A planned week-long pause of the Spirit of Tasmania ferry service could leave dozens of Deloraine Craft Fair exhibitors unable to reach one of the state’s biggest events on time.
TT-Line plans to halt all sailings for seven days from October 23 as it changes over to new vessels.
Franklin MP Peter George recently told parliament the craft fair was the largest in the southern hemisphere, attracting more than 25,000 people from October 30 to November 1.
Event organisers have warned the changeover could throw the fair into doubt, with bookings unavailable during the very week stallholders need to travel.
They said many interstate exhibitors relied entirely on the ferry to bring their stock and could not afford to freight or post it instead.
About 44 mainland stallholders attended last year, a number organisers say is too many to lose.
George told parliament the change threatened the local economy.
“It’s a crucial week for the economy of the north-west and the whole state,” George said.
Infrastructure and Transport Minister Kerry Vincent responded in writing on June 15.
He did not commit to changing the pause but said the schedule was under review.
Vincent said the state government expected “the duration of the pause will be reduced where operationally feasible”.
He said about 44 exhibitors were estimated to travel interstate by ferry and “historically only a limited number have utilised the special event booking system”.
“Every reasonable effort is being made to reduce impacts and support this important regional event,” Vincent said.
