Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 1:31 am
Ferry here in three weeks
The spot at the old Wallaroo boat ramp where the "Seaway" will be moored in two to three weeks
Wallaroo's ferry will arrive in our waters within the next two or three weeks in readiness for a December 7 start, according to Sea Transport's Stuart Ballantyne - pictured at the Wallaroo terminal site last Friday with his wife, Stephanie Dawson.
The vessel to be used for the Wallaroo to Lucky Bay ferry service, to commence on December 7, is to arrive at Wallaroo boat ramp in approximately three weeks.
The "Seaway" - currently on a slip at Port Lincoln - will be moored at the soon-to-be-completed Wallaroo boat ramp "station", and from there will be taken for trial runs in the lead up to the ferry service launch on December 7.
Sea Transport's Stuart Ballantyne, with partner Stephanie Dawson, was in Wallaroo last Friday, checking on the progress at the Wallaroo terminal, and was confident the launch date will stand.
Tradesmen were with them, discussing the terminal works' progress.
Fill at the base of the boat ramp between the four on-site mooring poles has to be removed, and a temporary ticket office, and additional waiting room/reception area, is yet to be placed.
Bookings for the service are already being taken, with Sue Cassidy, Sea SA Operations/ Administration Officer, based at Wallaroo, reporting she is receiving approximately 100 phone calls a day.
"The response has been fantastic, with enquiries and booking placements coming from people all over the State - Adelaide, Clare and Fleurieu Peninsula - and everyone appears excited," Sue said. The enquiry number is 8823 0777.
Market potential of one million vehicles
A recent presentation to a tourism group revealed some interesting detail about the Wallaroo to Lucky Bay ferry service.
Provided by owner, Sea Transport SA, it revealed a market potential of "conservatively" one million vehicles and with that much movement off road, it suggests a reduction in road accidents.
Sea Transport says there were 531 serious accidents recorded in the last four years - including many deaths and serious injuries on the Cowell/Port Augusta/Port Wakefield road sectors.
The company also says a ferry service would reduce exhaust emissions and road maintenance costs, and points to systems used by the EU and the US that use government funded incentives to get freight onto coastal ferries.
The presentation also gave detail of the 64-metre vessel, under construction, that will replace an interim vessel expected to start the service on December 7.
The larger vessel will accommodate 10 trucks, 50 cars and 350 passengers with 180 lane metres for trucks and 230 for cars. Sea Transport says this will aid importers and exporters, allowing trailers to travel across the gulf without prime movers, reducing costs.
It also anticipates courier services, government personnel and tradesmen will use the ferry service, along with commuters and tourists.
Wallaroo excited
President John McCormack says Wallaroo Community Development Association believes there are exciting times ahead.
With a ferry service so close to starting, Wallaroo Community Development Association is readying to put its vision of a beautified foreshore and main street to the District Council of the Copper Coast.
President John McCormack says the association is excited because the ferry will present some good opportunities to the town with users needing to be encouraged to spend some time.
"Wallaroo will become a through road rather than a dead-end - I think it's going to be terrific and the association is really looking forward to it. We need to try and trap those passengers coming up from Adelaide - get them here to catch the ferry a bit earlier and have them look around. It's important to have the foreshore attractive and public access to the beaches, jetty and marina linked via walkways and a connection to the main street."
He says the association has also looked at traffic movements, especially in light of an escalation of truck traffic, and it believes Jetty Road could be widened to feed trucks up to the bypass road.
"There are unlimited things to think about," he said. "We really need a decent tourist information centre down there - the Kadina one is in the wrong place. We had a round-table at our last meeting and looked at everyone's design ideas. We will come up with a plan soon because it is evident everyone's thoughts are similar - they are not far out."
Asked about the pricing structure of the ferry service that has attracted some criticism, John says it seems comparable to other services but he wonders if the driver and a passenger should be included in the car price.
"I took a car from Queenscliff to Sorrento (Victoria) just 18 months ago. That cost us a total of $55; however, it is only a half-hour journey by sea, so it does compare. However, perhaps the operators should have another look at it and consider a family ticket. People will spend money on the boat anyway with snacks and drinks.
http://www.ypct.com.au/news/06/10/31/3.html[/b]
The spot at the old Wallaroo boat ramp where the "Seaway" will be moored in two to three weeks
Wallaroo's ferry will arrive in our waters within the next two or three weeks in readiness for a December 7 start, according to Sea Transport's Stuart Ballantyne - pictured at the Wallaroo terminal site last Friday with his wife, Stephanie Dawson.
The vessel to be used for the Wallaroo to Lucky Bay ferry service, to commence on December 7, is to arrive at Wallaroo boat ramp in approximately three weeks.
The "Seaway" - currently on a slip at Port Lincoln - will be moored at the soon-to-be-completed Wallaroo boat ramp "station", and from there will be taken for trial runs in the lead up to the ferry service launch on December 7.
Sea Transport's Stuart Ballantyne, with partner Stephanie Dawson, was in Wallaroo last Friday, checking on the progress at the Wallaroo terminal, and was confident the launch date will stand.
Tradesmen were with them, discussing the terminal works' progress.
Fill at the base of the boat ramp between the four on-site mooring poles has to be removed, and a temporary ticket office, and additional waiting room/reception area, is yet to be placed.
Bookings for the service are already being taken, with Sue Cassidy, Sea SA Operations/ Administration Officer, based at Wallaroo, reporting she is receiving approximately 100 phone calls a day.
"The response has been fantastic, with enquiries and booking placements coming from people all over the State - Adelaide, Clare and Fleurieu Peninsula - and everyone appears excited," Sue said. The enquiry number is 8823 0777.
Market potential of one million vehicles
A recent presentation to a tourism group revealed some interesting detail about the Wallaroo to Lucky Bay ferry service.
Provided by owner, Sea Transport SA, it revealed a market potential of "conservatively" one million vehicles and with that much movement off road, it suggests a reduction in road accidents.
Sea Transport says there were 531 serious accidents recorded in the last four years - including many deaths and serious injuries on the Cowell/Port Augusta/Port Wakefield road sectors.
The company also says a ferry service would reduce exhaust emissions and road maintenance costs, and points to systems used by the EU and the US that use government funded incentives to get freight onto coastal ferries.
The presentation also gave detail of the 64-metre vessel, under construction, that will replace an interim vessel expected to start the service on December 7.
The larger vessel will accommodate 10 trucks, 50 cars and 350 passengers with 180 lane metres for trucks and 230 for cars. Sea Transport says this will aid importers and exporters, allowing trailers to travel across the gulf without prime movers, reducing costs.
It also anticipates courier services, government personnel and tradesmen will use the ferry service, along with commuters and tourists.
Wallaroo excited
President John McCormack says Wallaroo Community Development Association believes there are exciting times ahead.
With a ferry service so close to starting, Wallaroo Community Development Association is readying to put its vision of a beautified foreshore and main street to the District Council of the Copper Coast.
President John McCormack says the association is excited because the ferry will present some good opportunities to the town with users needing to be encouraged to spend some time.
"Wallaroo will become a through road rather than a dead-end - I think it's going to be terrific and the association is really looking forward to it. We need to try and trap those passengers coming up from Adelaide - get them here to catch the ferry a bit earlier and have them look around. It's important to have the foreshore attractive and public access to the beaches, jetty and marina linked via walkways and a connection to the main street."
He says the association has also looked at traffic movements, especially in light of an escalation of truck traffic, and it believes Jetty Road could be widened to feed trucks up to the bypass road.
"There are unlimited things to think about," he said. "We really need a decent tourist information centre down there - the Kadina one is in the wrong place. We had a round-table at our last meeting and looked at everyone's design ideas. We will come up with a plan soon because it is evident everyone's thoughts are similar - they are not far out."
Asked about the pricing structure of the ferry service that has attracted some criticism, John says it seems comparable to other services but he wonders if the driver and a passenger should be included in the car price.
"I took a car from Queenscliff to Sorrento (Victoria) just 18 months ago. That cost us a total of $55; however, it is only a half-hour journey by sea, so it does compare. However, perhaps the operators should have another look at it and consider a family ticket. People will spend money on the boat anyway with snacks and drinks.
http://www.ypct.com.au/news/06/10/31/3.html[/b]