Protester told to leave as tensions boil over in Metronet on Swan meeting
“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 that if the meeting was postponed again, it would be rescheduled for Friday and would be held at the WAPC offices.
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“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.”
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti hailed the commission’s decision as a victory.
“Expanding ferry services on the Swan River has been a long-standing ambition of our government and today marks an exciting step forward in the delivery of this incredible new public transport project for WA,” he said.
The state will put out a tender for the construction of ferry stops early next year.
with Jamie Freestone
