A new feasibility study has increased the likelihood of a plan for Sydney-style commuter ferries linking the city’s west and Melbourne’s CBD.
According to the $300,000 study launched by Planning Minister Matthew Guy last May, a trip between Werribee South and the Docklands on a large catamaran could take 50 minutes.
“A viable commuter ferry service has potential and more importantly may be able to offer commuters increased comfort, potential access to wi-fi internet and the ability to purchase refreshments,” Mr Guy said.
Mr Guy said all forms of transport had to be considered to keep rapidly growing Melbourne liveable.
The preliminary report conducted by Ernst & Young found privately run ferry services could work between Docklands and stops at Williamstown, Altona, Point Cook, Werribee South and Portarlington.
Mr Guy said a ferry service would utilise the bay and could be the answer to transport solutions that were needed to ease West Gate Freeway congestion.
He also said the study found that almost a third of workers living in Point Cook and about a quarter in Altona and Williamstown travelled to the CBD for work.
But, the report said trip times for the ferry could only be competitive with cars and rail if they had higher speed limits on the Yarra than the current six-10 knots per hour.
Mr Guy said the introduction of a ferry service in Melbourne’s west, connected to the CBD at Melbourne Docklands, had the potential to strengthen the transport system and further enhance the vitality of the precinct.
“It also has the potential to strengthen coastal communities along western Port Phillip Bay and attract more tourists to the region.”
According to the study, key tourist sites in Hobsons Bay and the City of Wyndham along the proposed ferry routes include Altona Homestead, Williamstown Historical Museum and the Werribee Open Range Zoo.
A final report on the routes, the infrastructure, costs of setting up the service and issues involving Yarra and Port of Melbourne is not expected until July.
