Perth’s ambitious plan to modernize its ferry services along the Swan River is gaining momentum, with a $107 million investment set to introduce five sleek electric ferries and new stops at Applecross and Matilda Bay in Crawley. Dubbed “Metronet on the Swan” by Premier Roger Cook, this project aims to revolutionize river transit, promising cleaner, quieter, and more efficient travel.
However, as the city gears up for this transformative upgrade, voices of concern are echoing from the recreational community. Campaigners are urging authorities to relocate the Matilda Bay terminal approximately one kilometer south, near Jojo’s restaurant by Pelican Point in Nedlands. Their primary worry: increased ferry traffic arriving every 15 to 30 minutes could compromise safety in an area heavily used by sailing and recreation groups.
Graham White, founder of Sailability a local organization providing sailing instruction for people with disabilities at Matilda Bay voiced his apprehensions. “We would have to shut down our program because we simply couldn’t allow individuals with disabilities to interact with large ferries in such close proximity,” he explained. Despite the concerns, White remains optimistic. “The government recognizes change can be challenging, but we believe a safe coexistence between ferries and recreational users is achievable.”
White pointed to numerous examples across Australia and the world where ferry services operate seamlessly alongside leisure activities, emphasizing that with careful planning, similar outcomes are possible in Perth. The debate over the terminal’s location underscores broader questions about balancing infrastructure development with community safety and recreational access on the Swan River.
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