Hopes new Bass Strait service will lead to cheaper shipping for farmers
There will be a "big change" for cattle producers on King and Flinders islands when a new Victorian depot is complete that will allow shipping to bypass mainland Tasmania, a local freight service says.
Farmers on King and Flinders islands are diversifying into the live cattle market, leading to a new freight and livestock terminal in Victoria's Gippsland region. Bass Strait Freight operator David Harris states that the new Port Anthony terminal, expected to open by the end of October, will reduce the cost price of cattle and general freight by about 50 percent.
This is achieved by bypassing mainland Tasmania, rather than relying on Bridport port in northern Tasmania. Harris is optimistic that this new service will revolutionize cattle transportation from the islands, as it will take 15 hours from Port Anthony compared to eight hours to Tasmania. The privately-owned terminal is co-invested in by Harris and Corner Inlet port, and is set to be a significant change for the cattle industry.
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