❓ A WA parliamentary question scrutinises the Department of Transport's removal of documents related to speed limits and ferry services in Matilda Bay, questioning the safety implications of proposed ferry expansions and seeking clarity on risk assessments and stakeholder consultation. The Minister's response provides justifications for the document removals and outlines a collaborative approach to ensure waterway safety.
AnsweredQoN 250Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Can the Minister explain why the Department of Transport has recently removed from its public website the published announcement of the outcomes of the Department’s 2017 Matilda Bay Aquatic Use Review, which linked an extended 8-knot speed limit in Matilda Bay to public safety, shoreline protection and dangers of wash? Specifically stating the speed limit was to enhance “safety for the increasing number of river users in the area. Vessels larger than 10 metres travelling faster than 8 knots create significant wake and wash which can have a detrimental impact on the stability of other vessels and can cause damage to marine facilities. Reducing the wash and wave energy created by passing vessels provides for safe, equitable and sustainable use of the waters of Matilda Bay.”? (2) Why has the Department also removed from its website its 2019 Perth Ferry Services – Current Status and Future Use report, which stated “Speed restrictions apply in most parts of the Swan and Canning rivers. Speed limits are set for safety and/or environmental protection reasons.”: (a) What process was followed for its public removal, and who approved it? (3) Does the Minister agree that on-water safety risk for other river users is affected by both: (a) Wash impact; and (b) Speed? (4) Has the Department of Transport shared with on-water stakeholders a copy of the drafted exemptions from the Navigable Waters Regulations and the WA Marine Act that would allow ferries to exceed on-water speed limits? If not, why not: (a) If not, why have critical details directly affecting river safety and shared river use been withheld from on-water clubs and stakeholders? (5) How has the current on-water safety risk and environmental impact assessment for the ferry expansion accounted for the findings of the 360 responses that informed the 2016–17 Matilda Bay Aquatic Use Review, and resulted in an 8 knot speed limit extension to protect Matilda Bay from the impact of speed and wash from larger vessels: (a) Has this previous safety-based review been formally overruled or dismissed; and (b) If so, on what evidence? (6) Can the Minister confirm whether the economic or operational feasibility of the ferry expansion relies on receiving exemptions to existing river speed limits: (a) If yes, has risk to other river users been comprehensively modelled and fully disclosed in public documentation; and (b) If no, how does the Department explain the timing advantages being publicly claimed? (7) Can the Minister confirm which route is faster if current on-water speed limits remain unchanged: (a) The route between Applecross and JoJo’s, or Applecross and mid–Matilda Bay; and (b) By how many minutes?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
12 August 2025
Responded by
Minister for Transport
Response time
5 days
(1) The Report is no longer current given the announcement of the METRONET on Swan Ferry Service Expansion Project.
(2) The 2019 Perth Ferry Services – Current Status and Future Use Report was relocated to the State Government website WA.gov.au in 2023 as part of an update to the Department’s webpages. It is routine practice that static or historical content– which are still relevant – is gradually moved to the central WA.gov.au website.
(3)-(6) To ensure the waterway can be shared safely, responsibly and equitably by all users, a UWA Terminal Reference Group will be established, which collaboratively will help develop effective safety measures and controls. The Government looks forward to working collaboratively with on-water users.
(7) A terminal location at Jojo’s would be approximately two minutes quicker between Applecross and UWA.
However, it would add 3.44 nautical miles, or 5 minutes, to the journey between UWA and Perth, and add significant walking time for the majority of those trying to access UWA and Matilda Bay.
(2) The 2019 Perth Ferry Services – Current Status and Future Use Report was relocated to the State Government website WA.gov.au in 2023 as part of an update to the Department’s webpages. It is routine practice that static or historical content– which are still relevant – is gradually moved to the central WA.gov.au website.
(3)-(6) To ensure the waterway can be shared safely, responsibly and equitably by all users, a UWA Terminal Reference Group will be established, which collaboratively will help develop effective safety measures and controls. The Government looks forward to working collaboratively with on-water users.
(7) A terminal location at Jojo’s would be approximately two minutes quicker between Applecross and UWA.
However, it would add 3.44 nautical miles, or 5 minutes, to the journey between UWA and Perth, and add significant walking time for the majority of those trying to access UWA and Matilda Bay.
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