Hills residents fear Lower Portland Ferry could close, lobby NSW Government to fund it

A vital Hawkesbury River ferry service could be stopped — if the NSW Government does not support councils in funding the million dollar operation.

Concerned Lower Portland residents Wendy Humphrey, Janet Kousal & Jo Arblaster near the river ferry at Lower Portland on Tuesday, April 16. Local residents would be impacted by the closure of the Lower Portland Ferry. PIcture: AAP IMAGE / Troy Snook

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A vital ferry service used by hundreds of residents in rural communities north of the Hawkesbury River could be forced to cease — if the NSW Government does not support councils in funding the million dollar operation.

Hills Shire mayor Michelle Byrne is calling on NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance to intervene, calling on the State Government to fund the operation of the Lower Portland ferry, which currently provides more than 500 trips for residents each week and costs more than $1 million to operate each year.

Concerned Lower Portland residents Craig and Rochelle Miller with their children Jay, 7, Capri, 6, & Grace, 8, Jo Arblaster, Janet Kousal, Krystal Sinclair, Dave Ingram & Don Wilson near the river ferry at Lower Portland on Tuesday, April 16. Local residents would be impacted by the closure of the Lower Portland Ferry. AAP IMAGE / Troy Snook

However, NSW Transport and Roads and Maritime Services have not allocated funding towards the sinking service, revealing “no decisions have been made around funding for the future operation of Lower Portland Ferry”.

Cr Byrne said a decision is yet to be made on the future of Lower Portland Ferry.

“The Hills Shire Council and Hawkesbury City Council are consulting with residents on this matter, while also investigating the future financial viability of this service,” she said.

“I have spent some time speaking to the residents of Lower Portland and I understand the importance of the Ferry to them and the impact the loss of the Ferry service would have on them.

Lower Portland Ferry operating at Lower Portland on Tuesday, April 16. Local residents would be impacted by the closure of the Lower Portland Ferry. AAP IMAGE / Troy Snook)

“It is very easy to make a decision strictly based on the costs alone but there is a lot that needs to be considered here such as accessibility to the other side of the river for residents, businesses and emergency services, the capacity of the Sackville ferry should the Lower Portland ferry be closed as well as the improvements that would be needed to the surrounding rural roads if this ferry is no longer in operation.”

Cr Byrne said the message from residents was very clear — “They want the Ferry service to remain in operation as it has done for the past 100 years”.

Hills Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne near the river ferry at Lower Portland on Tuesday, April 16. Local residents would be impacted by the closure of the Lower Portland Ferry. PIcture: AAP IMAGE / Troy Snook

“Given the increased costs of running the Ferry and the fact that most Ferry Services in NSW are usually operated by State Government, it is only fair that the State Government comes to the table and contributes to the costs of running the Lower Portland Ferry,” she said.

“Local Government cannot do it alone and I call on the State Government and the RMS to assist with keeping this important service in operation.”

The Hills and Hawkesbury councils in Sydney’s northwest currently fund the operation the ferry, with the cost shared between the two councils.

Lower Portland Ferry operating at Lower Portland on Tuesday, April 16. Local residents would be impacted by the closure of the Lower Portland Ferry. Picture: AAP IMAGE / Troy Snook

Roads and Maritime Services operates 12 vehicle ferries at nine locations across NSW, with a further six managed by councils and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

A Transport for NSW spokeswoman said the Lower Portland ferry is the only service in the state that commuters are not charged for using.

“Roads and Maritime Services and Transport for NSW are aware of the funding issue to keep Lower Portland Ferry in service and will work with local councils and other stakeholders in regards to the future operation of the ferry,” the spokeswoman said.

“Roads and Maritime Services and Transport for NSW will work closely with both local councils (and) recognise this is an important issue for the community.”

Concerned Lower Portland resident Jo Arblaster near the river ferry at Lower Portland on Tuesday, April 16. Local residents would be impacted by the closure of the Lower Portland Ferry. Picture: AAP IMAGE / Troy Snook

Lower Portland resident Jo Arblaster said the ferry was a lifeline for residents of Lower Portland.

“Everybody else in The Hills Shire have playing fields, libraries and other rate facilities — the only service we have is the ferry,” she said.

“People from far and wide that use the ferry, it isn’t just used by a handful of residents.”

Ms Arblaster said the if the ferry was forced to close, commute times would increase by an average of 40 minutes each way.

“It is going to be a nightmare, Lower Portland Ferry has been running since 1892, if they needed a ferry in 1892 they sure as hell need it now,” she said.

“It would be criminal if it was taken away, so we are all prepared to fight, but we can only do so much.”