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Join the car ferry conversation

Bass Coast and Mornington Peninsula Shire Councils are working on a project with the Victorian Government, to develop a business case for a car ferry between Cowes and Stony Point.

By Portal Admin - 8th September 2017 - Back to News

Community members and businesses in Bass Coast and Mornington Peninsula shires are encouraged to share their views on the impacts and opportunities of a car ferry.

Consultation will start in September with open meetings and drop-in sessions held on Phillip Island and the Mornington Peninsula in early October. These sessions are part of a broad community engagement program to help understand and define the community, environmental and economic contribution and impacts of a car ferry between Cowes and Stony Point, including a passenger only service to French Island.

The impacts and opportunities of expanding the current passenger ferry to a car ferry service will be identified as part of the Business Case to be prepared for the Victorian Government.

Minister for Regional Development, The Hon Jaala Pulford announced the $200,000 grant from the Regional Tourism and Infrastructure Fund to help Bass Coast and Mornington Peninsula Shires investigate the feasibility of a vehicle ferry, underpinned by extensive and rigorous public consultation.

Minister Pulford added, "I encourage the communities of Bass Coast and the Mornington Peninsula to take part in the community consultation and help shape what could be a highly impactful tourism project."

Bass Coast Mayor, Cr Pamela Rothfield, said community and business consultation over the past decade has consistently raised the concept of better linkages between Mornington Peninsula, Phillip Island and French Island.

"This has been to address issues such as employment, especially for young people, access to emergency services, public transport, tourism and community links," Cr Rothfield said.

"The Victorian Government, in partnership with Bass Coast and Mornington Peninsula Shire Councils, has appointed a team of transport and business case development professionals to work through the process with our communities and stakeholders to understand the feasibility and impact of this project, and the opportunities it could create."

Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor, Cr Bev Colomb said Council is delighted to work with Bass Coast Shire on this business case.

"The project is consistent with the Shire’s Economic Development Strategy 2016-2019 and the Mornington Peninsula Regional Tourism Board’s Destination Management Plan 2014.

"Our Councils are looking forward to working with both communities to help them learn more about this wonderful intiative.

"We hope the communities will embrace this opportunity to make decisions and discuss the priorities for the future of Bass Coast and the Mornington Peninsula" concluded Cr Colomb.

There will be two key phases of community engagement, with discussions starting in September to collect ideas, opinions, information and input on the impacts and opportunities of a car ferry.

Phase 1: Community and business engagement - information gathering Phillip Island Mornington Peninsula



Phase 2: Feedback on the Draft Business Case

Sessions held across Phillip Island and the Mornington Peninsula in February 2018 to provide feedback on the Draft Business Case before it is submitted to Local and State Government.

For more information contact:

Tania Treasure

Manager, Economic Development and Tourism

Mornington Peninsula Shire Council

m 0409 541 805

e carferry@mornpen.vic.gov.au

Mark Olsen

Project Consultant

Earthcheck

m 0418 773 806

e mark.olsen@earthcheck.org

Peter Francis

Manager, Economic Development and Tourism

Bass Coast Shire Council

m 0419 560 603

e p.francis@basscoast.vic.gov.au

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: support@gippsland.com