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Car Ferry Business Case released for community feedback

Draft Business Case for a Car Ferry between Cowes and Stony Point for public feedback

By Portal Admin - 4th March 2018 - Back to News

Bass Coast Shire Council has released the draft Business Case for a Car Ferry between Cowes and Stony Point for public feedback.

The draft Business Case will be open for community feedback until 6 April. Hard copies can be viewed at any of Council’s Customer Service Centres or Visitor Information Centres, or Council’s website at www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/carferry.

The decision to release the draft Business Case was made at the Ordinary Public Meeting, held on 21 February at the Inverloch Community Hub.

At the meeting, Bass Coast Shire Council Mayor, Cr Pamela Rothfield, encouraged the community to take a look at the Business Case, and urged everyone to have their say.

"Bass Coast Shire, along with the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council have facilitated the process of the preparation of a draft business case on behalf of the state government. Now, comes the vital step in the process - this is the time for the whole community to consider the business case and provide comment," Cr Rothfield said.

"There are many ways people can engage, and I really urge the community to embrace this opportunity to voice their support, concerns or feedback, as well as ask questions."

Feedback and comments will be collected via an online survey and at drop in sessions held at Mussel Rocks BBQ area on The Esplanade in Cowes from 10.00am to 4.00pm on 11, 12, 13, 19 and 20 March.

There is also the opportunity for people to provide direct feedback by phoning or emailing EarthCheck. All of these details are available at www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/carferry.

Once all the feedback has been considered, the Final Business Case will be presented at the Council meeting on 21 April, where Council will consider its endorsement for delivery to the state government for further evaluation.

"Having diverse opinions is nothing new to Phillip Island – it is an essential part of our democracy that we hear from everyone so that the entire population has the opportunity express their view without fear or favour."

Business Case Background

At the Ordinary Council Meeting on 15 February 2017, Council resolved to ‘Participate in the Cowes to Stony Point Car Ferry Infrastructure Business Case Project.’

Bass Coast and Mornington Peninsula Shire Councils have been working on this project with the Victorian State Government, to develop a business case for a Cowes to Stony Point Car Ferry.

Regional Development Victoria approached Bass Coast Shire Council in 2016 with an offer of $200,000 towards a $250,000 project, to which Bass Coast and Mornington Peninsula Shire Councils contributed $25,000 each.

The objectives of the project are to:

• Prepare a Business Case for the State Government of Victoria about the development of a vehicle and passenger ferry service between Phillip Island and Mornington Peninsula, considering French Island resident needs and reporting on any development shortfall;
• Undertake community consultation and technical investigation of terminal locations and the development of infrastructure designs and their costs;
• Investigate the economic impact of a vehicle and passenger ferry service operations estimating the level of government support required for service viability;
• Investigate benchmark environmental standards required for the development and maintenance of a vehicle and passenger ferry infrastructure and operations; and
• Develop a schedule for project implementation.

1. A car ferry travelling between Stony Point and Cowes with the car ferry terminal on the Phillip Island side on the site of the Cowes Yacht Club.
2. A car ferry travelling between Stony Point, Tankerton (French Island) and Cowes with the car ferry terminal on the Phillip Island side in the vicinity of the Cowes Yacht Club.
3. A car ferry travelling between Stony Point and Cowes with the passengers disembarking at the existing Cowes jetty and vehicles continuing on to unload at a terminal near the Anderson Road Boat Ramp.
4. A car ferry established between Stony Point and Cowes with the car ferry terminal on the Phillip Island side immediately to the west of Mussel Rocks.

• Enhanced employment opportunities
• Greater tourism connectivity from the Mornington Peninsula to Phillip Island
• Increase in visitor activity
• Greater access to emergency services
• Better access to public transport

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: support@gippsland.com

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• Gippsland Water Customer Satisfaction Survey opens from 1 to 17 October, feedback chance to win $100 bill credits
  Gippsland Water’s annual customer satisfaction survey runs October 1-17, allowing all customers to provide feedback and enter a draw to win one of ten $100 bill credits.
• East Gippsland celebrates connection, creativity, and community with 2025 month-long Seniors Festival program
  East Gippsland Shire Council presents the 2025 Seniors Festival, offering over 60 free and low-cost events celebrating connection, creativity, wellbeing, and community for older residents throughout October.
• Latrobe City Council to negotiate Old Methodist Church sale following community consultation and support heritage reuse
  Following community consultation, Latrobe City Council will negotiate the Old Methodist Church sale to Traralgon Historical Society, supporting heritage reuse and allocating $86,000 funding contingent on securing a VicTrack lease.
• Bass Coast Shire Council sets four-year strategic direction with refreshed Community Vision, Council Plan, and Annual Action Plan
  Bass Coast Shire Council has adopted its refreshed Community Vision 2045, Council Plan 2025-2029, and Annual Action Plan, setting a community-shaped strategic direction celebrating the region’s diverse landscapes and values.
• Bass Coast Shire Council adopts 2024 - 2025 Annual Report, showcasing community achievements and future strategic direction
  Bass Coast Shire Council has adopted its 2024 - 2025 Annual Report, celebrating achievements, community progress, and the completion of the 2021 - 2025 Council Plan while setting a new strategic direction for 2025-2029.
• Cape Paterson Traffic Plan adopted to improve safety through community-driven road and pedestrian upgrades
  Bass Coast Shire Council has adopted the Cape Paterson Traffic Management Plan, developed with strong community input to improve safety through speed reductions, traffic calming, better intersections, and pedestrian-cyclist connectivity.
• Omeo Mountain Bike Park officially opens, delivering world-class trails, boosting tourism, community, and local economy
  Omeo’s 114-kilometre, $10 million mountain bike park has officially opened, offering world-class trails, boosting tourism, energising local businesses, and celebrating years of community vision, planning, and collaboration.
• Mallacoota Skate Park Competition returns November 8, promising community fun, BMX, skateboarding, and prizes
  Mallacoota Skate Park Competition on 8 November 2025 will feature BMX and skateboarding contests, learn-to-skate sessions, prizes, music, and food, celebrating community, inclusivity, and active recreation for all ages.
• Yarragon’s $3.9M Dowton Park Pavilion progressing, boosting local sport, community facilities and infrastructure by March 2026
  Construction of Yarragon’s $3.9 million Dowton Park pavilion is progressing well, with steel framing, utilities, and key facilities underway, set for completion and community use by March 2026.
• GPAC’s Summer Nights series brings free outdoor movies and family fun to Gippsland community on 13, 14, 21 February and 20 March 2026
  GPAC’s Summer Nights brought families together with free outdoor movies, live entertainment, and food trucks, drawing strong community attendance and extending the series due to popular demand in Gippsland.
• Latrobe City events drive tourism, economic growth and community engagement across the region
  Latrobe City hosted major sporting and cultural events in 2024 - 25, attracting over 27,000 attendees and generating $23.5 million in economic impact, reinforcing the region's growing reputation as an events hub.
• East Gippsland Council opens impact grants applications to support local community and environmental projects
  East Gippsland Council’s Impact Grants program offers $3,001 - $20,000 to community groups for projects strengthening communities or supporting environmental sustainability, with applications closing 31 October 2025.