A safer Swan River for all Western Australians

We express our support for the State Government’s initiative to expand Perth’s ferry network. We recognise the benefits of this expansion for public transport and access to the river.

As Stage 1 of the ferry expansion, and the main charging facility for the fleet of ferries, the choosen site for the UWA terminal needs to be strategic, scalable and ensure network and operational effeciency.

SOS believes that if a 140 meter four berth terminal, with multi-directional route, high frequency and high speed ferries is located in Matilda Bay it would pose an unacceptable risk to safety to the thousands who use what is the most densely activated part of the Swan River for unpowered recreational use.

The diversity of Matilda Bay users, include rowers, keel boats, kayakers, SUP, sailors, windsurfers, dinghy and swimmers, thousands of whom are extremely vulnerable being young children, inexperienced or disabled. The calm waters of Matilda Bay are also popular with hundreds of families and tourists accessing the water each week.

It would place vulnerable water users in the direct path of large, powered ferries with no route in or out of Matilda Bay that is safe for all users.

This impact to community clubs, public amenity and the risk of injury or fatality is avoidable through careful consideration of the ferry terminal location.

A terminal at JoJo’s (Broadway Ave) would provide the optimum solution for the multiple commuter types and deliver the best cost benefit and future planning advantage for the people of Western Australia.

JoJo’s (Broadway Ave) would also eliminate the serious threat to safety and protect the long-term viability of community clubs.

Authentic engagement values the expertise of all stakeholders. Creating collaborative solutions developed in the best interests of all.

Genuine consultation for risk management includes sharing information, gathering inputs and meangingfully considering the views of subject matter experts in assessing impact and making decisions that affect the health and safety of the members of community clubs. 

We urge the WA State Government to consider the experience, research and expertise of the members of SOS and work closely with us and other stakeholders to ensure the ferry network expansion is both inclusive and safe for all water users.

We want to collaborate with Government to help land on decisions that are in the best interest of all stakeholders.