The TT-Line will have a renewed focus on passengers and tourists under decisions taken by the Liberal Government.
Following careful deliberation, the Government will request the TT-Line Board to discontinue the proposal that was being considered by the former Government to acquire two new freight only ships, and instead will request them to prepare a business case that will see the passenger facilities on both Spirit of Tasmania vessels upgraded consecutively from 2015.
This initiative will see the Government achieve its election commitment to increase the number of visitors to Tasmania on the TT-Line ferries through better prices and more availability, and deliver on our pledge to reduce the average fare by up to 20 per cent.
The upgrades to the Spirits’ accommodation and catering facilities will enhance the passenger experience to service higher passenger numbers on extra day sailings between Devonport and Melbourne, while demonstrating no loss of service for freight customers.
The refurbishment work, expected to cost more than $10m, will be carried out in Tasmania, given the ship-building and fit-out expertise available in the State.
Consistent with our election commitment, the Members’ Statement of Expectation will also be modified to require TT-Line to take into account the need to increase the number of visitors to Tasmania in their pricing structures.
As part of the new business case, we will request to have measures developed to ensure that Tasmania’s fresh food and seafood industries can look forward to a seamless provision of freight services to cover the period that Spirit One and Two come offline.
Further details will be released once the new business case has been presented to Government.
Will Hodgman, Premier. Rene Hidding, Minister for Infrastructure
