City of Sydney push government to meet with sports clubs over Fish Market ferry
Local sporting groups have been ‘blindsided’ by the government’s plans to splash millions on a ferry to the new Sydney Fish Markets.
NSW
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Clover Moore’s City of Sydney will push the Minns government to front local sport groups on a collision course with the new Sydney Fish Market ferry before the plans can go any further.
The Minns government this week announced $30 million to build a commuter wharf at Blackwattle Bay, connecting millions of visitors via Barangaroo, after the former Liberal government unveiled plans for the service in 2019.
But the budget splash has “blindsided” local sporting groups including the Glebe Rowing Club, dragon boat racers and kayakers who claim the government is forging ahead without them, ignoring concerns about potential accidents and congestion.
“We want (the government) to work with us. This is the last remaining bit of recreational water available near the city … and we have been here since 1879, if we can’t work together the ferry will be our demise,” Glebe Rowing vice president Mark Tietjen said.
According to a council resolution this week, Ms Moore will push Transport for NSW to meet with the community given it has not attended a single consultation meeting in-person since May 2021.
Transport will be required to provide “comprehensive answers” about when the service will start, what routes it will take, and how collisions will be prevented when the ferries hit the water next to hundreds of rowers and paddlers, including training school kids
Councillor Jess Miller put forward the motion and said the community welcomed the new ferry but needed answers.
“It seems as if the ferry is happening, but there’s a level of frustration about the lack of information with what’s going on,” Ms Miller said.
A Transport for NSW spokesman didn’t deny the community had been sidelined so far but said this would change.
“Now that there is funding for the project, Transport for NSW will work closely with Infrastructure NSW to plan and deliver the new commuter wharf,” the spokesman said.
“This process will include engagement with the community and stakeholders to achieve the best outcome for all.”
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Originally published as City of Sydney push government to meet with sports clubs over Fish Market ferry