Ambitious government plans to expand Perth’s ferry service, which currently runs only a short stretch of the Swan River from South Perth to Elizabeth Quay, would be dangerous and disruptive to river users, sailing clubs have warned.

The Public Transport Authority (PTA) is considering adding 13 new stops, including Matilda Bay near the University of Western Australia (UWA) and Applecross at Raffles jetty.

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 sports clubs.

“We’re very much against it, safety is a big factor here,” she said.

The electric ferries would be 25 meters long, cruise at 20 knots and operate every 15 to 30 minutes, with the capacity to carry more than 130 passengers.

Other stops under consideration are at Point Fraser, Burswood Park, Perth Stadium and Claisebrook Cove, with future consideration of stops at Belmont, Belmont Park, Rivervale, Maylands and Canning Bridge.

Terminal size of three shipping containers

Matilda Bay is a key area under the proposal due to the expected increase in student and staff numbers at UWA.

But Ms Baker wants the Government to consider other locations to serve the area, as the proposed terminal is about 100 meters from her club.

“If you have ferries coming from up over Matilda Bay and then out to Elizabeth Quay, it’s going to cut across our sailing course area and our start and finish lines, so just more traffic on the river,” she said.

She said the size of the 80-metre jetty and charging station was inappropriate for the pocket of the river.

“That area is a Class A reserve at the moment, and they now want to build a structure there that is the size of three shipping containers,” Baker said.

Megan Bagworth of the UWA Boat Club reiterated the safety concerns, referring to the club’s large group of junior and novice rowers.

“We were shocked when we first heard about where they proposed the ferry service,” she said.

“There have been boats getting flooded, breaking down, with rowers being put in the water as a result of the wash, and unfortunately with the location that has been set, it’s pretty much inevitable that wash would affect us significantly.”

To reach a compromise

While she is not opposed to more ferry lines, Bagworth said she also wants the government to consider other locations for the UWA terminal and more consultation with the community to ensure all risks were considered.

“We know that ferries can coexist with other water users. It’s about having that distance that ensures the safety of all water users,” she said.

Yachting WA president Emily Jones said while there were problems with the proposal, she wanted to work with the government to reach a compromise.

“We’re happy to support the proposal and work with the department just to iron out some of the issues,” she said.

“We can work out the best route and schedule and what kind of racing area we can still use so those clubs won’t be affected as much.”

“An untapped opportunity”

While sailing clubs are worried, urban designers see the benefits of potentially getting more cars off the road.

“Perth is one of the most car-dependent cities on the planet,” said Julian Bolleter, director of the Australian Urban Design Research Centre.

“We can see it every day in Perth with the congestion that goes on and the emissions associated with it.”

He welcomed any opportunity to diversify the city’s transportation options.

“Will ferries be the silver bullet that solves the problems of a car-dependent city? No, but it could be part of the mix of solutions that are important going forward,” Dr Bolleter said.

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.

“That could mean thousands of potential commuters who could come to the city by ferry,” he said.

“I think it’s an untapped opportunity. It’s also a form of public transport that can be really nice.

Getting the equation right

The State Government has cited a recent increase in ferry patronage to justify an expanded service, with a new peak of 871,000 boardings in 2023-24, up 16 per cent on the previous record of 747,881 in 2016-17.

In a statement, Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the expansion will be rolled out in stages, with an initial focus on stops near the CBD.

“I think there has always been a strong desire within the Perth community to see an increased ferry service and the Swan River better utilized as a means of transport,” she said.

“Getting the equation right has been challenging in the past, but the big difference we’re seeing now is a huge amount of new high-density development happening in pockets along the river front.”

The community consultation period ended on Friday, when the feedback was incorporated into the government’s feasibility study.