Sydney Ferries: Andrew Constance defends new boats despite fears

Transport Minister Andrew Constance has insisted “no one is going to be decapitated” by a fleet of new Sydney ferries that are so tall they can’t safely fit under some bridges.

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NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance has defended a fleet of new Sydney ferries that can’t pass under some bridges with standing passengers, insisting “no one is going to be decapitated” despite conceding the design flaw “sounds ridiculous.”

Ten new River Cat ferries due to hit the waters later this year are so tall passengers on the boat’s top deck will have to move to the bottom deck to avoid being hit by two bridges.

Commuters on the ferries won’t be able to pass under the Camellia Railway Bridge and Gasworks Bridge on the Parramatta River near Rydalmere because of their low clearance levels.

The fleet was manufactured in Indonesia but is made of 70 per cent Australian parts, according to the government.

A Sydney ferry fleet due to hit the waters later this year has come under fire because it can’t pass under certain bridges if passengers are on the top deck. Picture: Supplied

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NSW Labor has hit out at the design flaw, with MP Tim Crakanthorp saying the boats “should have been built here.”

But Minister Constance has insisted the design feature was “deliberate” and is not new but a standard procedure.

“It’s happening now and it’s been happening since 2014. To the best of my knowledge without incident and without complaint,” he told 2GB’s Ben Fordham Live.

He says the double deck design was intended to allow people to sit outside and enjoy the open air view while riding the ferry.

“It was a deliberate design feature of the River Class there would be an upper part for passengers and tourists.

“There should be the opportunity for people to sit outside and it’s a good design feature.”

“No one is going to be decapitated. On 5 per cent of services people will have to go downstairs.”

Transport Minister Andrew Constance as defended the ferries, saying the design was “deliberate.” Picture: NCA NewsWire / Steven Saphore

NSW Labor flagged concerns people’s heads could be severed by the design flaw, prompting Mr Constance to label them as “offensive.”

The NSW Government has referred the issue onto Transport for NSW and a spokesman today said the clearance requirements of the low-lying Bridges has “always been known and considered as part of the ferry design.”

The design flaw is not the only issue with the new ferries and asbestos had earlier been found on four of the boats.

The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) lashed out at Transport for NSW, saying they “knew about this” and “hid” the fact until Tuesday.

Works are underway and the asbestos is being removed but the MUA is calling on the agency to release a report that was commissioned into the asbestos.

Originally published as Sydney Ferries: Andrew Constance defends new boats despite fears