4 July, 2023

The following response has been provided out of session and will be tabled when Parliament resumes.

In response to a question I asked in March this year regarding the construct an all-weather safe harbour on King Island which I continue to maintain it does not currently have, the Leader informed me TasPorts had advised her that there is no demonstrable need for a second safe harbour at Grassy. Neither is there a demonstrated need to develop a master plan for Grassy Harbour. The port of Grassy already has additional capacity beyond its current freight task. TasPorts would only review its position on the need for an additional safe harbour if demand were to significantly increase.

1. Does the Government and TasPorts stand by this comment when there has been numerous documented evidence of an inability for both the Bass Island Line vessel, the John Duigan, and vessels owned by Eastern Shipping Lines have been denied access to the Grassy Port or had to inform their customers on King Island, who had stock awaiting transport at the Port that had to be returned to farms to ‘try again tomorrow’ on account of the weather conditions.

2. If so, on what basis does TasPorts make the claim that the current Grassy harbour is an all-weather safe harbour?

ANSWER:
1) TasPorts advise that these vessels have not been denied access to the Port of Grassy. Some vessels have been delayed entry with TasPorts facilitating access at the next earliest, safest opportunity.

There are acknowledged environment and weather-related safe port parameters that TasPorts and visiting vessels need to adhere to which can restrict the times at which a vessel can berth and safely stay alongside – these include daylight hours of operation, tide, wind and surge – but these are not unique in a port context.

When it comes to transporting livestock, the point should be made that Bass Strait is a notorious stretch of water where extreme wave heights occur often and opposing tidal currents may increase wave steepness. Any decision to delay sailing with livestock is not alone dependent on the ability of the vessel to access port – it also relies on a decision by the Master of the vessel who is responsible for the safe welfare and transit of the animals on board in accordance with Tasmania’s Animal Welfare Guidelines.

2)  TasPorts advise that the Port of Grassy on King Island is providing for the current shipping task and that there is no indication that other or larger shipping lines have a desire to call into the Port of Grassy. The freight task remains stable, and livestock has a solution to get to both Tasmania and Victoria in a safe and compliant manner.

TasPorts further advise that given the Port is fit-for-purpose (and already with additional capacity beyond its existing freight task), there is no demonstrable need for either a new berth or harbour.

TasPorts is required to operate as a commercial business enterprise. Any investment in port infrastructure is to be supported by corresponding port charges. These port charges would be levied on the shipping companies and passed on to users of these services, including King Island livestock producers, so care is clearly required.

TasPorts has a good working relationship with Group 6 Metals and will continue to engage directly with it, including on its overburden issue. It will continue to work with its shipping customers and stakeholders to ensure the Port of Grassy continues to meet the needs of the King Island community.