Parramatta’s newly elected Lord Mayor Cr Paul Garrard called on the State Government to ensure a sustainable ferry service is established for the capital of western Sydney.

Reports that more than 50 ferry runs between Parramatta and the City were cancelled every month due to tidal restrictions only highlighted the unsuitability of Sydney Ferries’ RiverCat fleet.

“The tidal flows of the Parramatta River should be no surprise to Sydney Ferries or the State Government and we must now be getting down to the business of establishing a commuter ferry service for our $12 billion local economy,” Cr Garrard said.

“We have always maintained that the commuter service for Parramatta should include the most suitable vessel for the river.

“The Premier has rolled his sleeves up to deliver a commuter service for Parramatta, but his Government’s solution is only half the story.

“As the capital of western Sydney, Parramatta is projected to have an additional 30,000 jobs and 20,000 residents within 20 years, making the proposed Circular Quay direct to Parramatta service short-sighted.

“A ferry service to Parramatta must be able to pick up passengers along the entire route of the river from Drummoyne to Meadowbank as its commercial and cultural influence grows.

“Obviously with that type of traffic the environmental concerns of wash along the river will expand and Council calls on the State Government and unions to work together to find a vessel that’s most appropriate for our continually growing city,” Cr Garrard said.

“Extensive research, which Council submitted to the Government, shows that after Circular Quay, Parramatta wharf is already the most frequently patronised wharf along Parramatta River.

“But as the Government now seeks Expressions of Interest from private operators for a tourist service up the river, my concern is that the State Government is failing to commit to financing the much more vital commuter service.

“We must have integrated transport solutions to support our growth. That includes making a commuter RiverCat service fast, efficient and more importantly, sustainable,” he said.