Apollo Bay trial dead in the water

BASS Strait Freight’s application for a trial cattle run linking King Island to Apollo Bay and Victorian markets has been formally rejected by the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority.

 Bass Strait Freight’s owner David Harris is walking away from the proposal.

 “We are walking away from the project until a more competent port manager is in place,” Mr Harris said.

 “There are no safety and environmental issues regarding running our vessel into Apollo Bay that can’t be mitigated with normal seamanship.

 “The issues that GORCAPA have identified for not allowing a trial shipment are a sham,” Mr Harris said.

 Mr Harris earlier this year had a trial King Island to Apollo Bay cattle run permit application pro[1]visionally rejected and a loss in the Supreme Court case on the matter before GORCAPA took over port management from the Colac Otway Shire council.

GORCAPA CEO Jodie Sizer said the authority in its role as the manager of the local Port of Apollo Bay, made a final decision to refuse a permit.

 “Our role as the port manager is to ensure that port operations are carried out safely, efficiently, and effectively,” she said.

 The Local Port of Apollo Bay is managed in accordance with the Port Management Act (1995) and the Port Management (Local Ports) Regulations 2015.

 “An authorisation to berth, moor, or anchor a vessel in a local port or to manage cargo, including undertaking any activity related to the arrival, loading, unloading, or transfer of cargo the proposed use of the port requires a permit,” GORCAPA said.

 Tasmanian Transport Minister Eric Abetz threw his weight behind the proposed BSF freight service.

 “A balance must be sought between the interests of some user groups and the essential role ports play in the movement of goods and people,” he stated in a letter in February urging GORCAPA to consider the broader economic and social benefits and to recon[1]sider their position in their final decision.

 King Island Mayor Marcus Blackie supported the proposal.

 “I lament the loss of the opportunity to trial this proposed new shipping route that could significantly improve trade between Victoria and Tasmania.

 Ports around Australia actually exist for the movement of goods and people, not Pilates classes,” he said.

 “We always need to trial new logistics solutions, especially those that shipping companies themselves propose for reducing distances and lowering overall freight costs.

 “I remain a supporter of trialling any proposal that could potentially improve our shipping logistics, open up new routes and markets, as well as reduce our costs of living.

 “I sincerely hope that other proposals are brought before our Shipping Round Table this year,” Mr Blackie said.

 King Island Council will consider reinstating the 2019 Shipping Special Committee.

 The committee was formed to provide a platform for shipping users to discuss King Island’s shipping services, address operational issues collaboratively, and advocate for improvements that foster economic growth and job opportunities.

 However, no official terms of reference were adopted, leading to uncertainty regarding the group’s status.

 In 2024, drought round table discussion groups took priority, focusing on freight logistics for stock and fodder movement.

 A community push now seeks to reinstate a local shipping group to address broader shipping issues consistently between round tables Shipping service challenges remain a major concern for King Island’s businesses and community.

 The council recommends re-establishing the Shipping Group as a special committee, developing terms of reference at a March workshop, and consulting stakeholders before finalisation.

 Council’s 2024-25 Annual Plan prioritises advocating for improved logistics and freight equalisation.

 The King Island Shipping and Freight Round Table, chaired by State Growth and involving key stakeholders, has effectively superseded the local Shipping Group, raising concerns about duplication of effort if a new group is formed.

 The Round Table meets biannually and has broad representation, including local councillors, businesses, farmers, and shipping companies.

 Matters under council consideration include that the re-establishing and/or supporting the Shipping Group would increase staff workload and requires clear Terms of Reference.

 An alternative suggestion is that the council could request the State Government to include additional community and business representatives in the existing Round Table.

 The council’s decision on this matter is awaited with interest by the King Island community, as shipping remains a critical issue for the island’s economic sustainability and growth.