Protester told to leave as tensions boil over in Metronet on Swan meeting
Updated ,first published
A woman was told to leave a WA Planning Commission meeting on the Cook Government’s $107 million Metronet for the Swan ferry plan as several members of the public gallery shouted at commission chair Emma Cole.
The commission board ultimately met to give the green light to the Applecross and Matilda Bay ferry stops; both faced serious opposition from society.
The meeting was moved from WAPC’s offices in the Perth CBD to the Bendat Basketball Center in Floreat to accommodate larger crowds.
The gallery was filled with project opponents who began shouting during the delegation by Public Transportation Authority staff.
Cole warned that if they did not shut up he would adjourn the meeting and throw out the shouters.
There was a back-and-forth for about four minutes between Cole and protesters who were angry they couldn’t address the board.
Cole said protesters can speak if they have registered to send a delegation, but if not, they can only attend the meeting as observers.
“Most of us had no idea. That’s what it actually meant. I thought… we’d been invited, we’d already sent our views, we’ll be able to put them to you today,” said one angry member of the public gallery.
“Unfortunately this is all government jargon, for the average person on the street it is over the top and our needs are not fully respected and I think the whole committee is very ignorant on this issue…”
Cole then interrupted: “I want you to please stop. This is not a public town hall meeting. This is an official meeting of the WA Planning Commission.”
“If you don’t stop, I will postpone the meeting. No, I will not arrest you, I will follow the meeting procedures,” he said.
Another man in the gallery called out and said: “So we came here to sit and be silent, huh?”
The board then adjourned the meeting and WAtoday He understands that a woman has left the forum.
The meeting reconvened 15 minutes later, and Cole said if the meeting had to be postponed again, it would be postponed until Friday and would be held at the WAPC offices.
“I have attended many meetings with the commission where we addressed issues of public concern and high emotion, and I have never had to postpone a meeting before,” he said.
“I understand and respect your strong feelings about the issues discussed in the room today, but I ask that you please respect the meeting.”
Both ferry terminals were ultimately approved by WAPC.
“Expanding ferry services on the Swan River has been a long-standing ambition of our government and today is an exciting step forward in the delivery of this incredible new public transport project for WA,” Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said after the meeting.
“With development approval for these two new ferry terminals received, we can move forward with the first phase of Metronet on Swan, which will deliver better transport options and make the Swan River even more active.
“These terminals will make it easier for locals and visitors to get around the city, connect to other public transport services and enjoy Perth’s beautiful riverside.”
$107 million ferry network expansion It was a key Labor election pledge and you will see the existing South Perth to Elizabeth Quay route continue towards Matilda Bay and Applecross near the Raffles Hotel.
The Matilda Bay area is particularly controversial given the impact it would have on bay users.
Sailing WA vice-chairman Graham White told the board they would have to end all-ability sailing programmes.
“A disabled sailor or a healthy 6-year-old child on a 3-meter boat leaving our marina may encounter not just one, but two ferries passing at a distance of 50 meters,” he said.
“To me, this represents too high a security risk to continue.”
with Jamie Freestone
Hamish Hastie is WAtoday’s state political correspondent and the winner of five WA Media Awards, including the 2023 Beck Award for best political journalism.Connect with: excitement or email.
