David Elliott wants River-Class ferries built in Australia to new design

Treasurer Matt Kean has refused to back in a plan by Transport Minister David Elliott to build new Sydney ferries in Australia.

Matt Kean has refused to back in a plan from Transport Minister David Elliott to build ferries in Australia, with the Treasurer declining to commit to loosening the purse strings enabling the vessels to be built locally.

The Daily Telegraph revealed on Monday that the transport department has been ordered to build seven new ferries, set for the Parramatta River, in Australia in an edict handed down by Mr Elliott.

But Treasurer Kean refused to confirm if he would kick in the extra funding required to ensure ferries and other rolling stock would be made locally, instead stating the government would pursue the “best deal” and “value for taxpayer dollars”.

“What I believe is that we should be getting the best services (and) the best infrastructure for the people of NSW,” the Treasurer said on Monday.

“We want to make sure the taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and we get the best bang for our buck. And that’s exactly what we’ll do.”

The Olive Cotton is one of the River-Class ferries that are too tall to safely pass under some bridges on the Parramatta River. Picture: Damian Shaw

“I want the best deal for NSW. I want the best ferries, I want the best buses. I want the best infrastructure at the best value for taxpayer dollars. And that’s always what we find.”

When pressed, the Treasurer said: “We want to see things built here creating … results and local opportunities” but stopped short of a commitment to fund the projects.

The push for local manufacturing comes after Labor used their weekend party conference to commit to building new trains in Australia.

Transport Minister Elliott has also previously stated his preference to build new trams, destined for stage two of the Parramatta Light Rail line, locally.

NSW opposition transport spokesperson Jo Haylen said: “David Elliott simply does not have the support of Matt Kean or other members of the Liberal government to build these ferries here”.

“Matt Kean had four opportunities today to support building these ferries here but refused every time,” she said.

“The only way to guarantee that the future ferries, trains, trams and buses that we need will be built here is to change the government.”

Yesterday it was revealed transport bureaucrats were poised to buy a further seven ferries in the same maligned design that risks passenger injury when passing under bridges on the Parramatta River before Mr Elliott intervened.

He demanded the design be torn up and that new ferries be built in Australia, not Indonesia.

Mr Elliott handed down an edict that designs for seven new ferries — which the transport department is set to order later this year — address the well-publicised issues in the River-Class vessels which began service on the Parramatta River last year.

The minister was shocked when he learned there were plans to purchase more Indonesian-built River-Class ferries, which were revealed in 2020 to be too tall to safely pass under certain bridges on the Parramatta River while passengers are on the top deck, meaning travellers are forced to move downstairs as they approach bridges.

When The Daily Telegraph asked Mr Elliott if his department had planned to buy more of the maligned ferries, the minister replied “confirmed”. He also confirmed his intervention to order an Australian-built product.

The Indonesian-built fleet of 10 River-Class ferries was ordered while then-transport minister Andrew Constance was at the helm.

At the time, Mr Constance attempted to water down criticism of the vessels by uttering the memorable line “no one is going to be decapitated” by them passing under bridges.

Mr Elliott said he would not tolerate passengers having to go downstairs each time the vessels passed under bridges on the Parramatta River for fear of being injured.

“I ordered the redesign of the ferries for the Parramatta River and made it very clear to Transport for NSW that no ferries would be ordered unless the height issues that were raised with me when I became transport minister were resolved,” he said.

Transport Minister David Elliott wants a new design for future ferries. Picture: Richard Dobson

“Fancy telling passengers from Parramatta they have to duck their heads and shut their eyes to the river until we get to Drummoyne.

“That’s not on.”

The announcement comes after Labor leader Chris Minns committed to building new trains in NSW — with both major parties looking to fight the election with local manufacturing policies.

With Aussie-made ferries currently operating on London’s River Thames, Mr Elliott said he did not want to look abroad again for vessels that could be built locally.

“Given the UK procures ferries from Australia, I’m not willing to spend another cent on a ferry for Western Sydney unless it is Australian designed and manufactured,” he said.

From the start the Indonesia-built fleet hit strife, with asbestos found in the vessels and a design fault which resulted in glare striking the wheelhouse, preventing them from operating at night.

The seven new ferries, which will reportedly cost more than $43 million, will be the latest step in replacing the decades-old River Cat ferries on the Parramatta route, with the new designs also including stipulations that they can be retrofitted to be electricity-powered in coming years.

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