❓ Question concerns the environmental impact of a new ferry terminal at Matilda Bay, focusing on dredging, wake, and bird populations. The answer outlines the selection process, stakeholder engagement, and ongoing environmental reviews.
AnsweredQoN 557Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the recent selection of Matilda Bay as the location for a new ferry terminal as part of the METRONET Swan Ferry Service Expansion, and seek further information concerning the assessment and impact of this decision across several areas of concern, and I ask : (a) Please provide details of the full environmental evaluation for each location assessed as a potential site for the ferry terminal, including: (i) The extent of dredging required; (ii) Impact of increased wash and wake on Matilda Bay beaches; (iii) The level of wake anticipated in the bay and at the shoreline, and the study or tests undertaken to determine this; and (iv) The expected impact on local and migratory bird populations, in particular black swans?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 October 2025
Responded by
Minister for Transport
Response time
6 days
(a) The proposed location for the terminal site at UWA was selected following a multicriteria analysis of five sites. This assessment considered environmental impact, transport connectivity, the needs of both water and land users, and overall waterway safety; and took into account feedback provided through individual consultation sessions, and a workshop with 40 key stakeholder groups held in May.
Central Matilda Bay was identified as the most suitable location based on several key factors, including:
· Enhanced walkability to the entire UWA campus;
· Improved transport connectivity to UWA and surrounding areas;
· Location within an 8-knot vessel speed restricted zone, supporting safer ferry operations;
· Greater ability to mitigate on-water safety risks with additional controls;
· Reduced environmental impact compared to the route to a JoJo’s or Pelican Point site;
· Higher risk of 100-year flooding impacts at a JoJo’s or Pelican Point site;
· A JoJo’s location being in an open speed zone with potential interactions with high-speed watercraft; and
I table a fact sheet which outlines the process in further detail.
The development application for the Matilda Bay terminal has been lodged. A 21-day public comment period is running from 2 October 2025 to 23 October 2025. Members of the public can review the application and submit their feedback by visiting www.haveyoursay.dplh.wa.gov.au .
A Waterways Stakeholder Reference Group has been established as a dedicated forum to address on-water safety concerns and collaboratively develop effective measures to ensure the safety of all waterway users as the project progresses. The group met for the first time on 22 September 2025, and comprises representatives from 19 on-water user groups.
Further, an Aquatic Use Review will be undertaken to support safe waterways management. Proposed changes will be developed in consultation with stakeholders and shared with the broader public, including waterway users without formal representation, to gauge community support.
Following the finalisation of the development application process, a Matilda Bay Terminal Community Reference Group will also be established to help guide the terminal’s development.
The State Government has also self-referred the METRONET on Swan project to the Environmental Protection Authority for their review.
Central Matilda Bay was identified as the most suitable location based on several key factors, including:
· Enhanced walkability to the entire UWA campus;
· Improved transport connectivity to UWA and surrounding areas;
· Location within an 8-knot vessel speed restricted zone, supporting safer ferry operations;
· Greater ability to mitigate on-water safety risks with additional controls;
· Reduced environmental impact compared to the route to a JoJo’s or Pelican Point site;
· Higher risk of 100-year flooding impacts at a JoJo’s or Pelican Point site;
· A JoJo’s location being in an open speed zone with potential interactions with high-speed watercraft; and
I table a fact sheet which outlines the process in further detail.
The development application for the Matilda Bay terminal has been lodged. A 21-day public comment period is running from 2 October 2025 to 23 October 2025. Members of the public can review the application and submit their feedback by visiting www.haveyoursay.dplh.wa.gov.au .
A Waterways Stakeholder Reference Group has been established as a dedicated forum to address on-water safety concerns and collaboratively develop effective measures to ensure the safety of all waterway users as the project progresses. The group met for the first time on 22 September 2025, and comprises representatives from 19 on-water user groups.
Further, an Aquatic Use Review will be undertaken to support safe waterways management. Proposed changes will be developed in consultation with stakeholders and shared with the broader public, including waterway users without formal representation, to gauge community support.
Following the finalisation of the development application process, a Matilda Bay Terminal Community Reference Group will also be established to help guide the terminal’s development.
The State Government has also self-referred the METRONET on Swan project to the Environmental Protection Authority for their review.
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