Parks Victoria is seeking a high-quality barge operator with the vision and the capacity to continue the delivery of a year-round barge transport service at French Island.

Guided by the Leasing Policy for Victorian Crown Land 2023, Parks Victoria is conducting an Expression of Interest (EOI) process for a licence to use the barge landing site at Point Leschenault Jetty for berthing and the loading and unloading of vehicles, plant and equipment, and ancillary uses reasonable to the operation of a vehicular barge from French Island.

The berthing licence is for an area of water only. It should be noted that the existing barge vessel is owned by the current licensee. The current service provides carriage of a maximum of two vehicles (or one larger vehicle) with load and length restrictions.

Key elements of this Expression of Interest include:

Rare berthing and landing site at French Island

Permitted use for a vehicular barge transport service

Berthing licence term of between 3 to 10 years (up to 2035).

The successful applicant will be invited to enter discussions with the Corinella Foreshore Reserve Committee of Management for the issuing of a barge berthing and landing licence over the eastern landing site at Corinella. Under the Corinella licence, the successful applicant will be responsible for all costs associated with any capital works, and the ongoing maintenance and operation of the berth area. Queries regarding the Corinella licence should be directed to the Committee of Management.

A complying EOI Response will require the proposed use to be for the “berthing at Point Leschenault Jetty, including the loading and unloading of vehicles, plant and equipment, and ancillary uses reasonable to the operation of a vehicular barge.”

This is a single stage EOI process.

Briefings:

Online briefing - French Island Barge Berthing Licence

A briefing session will be held at Parks Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3000 on 22 July 2025 01:00 pm.

Notes: Mandatory online briefing for the French Island Barge Berthing Licence Expression of Interest. Note that interested parties need only attend ONE briefing session. Link will be provided to registered parties the day before the briefing.

Attendance at the briefing is a pre-requisite to submission and consideration of a bid.

Registration closes on 21 July 2025 04:00 pm

Online briefing - French Island Barge Berthing Licence

A briefing session will be held at Parks Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3000 on 31 July 2025 10:00 am.

Notes: Mandatory online briefing for the French Island Barge Berthing Licence Expression of Interest. Note that interested parties need only attend ONE briefing session. Link will be provided to registered parties the day before the briefing.

Attendance at the briefing is a pre-requisite to submission and consideration of a bid.

Registration closes on 30 July 2025 04:00 pm

Online briefing - French Island Barge Berthing Licence

A briefing session will be held at Parks Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3000 on 6 August 2025 10:00 am.

Notes: Mandatory online briefing for the French Island Barge Berthing Licence Expression of Interest. Note that interested parties need only attend ONE briefing session. Link will be provided to registered parties the day before the briefing.

Attendance at the briefing is a pre-requisite to submission and consideration of a bid.

Registration closes on 5 August 2025 04:00 pm