17 November 2003
PO Box 878,
Sandy Bay,
Tas. 7006
PROOF OF EVIDENCE
Re: Tramway – Sullivans Cove
My name is Robert Lister and I am the Chief Executive of the Tasmanian Fishing Industry Council.
BACKGROUND
The Tasmanian Fishing Industry Council is the peak industry body representing all 715 licensed commercial fishermen in Tasmania as well as 91 fish processor and 107 marine farmers. The Council’s members annually catch and produce 22 900 tonnes of product Statewide which equates to a landed value in excess of $327M.
We have a written understanding with the Hobart Ports Corporation regarding the activities of fishing related vehicles and fishing vessels in the area of Victoria Dock, Hobart. This arrangement is operating satisfactorily and has been in place for many years.
The Victoria Dock area is used by commercial fisherman to berth their vessels, for unloading and maintenance and in order to service and replenish fuel and provisions. There are currently around 60 boats that use this area mostly for the purposes of fishing rock lobster, abalone, shark and trevalla. The fishermen pay a vessel fee either on a daily or yearly basis to the Hobart Ports Corporation.
The areas main operational times are throughout daylight hours but the dock bridge is open to the fisherman 24 hours per day subject to reasonable notice.
THE TRAMWAY
I have viewed the latest modified plan displayed by the Hobart City Council relating to the Sullivans Cove tramway and am concerned about the safety aspects of the design and proposed route of the tramway as it may impact on our commercial fishermen members and their service vehicle operators.
VEHICULAR ACCESS
I am particularly concerned about the area between Davey Street and Victoria Dock and the approaches to this area including –
• the 2.8m vehicle parking area bordering Davey Street for vehicles that service the commercial fishing fleet and particularly for vessels berthed at the two finger piers. Vehicles can approach these parking areas from either end i.e. from the Davey Street/Mure’s carpark or the Hunter Street end;
• the 3.6m tram easement, and
• the 2.6m shared access area which borders on Victoria Dock and which will include power poles, rubbish containers etc.
The area between Davey Street and Victoria Dock will be used by vehicles, trams, pedestrians as well as cyclists and wheel chairs etc. all travelling in either direction in an area proposed at 9m in width with an immediate drop off to Victoria Dock.
The obvious conflicts in this multiple purpose area would be accentuated when the Victoria Dock bridge is closed as this narrow corridor is the alternate access for emergency vehicles.
SAFETY CONCERNS
The specific safety concerns I have are –
- the need for fishing related vehicles to travel along the tram easement from either end to access designated parking spots with the possibility of meeting a tram travelling in either direction;
- parking areas will be restricted more than at present by the placement of overhead power poles for the tram;
- the very close proximity of where these vehicles park to the tram easement.
- Vehicle operators could very easily open vehicle doors or step from their vehicles into the path of a tram coming from either direction. I understand the maximum tram speed is 20kph and the trams could travel along this track up to perhaps 48 times per day if only one tram is used;
- vessel refuelling vehicles and unloading of catch will still require use of the pedestrian access area which will force pedestrians to use the tram easement section;
- additionally the shared access (pedestrian) area at a width of 2.6 metres does not provide sufficient space for refuelling vehicles and trucks. The only way they can continue to service the fishing fleet will be to encroach onto the tram easement holding up trams for considerable periods of time;
- the service vehicle parking area is to be located directly alongside the narrowed Davey Street frontage which caters for a very high volume of vehicles, and
- the access to Mure’s carpark from Davey Street where vehicles will be held up at times in Davey Street whilst a tram passes through this area. Presumably the tram will not give way to vehicles or pedestrians.
PARKING SPACES
In any assessment of the proposed tram route we certainly would not support and would most actively oppose any loss of valuable parking spaces which are essential for the efficient servicing of the fishing fleet.
CONCLUSION
The tramway proposition adjacent to Victoria dock will impinge on the existing use of this area which has been available to service fishing vessels in Victoria Dock for the last 180+ years. At the very least a risk management assessment should be undertaken and releases provided to indemnify legitimate users of the area against any actions or litigation which may result from the operation of the tramway.
R.K. LISTER
Chief Executive, Tasmanian Fishing Industry Council
PO Box 878,
Sandy Bay, Tas. 7006