Michael Ferguson,Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
Shane Broad should cease his relentless attacks on TasPorts, which are based on rumour and gossip.
His latest attempt to spread fear and talk down TasPorts is based on an operational incident, which was quickly dealt with.
I'm advised TasPorts quickly undertook appropriate landside and marine risk assessment and secured the infrastructure after a finger pier structure on Berth 7 failed, dropping approximately 400mm below main deck height.
No injuries were sustained and TasPorts has completed an engineering assessment on the structure, which concluded the ship loader is fit-for-purpose and can continue to be used for loading operations. The incident was reported to WorkSafe Tasmania in under 24 hours, well within the required timeframe.
Dr Broad can complain all he wants, but the reality is there have never been better supporters of Burnie Port Infrastructure than the Tasmanian and Australian Liberal Governments, and that is continuing.
Under the Port Master Plan released in 2018, TasPorts committed to investing at least $80 million at the Port of Burnie to deliver a significant increase in capacity at Tasmania's primary container port.
Key projects that have already been completed include significant capital dredging to support the arrival of Toll's new state-of-the-art vessels. Further dredging work is scheduled in future years to enable access for larger vessels.
Dr Broad has still failed to withdraw his proven false claims regarding staffing numbers, which was his earlier anti-TasPorts tirade.
