Limnios Property Group managing director James Limnios said the first stage of the proposed “Metronet on the Swan” needs to be implemented within the next five years. Credit: Supplied
The latest population figures, which show Perth had the biggest jump in population growth last year, have prompted calls to expedite the State Government’s proposal to expand the city’s ferry system.
Australian Bureau of Statistics data revealed Perth’s population increased by 3.6 per cent last financial year, with more than 81,000 people moving to Perth amid a housing and rental crisis.
Limnios Property Group managing director and former deputy Lord Mayor James Limnios said the first stage of the proposed “Metronet on the Swan” needs to be implemented within the next five years to deal with the city’s surging population and to subsequently boost housing supply.
“Despite the fact that our city has been built around one of the most beautiful waterways in the word it is a national embarrassment that we have still only one ferry service — the Mends Street ferry service — that was established nearly 130 years ago when the population of the city was only 190,000 compared to over two million people today,” Mr Limnios said.
WA’s peak property development body, the Urban Development Institute of Australia (WA) chief executive Tanya Steinbeck agreed that an expansion of the city’s ferry service would be a fantastic catalyst for infill development in a range of areas. Credit: Ross Swanborough/The West Australian
“We desperately need to expand our ferry service as a catalyst to encourage higher density living nodes around our inner-city river areas that will boost our housing supply for our spiralling population,” he added.
WA’s peak property development body, the Urban Development Institute of Australia (WA) chief executive Tanya Steinbeck agreed that an expansion of the city’s ferry service would be a fantastic catalyst for infill development in a range of areas.
“An expanded ferry service network across the Swan River is something that has been discussed and considered many times over the years and would be a welcome addition to Perth’s public transport network. Just recently the Cook Government pitched a ‘Metronet on the Swan’ plan that addresses this issue,” Ms Steinbeck said.
The luxury apartments will be a mix of one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom properties.
Perth, Australia – May 16, 2014: A Transperth ferry crossing the Swan river from Barrack St Jetty to Mends St Jetty in South Perth. Perths central business district is in the background.
“UDIA WA is supportive of strategic infrastructure planning and delivery that will facilitate greater infill development and improve housing supply and choice across our suburbs.”
According to Mr Limnios, a river ferry network system would be a “game changer” for greater urban infill in the inner-city area, providing more homes and lifestyle choices for city residents at a fraction of the cost of rail.
“During my time on council we investigated the benefits of expanding the river ferry service and they included making the inner city more liveable by reducing car usage as well as boosting the retail business sector due to increased tourism. I applaud the recent positive comments by the Premier and Minister for Transport who have supported in principle expanding the Perth ferry service,” he said.
“My main concern is that this commitment will be gradually undermined by a bureaucratic mindset that has seen multiple government reports produced over many years into an expanded ferry service only for nothing to happen.”
He said the objective should be to have the ferry service network up and running within five years to a number locations including Canning Bridge, UWA, Burswood/Belmont and Maylands.
