Major works start on Spirit of Tasmania terminal

MAJOR works have begun on Spirit of Tasmania’s passenger and freight terminal precinct at GeelongPort ahead of the ferry service’s move from Melbourne to the terminal in spring 2022.

Over the next 12 months, the precinct will see the construction of berth infrastructure, including a world-first three-level boarding ramp for cars, caravans and trucks to board simultaneously; a terminal building providing improved amenity for passengers and staff; and the establishment of a boarding area that includes marshalling for 600 cars and separate parking area for 150 trucks.

Landside works on the $135 million project began last week.

Appointed contractors include Fitzgerald Constructions Australia, who have been undertaking demolition of the existing berth structure, and will continue with the significant marine works necessary to expand the wharf, berthing and loading facilities for the terminal; BMD Constructions who will deliver the landside civil construction within the 12-hectare site; and Kane Constructions. who will construct the passenger terminal building.

“We are very excited to be reaching this major milestone with the appointment of these experienced contractors who have also delivered some iconic projects across the region over the years,” GeelongPort chief executive officer Brett Winter said.

“I am also proud to say that we have been working with them to ensure the project provides value to our region throughout construction with a large portion of goods and services being sourced through local businesses.

“For example, the majority of the piles and all of the complex steel structures for the three-level access ramp are being sourced through Thornton Engineering Australia who are located in Corio.”

Spirit of Tasmania chief executive officer Bernard Dwyer said it was fantastic to see major works beginning on the precinct development.

“There has been a considerable amount of planning and design work leading up to today

“I am looking forward to seeing the development evolve over the next 12 months, so we begin welcoming passengers to Geelong in Spring 2022.”

The contractors will be working in parallel to deliver their individual packages of work, with works all contained within the port precinct.

GeelongPort is continuing to lobby the state and federal government to fund essential road upgrades to be built before the facility opens.

Victoria’s second largest port, GeelongPort manages more than 11 million tonnes of cargo and 600 vessel visits per year.

For more information on the passenger and freight terminal precinct, head to the Spirit of Tasmania website.