The new concept designs for the Port of Devonport have been released, as part of the $240 million Devonport East Redevelopment which will support the arrival of a new fleet of Bass Strait ships.
The Port of Devonport is one of the fastest growing ports in Tasmania and is a major gateway for tourism and the Tasmanian Government is backing the redevelopment, now renamed QuayLink.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Michael Ferguson, was joined by TasPorts Chief Executive Officer, Anthony Donald, to announce the next stage of works proposed under TasPorts’ Port Master Plan.
The Plan is set to deliver two state-of-the-art roll-on-roll-off (RORO) berths and terminals to support the arrival of new and larger Bass Strait vessels for TT-Line and SeaRoad, as well as a multi-user berth to support future opportunities at the Port of Devonport.
The project will also see upgrades to improve navigation as well as facilitating electric vehicle charging stations, LNG ship refuelling and renewable energy shore power. Further improvements to the local amenity of the port precinct will be achieved through enhanced traffic management, landscaping and street scaping.
The new wharf and port facilities are expected to create 2,000 jobs between 2021 and 2027.
These port infrastructure upgrades will support the arrival of commissioned new vessels for Bass Strait operators, which will see an anticipated increase in freight capacity by 40 per cent.
The project will deliver a deepened berthing pocket for the new vessels, upgrades to navigation, electric vehicle charging stations and LNG ship refuelling as well as shore power.
The project will also deliver a three-dimensional vessel port monitoring system, providing an additional layer of safety for all vessels operating in the Mersey River.
To further support community connection with the new port precinct, TasPorts is investigating the development of a new commercial precinct as part of the project. This will offer unique business opportunities for East Devonport, providing further benefits to local communities.
Anthony Donald, TasPorts CEO said, “Aptly named Project QuayLink, the name recognises the important history of East Devonport, previously known as Torquay and the critical future that the port will provide as a key link between Tasmania and the mainland.
“As part of Project QuayLink, two state-of-the-art roll-on-roll-off berths and terminals will be developed, as well as a multi-user berth to support future growth opportunities at the Port of Devonport.
“QuayLink will also improve the local amenity of the area through improvements in traffic management, landscaping and streetscaping to create a unique place port visitors and users want to visit.
“To support community connection with the new port precinct, TasPorts is exploring opportunities to develop a commercial precinct as part of the proposed project works. This will offer unique business opportunities for East Devonport, providing further benefits to local communities.
“Project QuayLink will set the sustainability standard for TasPorts’ future infrastructure developments and through this project, we are seeking to gain certification from EcoPorts, the key environmental initiative of the European port sector.”
