La Perouse to Kurnell ferry: Plans revealed for Botany Bay ferry service
Following a 46-year hiatus, passenger ferries look set to return to Botany Bay. Fresh NSW Government plans reveal the location of the proposed wharves and the intention for the service to become a thriving commuter and tourist route.
Southern Courier
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A new commuter and tourist ferry could soon become a reality with plans revealed for the return of the La Perouse to Kurnell service.
Transport for NSW has been working on a proposal to reinstate passenger ferries in Botany Bay and has revealed the proposed locations for the two wharves.
Under the plan, a 100m-long wharf will be built at Frenchman’s Bay in La Perouse and a 200m-long wharf will be built at Kurnell, along with “amenities to help make the service an enjoyable and efficient customer experience”.
Transport for NSW’s scoping report states the service would act as a commuter route and tourist service.
“Connection between La Perouse and Kurnell is currently only possible by road around Botany Bay with no direct link,” the scoping report stated.
“A ferry connection would open-up public transport access for visitors to the area and for residents to commute north to Sydney CBD (and) eastern suburbs and south to Cronulla.”
Ferries disappeared from the bay when the original wharves were destroyed by a storm in 1974, ending a service that began in the 1890s.
The State Government has been considering bringing back the ferries in recent years. Transport for NSW’s scoping report released this week sets out preliminary information about the project and is a first step in the development process.
The wharves will take about two years to build, according to the proposal.
The proposed wharves will be suitable for tourism-related commercial vessels and recreational vessels as well as the ferries.
It will also open up Kamay Botany Bay National Park to more tourism which boasts a wealth of history including the site where James Cook first landed in Australia, in April 1770.
Currently, boat traffic within Botany Bay is mainly associated with Port Botany, which is the state’s largest container port and main bulk liquid and gas port.
“On average, five ships both arrive and depart Botany Bay every day,” the scoping report stated.
Under the plan, the new wharf at Frenchman’s Bay in La Perouse will impact some moorings which will need to be relocated, but will not impact Yarra Bay Sailing Club located about 800m north.
Yarra Bay is currently being considered for a cruise ship terminal and is just one bay over from Frenchman’s Bay.
The project will be funded by the Federal and State Governments, who have announced $50 million in funding towards stage one of a masterplan to upgrade and make better use of Kamay Botany Bay National Park. The reinstatement of the La Perouse and Kurnell wharves are part of the stage one project.
Many of the issues surrounding the project – including the need for increased parking and addressing any impacts to heritage sites – will be addressed in a later report. An Aboriginal heritage assessment will also be prepared.