Matilda Bay ferry terminal
Matilda Bay | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Location | Hackett Drive, Crawley Western Australia Australia |
| Owned by | Public Transport Authority |
| Other information | |
| Fare zone | 1 |
The Matilda Bay ferry terminal is a proposed ferry terminal in Matilda Bay on the Swan River in Perth, Western Australia. Located next to the University of Western Australia in Crawley, the terminal will be served by Transperth ferries running between Elizabeth Quay and Applecross.
Description
The Matilda Bay ferry terminal is located next to the University of Western Australia (UWA), and will provide access to the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre and the surrounding area as well.
History
In 2021, UWA's Crawley campus master plan for the next decade said that a ferry terminal should be built in Matilda Bay.[1][2]
Five locations were considered: North Matilda Bay, Central Matilda Bay, South Matilda Bay, Pelican Point boat ramp, and Jo Jo's Jetty.[3] Out of the five locations, the Central Matilda Bay site was chosen in July 2025. This was approximately 300 metres (980 ft) south of the government's initially preferred location. The new site was chosen to provide space for other river users, including rowing clubs. Some water users said placing the ferry terminal at Jo Jo's Jetty, further south, but there were other water users, such as wind and kite surfers, who used that location.[4][5] The site was also further from UWA, on a floodplain, would disturb protected seagrass, and was close to the Swan Estuary Marine Park.[3] Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said that not all would approve of the location, but that the ferry terminal would be built in central Matilda Bay anyway.[4][5]
Development applications for the Matilda Bay and Applecross terminals were lodged in September 2025.[6][7] In November 2025, the Environmental Protection Authority ruled that the ferry terminal would not need a formal environmental assessment.[8][9] Construction is planned to begin in mid-2026.[6]
The ferry terminal is opposed by the Western Australian Liberal Party, including the local Member of Parliament, Jonathan Huston. In September 2025, he started a petition on Change.org to "Save Matilda Bay", which has received over 1,500 signatures. Later that month, he voiced his opposition to the terminal in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly.[10] On 20 September, a community get-together was held at Matilda Bay, which was organised by Huston. Greens MP Brad Pettitt spoke at the event as well. Huston claimed that despite his opposition to the ferry terminal, he is not a NIMBY.[11][12]
References
- ^ Hiatt, Bethany (24 May 2021). "UWA master plan flags sale of 'non-core' land, ferry station at Matilda Bay near university campus". The West Australian. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
- ^ "2020 UWA Crawley Campus Masterplan" (PDF). University of Western Australia. p. 30. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
- ^ a b "Central Matilda Bay Terminal – Fact Sheet" (PDF). Public Transport Authority. October 2025. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
- ^ a b Lane, Oliver (26 July 2025). "Rita Saffioti admits not all will approve of Matilda Bay ferry terminal location as next steps begin". The West Australian. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
- ^ a b Saffioti, Rita (26 July 2025). "UWA ferry terminal location confirmed as ferry expansion gears up" (Press release). Government of Western Australia. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
- ^ a b Spagnolo, Joe (13 September 2025). "Development applications for Matilda Bay and Applecross ferry terminals lodged". The West Australian. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
- ^ Saffioti, Rita (13 September 2025). "Development applications lodged for Perth ferry expansion" (Press release). Government of Western Australia. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
- ^ Page, Jessica (12 November 2025). "Residents 'disappointed' as controversial Metronet on Swan plan given environmental tick of approval". The West Australian. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
- ^ Burmas, Grace (12 November 2025). "WA Environmental Protection Authority gives expanded ferry network tick of approval". ABC News. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
- ^ Flinn, Harriet (22 September 2025). "Huston grills Saffioti as community fury grows over Matilda Bay ferry terminal". PerthNow. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
- ^ Flinn, Harriet (25 September 2025). "Nedlands MLA Jonathan Huston denies NIMBYism as hundreds gather at Matilda Bay in fight against ferry terminal". PerthNow. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
- ^ Gorman, Lloyd (27 September 2025). "Boats join ferry protest". Post. pp. 3, 73.