Hi every one; It has just hit the news. The Spirit of Tasmania is to move from Melbourne to Corio Bay ( Geelong ) when there lease runs out in 2022. So instead of getting on the boat at Station Pier, you will have to travel down to Geelong. From what i have read there will be a lot more room for cars, caravan, and mobile homes. Great news and something to look forward too. At least we will not have the bottleneck that they call Station pier and the lack of parking.
woolman said
05:21 PM Apr 23, 2020
I vowed never to tackle Melbourne port again and not go to Tassie again. I canrethink that now.
Neil
oldbloke said
05:51 PM Apr 23, 2020
And for those interested there are 2 or 3 caravan parks within about 10k of the CBD.
Eaglemax said
07:30 PM Apr 23, 2020
Melbourne shouldnt be the hub if all business, in fact decentralisation is a concept largely ignored by the politicians favouring immigration.
In this case it makes sense, Avalon airport is nearby some possible advantages there, a promised very fast train (remember that one by Scomo?) and with the road networks now its easy travelling down there.
Caravanners approaching Victoria from the west can easily get to Geelong. From the north the ring road and from Gippsland via Monash. From the Mornington Peninsula you can be adventurist and take the ferry To Queenscliff the to the SOT
Tony
Whenarewethere said
07:47 PM Apr 23, 2020
In the 92 we sailed on the Catamaran from Port Welshpool, maybe another option to upgrade & decentralise.
Mike Harding said
07:13 AM Apr 24, 2020
A move long past time in coming.
Government should do its absolute best to encourage industry to move to regional centres... but, of course, most votes are in the major cities so they don't really care what happens to the regions.
SouthernComfort said
08:34 AM Apr 24, 2020
"....and with the road networks now its easy travelling down there. Caravanners approaching Victoria from the west can easily get to Geelong. From the north the ring road and from Gippsland via Monash. From the Mornington Peninsula you can be adventurist and take the ferry To Queenscliff the to the SOT Tony"
No, sorry Tony, definitely not so easy! The massive population from the EAST of Melbourne is stuffed with bottlenecks. Caravanners should NOT try getting to Geelong if approaching directly from the E or NE, and that (perhaps largely) includes local population.
Had it not been for the state government squandering billions to break a contract through their sheer bloody-mindedness, we might have had the critically needed 'missing link' (East-West link) built by now. It was the former (now opposition) government's commitment to build it, contracts were signed, shovels were at the ready. That would have enabled the huge population to the EAST of Melbourne to get to Geelong (and anywhere else West) in something less than a day.
Decentralization does work when it's facilitated by a decent infrastructure enabling the populous to get around the city from all directions without the ridiculous bottlenecks we still have. As for using the Monash from the South East, well good luck with that unless it's early on a Sunday morning. I commuted it for many years and during the week it's still a car park.
Mobi Condo said
08:34 AM Apr 24, 2020
We have used the ferry twice in our life - 1971 and 2006.
From our very minimal experience we say fantastic!
Why?
In 1971 there was very little angst from local yocals screaming at us to simply drive to the end of the line in the streets as we waited for the gate to open.
However in 2006 we experienced endless abuse from local yocals who wanted us out of their way as they drove their snazzy cars from their dock side apartments to their coffee shops just 1/2k down the road. What a shemozzle that day was. Plus the nearest van park was at Werribee (the more local one was chockers) and so being out of staters we had little knowledge of traffic and timing our run in, thus arrived way too early and as a result, maneuvered back out to a rugby field parkland to have coffee etc. as we parked along the curb and waited.
We had never before met with such parochial self centered "we have paid lots to live in this area, so you are not welcome" in all of our life time time of travels across Australia.
The Geelong option is so refreshing.
Cheers - Ian
bgt said
11:06 AM Apr 24, 2020
Let me be cynical. It's about votes.
I was born and bred in Portland Vic. For those who don't know Portland is the 'best' deep sea port on the south coast. For years business was diverted from Portland to Geelong because of votes. Geelong is and has always been a marginal seat.
Grain boats would dock in Geelong after coming through the rip miles off the shipping channels. 3/4 load up in Geelong and then sail back out through the rip and onto Portland to top up. The grain had to come past Portland to go to Geelong. Wool was once sold in Portland but then diverted to Geelong. Timber drives straight past Portland to go to Geelong. I could go on and on.
I think Geelong is way better than Port Melbourne. But let the cynic in me ponder the real reason for the move.
Inland_Sailor said
11:43 AM Apr 24, 2020
I think it's a winner of a concept.
Whilst the trip on the SOP out of the bay won't be much different, it will be easier to access, except for perhaps those coming from Eastern Vic. But there are ways around that as well, by using routes through the norther outskirts of Melbourne to get to the Ring Rd.
As it is now, those from NSW and Qld mostly take the Hume Fwy and Western Ring Rd to join the Princes Fwy to then go over the Westgate Bridge. They'll still join the Princes Freeway/Geelong Rd and head down to Corio Quay instead. Time wise, there shouldn't be much in it, but it will be so much easier, not having to battle the Port Melbourne traffic and as a bonus not having to consider the dreaded Montague St Bridge!
SouthernComfort said
12:59 PM Apr 24, 2020
Inland_Sailor wrote:
I think it's a winner of a concept. Whilst the trip on the SOP out of the bay won't be much different, it will be easier to access, except for perhaps those coming from Eastern Vic. But there are ways around that as well, by using routes through the norther outskirts of Melbourne to get to the Ring Rd. As it is now, those from NSW and Qld mostly take the Hume Fwy and Western Ring Rd to join the Princes Fwy to then go over the Westgate Bridge. They'll still join the Princes Freeway/Geelong Rd and head down to Corio Quay instead. Time wise, there shouldn't be much in it, but it will be so much easier, not having to battle the Port Melbourne traffic and as a bonus not having to consider the dreaded Montague St Bridge!
From the Eastern suburbs, getting onto the M80 western ring road (which is not a ring road, only a half one) means traversing routes such as Burke Rd, or Bulleen Rd, or Greensborough, for example, none of which are a joy with a van on the back. I've tried them all.
I don't care whether the ferry terminal stays at Port Melbourne or moves to Geelong, what I'm saying is that to access either one from the Eastern suburbs is a shocker. Not sure how some folks in here think it's easy. If someone who actually lives here has a foolproof route that doesn't get your nerves on edge, please let know, it will be most appreciated.
Whenarewethere said
01:10 PM Apr 24, 2020
The current ships are being replaced, which I believe have 50% increase capacity, so maybe no choice but to move as it is a bit of a circus currently.
Tony, I agree that it can be an absolute pain trying to get to the West from the Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne. I remember when they claimed that the Monash would be the answer!
I actually don't like the route of the Northlink through Bulleen/Watsonia. I think they should have taken the option from Eastlink at Ringwood, following the high Voltage powerline reseverve through to Nth Eltham and on to Greensborough to connect to the Ring Rd as it sweeps around and gathers in those outer Eastern Suburbs but leaves the inner East to use the existing routes! They chose the supposedly cheaper option!
SouthernComfort said
07:27 AM Apr 25, 2020
Inland_Sailor wrote:
Tony, I agree that it can be an absolute pain trying to get to the West from the Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne. I remember when they claimed that the Monash would be the answer! I actually don't like the route of the Northlink through Bulleen/Watsonia. I think they should have taken the option from Eastlink at Ringwood, following the high Voltage powerline reseverve through to Nth Eltham and on to Greensborough to connect to the Ring Rd as it sweeps around and gathers in those outer Eastern Suburbs but leaves the inner East to use the existing routes! They chose the supposedly cheaper option!
Absolutely spot on. The cheapest option taken by a state govt that panders only to votes from the western suburbs. The Northlink route will create havoc as it intersects the already over-stretched Eastern Freeway. It is no solution, just another problem for someone else to fix down the track. The longer route out from Ringwood would indeed have made real sense. What a 'state' we live in
Dougwe said
08:32 AM Apr 25, 2020
When they move to Corio and you live or approach from the East side of Melbourne why not do what I have done a couple of time and go down through the Mornington Peninsula then Queenscliffe ferry then to Corio via Geelong. Make a the trip the day before departure and take your time and enjoy the trip. Sure there is a cost but no stress. I have done that trip both ways and enjoy it.
Just my thoughts.
Keep Safe out there.
Cupie said
01:47 PM Apr 25, 2020
Dougwe wrote:
When they move to Corio and you live or approach from the East side of Melbourne why not do what I have done a couple of time and go down through the Mornington Peninsula then Queenscliffe ferry then to Corio via Geelong. Make a the trip the day before departure and take your time and enjoy the trip. Sure there is a cost but no stress. I have done that trip both ways and enjoy it.
Just my thoughts.
Keep Safe out there.
This time last year we used that route on our way to The Great Ocean Road after meandering down the East Coast.
We left early from Warragul intending to stay overnight somewhere close to the ferry but after an enjoyable drive thru the Mornington Peninsular we got there early so decided to go on and have a quick look at the ferry access at Sorrento before selecting a CP. We had hoped to pick up one of those sites right on the foreshore but they were all closed as it was out of season.
To our surprise the ferry was just about ready to leave & they motioned us to come on board, which we did without a booking or waiting in a queue. We were stopped in the middle of the roundabout, probably looking a bit lost/confused as usual.
By the time I parked the rig & got up stairs for what turned out to be a good coffee, the ferry was just pulling out. We had a leisurely trip across the bay & continued on our journey on a beautiful sunny day with almost no traffic. We could even pull the van into the lookouts along the GOR.
Our only mistake that day was to continue on to Port Campbell rather than stop at Apollo Bay.
That was our second time across the bay and perhaps our 5th on the GOR. SWMBO loves it down that way & always finds a reason to go back. I was not keen to go across the southern outskirts of Melbourne hence our decision to take the ferry.
It would be our preferred way to get to a Tassy Ferry leaving from Geelong.
When we went to Tasmania in 2000 we left the van with relos at Castlemaine and took the Patrol over on The Devil Cat ... what a ride that was.
SouthernComfort said
02:18 PM Apr 25, 2020
Yep, it's a lovely and more touristy way of getting to the Belarine Peninsula (when the weather is lovely!!), done it many times but not with a van. Going to that extent as a tourist has merit, but we need a workable E/W road link system in Melbourne, we shouldn't need to resort to the ferry every time we want to get to Geelong.
Dougwe said
05:20 PM Apr 25, 2020
Agree 100% Tony but as we speak it's not to be so the Ferry it is. For me anyway when down that way.
I have done the journey many, many times without the aluminium teepee over the years and 4 times with the aluminium teepee.
Keep Safe out there.
Inland_Sailor said
06:53 PM Apr 25, 2020
Absolutely spot on. The cheapest option taken by a state govt that panders only to votes from the western suburbs. The Northlink route will create havoc as it intersects the already over-stretched Eastern Freeway. It is no solution, just another problem for someone else to fix down the track. The longer route out from Ringwood would indeed have made real sense. What a 'state' we live in
Tony, I actually like what Dan is doing, which is such a change from previous "do nothing" Governments who just let a whole lot of infrastructure just run down. However on this particular project, he's not taken the better option. Perhaps your right, maybe there are votes in it, or perhaps, is it the possibility of loosing votes by taking the Ringwood - Nth Etham - Greensborough route?
-- Edited by Inland_Sailor on Saturday 25th of April 2020 06:56:46 PM
Hewy54 said
07:08 PM Apr 25, 2020
A brilliant move for us as we are from Adelaide.
I would be interested in the stats on the usage of the ferry compared with where people travel from.
Seems the only negative comments here are from those people from the eastern side of Melbourne.
I would think that there are lots more people Australia wide that that will be in favour of the move.
blaze said
07:20 PM Apr 25, 2020
best thing to happen, have used the ferries a number of times over the years and port melbourne has always been a sod of a place, how many people on the ferry want to go there, its always whats the best way outa here
cheers
blaze
SouthernComfort said
09:52 AM Apr 26, 2020
Inland_Sailor wrote:
Absolutely spot on. The cheapest option taken by a state govt that panders only to votes from the western suburbs. The Northlink route will create havoc as it intersects the already over-stretched Eastern Freeway. It is no solution, just another problem for someone else to fix down the track. The longer route out from Ringwood would indeed have made real sense. What a 'state' we live in
Tony, I actually like what Dan is doing, which is such a change from previous "do nothing" Governments who just let a whole lot of infrastructure just run down. However on this particular project, he's not taken the better option. Perhaps your right, maybe there are votes in it, or perhaps, is it the possibility of loosing votes by taking the Ringwood - Nth Etham - Greensborough route?
-- Edited by Inland_Sailor on Saturday 25th of April 2020 06:56:46 PM
Well, Inland Sailor, how about we just be gentlemen and agree to disagree?
Let's not overlook that "Dan" is the man who coughed up a penalty of $1.5 billion from state money, paid to the developers for breaking the EW link contract which his predecessor had signed up to. A major piece of desperately needed infrastructure that Dan condemned, all to protect votes from the inner city greenies. It was a 100% Federally funded project that wouldn't have cost the state a cent had it gone ahead. I agree the roads infrastructure has been allowed to run down, but the half-baked approach and immense amount of money wasted is courtesy of Dan.
As for the Northern link, whatever route is planned for a road, the usual suspects will appear and protest against it. He may have been worried about losing some votes from 'certain' NE suburbs (demographic being well known!) if the most sensible route was chosen. However it may have gained him votes from a wider audience since it would have enabled all of us in the East to get around to the West, and to the airport with such ease - alas we can only dream about it. The cheap option is a dead duck in the water (a bit like the unworkable NE pipeline, decommissioned on completion and $2.0 billion spent - 100% wasted).
Anyway, apologies for my part in letting this thread drift a bit of course. For many of us who live here, it's hard to get excited about shifting a ferry terminal to Geelong when our roads just can't cope with everyday needs.
2trout said
01:19 PM Apr 26, 2020
Well said Tony
Whenarewethere said
04:42 PM Apr 26, 2020
Cupie wrote:
When we went to Tasmania in 2000 we left the van with relos at Castlemaine and took the Patrol over on The Devil Cat ... what a ride that was.
In 1992 when we went over, we were delayed. The Cat was delayed for the first time ever due to rough weather. Is was very rough going to Tassie. Technically I wasn't sick, but should have been & got over it. Every 30 seconds one person after another was chucking up. The sound effects turned everyone else a deep shade of green & created a domino chucking situation!
We weren't looking forward to the return trip, but Bass Strait looked like a flat sheet of glass. Don't think I've ever seen Sydney Harbour as flat as Bass Strait. We were relieved!
Cupie said
11:26 PM Apr 26, 2020
Whenarewethere wrote:
Cupie wrote:
When we went to Tasmania in 2000 we left the van with relos at Castlemaine and took the Patrol over on The Devil Cat ... what a ride that was.
In 1992 when we went over, we were delayed. The Cat was delayed for the first time ever due to rough weather. Is was very rough going to Tassie. Technically I wasn't sick, but should have been & got over it. Every 30 seconds one person after another was chucking up. The sound effects turned everyone else a deep shade of green & created a domino chucking situation!
We weren't looking forward to the return trip, but Bass Strait looked like a flat sheet of glass. Don't think I've ever seen Sydney Harbour as flat as Bass Strait. We were relieved!
Almost exactly our experience.
We had dosed ourselves with travelcalm & weren't too bad but almost everyone around us was that ill that they were lying on the floor with well used paper bags.
The water was breaking over the roof of the top deck as we crashed through the swells. My bull bar was twisted out of position from having been lashed down to the deck. Fortunately just had to re-do the anchor bolts to fix it.
Coming home was just as you described it.
Must have been a common experience.
Sarco Harris said
08:12 PM Apr 27, 2020
Only taken the boat over to the little island once (2006) on a night sailing. 4WD and camping gear piled in the back. At the time we lived in Mill Park (Northern Suburbs of Melb for inter-staters) and I thought the whole process was a breeze. Around the Ring Road on to the Westgate into Port Melb and lined up on the boat, got on, settled into our cabin (inside) and all good.
Then the boat sailed. Across the bay no problem. Out of the heads, Bass Straight like glass and the other half started getting queezy, then sick. I couldn't stay in the cabin. So spent the night roaming the boat. I suppose it was my own fault, as the wife has always been sea sick walking across a wet lawn, but she was adamant that she would be fine. Never again.
When we came home 7 weeks later, I dropped Nancy off at the airport and she flew home. It was probably for the best as the forecast was for rougher conditions, which was actually reasonably accurate. I travelled on the boat, and REALLY enjoyed it. Slept like a log in our cabin, mind, I did serious damage to a bottle of red with dinner and retired to the cabin. Off the boat within 20 mins of docking and home within an hour.
I would make the point in relation to using the Sorrento to Queenscliffe ferry (though we would never need to) is that for what you get, it is ridiculously expensive. $10 per metre for combo (min charge 6 metres). Car $69 inc. driver + $13 for an adult passenger.
I would still regard a move to Geelong as excellent, but these days it would be a different route, however the cynic in me see it as vote buying as well as economics.
Craig1 said
08:31 PM Apr 27, 2020
Cupie -The " spew cat" went from the wrong place, anyone who knew Bass Strait could have told them.
Joda said
09:19 PM Apr 27, 2020
Why do politics get into every post? Maybe it,s just a good business decision, is there any better spot over the east side of the bay?
SouthernComfort said
08:05 AM Apr 28, 2020
Joda wrote:
Why do politics get into every post? Maybe it,s just a good business decision, is there any better spot over the east side of the bay?
Sadly, politics is at the root of many poor infrastructure decisions.
No one is condemning the terminal being moved to Geelong per se, it is the abject failure of govt to provide proper supporting road systems across town that is the problem. If the terminal was located on the eastern side, then those from the west would suffer the same problem that we do in the east, so it would solve nothing. What we need is smoother E/W or W/E movement from one side of Melbourne to the other - simple.
Mariner30 said
03:26 AM Apr 29, 2020
Joda wrote:
Why do politics get into every post? Maybe it,s just a good business decision, is there any better spot over the east side of the bay?
It's unavoidable in this thread...
This decision was made ( indirectly ) by the Tas govt, as the operators of the TT Line ( The Spirit of Tasmania ), which no one in the above posts have mentioned,
The high port charges demanded by the Port of Melbourne has been a regular media topic re SPOT for awhile here in Tas prior to this announcement.
Hi every one; It has just hit the news. The Spirit of Tasmania is to move from Melbourne to Corio Bay ( Geelong ) when there lease runs out in 2022. So instead of getting on the boat at Station Pier, you will have to travel down to Geelong. From what i have read there will be a lot more room for cars, caravan, and mobile homes. Great news and something to look forward too. At least we will not have the bottleneck that they call Station pier and the lack of parking.
In the 92 we sailed on the Catamaran from Port Welshpool, maybe another option to upgrade & decentralise.
A move long past time in coming.
Government should do its absolute best to encourage industry to move to regional centres... but, of course, most votes are in the major cities so they don't really care what happens to the regions.
"....and with the road networks now its easy travelling down there. Caravanners approaching Victoria from the west can easily get to Geelong. From the north the ring road and from Gippsland via Monash. From the Mornington Peninsula you can be adventurist and take the ferry To Queenscliff the to the SOT Tony"
No, sorry Tony, definitely not so easy! The massive population from the EAST of Melbourne is stuffed with bottlenecks. Caravanners should NOT try getting to Geelong if approaching directly from the E or NE, and that (perhaps largely) includes local population.
Had it not been for the state government squandering billions to break a contract through their sheer bloody-mindedness, we might have had the critically needed 'missing link' (East-West link) built by now. It was the former (now opposition) government's commitment to build it, contracts were signed, shovels were at the ready. That would have enabled the huge population to the EAST of Melbourne to get to Geelong (and anywhere else West) in something less than a day.
Decentralization does work when it's facilitated by a decent infrastructure enabling the populous to get around the city from all directions without the ridiculous bottlenecks we still have. As for using the Monash from the South East, well good luck with that unless it's early on a Sunday morning. I commuted it for many years and during the week it's still a car park.
From our very minimal experience we say fantastic!
Why?
In 1971 there was very little angst from local yocals screaming at us to simply drive to the end of the line in the streets as we waited for the gate to open.
However in 2006 we experienced endless abuse from local yocals who wanted us out of their way as they drove their snazzy cars from their dock side apartments to their coffee shops just 1/2k down the road. What a shemozzle that day was. Plus the nearest van park was at Werribee (the more local one was chockers) and so being out of staters we had little knowledge of traffic and timing our run in, thus arrived way too early and as a result, maneuvered back out to a rugby field parkland to have coffee etc. as we parked along the curb and waited.
We had never before met with such parochial self centered "we have paid lots to live in this area, so you are not welcome" in all of our life time time of travels across Australia.
The Geelong option is so refreshing.
Cheers - Ian
I was born and bred in Portland Vic. For those who don't know Portland is the 'best' deep sea port on the south coast. For years business was diverted from Portland to Geelong because of votes. Geelong is and has always been a marginal seat.
Grain boats would dock in Geelong after coming through the rip miles off the shipping channels. 3/4 load up in Geelong and then sail back out through the rip and onto Portland to top up. The grain had to come past Portland to go to Geelong. Wool was once sold in Portland but then diverted to Geelong. Timber drives straight past Portland to go to Geelong. I could go on and on.
I think Geelong is way better than Port Melbourne. But let the cynic in me ponder the real reason for the move.
Whilst the trip on the SOP out of the bay won't be much different, it will be easier to access, except for perhaps those coming from Eastern Vic. But there are ways around that as well, by using routes through the norther outskirts of Melbourne to get to the Ring Rd.
As it is now, those from NSW and Qld mostly take the Hume Fwy and Western Ring Rd to join the Princes Fwy to then go over the Westgate Bridge. They'll still join the Princes Freeway/Geelong Rd and head down to Corio Quay instead. Time wise, there shouldn't be much in it, but it will be so much easier, not having to battle the Port Melbourne traffic and as a bonus not having to consider the dreaded Montague St Bridge!
From the Eastern suburbs, getting onto the M80 western ring road (which is not a ring road, only a half one) means traversing routes such as Burke Rd, or Bulleen Rd, or Greensborough, for example, none of which are a joy with a van on the back. I've tried them all.
I don't care whether the ferry terminal stays at Port Melbourne or moves to Geelong, what I'm saying is that to access either one from the Eastern suburbs is a shocker. Not sure how some folks in here think it's easy. If someone who actually lives here has a foolproof route that doesn't get your nerves on edge, please let know, it will be most appreciated.
The current ships are being replaced, which I believe have 50% increase capacity, so maybe no choice but to move as it is a bit of a circus currently.
Hope they improve the cabins at the pointy end!
I actually don't like the route of the Northlink through Bulleen/Watsonia. I think they should have taken the option from Eastlink at Ringwood, following the high Voltage powerline reseverve through to Nth Eltham and on to Greensborough to connect to the Ring Rd as it sweeps around and gathers in those outer Eastern Suburbs but leaves the inner East to use the existing routes! They chose the supposedly cheaper option!
Absolutely spot on. The cheapest option taken by a state govt that panders only to votes from the western suburbs. The Northlink route will create havoc as it intersects the already over-stretched Eastern Freeway. It is no solution, just another problem for someone else to fix down the track. The longer route out from Ringwood would indeed have made real sense. What a 'state' we live in
Just my thoughts.
Keep Safe out there.
This time last year we used that route on our way to The Great Ocean Road after meandering down the East Coast.
We left early from Warragul intending to stay overnight somewhere close to the ferry but after an enjoyable drive thru the Mornington Peninsular we got there early so decided to go on and have a quick look at the ferry access at Sorrento before selecting a CP. We had hoped to pick up one of those sites right on the foreshore but they were all closed as it was out of season.
To our surprise the ferry was just about ready to leave & they motioned us to come on board, which we did without a booking or waiting in a queue. We were stopped in the middle of the roundabout, probably looking a bit lost/confused as usual.
By the time I parked the rig & got up stairs for what turned out to be a good coffee, the ferry was just pulling out. We had a leisurely trip across the bay & continued on our journey on a beautiful sunny day with almost no traffic. We could even pull the van into the lookouts along the GOR.
Our only mistake that day was to continue on to Port Campbell rather than stop at Apollo Bay.
That was our second time across the bay and perhaps our 5th on the GOR. SWMBO loves it down that way & always finds a reason to go back. I was not keen to go across the southern outskirts of Melbourne hence our decision to take the ferry.
It would be our preferred way to get to a Tassy Ferry leaving from Geelong.
When we went to Tasmania in 2000 we left the van with relos at Castlemaine and took the Patrol over on The Devil Cat ... what a ride that was.
I have done the journey many, many times without the aluminium teepee over the years and 4 times with the aluminium teepee.
Keep Safe out there.
Tony, I actually like what Dan is doing, which is such a change from previous "do nothing" Governments who just let a whole lot of infrastructure just run down. However on this particular project, he's not taken the better option. Perhaps your right, maybe there are votes in it, or perhaps, is it the possibility of loosing votes by taking the Ringwood - Nth Etham - Greensborough route?
-- Edited by Inland_Sailor on Saturday 25th of April 2020 06:56:46 PM
I would be interested in the stats on the usage of the ferry compared with where people travel from.
Seems the only negative comments here are from those people from the eastern side of Melbourne.
I would think that there are lots more people Australia wide that that will be in favour of the move.
cheers
blaze
Well, Inland Sailor, how about we just be gentlemen and agree to disagree?
Let's not overlook that "Dan" is the man who coughed up a penalty of $1.5 billion from state money, paid to the developers for breaking the EW link contract which his predecessor had signed up to. A major piece of desperately needed infrastructure that Dan condemned, all to protect votes from the inner city greenies. It was a 100% Federally funded project that wouldn't have cost the state a cent had it gone ahead. I agree the roads infrastructure has been allowed to run down, but the half-baked approach and immense amount of money wasted is courtesy of Dan.
As for the Northern link, whatever route is planned for a road, the usual suspects will appear and protest against it. He may have been worried about losing some votes from 'certain' NE suburbs (demographic being well known!) if the most sensible route was chosen. However it may have gained him votes from a wider audience since it would have enabled all of us in the East to get around to the West, and to the airport with such ease - alas we can only dream about it. The cheap option is a dead duck in the water (a bit like the unworkable NE pipeline, decommissioned on completion and $2.0 billion spent - 100% wasted).
Anyway, apologies for my part in letting this thread drift a bit of course. For many of us who live here, it's hard to get excited about shifting a ferry terminal to Geelong when our roads just can't cope with everyday needs.
In 1992 when we went over, we were delayed. The Cat was delayed for the first time ever due to rough weather. Is was very rough going to Tassie. Technically I wasn't sick, but should have been & got over it. Every 30 seconds one person after another was chucking up. The sound effects turned everyone else a deep shade of green & created a domino chucking situation!
We weren't looking forward to the return trip, but Bass Strait looked like a flat sheet of glass. Don't think I've ever seen Sydney Harbour as flat as Bass Strait. We were relieved!
Almost exactly our experience.
We had dosed ourselves with travelcalm & weren't too bad but almost everyone around us was that ill that they were lying on the floor with well used paper bags.
The water was breaking over the roof of the top deck as we crashed through the swells. My bull bar was twisted out of position from having been lashed down to the deck. Fortunately just had to re-do the anchor bolts to fix it.
Coming home was just as you described it.
Must have been a common experience.
Then the boat sailed. Across the bay no problem. Out of the heads, Bass Straight like glass and the other half started getting queezy, then sick. I couldn't stay in the cabin. So spent the night roaming the boat. I suppose it was my own fault, as the wife has always been sea sick walking across a wet lawn, but she was adamant that she would be fine. Never again.
When we came home 7 weeks later, I dropped Nancy off at the airport and she flew home. It was probably for the best as the forecast was for rougher conditions, which was actually reasonably accurate. I travelled on the boat, and REALLY enjoyed it. Slept like a log in our cabin, mind, I did serious damage to a bottle of red with dinner and retired to the cabin. Off the boat within 20 mins of docking and home within an hour.
I would make the point in relation to using the Sorrento to Queenscliffe ferry (though we would never need to) is that for what you get, it is ridiculously expensive. $10 per metre for combo (min charge 6 metres). Car $69 inc. driver + $13 for an adult passenger.
I would still regard a move to Geelong as excellent, but these days it would be a different route, however the cynic in me see it as vote buying as well as economics.
Sadly, politics is at the root of many poor infrastructure decisions.
No one is condemning the terminal being moved to Geelong per se, it is the abject failure of govt to provide proper supporting road systems across town that is the problem. If the terminal was located on the eastern side, then those from the west would suffer the same problem that we do in the east, so it would solve nothing. What we need is smoother E/W or W/E movement from one side of Melbourne to the other - simple.
It's unavoidable in this thread...
This decision was made ( indirectly ) by the Tas govt, as the operators of the TT Line ( The Spirit of Tasmania ), which no one in the above posts have mentioned,
The high port charges demanded by the Port of Melbourne has been a regular media topic re SPOT for awhile here in Tas prior to this announcement.