Victorian Ferry observations & News 2017

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Victorian Ferry observations & News 2017

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Shoot.
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Roderick Smith
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Re: Victorian Ferry observations & News 2017

Post by Roderick Smith »

IIRC the Portarlington ferry was cancelled because of bad weather only twice in 2016.
It did run on a bad weather day recently (Tues.21.2?). The gossip mill suggests that all passengers were seasick.

Roderick.
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Wilsons Promontory tourist ferry?

Post by Roderick Smith »

March 10 2017 Tourist boat plan for Wilsons Promontory beach .
Three high-powered amphibious tourist boats would be operated from one of the most popular Wilsons Promontory beaches under a multimillion-dollar plan that has been backed by Parks Victoria and the state government.
Parks Victoria offered "in-principle support" when the company behind the project applied for a federal grant in 2015.
The tourist boat plan includes allowing them to beach at Norman Bay, in Wilsons Promontory. Photo: Cathryn Tremain .
In 2016 the company was given $650,000 to develop the proposal, under which up to 288 tourists a day would be ferried around the Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park.
The 32-passenger specialist boats - each worth about $1 million - would be equipped with wheels, allowing them to drive onto the sand and park at Norman Bay beach next to the popular visitor area at Tidal River.
The 32-passenger boats, similar to the one above, would ferry people around the Prom. Photo: Supplied .
The tour operator that has submitted the plan, Pennicott Wilderness Journeys, says each boat would operate up to three cruises a day in the peak period, with an "indicative" price of up to $165 for adults, up to $105 for children, or up to $540 for a family of five.
The plan has not yet been approved, with Parks Victoria in the process of conducting a community consultation process.
But in September 2015 Parks Victoria's acting chief executive Chris Rose wrote to the company's owner, Robert Pennicott, welcoming the opportunity to provide "in-principle support" for a federal tourism grant application.
"The proposal has the opportunity to enhance an attractive park visitor experience by providing access for visitors to engage and connect with the marine national park on water in a safe, sustainable and immersive manner," the letter says.
graphic.
Several months later in April 2016, Tourism Minister John Erin issued a press release appearing to suggest the proposal had been locked in, declaring it "will attract new streams of visitors to the thriving holiday hotspot".
"Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren today joined Pennicott Wilderness Journeys managing director Robert Pennicott on the shores where the unique cruises will soon depart, showcasing the best of everything Gippsland offers from the water," the press release says.
But the Victorian National Parks Association has raised concerns that the project has "all the appearance of a preconceived approval process". The association's spokesman Philip Ingamells also questioned the park's ability to cope with the added traffic.
"The proposed boat tours would have a considerable impact on the quiet enjoyment of the beach at Tidal River, in one of Victoria's most loved national parks," Mr Ingamells said.
"Vehicle traffic at the Prom far exceeds capacity in peak periods, and this proposed tour operation is designed to bring more traffic. Any tour licence application should be deferred at least until the traffic problem is resolved."
Mr Pennicott is a well-known Tasmanian tour operator and philanthropist who runs similar cruises from Hobart and Port Arthur.
On Friday Mr Pennicott told Fairfax Media that construction of one of the boats was already under way. He said the grant money would be handed back if the project did not receive approval, and the boat would be used in Tasmania.
"We are going through all the hurdles and community consultation and due process," he said. "We believe that we are giving the public another way to access parks that most people wouldn't have ever the ability to be able to do," he said.
The company says the $3.5 million project will generate $9.7 million for the local economy a year, creating the equivalent of 30 full-time jobs over five years. Mr Pennicott has also promised that one-quarter of its profits will be donated to community and conservation projects.
Parks Victoria regional Victoria executive director Kylie Trott said: "A tour operator licence would only be issued subject to a number of strict licence conditions, including conditions informed by recent environmental research feedback, including managing impacts on wildlife."
The Wilsons Promontory proposal follows a Parks Victoria proposal to create an "iconic" five-day walk for "high-yield" ecotourists between Falls Creek and Mount Hotham with huts along the way serviced by commercial operators.
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/touri ... uvkl4.html
with these illustrations:
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Yarra commuter ferry from Richmond?

Post by Roderick Smith »

On existing speed limits, a 7 min journey will be impossible, and it is highly unlikely that the limit will be raised.
The proposal was floated 2 years ago too.

Roderick.

Catch a ferry down the Yarra: new plan to use the river to get to work Mar 11, 2017 The brains behind Richmond’s $1 billion Nylex site redevelopment have mooted a ferry service for the Yarra River that could help ease congestion in the inner city.
The proposal to make the river an alternative transport corridor – by ferrying passengers daily to and from Richmond and the CBD – forms part of developer Caydon’s Cremorne project The Malt District. The landmark site faced controversy when Heritage Victoria expressed concerns for its famous silos and Nylex sign last year. The sign and many of the silos are being retained.
The proposed ferry is expected to take about seven minutes to travel from the Cremorne development to the city. The theoretical route may also stop at the Richmond sporting precinct during events and around Chapel Street, potentially easing overcrowding at South Yarra station.
The proposed ferry would take about seven minutes to reach the city from Richmond. Photo: Craig Abraham.
“To us it makes sense, especially in such a congested area,” Jarrod Stratton, Caydon’s chief operations officer, said.
graphic .
The proposal takes inspiration from ferries in Sydney and New York City, and developers hope to attract tourists to an underutilised part of the river, Mr Stratton said.
Caydon wants government support for the idea, including from Yarra River custodians Parks Victoria, although it would privately fund the service itself by partnering a riverboat operator. But Mr Stratton said the viability of the service would rest on a final business case.
The Nylex sign and the silos are a landmark in Melbourne. Photo: Josh Robenstone.
Last year, Port Phillip Ferries – owned by developer Paul Little – ran an eight-week trial ferry from Werribee South’s Wyndham Harbour to Docklands, but canned the service following poor patronage. A Portarlington to Docklands route proved more popular, with the company committing to a regular service for the next three years.
Mr Stratton believed the Yarra River route would prove more popular than the Port Phillip Bay passage, given it was a significantly shorter distance and would be more attractive to commuters wanting to get into the city on a daily basis.
With the growth of Australia’s knowledge economy, research shows jobs will continue to be concentrated in the city centre, putting further stress on choked public transport systems and gridlocked roads. The state government is already looking at a $600 million fix to get commuters to re-embrace the city’s bus routes.
An artist’s impression of the proposed Malt District redevelopment at the Nylex site. Photo: Caydon.
Victorian Transport Association chief executive Peter Anderson welcomed any push that took cars off the road.
“Using the river as mode of transport is a creative initiative,” Mr Anderson said.
“This is a low impact and highly efficient service using a part of the river where there’s not a lot of competition, although maybe with rowers in the morning,” he said. “Cities like Sydney have been doing this for a long time.”
Jarrod Stratton, pictured with senior development manager Georgia Willis, from Caydon overlooking the company’s Nylex site. Photo: Pat Scala.
But Tony Morton, Public Transport Users Association president, said there was a natural role for ferries in Sydney and Brisbane because those cities were bisected by very large bodies of water, while the Yarra River was narrower and easier to bridge.
He said the proposed ferry would overlap the existing route 70 tram. “We’re not so keen on the idea of trying to meet people’s transport needs by providing a niche service here and a niche service there.”
“Although we find the idea of a ferry an interesting curiosity, it’s just one of a number of these types of projects that have been tried and have not been able to sustain themselves because they are essentially duplicating something that already exists.”
http://www.domain.com.au/news/catch-a-f ... 310-guuofh

with
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MV Pearl

Post by Roderick Smith »

This is charter, not rpt.
Justin Bieber sails on Port Phillip Bay with bevy of Instagram beauties.
Herald Sun March 13, 2017.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainme ... ccf94b4446

Far better than the paparazzi photos: http://www.mvpearl.com.au, a looped video.

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Re: MV Pearl

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Stony Point/French Island ferry out to tender

http://mpnews.com.au/2017/03/21/island- ... to-tender/
THE state government is promising strict contract conditions to ensure a reliable ferry service from Stony Point to French and Phillip islands.

Public Transport Victoria is offering a five-year contract for the service with a five-year extension option.

The current contract ends in June and tenders for the contract close 5 April, with the successful applicant expected to be announced in May.

“The Western Port ferry service provides an important service for the communities of French Island, Phillip Island and Stony Point,” executive director of franchise operator management at PTV Alan Fedda said.

“PTV understands the importance of public transport to remote communities and the successful bidder will need to be able to demonstrate they can provide a reliable service for the local community and for visitors.”

Mr Fedda said tougher KPIs (key performance indicators) would be added to the new contracts “to ensure locals and visitors benefit from improvements to service standards and reliability on the public transport service”.

The ferry service, which operates daily between Stony Point and French and Philip islands, has been accused of being unreliable, with students sometimes left stranded on the mainland (“No ferry: islanders isolated” The News 11/3/15).

Ferry breakdowns and rough weather also led to claims of businesses losses.

Mr Fedda said ferry services will operate as normal over the period of the tender process and during any transition period “should a new operator be appointed”.

Two years ago The News reported on the recent “more than 70 [ferry] cancellations” (“Ferry tender may be two years away” 15/4/15).

“Despite numerous letters from islanders to PTV and the amazing support by our local member [Hastings MP] Neale Burgess, the amount of cancellations is increasing,” a resident – who did not want to be named – told The News. “There have been more than 70 cancellations in the past two months causing under aged children to get stuck on the mainland after school with no possibility of returning home for days.

“Imagine that your children cannot come home from school, in one case up to a week. At other times small boats help out to get people across to the island – sometimes under dangerous conditions.”

A PTV spokesperson said the ferry could not operate in winds of 25 knots or more and that cancellations had increased “due to the operator experiencing breakdowns on both of his vessels on the same day.

First published in the Western Port News – 21 March 2017
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Western Port ferry tender

Post by Roderick Smith »

Thanks for the alert. There has been ongoing friction between the operator and residents.
It is a bit rich to live on an island in a weather-prone bay, and complain about rough-weather cancellations (even Manly, NSW, suffers at times).
Breakdowns are a different issue. Like most ferry companies, there is 100% redundancy: a one-ferry roster, with a two-ferry fleet.

Enclosed: 061013F Stony Point, MV GeorgeBass. (Roderick Smith)

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Re: Victorian Ferry observations & News 2017

Post by stajourneyman »

If your kid was stuck at Stony Point due to breakdown or inclement weather, it is not actually the complete end of the world.

Albeit inconvenient, you would obviously get in your car and do the three to four hour round trip and get them home the same evening.

They like to make it sound as though the kids were shivering on a cold wharf for days on end waiting for the ferry to turn up!
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Re: Victorian Ferry observations & News 2017

Post by MAN 16.242 »

stajourneyman wrote:If your kid was stuck at Stony Point due to breakdown or inclement weather, it is not actually the complete end of the world.

Albeit inconvenient, you would obviously get in your car and do the three to four hour round trip and get them home the same evening.

They like to make it sound as though the kids were shivering on a cold wharf for days on end waiting for the ferry to turn up!
What about cases of people being stuck on French Island?
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Re: Victorian Ferry observations & News 2017

Post by Craig »

stajourneyman wrote:If your kid was stuck at Stony Point due to breakdown or inclement weather, it is not actually the complete end of the world.

Albeit inconvenient, you would obviously get in your car and do the three to four hour round trip and get them home the same evening.

They like to make it sound as though the kids were shivering on a cold wharf for days on end waiting for the ferry to turn up!
The only other way onto French Island is the vehicle barge which meets the mainland at Corinella - the French Island website suggests that bookings should be made 24 hours in advance and that it only operates at high tides. So its not just the inconvenience of making the long round trip, you need to fit it in with the barge.

While its obvious the kids would stay at friends or relatives places in the interim, given the service has been suspended at short notice its not like they will have taken toiletries, changes of clothes etc with them to school "just in case" the service is suspended.

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Re: Victorian Ferry observations & News 2017

Post by E.L.Wood »

The only school service originates from French Island with the first service from Cowes departing at 0835 and arriving at Stony Point at 0920, way too late for any school on the mainland. There is a handful of kids on the Island who commute to Secondary Schools on the 0730 service from French Island. Primary School students go to the school on the Island - Perserverance School which operates as a subsidiary of Crib Point Primary School and has very few students but remains open because of the Island Community. http://www.frenchislandinfo.com/facilities.php. I did a tour of French Island a few years back and there was between 4 and 6 kids at the Primary School over a 5 year span, with only a few secondary school students commuting daily.

From what I've heard the Barge would run in the case of an emergency such as stranded students, but it's a long way round and given the publicity you'd expect the Parents to have a 'plan B' in the case of a Ferry failure.
yolo seems to be a bit of a trend!
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Re: Victorian Ferry observations & News 2017

Post by Alex on the Bus »

E.L.Wood wrote:From what I've heard the Barge would run in the case of an emergency such as stranded students, but it's a long way round and given the publicity you'd expect the Parents to have a 'plan B' in the case of a Ferry failure.
Standing arrangement with the Stony Point Caravan Park?
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Re: Victorian Ferry observations & News 2017

Post by Craig »

E.L.Wood wrote:From what I've heard the Barge would run in the case of an emergency such as stranded students, but it's a long way round and given the publicity you'd expect the Parents to have a 'plan B' in the case of a Ferry failure.
As the article above suggests, residents have otherwise resorted to using small boats at times when the ferry was offline

Article from 2015 covering some of the issues - http://mpnews.com.au/2015/04/15/ferry-t ... ears-away/

Cleeland Bus Lines provided a bus from Stony Point to Cowes during the height of the cancellations in the first half of 2015, on a limited timetable.
Image

Kind Regards


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Re: Yarra ferry proposal

Post by Roderick Smith »

As ever, keep reannouncing to keep the idea in the public gaze.
Roderick.

May 11 2017 Richmond to Docklands in seven minutes? Yarra River ferry commuter plan floated .
Port Phillip Ferries has emerged as a potential operator of a Yarra River ferry service to take passengers from South Yarra and Richmond to the CBD and Docklands.
The privately owned ferry service - which currently runs between Portarlington, on the Bellarine Peninsula, and Docklands - has confirmed it is discussing a river commuter service with Richmond's $1 billion Nylex site developer Caydon Property Group.
More videos Melbourne's first commuter ferry: Wyndham Harbour to Docklands.
Port Phillip Ferries wants to run a Yarra River commuter service. Here's how its Wyndham to Docklands service looked during an eight-week trial.
Caydon first raised the river commuter service in Domain as a travel alternative to the congestion on Punt Road and Alexandra Avenue.
The developer said the proposed ferry would take about seven minutes to travel from Cremorne to the city. It suggested other stops could include the Richmond sporting precinct and around Chapel Street in South Yarra.
Commuters travelling by car at 8am on Thursday would have taken about 18 minutes to travel from the Nylex site to Docklands and 21 minutes from Chapel Street.
Port Phillip Ferries chief executive officer Murray Rance said the ferry proposal was in its early stages. He said travel times would depend on how fast a vessel could travel, and the number of stops.
Mr Rance said his company's ferry service from Portarlington to Docklands took four years to develop, but he believed the Richmond project could be running within a year.
"Because of what we have done with Portarlington and our experience on the bay and the river, yes we are interested, but there is lots of research to done," Mr Rance said.
A Yarra River commuter service has bee proposed from Chapel Street to Docklands, via Richmond. Photo: JOE CASTRO / SUNDAY AGE .
He said stops could include Chapel Street, Cremorne, Richmond, the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Cremorne
South Yarra
Richmond sports precinct
St Kilda Road
Port Phillip Ferries terminal
"A lot of people ... have been talking about the commuter aspect of it but there is a great potential for tourism as well," Mr Rance said.
"There are a lot of things you can showcase in our city from the river," he said.
He said stakeholders like Parks Victoria, and rowing clubs would need to be consulted, and that issues for the service would include the vessel's wash and speed, and bridge heights.
The vessel used would need to be much smaller than the one used for the Portarlington service which is a 35-metre, 100-tonne, 400-person vessel, he said.
Mr Rance said Port Phillip Ferries had learnt from its failed eight-week ferry trial from Werribee South's Wyndham Harbour to Docklands.
He said the Richmond project had the backing of Melbourne lord mayor Robert Doyle and that initial interest in the service had been positive.
He said poor parking around the river would not affect the service.
"Parking is not really an issue for South Yarra because a lot of people live in apartments," Mr Rance said.
Tony Morton, Public Transport Users Association president, described the river commuter plan as a "nice idea" but said it duplicated existing tram services, including the number 70 tram.
"It is a nice experience sitting in a ferry, but it is something to do on an occasional basis," Mr Morton said.
"As an alternative to existing public transport, we don't see it making an awful lot of sense," he said.
Related Content.
The proposed ferry would take about seven minutes to reach the city from Richmond.
Yarra ferry plan could get commuters to work in seven minutes .
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/richm ... w27fu.html

May 11 2017 Ferry dangerous: Yarra rowers at risk if commuter boat plan makes headway .
Plans for a commuter ferry on the Yarra have hit an early snag, with Rowing Victoria warning it could cause crashes, capsize smaller boats and even make the the river too dangerous for Olympic training.
Rowing Victoria has raised alarm about the proposal from Port Phillip Ferries and developer Caydon Property Group to run a commuter ferry from Chapel Street to Docklands via the Yarra.
Melbourne's first commuter ferry: Wyndham Harbour to Docklands.
Port Phillip Ferries wants to run a Yarra River commuter service. Here's how its Wyndham to Docklands service looked during an eight-week trial.
Chief executive Nick Gall said the river was already congested with as many as 4000 rowers a day leaving the boathouses near the Princes Bridge during the proposed ferry's morning peak, between 5.30 and 8.30.
"There are a massive, massive number of people heading down the river at that time of day," Mr Gall said.
"We would be strongly against [the ferry service] and we don't see the point of it," he said.
He said both student rowers and elite and Olympic athletes would not be able to row in a congested river with a high risk of capsized boats, tipping and crashes.
Mr Gall said the ferry service would jeopardise the Yarra as a training river for Olympians and state champions.
"At the high performance level required, these athletes have to have an amount of water that they can train in, at their full capacity, without being interrupted," Mr Gall said.
Rowing Victoria says as many as 4000 rowers are on the Yarra during the morning peak. Photo: John Donegan .
"The VIS [Victorian Institute of Sport] point of view is that would no longer be on offer on the Yarra if this went ahead."
Mr Gall said rowers in coxless boats could not see what they were heading towards and needed clear water to row into.
Rowers can't see what they're heading towards. Photo: Justin McManus .
The bow wave from a passing ferry would also put rowers at risk, especially younger ones, he said.
"The clubs are concerned that this is another push to move rowing off the Yarra, and there really is no other opportunity for young people to row without it," Mr Gall said.
"If it become too dangerous the schools will not allow it."
Mr Gall said existing tourist operators on the river were less of a risk as they were often small vessels, usually operated outside the morning peak, and understood the water traffic rules and issues for rowers.
"But if you have people being ferried to work, at this peak time, it is going to cause a whole bunch of new issues," Mr Gall said.
He was concerned that the speed of the commuter ferry might be ramped up as more people came to rely on it to commute to work.
"[Faster speeds] will wash off all the boats and the risk of tipping is very high," Mr Gall said.
He said electric operated ferries could cause additional hazards for rowers as they would not be able to hear them approach.
He said Rowing Victoria was seeking an urgent meeting with Melbourne lord mayor Robert Doyle who had publicly supported the proposal.
"I think it is a very exciting idea," Cr Doyle told 3AW.
He said it would require a "special vessel" and there was a regulatory minefield to get through before it would happen.
Port Phillip Ferries chief executive Murray Rance said the proposal was in its early stages and it was yet to speak to stakeholders and government regulators.
* With a river based speed limit of 8kmh it is as quick to walk or catch the tram. Agree with the rowers - it is as busy as Bourke St mornings & nights with people doing things to improve their health & the small numbers a ferry could move would undermine an otherwise valuable recreation space, not to mention potential damage to river-front vegetation & erosion through increased bow-wave motion.
* Row, row, row your boat somewhere else. Sorry but if it can take cars off our roads and easetraffic congestion and is good for the environment then off you go for the greater good.
* Surely the point of having a ferry is to reduce the congestion on other parts of the transport network. While the river is a great place for amateur and elite rowers, it's a transport corridor, so surely the priority should be to look at whether it can be a viable part of the network. Perhaps the darlings from the private schools can find another time to do their rowing practice...
* Congestion on the Yarra between ferries and rowers well get used to it, the congestion on beach road between motorist and cyclist has been going on for years.
* Cyclists aren't the reason for the congestion; cars are. More bikes reduce congestion.
* a quick google shows precious little in the way of victorian rowers representing Australia at any events since the 1984 olympics.
now the rowing business is choking because they can't have their own free asset to themselves? cry.me.a.river.
* Rowers are like bike riders. Expect everyone else travelling to fit around them. Row elsewhere.
* Ferries and rowers have been sharing the Brisbane river for years - makes rowers more accountable about water safety rules Related Content A Yarra River commuter service has bee proposed from Chapel Street to Docklands, via Richmond.
Richmond to Docklands in seven minutes? Yarra River ferry commuter plan floated.
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/ferry ... w2ge9.html



170511Th Melbourne 'Herald Sun' - Yarra ferry proposal.
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Re: Victorian Ferry observations & News 2017

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Announced today - new ferry operator and increased services for French Island ferry

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/more-isla ... new-ferry/

In other French Island news, the General Store offers a courtesy bus for pick up from either the ferry or the barge for lunch or cycle hire bookings. http://visitbasscoast.com.au/businesses ... #&panel1-1

The barge from the other side of the island to Corinella operates to an interesting timetable based on a half hourly service around high tide. Details are at http://www.frenchislandinfo.com/transportoff.php
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Re: Victorian Ferry observations & News 2017

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More from the local paper. Interesting comments from current operator. New ship starts Sat July 1.

http://mpnews.com.au/2017/06/27/searoad ... -contract/
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Re: Victorian Ferry observations & News 2017

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170808Tu Melbourne 'Herald Sun' - Queenscliff & Sorrento terminals.

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Re: Victorian Ferry observations & News 2017

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For reference more than anything else (and for future readers to check the Wayback machine) here's links to ferry timetables for Stony Point/French/Phillip Island.

* Interisland ferry (the old operator) http://interislandferries.com.au/pi_costs.php & http://interislandferries.com.au/fi_costs.php

* Westernport Ferries (the new operator) http://westernportferries.com.au/

* PTV website timetable https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-arou ... and-ferry/
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PV Begonia Princess

Post by Roderick Smith »

PV Begonia Princess (Lake Wendouree, Ballarat, Vic.) has had its licensed capacity increased from 38 to 53.

Roderick.
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Maribyrnong River ferries

Post by Roderick Smith »

It isn't just Blackbird, it is all of the commercial and private boats to Flemington Racecourse for Melbourne Cup. It is ability of the police booze boat to reach Footscray.

Roderick.

August 20 2017 $5.5b tunnel plan will sink cruise line, sell city future up river, experts say.
The planned $5.5 billion West Gate Tunnel could scupper the rejuvenation of the Maribyrnong River waterfront, and wreck a business that has been running cruises up the river for almost four decades.
The toll road will link traffic between the West Gate Freeway, CityLink and the CBD via a new tunnel beneath Yarraville and a bridge over the Maribyrnong River.
With a price tag of $5.5 billion and a promise to reduce congestion, the West Gate Tunnel project is an ambitious one. But does it stack up?
But experts and locals say there are serious flaws in the plans.
Peter Somerville has been taking cruises along the Maribyrnong River for 38 years.
Expert cut from toll road project after warning to Pallas He said if the bridge was built lower than four metres above the river at high tide he would be forced to wind back his business.
"We would only be able to go down at low tide," said Mr Somerville.
A high-profile panel including former Labor minister Justin Madden and former Victorian government architect Geoffrey London also have reservations about the current proposal, and say a radical redesign of the road is needed to allow for urban renewal.
The government will present its argument over the road's likely traffic impacts on Monday.
Peter Somerville says his business will be hard hit by the planned tunnel. Photo: Simon Schluter It will be challenged by Melbourne City Council, which argues the toll road's city off-ramps will flood the streets of North and West Melbourne with traffic, undoing decades of work.
Urban planners, designers and architects for the government and affected parties met ahead of last week's environmental hearings into the road and examined its impact.
graphic
Mr Madden and Mr London were part of the group.
The high-profile figures warned in a report that the bridge and two ramps crossing east over the Maribyrnong River onto Footscray Road did "not satisfactorily respond to the significance of the river and adjacent land use and future development of the Port of Melbourne".
The bridge should be moved "further east" and off-ramps carrying trucks to the Port removed, the report recommended.
Daytime artist's impression of Maribyrnong crossing.
An artist's impression of the Maribyrnong river crossing. Photo: Western Distributor Authority A design plan drawn up for the river by the Victorian department of planning in 2010 – and signed off by then minister, Mr Madden – set out to protect open space around the river and expand parkland, walking paths and cycling trails along the banks.
It is now at the centre of a council master plan to improve the river edge.
Expert witness for Maribyrnong Council said the crossing showed an "extreme lack of foresight", as it would block river views and spoil the the rejuvenated precinct's character."
"The design will significantly constrain the planned future opportunities for public use and enjoyment of the river," said Kirsten Bauer, director at ASPECT Studios.
Aerial image of the West Gate Tunnel's Maribyrnong River crossing.
Aerial image of the planned West Gate Tunnel's Maribyrnong River crossing. Photo: Western Distributor Authority The group also warned that an elevated road extension of Wurundjeri Way from Dudley Street through to Dynon Road would "seriously compromise" urban renewal areas in Arden-Macaulay and E-Gate – a West Melbourne site earmarked as a future suburb with four hectares of parkland.
The experts proposed to remove an off-ramp into the city centre along Dynon Road that the government and the project's proponent Transurban want to build.
The Wurundjeri Way extension should be replaced with a boulevard or a tunnel, they said.
In a stinging witness statement lodged separately for Melbourne City Council, Mr London said elevated highways in the city were an "urban blight" and proposals to create large-scale iconic design structures would not help.
Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan said the government was building nine hectares of new parks and gardens as part of the project.
"To provide an alternative to the West Gate Bridge and to take trucks off residential streets, the West Gate Tunnel project has to cross the Maribyrnong River".
Expert witness for the government and panel member, architect Roger Wood, disagreed with the group's remarks on the Maribyrnong River and E-Gate.
Related Articles:
Prove we need West Gate CBD off-ramps: planning experts Cycling 'freeway' plan dangerous, says council.
West Gate Tunnel benefits 'deliberately distorted' .
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/55b-t ... xzzax.html
Roderick Smith
Posts: 1321
Joined: Mon May 28, 2012 8:44 pm

Re: Victorian Ferry observations & News 2017

Post by Roderick Smith »

The Portarlington commuter run hasn't had the speed limit raised in the lower Yarra, where container ships have a larger wake. I doubt that the speed limit would be raised above Princes Bridge. This project gets talked up every year, but has little merit.

Roderick.

Yarra River commuter ferry service from Docklands and Chapel St one step closer.
Herald Sun September 4, 2017.
AN inner city ferry commuter service is a step closer with the potential operator encouraged by recent trials.
Businessman Paul Little wants to run the service between Docklands and the Church St Bridge to appeal to residents and shoppers around Chapel St.
Mr Little, who owns Portarlington to Docklands operator Port Phillip Ferries, said trials on the Yarra River had been positive.
Businessman and former trucking magnate Paul Little says a Yarra River commuter service could soon become reality.
“We’re still going through the viability but it’s looking encouraging,” he told the Herald Sun.
“Since we made more public our interest in running the service we’ve had a lot of other parties approach us about the possibility of having stations along the way.”
“It’s quite exciting.”
Mr Little, the former Essendon Football Club chairman, said the next step was to work out how many stops to have.
“(Lord Mayor) Robert Doyle speaks a lot about shoppers wanting to access Chapel St without the need to be parking vehicles and so forth, so I think there’d be an element of shopping and day trippers there,” he said.
Cr Doyle said that Mr Little was a man of vision and determination and “I’ve always been optimistic about his proposal”.
“And if things are going in the right direction, that’s great news for Melbourne commuters,” he said.
“I love that Melbourne is a place where we work together to get things done so while there may be obstacles to making this service a reality, I am hopeful that we can work through them.”
Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle at the launch of the ferry service to Wyndham Harbour. Picture: David Caird.
Port Phillip Ferries is getting a new purpose-built vessel to better suit bay conditions for the Portarlington service, which has been running since last year after a trial between Docklands and Wyndham Harbour failed.
Mr Little said the future of the Portarlington route was still being considered.
“Operationally it’s wonderful, it’s just getting our heads around whether it’s a commuter service or whether it’s more, I guess, appealing to people who want to use it as more of a tourist type thing or a combination of both,” he said.
The firm is currently offering a special where commuters pay just one-way for the $27 return service leaving Portarlington at 7am and returning from Docklands at 5.30pm.
There is also a Geelong “maiden voyage” planned for October 7 which includes dinner at a Bellarine Peninsula winery.
Mr Little and his wife Jane Hansen were today honoured at the State Library for donating $3.5 million to the library’s redevelopment project.
YARRA RIVER FERRY PLAN FROM DOCKLANDS TO CHURCH ST BRIDGE.
PORT PHILLIP FERRIES HITS TROUBLE WITH WESTERN SUBURBS TRIAL.
PORTARLINGTON SERVICE TRIALLED BY PORT PHILLIP FERRIES.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victor ... 22f41a6b3b
* So, 150 years of morning and evening rowing on the Yarra - a Melbourne institution, is about the trashed for a commercial ferry service. For those not in the rowing world, a bit like selling the MCG to kite flyers during September - but that would never happen. So the home of a very amateur and successful Australian sport is being handed over to a business operator - how sickening and disgusting.
* Serious question. Can they work together?
* Only worthwhile for commuters if it's a fast boat. But fast boats create waves affecting other users and erosion. A slow boat is the tourist option.
* A slow boat tourist option has already operated on the Yarra throughout all of my memory - 50 years. A slow boat ferry has operated during the middle of the day and on Sunday afternoons. This is very different from a ferry service roaring up and down the Yarra during the mornings and evenings when rowers train (before and after work). And the schools train during the afternoon. This has been happening for 150 years. So we close this down so ferry operators like Paul Little can make some more money?
Roderick Smith
Posts: 1321
Joined: Mon May 28, 2012 8:44 pm

Queenscliff - Sorrento

Post by Roderick Smith »

Roderick.

September 24 2017 Multimillion-dollar Sorrento ferry terminal upgrade plan leaves some locals worried .
It was the first place Europeans settled in Victoria in 1803, but intensive development took a long time to reach Sorrento.
Now, Point Nepean Road comes to a dead stop as tourists flood the peninsula each summer, forming long queues for fish and chips. As development becomes more concentrated, even the Continental Hotel, built in 1872, is planning apartments.
The proposed Sorrento ferry terminal. Photo: Searoad Ferries
And some locals worry that the expensive seaside township's summer crush is about to get even worse, with plans to expand the Sorrento ferry terminal.
"Sorrento has just become a shemozzle," says Catherine O'Byrne.
Catherine O'Byrne (centre) with mother Nola Siemering and stepfather Don Siemering at the existing ferry terminal. Photo: Joe Armao
For Mrs O'Byrne, the terminal proposal is the final straw. She went to the local primary school, and her family, which has deep roots in the area, has lived a short walk from the pier for 45 years.
"It's just mass tourism here now and never mind the local heritage," she says.
Mornington Peninsula Council wants to change local planning rules so that the new two-storey, almost 10-metre-high terminal can be built.
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About 850,000 passengers take the ferry each year, a number growing by more than 3 per cent annually. The existing terminal is just a small kiosk and ticket booth, and a vehicle-docking zone.
A view of the planned terminal from Sorrento beach. Photo: Searoad Ferries
The new terminal would have a lounge and cafe, small shops for souvenirs and ticketing, and improved car access.
"It's going to provide a facility that improves the traffic flow for getting on and off the ferry, and toilets and kiosks for people waiting," says Mornington Peninsula deputy mayor Bryan Payne, a Portsea resident for 20 years.
The new terminal is planned to be 9.5 metres high. Photo: Searoad Ferries
"And the plan is for the pedestrian passengers to come in on the top level and not get [put] in among the vehicles."
But Ms O'Byrne says the dock the town has now is adequate – and developing it would benefit only one party: private operator Searoad Ferries, which is 95 per cent owned by companies based in Queensland and NSW.
A ferry leaves the existing pier and terminal. Photo: Joe Armao
She wants to raise awareness of the ferry terminal plan, which she says has not been well enough publicised.
The proposed change to local rules, which Planning Minister Richard Wynne will ultimately have to approve, is an expansion of the Searoad Ferries business. It also plans to rebuild Queenscliff ferry terminal, although this less contentious plan was largely approved in 2013.
The proposed new ferry terminal at Queenscliff. Photo: Searoad Ferries .
Searoad Ferries chief executive Matt McDonald says the operator has been careful to talk to locals about the Sorrento plan.
"We've done considerably more community consultation than I believe has ever been done for a piece of infrastructure like this on the Mornington Peninsula," he says.
Queenscliff ferry terminal last week. Photo: Joe Armao
Support for the plan has been "overwhelming", Mr McDonald says, and not just from ferry users.
"People can see there's a need for change. You've got Australia's busiest car and passenger ferry operating from a facility that has no toilet," he says.
A ferry leaves the existing Queenscliff terminal and harbour. Photo: Joe Armao
"The building allows people to … wait, look at the view, watch the ferry arrive, and then enter more directly into the lounge of the ferry."
It would also allow a local bus that currently bypasses the ferry to come directly to it.
"Travellers, people who visit places around the world, [say] our service is fantastic, but they ask, 'Why do I have to wait in that car park in the heat of my car?' "
The company does not receive public subsidies (nor does it release financial information on its performance), but Mr McDonald says Searoad Ferries will ask the state and federal governments to foot some of the $34 million bill for the two terminals, each costed at $17 million.
"The lion's share of the funds is the ferry company building this," Mr McDonald says.
But Catherine O'Byrne says the Sorrento project will increase traffic in summer, and leave Sorrento with a monolith no one but the ferry company wants.
She argues the project won't resolve any public need but will again allow outsiders to use the seaside town and waterfront to boost their profits.
"People come here to see a gentle village, not sit in traffic and look at bizarre eyesores at the end of a jetty."
The two experts appointed to advise the planning minister on the proposal, Brett Davis and Kate Partenio, will hold public hearings on the plan at the end of October.
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/multi ... yn39k.html
Roderick Smith
Posts: 1321
Joined: Mon May 28, 2012 8:44 pm

Sorrento terminal

Post by Roderick Smith »

Experts to hold hearings about $30m Sorrento Ferry plan.
Mornington Peninsula Leader October 30, 2017.
A PANEL is now deciding whether or not the $30 million Sorrento ferry terminal plan holds water.
A controversial mooted upgrade involves a new 9.5m high terminal including bathrooms, more parking space, sheltered waiting places and a retail area.
It would also have a retractable boarding gantry for passengers to board the ferry directly from the building.
Planning Panels Victoria experts Nick Wimbush and Kate Partenio are holding hearings over three days to discuss the idea.
Planning Minister Richard Wynne said the committee was focusing on ensuring any development got the balance right between driving tourism and “protecting what makes Sorrento special”.
“We know that Sorrento is a jewel in the crown of Victoria’s tourism trade and development is important to help drive visitation, but we won’t let any projects proceed that compromise local character,” Mr Wynne said.
“Nobody knows what makes Sorrento special better than the community, so we’re giving locals a say over what the Mornington Peninsula Shire’s project should look like.
“This is proper planning at play, getting the balance right so that projects can proceed, but not at the expense of what makes Sorrento so great.”
The $30 million Tourism Precinct Project went out to community consultation earlier this year.
There were 35 submissions received by Mornington Peninsula Shire, with a majority — 22 — in favour.
Advocates say an upgrade would promote tourism, improve the local economy and provide for safer berthing.
But others objected to the plan saying there were environmental concerns, a private operator shouldn’t be allowed to expand in the area and the terminal building would affect views.
The ferry service is a major driver of tourism for both the Mornington and Bellarine peninsulas, transporting more than 800,000 passengers each year.
The hearings started today and will end on Wednesday.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/sout ... 62b448b6c0
Roderick Smith
Posts: 1321
Joined: Mon May 28, 2012 8:44 pm

Expanded Western Port timetable

Post by Roderick Smith »

The Western Port Ferry service (previously known as the French Island Ferry) runs between Stony Point in Mornington Peninsula and Cowes on Phillip Island, via French Island.
The ferry departs from:
•Stony Point Jetty on the Mornington Peninsula (Stony Point Station is a short walk from the jetty) •Tankerton Jetty on French Island •Cowes Jetty on Phillip Island Tickets can be purchased onboard the ferry.
Please note: the Western Port Ferry is not a myki ticketed service.
The following fares apply:
•Adult: one way $13, return $26.
•Child*: one way $6, return $12.
•Pensioner/concession: one way $8, return - $16.
•Bicycle (additional cost): one way $4, return - $8.
•Children aged under 4 years travel free.
*Child fares are available for children aged from 4 to 12 years old.
From Friday 27 October, there’ll be a new timetable with more services.
Download the new Western Port Ferry timetable (PDF) (effective from Friday 27 October 2017) Download the current French Island Ferry timetable (PDF) 214kB (effective from Sunday 27 August 2017) For passengers with accessibility requirements, all timetable information in the PDFs can be found on this page.
Phillip Island to Stony Point via French Island ferry timetable - effective 27/8/2017:
Monday to Friday departures:
Phillip Island 8.35 12.40 17.50 20.15 (FO).
French Island 7.30 8.05 8.05 9.05 10.30 12.05 13.10 16.35 17.20 18.15 19.40.
Stony Point 7.10 7.50 10.10 11.50 16.15 17.05 19.25.
Saturday departures:
Phillip Island 8.30 11.50 17.25.
French Island 7.55 9.00 10.20 11.15 12.20 16.00 16.50 17.55 18.45.
Stony Point 7.40 10.00 11.00 15.40 16.30 18.20.
Sunday departures:
Phillip Island 9.00 13.00 17.35.
French Island 8.25 9.30 10.20 12.15 13.30 16.25 17.05 18.00 18.45.
Stony Point 8.10 10.00 12.00 16.05 16.45 18.20.
http://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-aroun ... port-ferry
Roderick Smith
Posts: 1321
Joined: Mon May 28, 2012 8:44 pm

More ferries?

Post by Roderick Smith »

Port Phillip Ferries to look at Melbourne to Geelong service and peak hour trips on the Yarra River Herald Sun Mon.27.11.12.
NEW commuter ferry services could operate between Melbourne and Geelong and parts of Port Phillip Bay under ambitious expansion plans by high profile businessman Paul Little.
A $10 million purpose-built vessel will be added to Mr Little’s Port Phillip Ferries fleet next month, and the service has won approval for higher speeds at the mouth of the Yarra River PORT PHILLIP FERRIES HALTS WYNDHAM HARBOUR TRIAL PORTARLINGTON FERRY SERVICE CONFIRMED FOR THREE YEARS YARRA RIVER FERRY PLAN FROM CHAPEL ST TO DOCKLANDS The operator currently runs trips between Docklands and Portarlington on the Bellarine Peninsula, and Portarlington and Geelong after a South Werribee to CBD trial failed.
Under serious consideration is a new terminal at Station Pier for expanded bay services, and the introduction of new routes on the Yarra, with the focus on a quick peak commuter service between Chapel St and Flinders St Station.
New $10m vessel for Port Phillip Ferries under construction. Picture: Supplied.
Outlining their vision to the Herald Sun, Mr Little and Port Phillip Ferries CEO Murray Rance said that extensive time trials and patronage surveys could proceed with the arrival of the new 405-seat ferry in December.
Mr Little — the former Essendon Football Club chairman — said the ferry featuring enhanced seating, a smoother sail, a cafe and wi-fi would be ideal for a Melbourne-Geelong service.
“We’ve got Geelong-based companies that are really keen to access a regular ferry service southbound for their staff,” he said.
“One of the firms would consider allowing their staff to clock on when they hop on board as long as they work all the way to Geelong and then clock on when they come back again.”
Mr Little said a new terminal at Station Pier would have the advantage of a faster commute time to Geelong than the estimated 100 minutes from Victoria Harbour at Docklands.
“Station Pier gives us a lot more flexibility, and with the state government’s current plans to be running a light rail into that whole Port Melbourne/Fishermans Bend area, we just think that the ferry has got a lot of upside there,” he said.
Port Phillip Ferries owner Paul Little. Picture: Rebecca Michael.
Mr Rance said that smaller 150-200-seat ferries could potentially be used for 17-minute morning and evening peak commuter services on the Yarra between Chapel St and Flinders St Station, and also for tourist runs.
“You could pick people up from Flinders St and you could drop them off at Botanic Gardens, you could drop them off at the tennis — there are a number of tourism spots along this journey that work,” he said.
Port Phillip Ferries CEO Murray Rance. Picture: Alison Wynd Port Phillip Ferries was also being encouraged by the government to look at options for the eastern side of the bay including the Mornington Peninsula.
Mr Little said that there might be potential for a “grocery run” involving peninsula stops or just services between beach suburbs closer to the city.
“The possibilities are endless. You could run from Brighton, for example, or St Kilda to Geelong,” he said.
“The effort required to commute around the bay by car and rail is significant. We’re just examining the feasibilities.”
Despite the setback over the Wyndham Harbour to Docklands trial, Mr Little — who made a fortune from transport logistics giant Toll Holdings — believed Melburnians wanted good ferry services.
“I think as the traffic congestion continues to aggravate most people who get caught in it, the stressless environment of a ferry can be very attractive,” he said.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victor ... b93849ad23
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