Thursday, 18 May 2023

Ministers statements: Queenscliff ferry terminal

Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for Water, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Commonwealth Games Legacy, Minister for Equality) (12:40): We might think that when we describe the word ‘terminal’ it relates to the Liberal Party’s internal affairs and health, but today I want to talk about the Queenscliff ferry terminal, which has recently officially opened. This is a newly refurbished multimillion-dollar upgrade which will offer passengers a world-class gateway to Geelong, the Bellarine and the Great Ocean Road.

The ferry service itself has operated since 1987. It is the busiest car and passenger ferry service in Australia. It carries more than 960,000 people – that is far more than voted for you in the election, Mr Davis – and 250,000 vehicles every year. Thanks to this upgrade, passengers can experience a more accessible and comfortable journey as they embark on a trip across our beautiful bay. This is about making sure that we have infrastructure that meets the needs of the community. The enhanced visitor standards and facilities include modern bathrooms, a retail space and dining spaces with spectacular views of the bay – the deep water in which perhaps, Mr Davis, you find yourself these days.

We have also improved the safety and accessibility of the ferry terminal, and the final stage has delivered a new public boardwalk, providing a really accessible and safe route for passengers to board and to disembark. The project has supported 71 new jobs during construction and an additional 22 new ongoing jobs within the ferry operations. Perhaps some of your colleagues, Mr Davis, across the way might be interested in applying for one of them. A new Queenscliff ferry terminal was a key commitment in the Geelong City Deal, and it was jointly funded by the Australian government and Searoad Ferries. It is about making sure that we can see this ferry experience shine now and into the future. Congratulations to everybody involved.