Legislative Council, Thursday 17 August 2023

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

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:

Q1)

To be clear, TasPorts previously advised that these vessels have not been denied access to the Port of Grassy. Some vessels have experienced 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 that 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.

The answer previously provided also emphasised that sailings of livestock cargo are appropriately subject to 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.

These decisions by the vessel master are made in consideration of sea conditions on Bass Strait, rather than simply the conditions at the Port of Grassy.

I am further advised that following a recent visit to King Island by Cabinet, the Government agreed to a review of a feasibility study conducted in 2008 for the King Island Council and the former King Is. Ports Corporation for a future expansion of the Grassy Port.

I am advised that the cost of the port upgrade was $40 million in 2008 dollars.

The Government will review this study in light of changes to the King Island economy, population, changes in markets and shipping services to and from the Island.

It is important to understand that the port's utilisation rate is 15 per cent, which is low by Tasmanian standards and very low in the national context.

It is also important to consider subsequent regulatory changes including environment and animal welfare laws in the review of the study.

Any consideration for an upgrade would require Australian Government funding assistance and infrastructure funding must demonstrate a value greater than its cost to be regarded as feasible by Infrastructure Australia.

It should be emphasised that TasPorts has a good working relationship with Group 6 Metals and will continue to engage directly with it, including on its overburden issue.