Geelong Port – Spirit of Tasmania
About this project
The Spirit of Tasmania terminal at Corio Quay in Geelong represents a major infrastructure milestone for regional Victoria. This purpose-built facility was developed to relocate ferry operations from Melbourne to Geelong, enhancing passenger and freight services between mainland Australia and Tasmania. The project included marine works, civil construction, and a new passenger terminal building, featuring a world-first three-level access ramp and an Automated Mooring System (AMS) to improve vessel turnaround times and operational efficiency.
BSA Building Surveyors played a key role in supporting the delivery of this high-profile project, which created over 100 local jobs and significantly boosted regional connectivity.
Our Involvement
BSA Building Surveyors were engaged as the Relevant Building Surveyor across multiple stages of the Spirit of Tasmania terminal development. Our responsibilities included:
- Providing early-stage regulatory compliance advice to support design development
- Reviewing documentation to ensure alignment with the National Construction Code (NCC), Building Act 1993, and Building Regulations 2018
- Issuing building permits for key infrastructure components, including external light poles in the truck parking area
- Endorsing approved documentation and distributing electronic permit sets to stakeholders
- Supporting the project team with performance-based solutions and compliance assessments
Our early involvement helped shape the regulatory framework for the project, ensuring that design and construction parameters were clearly defined and compliant from the outset.
Our Approach
Given the complexity and scale of the terminal development, BSA Building Surveyors adopted a proactive and collaborative approach that prioritised:
- Early engagement to establish clear regulatory pathways and reduce risk during design development
- Collaborative review of drawings and specifications with architects, engineers, and contractors
- Responsive support throughout the tender and construction phases, including updates to building surveyor reports and compliance documentation
- Practical solutions tailored to the unique operational needs of a high-traffic passenger and freight terminal
Our team worked closely with all stakeholders to ensure that compliance was embedded into the project’s delivery strategy, not just achieved as an outcome.
Conclusion
The successful delivery of the Spirit of Tasmania terminal at Corio Quay has strengthened Geelong’s position as a strategic transport hub and enhanced access between Victoria and Tasmania. BSA Building Surveyors helped ensure the project was delivered safely, compliantly, and efficiently—supporting long-term growth in regional infrastructure and contributing to the economic development of the Barwon region.
