is calling on the state government to invest $5 million towards the redevelopment of two ferry terminals in Queenscliff and Sorrento.

While the VTIC welcomed the agreement between the local, state and federal governments towards a $355 million City Deal in Geelong, it says a vital transport link is missing from the equation.

“In order to truly capitalise on the value potential of the Geelong City Deal, it was vital that Victoria dedicated investment towards transport infrastructure to offer visitors world-class travel experiences and confidence in utilising alternative
means of transportation around our state,” VTIC chief executive Felicia Mariani said.

The Queenscliff to Sorrento ferry is Australia’s busiest passenger and car ferry service.

Over the next 13 years, there is projected to be an extra 3.7 million people visiting the Mornington Peninsula region every year, which will bring additional capacity constraints to the service.

The two terminals at Queenscliff and Sorrento presently suffer from inadequate facilities, aging shelter facilities and traffic congestion.

VTIC has urged the state government to invest a further $5 million towards the redevelopment of the two ferry terminals in Queenscliff and Sorrento to complement the $10 million investment already committed by the federal government as part of the Geelong City Deal, $20 million by Searoad Ferries and $1 million by the Mornington Peninsula Shire, making it a $36 million project.

“The completion of the Geelong City Deal is a landmark occasion for regional Victoria and an important example of Government collaboration,” Ms Mariani said.

“However, if we want to truly offer world-class infrastructure to our visitors, we must harness our competitive advantage in short-distance ferry transport and redevelop the Queenscliff to Sorrento Ferry Terminals.

“These terminals are an important part of the visitor arrival and departure experience, and this development transforms this product from a passenger ferry service to a high-quality tourism product across the iconic Port Phillip Bay.”