Sailing clubs warn that expanding Perth's ferry service will be dangerous and could force them to close. But urban designers are welcoming the opportunity to get more cars off the road.
An artist impression of the proposed ferry, which would be fully electric, with the capacity to hold at least 130 passengers.The Public Transport Authority is considering adding 13 new stops to Perth 's ferry service, starting with Matilda Bay and Applecross.
Perth Dinghy Sailing Club vice commodore Chelsea Baker believes the proposed ferry terminal at Matilda Bay is a major safety concern and will force the closure of several local sporting clubs."They're wanting to bring ferries through at top speed, so 20 knots through our water space. We have kids out there that are learning to sail from the age of four and up."
But Ms Baker wants the government to consider other locations to service the area, given the proposed terminal is about 100 metres from her club."If you've got ferries coming from up across Matilda Bay then out to Elizabeth Quay, it's going to be cutting across our sailing course area, and our start and finish lines, so just more traffic on the river," she said.
"There have been boats that get flooded, get broken, with rowers ending up in the water as a result of the wash, and unfortunately with the location that has been indicated, it's pretty much unavoidable that wash would impact us significantly."While she's not opposed to more ferry routes, Ms Bagworth said she too wants the government to consider other locations for the UWA terminal and more community consultation to ensure all risks were considered.
"We can work out the best route and schedule and what kind of racing area we can still potentially use so those clubs won't be as impacted."While sailing clubs are worried, urban designers see the benefits of potentially getting more cars off the road. He described Perth's ferry system as far less developed than those in Sydney or Brisbane, but believes in the longer term the expanded service would benefit denser urban nodes along the river as they continue to grow, such as the Burswood Peninsula development."I think it's an untapped opportunity. It's also a form of public transport which can be really enjoyable.
Perth News Swan River Ferry Perth Ferry Perth WA Government Sailing Matilda Bay Elizabeth Quay South Perth Perth Dinghy Sailing Club Yachting WA
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