Locals will start to see more activity around GeelongPort’s Corio Quay precinct with contractors due to start major landside works on Spirit of Tasmania’s passenger and freight terminal precinct, supporting its move to Geelong in Spring 2022.
The $135 million state-of-the-art passenger and freight terminal precinct will see construction over the next 12 months of berth infrastructure, including a world-first three-level boarding ramp for cars, caravans and trucks to board simultaneously, an impressive terminal building providing improved amenity for passengers and staff, and the establishment of a boarding area that includes marshalling for 600 cars and separate parking area for 150 trucks.
The contractors appointed include Fitzgerald Constructions Australia who have been undertaking demolition of the existing berth structure and will continue with the significant marine works necessary to expand the wharf, berthing and loading facilities for the terminal, BMD Constructions who will deliver the landside civil construction within the 12-hectare site and Kane Constructions who will undertake construction of the passenger terminal building.
GeelongPort CEO Brett Winter said, ‘We are very excited to be reaching this major milestone with the appointment of these experienced contractors who have also delivered some iconic projects across the region over the years.
‘I am also proud to say that we have been working with them to ensure the project provides value to our region throughout construction with a large portion of goods and services being sourced through local businesses.
‘For example, the majority of the piles and all of the complex steel structures for the three-level access ramp are being sourced through Thornton Engineering Australia who are located in Corio.’
Spirit of Tasmania CEO Bernard Dwyer said, ‘It’s fantastic to see the major works beginning on the precinct development. There has been a considerable amount of planning and design work leading up to today.
‘I am looking forward to seeing the development evolve over the next 12 months, so we begin welcoming passengers to Geelong in Spring 2022.’
The contractors will be working in parallel to deliver their individual packages of work, with works all contained within the port precinct. GeelongPort is continuing to work with State and Federal Government to support essential road upgrades in time for the facility to open.
The Spirit of Tasmania passenger and freight terminal precinct is coming at a time where Geelong and the wider region are recovering from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and will be an essential piece of tourism and freight infrastructure for decades.
To find out more visit engage.geelongport.com.au/spiritoftasmania
Image from left to right: GeelongPort CEO Brett Winter, Fitzgerald Constructions Australia Director Bruce McCraken, Kane Constructions Joint Managing Director Richard Frisina, Fitzgerald Constructions Australia Project Manager Ben Hiley, Spirit of Tasmania PMO Director/APP Paul Kirkwood, Kane Constructions Project Director Sam Birdseye and BMD Constructions General Manager VIC/SA/TAS Peter Anusas.