An artist's impression of the planned terminal at Geelong.
The ambitious plan to make Geelong the new Victorian home of the Spirit of Tasmania is moving ahead apace.
A key planning application that includes the creation of the new entrances off Corio Quay Road at GeelongPort has just been approved by the City of Greater Geelong.
The new terminal should be operational in 2022, when the vessels relocate from Station Pier in Port Melbourne. Work will continue over the next six months on the detailed design, and site preparation works will soon begin and will include the demolition of some sheds and establishment of a project site office.
GeelongPort chief executive Brett Winter has previously said the deal with TT-Line will create major economic, employment and tourism opportunities for Geelong. Each year over 450,000 passengers sail with Spirit of Tasmania.
Giving an update on the project at a community information session, Mr Winter said the site will have separate freight and car passenger entrances under plans. The Geelong Advertiser reports that other features of the precinct include:
– A terminal building that includes passenger lounge areas, boarding and security areas, children’s play area, cafe and office facilities.
– A passenger vehicle marshalling area to accommodate up to 600 passenger vehicles.
– An upgraded berth at Corio Quay South that will include dedicated berthing and mooring infrastructure to service Spirit of Tasmania vessels.
– Separate access points to be constructed off Corio Quay Road for cars and freight, to provide safe access to and from Spirit of Tasmania Quay.
– A dedicated parking area for up to 150 semi-trailers and a 24/7 secure freight yard.
Maybe they should think of a 24 hour limited parking for caravans
Should have been done years ago, Port Melbourne has always been a pain in the you know what, Pick the wrong travel time to go on the boat and you can get in all sorts of problems.
good idea, although didn’t some idiot say caravanners were freeloaders and were not wanted in Geelong?
Think people think please…. getting down Geelong Road for evening sailing you’ll join the gridlock that is the peak hour traffic, then getting back in the morning you’ll join the carpark from Geelong to Melbourne in the morning. And for those coming from where Melbourne’s population centre is east of Dandenong, they’ve not only got to get to Melbourne first but then also join the line of traffic to Geelong. This could all have been avoided if the Spirit had been part of the Port of Melbourne redevelopment several years ago, they would have similar facilities but with the bonus of easy access and at times when peak hour traffic is heading in the opposite direction.
But they didn’t, in the redevelopment did they? So Geelong it is, and as for the traffic, don’t drive during those peak times. Plan your trip. Simples.
Car and van parking overnight for interstate travellers would be a wise move
Sounds great. It’ll provide better access via the Princes Hwy than having to negotiate the back roads to Port Melbourne. Parking facilities should also be provided whilst waiting to embark.
Lacking is somewhere for motorhomes and caravans to park overnight before day sailings.
Moving the ferry docking to Geelong will be a benefit to anyone coming from regional Victoria but there will alway be some that will be disadvantaged no matter where it is. The up side is the many options for overnight parks than are currently available. Those traveling from the south east could utilise the Queenscliff ferry to avoid the city traffic.