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Perth Now
3 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Ferry terminal a bridge too far for Applecross residents
Applecross residents want a terminal proposed as part of an expansion of ferry services moved across the river to Como. The State Government is planning to build a ferry terminal immediately north of the Raffles Hotel and near the luxurious Raffles Waterfront Apartments as part of its $107 million expansion of public transport options along the Swan River. A new river route will connect it and a new terminal at Matilda Bay with the existing Elizabeth Quay ferry stop. The new terminals will feature a fixed jetty connecting the shore and sheltered waiting area, and a covered hinged jetty guiding passengers to the floating pontoon where they will board the ferries. The Matilda Bay location sparked backlash from other water users and Matilda Bay-based groups when it was confirmed last month, and now the Applecross location has also come under fire. The Canning Bridge Ferry Action Group wants the Applecross terminal shifted across the river to the Canning Cloister Foreshore in Como. It also wants 'real consultation' by being part of the Applecross Landing Community Reference Group. Canning Bridge Ferry Action Group spokesman Matthew Cox said their concerns were not a case of NIMBYism. Residents were worried for the safety of dolphins which they said regularly played in the area and the swans who use the area to raise their cygnets. 'The government's proposal is flawed and there is a good case for mitigating the impacts to improve the ferry service expansion,' Mr Cox said. 'We believe that positive changes to the ferry jetty and infrastructure location, orientation and design could bring benefits to all parties. 'There are better ways to make the ferry project a success.' The group said in a submission to the State Government and City of Melville that 24-hour lighting and associated activity at the terminal would disrupt residents. 'Vehicles and buses servicing ferries every 25 minutes from 6.30am to 12.30am daily will increase traffic on Kintail and Canning Beach roads, exacerbating congestion and parking issues,' it said. 'The proposed multi-storey car park on the Tivoli site opposite the Raffles Waterfront will negatively affect the character and amenity of the area, exacerbate traffic congestion and make it difficult for vehicles to access local residences.' It said using the Canning Cloister Foreshore would cost less, have less impact on the environment and be closer to a larger residential population. Canning Bridge Ferry Action Group's preferred location. Credit: Supplied If the Applecross site remains, the group wants the terminal redesigned and the landing closer to deep water. 'This is a pivotal moment to get the balance right — for community, environment, and long-term sustainability,' Mr Cox said. According to Metronet, the Applecross terminal will be designed to support current and future high-density living and tourism and connect to other suburbs via existing bus routes. 'It will provide an attractive and scenic alternative for those wanting to travel across the Swan River, with current routes via the Narrows and the Causeway bridges heavily congested during peak times,' a fact sheet said. City of Melville CEO Gail Bowman said the council had not formed a position on the proposed ferry terminal. 'The city is aware of some community concerns with the proposal and encourages residents to give feedback to the Department of Planning Lands and Heritage through its online platform when the comment period opens,' she said. A statement from Transport Minister Rita Saffioti last month confirming the two new terminal locations said stakeholder engagement had been ongoing since October last year and would continue to be an important part of the project. An artist's impression of the proposed Applecross terminal. Credit: PTA The State Government planned to establish a reference group, with key water user groups within the Matilda Bay and Applecross areas to be invited to participate and provide advice on controls and measures so the waterway could be shared safely by all users. A development application for the two new terminals was expected to be submitted soon and the Department of Planning Lands and Heritage would seek public comment. Premier Roger Cook said a re-think was needed on how the Swan River was used when he announced the ferry expansion in February last year. 'Just imagine enjoying a pint at the Raffles in Applecross, then cruising to Optus Stadium to watch the footy. Or living on the Canning Bridge precinct and hopping on a ferry to go to work in the city. Or perhaps future residents of the Belmont Racecourse development catch a ferry over to UWA to study,' he said.
CBC
18-02-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Rescuing crew of ship run aground in Lark Harbour 'one of the most challenging things I've done', pilot says
The successful rescue of 20 people aboard a cargo vessel run aground in Lark Harbour, N.L., resulted in a happy ending Sunday, but one of the helicopter's pilots says it didn't come easy. Early Saturday morning, the Marine Communications and Traffic Services Centre in nearby Channel-Port aux Basques received a mayday from the MSC Baltic III about 22 kilometres off the entrance to the Bay of Islands. At that time, the ship reported a loss of power. The cause of the outage isn't known. Royal Canadian Air Force Capt. Matthew Cox of the 103 Search and Rescue Squadron, based in Gander, was one of the pilots who flew the rescue helicopter. He told CBC News that crews knew hoisting the 20 men would be a challenge — especially when you add a snowstorm and blizzard-like conditions into the mix. "The crew and myself had to blend a lot of the procedures that we have to try and find the best solution because of where the vessel was, where the helicopter had to hoist," Cox said Monday. "As the flying pilot on the right side of the cockpit … I had to trim the helicopter out and basically hand fly it from start to finish, which is probably one of the most challenging things I've done as a pilot." Luckily, Cox said each crew member was able to be hoisted safely. Four men were in need of medical assistance but stable, he said. "It was pretty special to see fathers and brothers just able to go back to their families, which is pretty awesome," Cox said. Melanie Joyce watched the rescue from the shore. She said it felt like something out of a movie. "The wind … you could barely stand up," Joyce told CBC News Sunday. "They sent down, I think it was four men, and shortly after they start airlifting the men off.... It was pretty amazing to see." Windy conditions could also play a factor in cleanup efforts. Lark Harbour and much of Newfoundland's west coast remain under a wind warning on Monday. Winds are expected to reach around 60 km/h, but could gust to 120 km/h in areas prone to enhanced easterly winds. The vessel was scheduled to arrive into Corner Brook, but Port of Corner Brook business development manager Jennifer Crane said weather likely played a factor in its ability to do so. "It all depends on the water conditions. I mean, there's a lot of variables that come into play," Crane said. Bruce English, part of the Canadian Coast Guard's Marine Environmental and Hazards Response team, said Sunday that options for removing the ship are still under consideration. "Once the crew is removed and the safety of life is handled, our biggest concern is with the environment. The vessel's propulsion fuel is diesel, marine diesel, and it's against the shoreline there now," he said Sunday. English said there aren't signs of contaminate in the water as of Sunday.
