More than 1000 sign petition to reinstate Elliott St ferry
A PUSH to reinstate ferry services to West Balmain is gaining momentum with more than 1000 people signing a petition calling for the reopening of the Elliott St wharf.
Inner West
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A PUSH to reinstate ferry services to West Balmain is gaining momentum.
More than 1000 people have signed Balmain Greens MP Jamie Parker’s petition calling for the reopening of the Elliott St wharf, which was closed in 2013 due to low patronage.
Mr Parker and locals say its resurrection is justified by more developments, residents and cars in the area combined with massive infrastructure projects putting further pressure on already choked roads.
Balmain’s population increased by 6.85 per cent from 9783 to 10453 between the 2011 and 2016 census. In the last three years, the Toga, Union and Bijou developments have added 349 apartments on the wharf’s doorstep.
“We have hundreds of new residents almost sitting on top of this wharf who want to bypass the hassle of Darling St and the Anzac Bridge by jumping on a ferry,” Mr Parker said.
“Increased traffic movements from WestConnex and the Western Harbour Tunnel project are only going to exacerbate the choke points along Victoria Road at Darling Street and White Bay.
“Adding more bus services won’t solve our congestion problem, it’s time to start looking at public transport options that actually take vehicles off the road.
“Why force the residents of West Balmain to contest with traffic when the ferry infrastructure at the end of Elliott Street is built, paid for and already operational?”
Resident Sharyn Jones said she would catch the ferry into the city, which she described as “a nightmare” to drive to because of the light rail construction.
“No one wants to travel there in a car,” she said.
“We are starting to pull meetings out of city because it’s impossible to get there and everyone is always late.
“A ferry at Elliott St would open up avenues for people to get to the city but also for people to come here, which would be good for local businesses. The buses are packed.”
Resident Tony Carn used to use the ferry to commute to work.
“Driving is the only feasible option now which is ridiculous,” he said.
“I think the Government should be looking at ways of driving more people to use public transport rather than killing it and putting more people onto the road.”
On an average weekday at the Balmain East Wharf there are 505 tap-ons and 29 tap-offs during the morning peak compared to 487 tap-ons and 10 tap-offs at Balmain Wharf.
Private ferry operators are still able to operate services from Elliott Street.
A Transport for NSW spokesman said resources from West Balmain were reallocated to provide more frequent services and shorter journey times during peak periods at busier wharves.
“There are no plans to reintroduce commuter ferry services at Elliott Street Wharf,” he said.
“Customers living near the Elliott Street Wharf have access to bus services which connect with ferries at Balmain East, as well as services to the Sydney CBD.
Frequent bus services are also provided on Victoria Road to the Sydney CBD, with the M52 providing access to Circular Quay during peak times.
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