Announcement precedes ferry infrastructure

The Wyndham Harbour to Docklands ferry service is unlikely to begin operating any time soon, with supporting infrastructure issues yet to be addressed.

In June, Planning Minister Matthew Guy told 3AW that the ferry service was expected to be up and running within 12 months.

Collins Landing has been named as the ferry berth in Docklands, but  Docklands News understands the State Government is yet do any work to prepare the site for a commuter ferry service.

At the same time Lyons Capital, the developer of Wyndham Harbour, says construction of infrastructure at Wyndham Harbour won’t be completed until April 2016.

A commuter ferry service from Melbourne’s west to Docklands has been on the cards for a number of years, with a discussion paper reporting on its viability released in April
last year.

A final feasibility report on the service has since been completed but has not been publicly released, raising question about what the report reveals about the proposed service.

Mr Guy failed to explain why the report had not been released when asked by Docklands News.

Similarly, he did not specifically address a series of other questions about the construction of floating infrastructure at Wyndham Harbour, the issue of speed limits within the port and the suitability of Collins Landing for ferry berthing.

In a statement provided to Docklands News, Mr Guy said: “The Government is currently in negotiations with an operator. Issues related to supporting infrastructure will be resolved when a service is confirmed.”

When he approved the expansion of the Wyndham Harbour project in 2013, Mr Guy said it would assist in providing “a critical mass of population to make a commuter ferry service from Werribee to the city fully sustainable.”

The development is expected to grow to a population of around 1400 and construction of necessary infrastructure for a ferry service continues.

“Wyndham Harbour commenced construction of the marina infrastructure in late 2011, which will ultimately provide a safe boat harbour for 350 berths plus ferry terminal,” a Lyons Capital spokesperson said.

“Construction is forecast for completion in April 2016.”

The operator of the proposed service is yet to be identified but has previously been linked to Riverside Marine.

Riverside Marine chief operating officer David Pollak said the company had been involved in conversations with the State Government about the service in the past.

He said he was not aware of the latest developments with the project.

Mr Pollak said he was aware the State Government was speaking with others in the industry, but did not know which operators.