❓ Mr. Baker asks about the progress of the expanded ferry system. The Minister responds by highlighting the project's benefits, criticising opposition from the Liberal and Green parties, and defending the project's environmental impact.
AnsweredQoN 637Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Swan River ferry service
637. Mr Geoff Baker to
the Minister for Transport:
I refer to the Cook
Labor government's commitment to delivering quality infrastructure and
services.
(1) Can the minister
update the house on the delivery of the expanded ferry system?
(2) Is the minister
aware of anyone who opposes this Western Australian–made
infrastructure?
637. Mr Geoff Baker to
the Minister for Transport:
I refer to the Cook
Labor government's commitment to delivering quality infrastructure and
services.
(1) Can the minister
update the house on the delivery of the expanded ferry system?
(2) Is the minister
aware of anyone who opposes this Western Australian–made
infrastructure?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2)
I thank the member for that question. Of course, South Perth is home to an
incredible ferry stop and one that links to Elizabeth Quay. We see thousands
upon thousands of people using the ferry to get across to South Perth and visit
the Zoo and enjoy that environment. We are proceeding with building an
expansion of the ferry system across our river. As we know, it has been a
long-held aspiration to make sure that members of the WA public can use the
Swan River more. The Leader of the Opposition welcomed our announcement in 2024—just
last year. When the Premier announced the expansion of the ferry system, of
course the Leader of the Opposition said what a great idea it was to expand the
ferry system. In doing so, we identified two key locations: the Matilda Bay
area and Applecross. We are working to deliver this incredible expansion. We know
that the Liberal Party is joining with the Greens to try to block this project.
The Liberal Party—
Mr Roger Cook: The "no-alition".
Ms Rita Saffioti: The "no-alition" is trying
to block this very important public transport project. There are many mistruths
out there, and let me go through them. There is the idea that people will never
again be able to have a picnic at Matilda Bay because we are building a ferry stop.
Do members think that is true?
Mr Roger Cook: No!
Ms Rita Saffioti: Of course people will be able to
have a picnic. In fact, as part of our project, we are building new toilet
facilities to make it better and much easier for families to access. There is the
view that this area is currently pristine, with zero boat activity. Members,
there are 34 moorings there that are currently used by private boat owners. Thirty-four
existing private boat owners use that area. Member for Nedlands, shall we move
those out? He is not commenting. The incredible one is that somehow this proposed
location is not good for the environment, yet the proposal that has been put
forward by the Liberal Party and the Greens for JoJo's and Pelican Point has
far more significant environmental issues, including protected seagrass and
Bush Forever, and it is also the home of migratory birds.
We on this side of Parliament like progress in this
state. We believe in investing in public infrastructure. The "no- alition"
is saying that we cannot do anything in this state; we cannot build a ferry
that will help people across the suburbs access the University of Western
Australia and a part of the world that people like visiting. Let us make it
easier. Let us build more public transport, let us use the river and let us
deal with facts.
I thank the member for that question. Of course, South Perth is home to an
incredible ferry stop and one that links to Elizabeth Quay. We see thousands
upon thousands of people using the ferry to get across to South Perth and visit
the Zoo and enjoy that environment. We are proceeding with building an
expansion of the ferry system across our river. As we know, it has been a
long-held aspiration to make sure that members of the WA public can use the
Swan River more. The Leader of the Opposition welcomed our announcement in 2024—just
last year. When the Premier announced the expansion of the ferry system, of
course the Leader of the Opposition said what a great idea it was to expand the
ferry system. In doing so, we identified two key locations: the Matilda Bay
area and Applecross. We are working to deliver this incredible expansion. We know
that the Liberal Party is joining with the Greens to try to block this project.
The Liberal Party—
Mr Roger Cook: The "no-alition".
Ms Rita Saffioti: The "no-alition" is trying
to block this very important public transport project. There are many mistruths
out there, and let me go through them. There is the idea that people will never
again be able to have a picnic at Matilda Bay because we are building a ferry stop.
Do members think that is true?
Mr Roger Cook: No!
Ms Rita Saffioti: Of course people will be able to
have a picnic. In fact, as part of our project, we are building new toilet
facilities to make it better and much easier for families to access. There is the
view that this area is currently pristine, with zero boat activity. Members,
there are 34 moorings there that are currently used by private boat owners. Thirty-four
existing private boat owners use that area. Member for Nedlands, shall we move
those out? He is not commenting. The incredible one is that somehow this proposed
location is not good for the environment, yet the proposal that has been put
forward by the Liberal Party and the Greens for JoJo's and Pelican Point has
far more significant environmental issues, including protected seagrass and
Bush Forever, and it is also the home of migratory birds.
We on this side of Parliament like progress in this
state. We believe in investing in public infrastructure. The "no- alition"
is saying that we cannot do anything in this state; we cannot build a ferry
that will help people across the suburbs access the University of Western
Australia and a part of the world that people like visiting. Let us make it
easier. Let us build more public transport, let us use the river and let us
deal with facts.
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