The State Government has revealed the $240 million Quaylink redevelopment of the Port of Devonport is more than 12 months behind schedule and over budget by more than $130 million.
A key element of the project – a new berth for the replacement Spirit of Tasmania ships – isn’t now expected to be available until January 2026.
Deputy Premier and Infrastructure Minister Michael Ferguson has ordered state-owned entities TT-Line and TasPorts and ordered them to get on with the job.
Mr Ferguson has ordered TasPorts to undertake additional and immediate works to the current Spirit of Tasmania berth to ensure suitable berthing is available in time for the arrival of Spirit of Tasmania IV, which is due in the first quarter of this year.
He says TT-Line has informed the Government the cost blowout is due to a global increase in materials and construction costs.
Opposition Leader Dean Winter says the blow-out in costs and delays are nothing short of scandalous.
Mr Winter says it’s the worst case of incompetency in management of a major infrastructure in Tasmania’s history.
He says the Government says it wants proper oversight on the project when it should have had it from the start.
Mr Winter says the new Spirits are already three years behind original schedule and every year they are delayed costs the Tasmanian economy $350 million a year.
A parliamentary inquiry, to be chaired by Independent Murchison MLC Ruth Forest, is due to get underway in Hobart on Friday to determine the causes of the cost blow-outs and project delays.
