A Mosman community group wants to save Sydney’s Lady Northcott and Lady Herron ferries from being retired

A PETITION to save Sydney’s last Lady Class ferries has gathered more than 780 signatures in less than three weeks.

An example of one of Sydney’s First Fleet ferries which will take over the Lady Class routes when the older vessels are retired. Picture: John Appleyard

• Blood delivery by drone: Genius
• Stay of execution on ‘asbestos-like’ trees

A MOSMAN community petition to save Sydney’s last iconic Lady Class ferries from being decommissioned has gathered more than 780 signatures so far.

The Lady Northcott and Lady Herron entered service in 1975 and 1979, respectively.

The replacement of the ferries is part of the NSW Government’s $52-million Inner Harbour Ferry project, which includes six new vessels.

Campaign leader Freya Boughton started the petition more than two weeks ago after she stopped seeing the Lady Northcott on the harbour.

Ms Boughton sent a letter to Transport Minister Andrew Constance last week when the petition reached 500 signatures and plans to send another letter every 100 signatures thereafter.

“I catch the ferry every day to work from the Mosman Bay Wharf or the South Mosman Wharf, depending on what time I’m going,” she said.

“The Lady Northcott was not on her usual run and she was missing, so I started asking questions of the crew about where she was and what was happening with her.

The Lady Northcott ferry.

“They said the Lady Northcott was being taken off her run and returned to the State Government and next would be the Lady Herron.

“People love the Lady Class ferries and most are sad that they are going.”

Transport for NSW expects the new ferries and First Fleet Class vessels to mostly take over the Lady Class routes.

Plans for the ladies’ retirement are being finalised.

Ms Boughton said SuperCats were now on her usual route, but she did not like taking them.

“They are very uncomfortable,” she said.

“There is not very much capacity on them: if you get on at Cremorne Point Wharf you have to stand.

“And there is not so much room to enjoy the harbour from outside.”

One of the new ferries, the Catherine Hamlin, arriving in Sydney Harbour from Hobart in November 2016. Picture: Stephen Cooper

Ms Boughton argued that the historically significant ferries still provided a useful service to the community and could operate as back-up ferries when new vessels were introduced.

“We would like to keep the Lady Northcott and the Lady Herron for their tourism value and high capacities for the zoo and peak periods,” she said.

“They have plenty of room for accessibility for wheelchairs and prams.

“Any Sydneysider who has visitors from overseas really enjoys taking them on the ferry to Taronga Zoo.

“The Lady Class ferries are more enjoyable and more fun — it’s like getting on an old steam train — and when they come into the wharf they don’t actually have to back out.

“Circular Quay is congested and the wharves can be tricky.”

The fleet of six new ferries will initially operate on the inner harbour between Cockatoo Island and Watsons Bay, then on the new cross harbour ferry route later in 2017.

Lavender Bay artist Peter Kingston with the Lady Northcott at Circular Quay. He has long supported the push to retain the “ladies” and is known for his paintings of the older ferries. Picture: Stephen Cooper

A Transport for NSW spokesman said the NSW Government was delivering new ferries as part of its 20-year plan to modernise and expand Sydney’s ferry network.

“The new ferry fleet of six inner harbour ferries are deliberately similar in appearance to the First Fleet ferries, which are a popular feature of the harbour with Sydneysiders and visitors,” the spokesman said.

“However, these new ferries have an additional wide, walk-around area on the upper level for improved viewing.

“They will also provide Wi-Fi access, luggage and bicycle storage areas, real-time journey information and charging stations for electronic devices.

“The new ferries will be accessible for people with disabilities with specially-allocated places for wheelchairs inside the ferries and on the exterior deck.

“The ferries also feature (wheelchair) accessible toilets.”

A VIDEO OF MANLY FERRY FROM THE 50S OR 60S

The Fred Hollows ferry started service last week, while defects have stalled the Catherine Hamlin ferry.

Visit change.org/p/andrew-constance-mp-save-our-lady-northcott-and-lady-heron-ferries to sign the petition.