Future Secured for Flinders Freight Service

The Liberal Government has a long-term plan to make Tasmania more attractive to investment and to create jobs.

That’s why I’m pleased to have helped facilitate an agreement to continue freight shipping services to Flinders Island.

Two months ago I said I would ensure that Flinders Island would continue to have a sustainable, safe and efficient freight service in the longer term. This has now been delivered.

Following a 60-day trial of third-party stevedoring arrangements, I was very pleased to be advised that a 12-month extension to the deal has been agreed between Furneaux Freight and Qube Ports for stevedoring the Matthew Flinders at the Lady Barron Port. A further 12-month extension option was also agreed.

I am pleased TasPorts has licenced Qube Ports to operate as the stevedore at Lady Barron under the same terms.

I recently visited Flinders Island where I met with members of the local council and the shipping group, livestock agents and farmers. I assured them that the Government would not leave the community stranded without a proper service.

Primary producers on the island told me they were very vulnerable to an interruption in shipping services, particularly in the middle of an extended dry period when livestock movements to mainland Tasmania are at their peak.

With the extensive negotiations complete, I expect that further drawdowns on the Government’s Shipping Contingency Fund will cease following a bedding-down period for stevedoring arrangements.

On behalf of the Tasmanian Government, I thank the Flinders Island Council, especially Mayor Carol Cox, the Flinders Island Freight Group, Qube Ports, Shannon Bayles of Furneaux Freight, TasPorts, livestock customer representatives led by Allan Barr of Roberts Ltd, and the island community for their willingness to participate in a resolution.
Rene Hidding, Minister for Infrastructure