Cowes to Stony Point Vehicle Ferry Business Case DRAFT BUSINESS CASE RELEASE and HOW TO HAVE YOUR SAY

Four Options have been assessed Bass Coast Shire Council, Mornington Project Option 1: a vehicle ferry service established between Stony Point and Cowes, with the Cowes terminal and pier being developed Peninsula Shire Council and the Victorian on the current site of the Cowes Yacht Club Government are preparing a Business Project Option 2: a vehicle ferry service established between Stony Point, Tankerton () and Cowes, with the Cowes terminal Case to determine the cost, requirements and pier being developed on the current site of the Cowes Yacht Club and viability of a vehicle ferry service Project Option 3: a vehicle ferry service established between Stony Point and Cowes, with the Cowes side requiring passengers between Cowes and Stony Point. to embark/disembark at the existing Cowes jetty, and vehicle embarkation/disembarkation at the site adjacent to the Anderson Boat Ramp A Draft Business Case has been developed and the community Project Option 4: a vehicle ferry service established between Stony is invited to provide feedback. Point and Cowes, at a site immediately to the west of Mussel Rocks. EarthCheck Consulting, in partnership with AECOM and TRC At this stage, Project Option 4 has been identified as the most Consulting, has been commissioned to prepare this Business Case viable (based on the highest return on investment being to determine the cost, requirements and viability of a vehicle ferry achieved). This is explored further over the page. service between Cowes and Stony Point. Need for Project • Bass Coast and Mornington Peninsula have a high reliance on day Concept Designs – trip visitors and are exposed to tourism seasonality Not Development Plans • Challenges in accessing vital health, education and support services due to isolation The images on the following pages represent the • An increased risk of isolation during emergency situations should concept designs used to assess the Business Case the San Remo Bridge become comprised. and are not development plans for these locations. Potential benefits of a Vehicle Ferry If the Business Case is supported by the community, The Draft Business Case identifies the following benefits. Local and State Government it would proceed to:  Create an iconic touring route that would connect Mornington • A further environmental assessments phase; Peninsula and with the Great Ocean Road and • Detailed design phase and the appointment , bringing together some of ’s most significant tourism regions. of a commercial partner for the development  Increase the visitor spend of Phillip Island and the and operation; Mornington Peninsula by increasing overnight visitation, • The Development Approval phase. average length of stay and off-peak travel. Adding a potential $152.2 million in direct visitor expenditure per year. Each of these phases would include further  Enhance the connectivity of Phillip Island and Western Port creating community consultation. employment and opportunities for residents and businesses. Providing up to 278 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) jobs in the region in the first year of operation. Frequently Asked Questions  Enhance the safety of Phillip Island residents by reducing the reliance on the San Remo Bridge and providing an alternative A Frequently Asked Questions flyer is available from both Bass Coast route for emergency vehicles to access Philip Island. As well Shire Council and the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council Websites. as another evacuation route off the Island in emergencies. Providing critical public infrastructure and public transport links. Cowes concept being considered

Artists impression of Cowes Terminal concept, west of Mussel Rocks

Project Option 4: Cowes terminal concept, west of Mussel Rocks Estimated cost: $30.419m

Passenger Only Service to French Island French Island was an essential consideration in the residents and visitors. The Business Case is unable Business Case based on the potential impact of to conclude if the remaining passenger ferry changes to the ferry services between Cowes services would continue or would be combined and Stony Point on the vessel type and frequency with the car ferry service. This will depend on a to French Island. range of commercial factors and government The Business Case assumes that the passenger policy settings, and will be subject to discussions ferry service between Stony Point and Tankerton between the existing passenger ferry operator and will continue, to serve the needs of French Island the State Government if the project proceeds. Stony Point concept being considered

Artists impression of Stony Point Terminal concept, Mornington Peninsula

Project Option 1-4: Stony Point, jetty and terminal concept Estimated cost: $32.931m

Current timeline of developing the Business Case

Stage 1: Stage 2: Stage 3: Stage 4: Stage 5: Project Stakeholder Draft Business Public consultation Final Business commencement engagement Case to both on Draft Case to council and research and input councils Busniess Case — — — — — August 2017 September – February 2017 February – Late April 2018 November 2017 April 2018

Next steps should the process proceed beyond the Business Case

Detailed Secure funding Environmental Late April 2018 Design phase and (should the project assessment and Development Next Business Case the appointment be deemed monitoring Approval Released* of a commercial steps feasible) phase partner

*Subject to Council approval. Each further step will include community consultation. Cowes to Stony Point Vehicle Ferry Business Case OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE YOUR SAY

A Draft Business Case has been developed and the community is invited to provide their feedback. Bass Coast Shire Council, Mornington The Draft Business Case is available to view: Peninsula Shire Council and the Victorian Online  Government are preparing a Business basscoast.vic.gov.au/carferry mornpen.vic.gov.au/stonypointcarferry Case to determine the cost, requirements Hard Copy  and viability of a vehicle ferry service A hard copy will be available to view at the between Cowes and Stony Point. Customer Service Centres and Visitor Information Centres of Bass Coast and Mornington Peninsula Shires.

There are a number of ways you can have your say

Open house drop-in sessions

DATE TIME LOCATION

Sunday 11 March 2018 10am – 4pm Mussel Rocks BBQ area, The Esplanade, Cowes

Monday 12 March 2018 10am – 4pm Mussel Rocks BBQ area, The Esplanade, Cowes

Tuesday 13 March 2018 10am – 4pm Mussel Rocks BBQ area, The Esplanade, Cowes

Monday 19 March 2018 10am – 4pm Mussel Rocks BBQ area, The Esplanade, Cowes

Tuesday 20 March 2018 10am – 4pm Mussel Rocks BBQ area, The Esplanade, Cowes 2pm – 8pm Crib Point Community Hall, 7 Park Road, Crib Point

Online survey Direct feedback Have your say online at By phoning or emailing EarthCheck at

Surveymonkey.com/r/ZGJX768 (07) 3238 1901 [email protected]