City of Canada Bay Mayor Angelo Tsirekas is calling out the State Government over Parramatta River ferry services.
Councillors unanimously voiced their concerns over proposed changes to the ferry services at the City of Canada Bay’s Tuesday, 18 Council meeting.
“The proposed changes will remove the direct connection between Abbotsford, Cabarita, Chiswick, Drummoyne and Sydney Olympic Park wharves to Circular Quay,” City of Canada Bay Mayor Angelo Tsirekas said.
“This will not only force residents to change ferries to travel into the centre of the city but create unnecessary bottlenecks at Balmain East wharf.
“I urge residents to have their voice heard at collaborate.canadabay.nsw.gov.au and our public meeting on 4 March at the Community Hall Breakfast Point, to which we’ve also invited Transdev and the local State Member John Sidoti.”
Transport for NSW and Sydney Ferries operator Transdev are proposing to terminate all F3 ferry services at Barangaroo as part of a wider route review.
Under the proposed changes, residents travelling from the Parramatta River to Circular Quay and the Lower North Shore will need to change at Balmain East for their regular services.
“Whether it’s to travel to work or enjoy a family trip to the zoo, residents along the Parramatta River have depended on the Circular Quay ferry service for over 100 years,” Mayor Tsirekas said.
“It provides a vital connection to work or leisure that shouldn’t be taken away by the private ferry service operators contracted by the State Government.”
If continued as planned, the first round of service changes are scheduled for the second half of 2020.
Transdev are currently undertaking consultation on the proposed changes to the F3 Parramatta River route on behalf of Transport for NSW.
“I urge all Inner West residents to join me in voicing their concerns over these
damaging changes,” Mayor Tsirekas said.
Residents can visit collaborate.canadabay.nsw.gov.au to share their thoughts on the proposed changes.
Council is hosting a public meeting for residents to voice their concerns. Ferry operator Transdev and local State Member John Sidoti have been invited to the meeting.
Public meeting details:
Date: 6pm Wednesday, 4 March
Location: The Community Hall, Village Drive, Breakfast Point
***UPDATE 4 MARCH 2020: Public meeting called off. The public meeting will not be going ahead following the NSW State Government's decision to listen to community concerns and back down on the proposed changes to the Parramatta River ferry services. This is a direct result of the strong advocacy of the community.***
