A colossal gantry, weighing 700 tonnes, has arrived in Devonport, bringing the state's new Spirit of Tasmania ships one step closer to reality. This custom-built structure, towering at 50 meters and spanning over 30 meters, was shipped from China and is set to revolutionize vehicle, truck, and caravan loading and unloading processes for the next-generation vessels. But here's where it gets controversial... The gantry's arrival sparks debates about the project's budget and timeline. While the Premier and Infrastructure Minister celebrate progress, the Labor's Shadow Infrastructure Minister, Anita Dow, criticizes the government for the project's costly delays and the impact on the Tasmanian economy. And this is the part most people miss... The gantry's journey from China to Devonport took just over two weeks, a testament to efficient logistics. However, the project's initial budget of $90 million has ballooned, with taxpayers now footing the bill for 'just a little under' $900,000 a month to berth Spirit IV in Geelong. The question remains: is the project on track, or are there hidden costs and delays that the government is not disclosing? The controversy invites discussion and invites the public to voice their opinions in the comments.
