 Smaller vessel unable to cope with freight volumes needed on island
 Residents and business face major shipping cost increases
 Decreased fertiliser freight deliveries has potential impact on beef and dairy
King Island businesses and residents have been hit with excessive increases in freight charges at the same time freight volumes decrease under the Infrastructure Minister’s abysmal failure on shipping services.
Shadow Primary Industries and Water Minister Shane Broad said Minister Rene Hidding had delivered a vastly inferior service for the island community despite having three years to get it right.
“Minister Hidding should have been more than prepared for the replacement of the Searoad Mersey but he has badly let King Island down by so badly bungling it,” Mr Broad said.
“Now that the smaller Investigator II is servicing the island, not only are costs going through the roof but far less freight can be transported.
“He has inflicted excessive cost increases and freight shortages on King Island because he has put into service a barge only one metre longer than the Bruny Island ferry.
“The Federal Member for Braddon Justine Keay attended a forum on the island yesterday where it was revealed the cost of transporting a four-wheel drive has risen from less than $300 last year to more than $1,400 this year – an increase of 500 per cent.
“Minister Hidding is also unable to provide answers to questions about important fertiliser shipments or claims that up to 30 fertiliser containers are currently waiting on the wharf at Devonport.
“These shipments have to reach King Island as soon as possible to get grass growing before it gets too wet and that has a potentially serious impact on pasture growth and beef and dairy production.
“King Island residents want certainty. We don’t know how long this will go on for because the Minister will not give any timeframes for fixing this debacle.
“Minister Hidding had three year’s notice that this ship replacement was coming but he botched it and now King Island businesses and residents are paying for it.”
Shane Broad MP Shadow Primary Industries and Water Minister