By Hamish Hastie
A woman was told to leave a WA Planning Commission meeting about the Cook Government’s $107 million Metronet on the Swan ferry plan as several members of the public gallery shouted over commission chair Emma Cole.
The commission board met to ultimately green-light the Applecross and Matilda Bay ferry stops on Thursday, both of which were subject to significant community opposition.
An artist impression of the Matilda Bay ferry terminal.
The meeting was moved from the WAPC’s offices in the Perth CBD to the Bendat Basketball Centre in Floreat to accommodate the larger crowd.
The commission approved both ferry sites after a parade of deputations, particularly from opponents of the Matilda Bay ferry site, urging it to reject the state government’s plan or delay its assessment.
The gallery was filled with opponents of the project, who began shouting during a deputation by Public Transport Authority staff.
Cole warned she would adjourn the meeting and kick out those shouting if they did not quieten down.
There were about four minutes of back-and-forth between Cole and protesters who were angry at not being able to address the board.
Cole said if the protesters had registered to give a deputation they would be able to talk, but if not then they were only at the meeting as an observer.
“The majority of us had no idea. That’s what it actually meant. I thought ... because we had been invited, because we had already sent in our opinions, we would be able to voice these to you today,” one irate member of the public gallery said.
“Unfortunately this is all government jargon, which to the average person in the street is way over their head, and our requirements are being totally disrespected and I feel that the whole committee is very ignorant of...”
Cole then interrupted: “I need you to please stop. This is not a public town hall meeting. This is a formal meeting of the WA Planning Commission.”
“If you do not stop, I will adjourn the meeting. No, I’m not going to arrest you, I’m going to apply the meeting procedures,” she said.
Another man in the gallery piped up and said: “So we’ve come here to sit down and shut up, have we?”
The board then adjourned the meeting and WAtoday understands a woman left the forum.
The meeting reconvened 15 minutes later, when Cole said if it was adjourned again, it would be rescheduled for Friday and held in the WAPC’s offices.
“I have been part of many meetings with the commission where we have dealt with matters that are of high public interest, where emotions are running high, and I have not had to adjourn a meeting before,” she said.
“I do understand and respect that you feel strongly about the matters that are being discussed in the room today, but I do appeal to you to please respect the meeting.”
The commission approved both terminals.
“Expanding ferry services on the Swan River has been a long-held ambition of our government and today marks an exciting step forward in the delivery of this incredible new public transport project for WA,” Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said after the meeting.
“With development approval for these two new ferry terminals secured, we can forge ahead with the first phase of Metronet on Swan, which will deliver better transport options and further activate the Swan River.
“These terminals will make it easier for locals and visitors to move around the city, connect with other public transport services, and enjoy Perth’s beautiful riverfront.”
The $107 million ferry network expansion was a key Labor election commitment and will see the existing South Perth to Elizabeth Quay route continue out to Matilda Bay and down to Applecross near the Raffles Hotel.
The Matilda Bay site has been particularly controversial given the impact it would have on users of the bay.
Sailability WA vice president Graham White told the board they would have to terminate its all-abilities sailing programs.
“A disabled sailor in a three-metre dinghy exiting from our marina or indeed a six-year-old able-bodied child could be confronted not by just one, but by two ferries crossing within 50 metres,” he said.
“That to me amounts to a sheer safety risk too high to continue.”
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti hailed the commission’s decision as a win.
“Expanding ferry services on the Swan River has been a long-held ambition of our government and today marks an exciting step forward in the delivery of this incredible new public transport project for WA,” she said.
The state will go out for tender to build the ferry stops early next year.
with Jamie Freestone