QuayLink: The largest wharf infrastructure upgrade in 27 years

On Monday, April 3, TasPorts CEO Anthony Donald was joined by Premier Jeremy Rockliff, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson and Devonport Mayor Alison Jarman for a tour of the QuayLink construction site, East Devonport.

Mr Rockcliff said the project represents the largest wharf infrastructure upgrades for Tasmania in 27 years.

“This $240 million project is a once-in-a-generation development and will future-proof Devonport as a tourism and freight gateway for the next 50 years,” he said.

Touring the site works today, Premier Rockcliff said the TasPorts QuayLink upgrades will increase freight capacity of Bass Strait freight by 40 per cent when the upgraded Port of Devonport opens in 2027.

“When works are completed, an additional 160,000 passengers will be able to enter Devonport every year, adding an expected $200 million to tourism expenditure across the State,” he said.

Minister Ferguson said that the project addresses existing capacity constraints and unlocks a billion-dollar investment in shipping companies seeking to invest in larger, more efficient vessels to meet growth and demand.

“TasPorts contractors, the Hazell Brady Joint Venture, is more than halfway through the dredge and reclaim. They will then construct a state-of-the-art wharf for the next generation of Spirit vessels,” he said.

Mrs Jarman said the project would be a game changer for East Devonport.

“It’s just so respectful to have this kind of infrastructure and this kind of development happen on this side of the river,” she said.

“This State is all about tourism and we are open for business. This is going to be a perfect example of what we can do, and do it well.”

Since January, more than 30 Tasmanian businesses have been directly engaged by TasPorts for works ranging from crane hire, electrical, diving, reinforcing, surveying, marine, civil contractors, welding, earth moving, plumbing and waste management.

The works, which began in 2022, have been staged into nine packages of work, to stimulate local supply and spend.