THE Currie Slipway is now operational, and it is welcome news for fishers who can now undertake boat repairs on the island.
“On behalf of King Island, I acknowledge the refurbishment work and investment by TasPorts to get our Currie Harbour slipway operational again in a relatively short timeframe over winter,” Mayor Marcus Blackie said.
“It is great news for our fishing fleet and maritime safety as a whole that this facility is now up and running again,” he said.
“Innovative design work and engineering were required to replace the corroded sections and ensure the slipway meets all current compliance requirements.
“Hopefully, it will now receive more use than in the past to service our fishing fleet in situ and return the infrastructure investment.
“We continue to work very collaboratively with TasPorts under our reset relationship and they deserve credit for forward-leaning on this successful outcome,” Mr Blackie said after meeting with TasPorts executives.
King Island fishers and boat operators were concerned about the closure of the Currie Harbour slipway last November when the commercial Southern Rock Lobster season was due to open.
With the slipway closed fishers travelled to the Port of Stanley. Some fishers travelled to Hobart due to Stanley’s slip congestion and lack of space and others to Victoria for boat repairs.
“TasPorts closed the facility last year because of the poor condition of submerged sections of the slipway given its age and exposure to the marine environment over many years. The decision was an important one taking account of the safety of King Island’s fishing fleet operators, TasPorts’ personnel, and the wider community,” TasPorts said in a statement.
“TasPorts would like to thank the local fishing community, particularly Paul Graham, which worked so collaboratively with us on the remediation project,” TasPorts Chief Executive Officer Anthony Donald said.
“The work was completed by Tasmanian-based contractor BridgePro Engineering.”