The River Derwent Ferry Service Masterplan will guide the expansion of ferry services on the River Derwent. It proposes potential new ferry sites and potential services.

The Masterplan proposes potential ferry sites and services, and an activation pathway for implementing expanded ferry services.

As well as Hobart and Bellerive, the Masterplan identifies the best places to add ferry services as:

• Lindisfarne
• Howrah
• Wilkinsons Point
• Sandy Bay
• Regatta Point
• Kingston Beach

Direct routes from the eastern shore may be first, as they could be quicker by ferry than car, helping ease congestion. Next may be longer and connecting routes such as linking in Wilkinsons Point, Regatta Point, Sandy Bay, and Kingston Beach.

The three things we want more ferry services to help achieve are:

• reduced congestion in peak periods
• more choices for travel to events
• better places along the river.

We reviewed 33 potential sites between New Norfolk, Woodbridge, and Nubeena. We ranked each site against 18 criteria, including water depth, demand, and if a ferry would be quicker than a car. This narrowed it down to 10 sites: the eight highest ranked plus two prioritised by our council partners.

We then assessed how well each site could complement the broader a public transport network. This eliminated two sites, leaving eight (including Bellerive and Hobart). To plan the development order, we prioritised sites that can reduce congestion by offering commuters more choice.

To date, we have worked with experts and Greater Hobart councils on technical and strategic requirements. We are now sharing the work completed to date and asking for detailed feedback.

We want to know what would make infrastructure and services at each site attractive. The whole community is welcome to have a say, including:

• members of the general public
• groups that use the river for work, play, and study
• neighbouring residents and businesses.

Feedback is open until Monday, 8 January 2024. Following consultation we will undertake more planning, including development of a more detailed timeline for new ferry services.

All levels of government are working together on this project.

The Australian Government is providing Greater Hobart councils $20m to build ferry infrastructure. Clarence, Glenorchy, Hobart and Kingborough councils will manage this funding. Councils also usually manage planning applications, and roads, and footpaths in areas around ferry sites. The Tasmanian Government plans, designs and manages public transport service contracts with operators including the current contract for the Hobart to Bellerive service with $19m funding allocated for services over the next four years.

We are working together with the four Greater Hobart Councils (Hobart, Glenorchy, Clarence and Kingborough) as part of a commitee to make sure infrastructure development is coordinated.

As we are responsible for providing services, we are considering how a ferry network would operate as well as location. It's important that sites support a good network, so our analysis included:

• integration with the existing public and active transport network
• travel times and congestion
• the passenger experience
• route and timetable design

We propose introducing routes in two phases. The aim of the first phase is to reduce commuter congestion. We'll do this by offering direct routes to the CBD.

The aim of the second phase is to build connection. We'll expand services along the river and introduced 'stitched' and event routes. A stitched route travels between several sites before coming to the CBD. This will support more flexible journeys across the network.

The Masterplan isn’t specific because we need to finalise decisions about sites and routes first. It does recognise that road data shows short and intense peak periods. To best relieve congestion, services are particularly important at 7:45am, 8:45am, 5:00pm and 5:30pm.

The Bellerive to Hobart ferry has been popular since starting in 2021. More services can increase access to jobs and services in Greater Hobart.

Expanding ferry services is just one way we are improving public transport. We invest over $110 million in public and school bus services each year. We've also committed $81.5 million over four years for better park and ride facilities, bus stops, and ticketing.

The Masterplan isn’t specific because we need to finalise decisions about sites and routes first.

The Masterplan isn’t specific because technology might develop further by the time services begin. We recognise that low-emissions technology is advancing and may be an option.

This procurement has not started yet. Any procurement we manage will follow government procurement requirements.

The Masterplan doesn't show exact site boundaries because consultation and continued engagement with councils will help us decide.

The Masterplan includes accessible car parking, a drop off area, and bicycle parking at each site.

Like the Bellerive to Hobart ferry, customers can access the sites by walking, cycling, or being dropped off. Quality shared paths will connect sites to the surrounding area and there will be a dedicated drop off area. To ensure strong active catchments, we assessed how many people live and/or work within 400m and 2.5km of each site. This included current data and projected future growth.

There are no plans for other car parking because it is not the best use of finite, high value waterfront space. It limits the opportunity for development of waterfront that is friendlier to the wider community. The Masterplan recognises we can work with councils and the community to improve the waterfront through:

• more social and economic activity
• better walking and cycling access
• greener spaces.

The Masterplan doesn't include detailed site design because consultation will help us decide. It does list the type of amenities we would expect to include at each site.

To increase choice, its important ferry services complement rather than compete with buses. Buses will continue to play an important role in our transport network. Where existing bus services can align with ferry services, we may make some changes. However, we don't expect to introduce specific routes to ferry sites.

The Masterplan does not rule out expansion in future, but services near the Bridgewater Bridge aren't viable right now because:

• water in key areas is not deep enough
• a journey by car or bus would be quicker than a ferry service.

The Masterplan proposes a ferry site at Regatta Point. This would allow customers to access the nearby Macquarie Point Precinct. Extra ferry services may run for large events at Macquarie Point.

The Masterplan sets out how we will work with councils which will include developing parking controls near sites. At the Bellerive Pier, this has minimised the use of residential streets for ferry parking.

We understand the River Derwent is a busy waterway. It's important to a lot of commercial, recreational, educational, and/or scientific users. The Bellerive to Hobart service has shown ferry services are well supported. The Masterplan aims to balance the opportunity to expand popular public transport services with existing uses.

We want to minimise the impact of ferry services on boat users. Potential conflict with other waterway users and ease of navigation were two criteria used to assess sites. To inform specific designs we're asking groups like MAST, TasPorts, and yacht clubs for feedback. We welcome yours too.

Site design will consider how to minimise the impact of things like light, noise, and wake on nearby areas. We've learned from the Bellerive to Hobart service and studied similar projects in Australia and the rest of the world. If you have specific concerns you'd like us to factor into site design, please give us your feedback.

The Masterplan proposes toilet facilities at major sites, such as those used by multiple services. We will also consider proximity of nearby public toilets in site design.

Careful environmental management of the river is a key part of the Masterplan. Environmental impact was a criterion used to assess sites. For example, we considered:

• site and route impacts on coastal areas
• climate change effects like rising sea levels
• proximity to protected areas and species

The Masterplan also notes we will look for opportunities to improve the local environment at proposed ferry sites.