Kamay Ferry Wharves
This project is about the reinstatement of ferry wharves at La Perouse and Kurnell.
Between 1890 and 1974 a ferry service operated in Botany Bay. The service ceased and the wharves were decommissioned following severe damage as a result of a storm.
La Perouse and the Kurnell Peninsula are located at the northern and southern sides of the ocean entrance to Botany Bay, approximately 14 km south of the centre of Sydney. These sites contain a rich array of historical, cultural and environmental value for all Australians, with Aboriginal cultural sites dating back thousands of years. Kurnell is the site of first contact between Aboriginal peoples and the crew of the Endeavour in 1770.
Transport for NSW (TfNSW) completed a feasibility study into the viability of reinstating the wharves in 2016.
TfNSW has in past year been progressing the planning and design. An Environmental Impact Statement is being prepared and will be on exhibition in the middle of 2021.
We are inviting your input prior to the release of the Environmental Impact Statement.
Since July 2020 we have engaged the community and other stakeholders and have collected comments via meetings, emails, phone calls and the Your Say website that included a survey. This information and responses to comments to date have been compiled in a document that can be accessed here.
We are inviting you to contribute your comments under the topics below:
This project is about the reinstatement of ferry wharves at La Perouse and Kurnell.
Between 1890 and 1974 a ferry service operated in Botany Bay. The service ceased and the wharves were decommissioned following severe damage as a result of a storm.
La Perouse and the Kurnell Peninsula are located at the northern and southern sides of the ocean entrance to Botany Bay, approximately 14 km south of the centre of Sydney. These sites contain a rich array of historical, cultural and environmental value for all Australians, with Aboriginal cultural sites dating back thousands of years. Kurnell is the site of first contact between Aboriginal peoples and the crew of the Endeavour in 1770.
Transport for NSW (TfNSW) completed a feasibility study into the viability of reinstating the wharves in 2016.
TfNSW has in past year been progressing the planning and design. An Environmental Impact Statement is being prepared and will be on exhibition in the middle of 2021.
We are inviting your input prior to the release of the Environmental Impact Statement.
Since July 2020 we have engaged the community and other stakeholders and have collected comments via meetings, emails, phone calls and the Your Say website that included a survey. This information and responses to comments to date have been compiled in a document that can be accessed here.
We are inviting you to contribute your comments under the topics below:
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Need and Benefit of the project
24 days agoWhat we have heard from the community and other stakeholders has included:
- Concern about connection to cruise terminal
- Justification for the cost and need for infrastructure to support it
- Purpose of the associated ferry service
- The route of the ferry service
Some responses to these issues raised can be found here.
Resident 1223 days agoNo need for this, waste of money
Will be a huge cost associated with the set up and will be eventually shut down
1 comment2Ford Prefect17 days agoBoth Kurnell and La Perouse are major recreational attractions for scuba divers. Having ferries operating there will destroy that.
Scuba divers and Dive Shops significant impact
1 comment3Scuba17 days agoI believe is a bad idea
Ecosystem will suffer, the roads are already at capacity, parking is already at capacity combination of ferry and cruise terminal will make the roads clogged even more. Will be a nightmare for residents and local businesses
0 comment0TaleiM8 days agoIt's a nope from me.
People in the community don't want ferries that pollute ecosystems. We want sustainable solutions and restoration efforts for the environment. We want clean water to swim in and enjoy for our future generations. This is a horrible idea and the money needs to be redirected elsewhere. They cancelled this cruise terminal many years ago for a reason.
0 comment2Kurnell Local18 days agoKurnell peninsular is at saturation point already. If it has to be closed to residents only on hot days how can it be feasible to add more
1 comment3 -
Parking
24 days agoWhat we have heard from the community and other stakeholders has included:
- Lack of parking for residents at Kurnell with the National Park at capacity
- Ongoing concern about lack of parking at La Perouse
- Belief that the proposed provision for additional parking is inadequate
- Need to improve public transport and support cycling to avoid use of private vehicles and parking
Some responses to these issues raised can be found here.
NPoet8 days agoYes - this is all that will be left...parking lots...
gobsmackingly stupid idea
0 comment0Resident 1223 days agoWill cause more parking issues
Both sides can not take any more congestion with more vehicles, currently insufficient roads and parking in the Larperouse area, one road in and out with massive problems already in summer. Residents can’t take anymore volume.
1 comment2SydneyDives6 days agoMaking more people visit will ruin the area. Buses already take people there, options to park are limited, and it's already too busy.
Already too busy
0 comment0Clownfish18 days agoParking is already totally gone by 10 am on fine weekends at La Perouse, so why do you need to encourage more people to visit there.
Parking already totally full early
0 comment2Clownfish18 days agoNo way this can contribute to a reduction in rock fishing incidents in the region like you claim.
False Rock Fishing Claim
0 comment1 -
Traffic
24 days agoWhat we have heard from the community and other stakeholders has included:
- That the current road arrangement and infrastructure is inadequate
- Recent additional visitors and overcrowding of the areas
- Concern about safety in the case of emergencies
- Need for additional public transport links associated with the project
Some responses to these issues raised can be found here.
Scubaroo17 days agoThe 4WD park already fills the the one lane road to Kurneli re Australia Day. More people more cars - just say NO
0 comment1Fiftygrit1 day agoThe proposal lacks a study on future traffic a significant factor.
future traffic unknown??
0 comment0Pat Moore21 days agoMust link with further public transport options
There is a great need for more diverse public transport in the area. Most buses have a limited rout selection (Central Station or Martin Place) and this contributes to more people driving personal vehicles and exacerbated the traffic problem. Ferry service must have links to more transport options including services to Bondi Junction, Eastern Beaches and the airport. More transport options including an extended light rail (as it was before) would also be desirable.
0 comment0Clownfish18 days agoTraffic is already bumper to bumper every fine weekend at La Perouse. How will more people get there to use ferry?
Bumper to bumper traffic
0 comment0 -
Environmental Impact Assessment
24 days agoWhat we have heard from the community and other stakeholders has included:
- Desire for consultation with the local Aboriginal community
- Desire for increased engagement with affected residents near the proposed wharves
- Need for the EIS to covers environmental impacts including - seagrass, marine creatures and migratory birds
- Cultural heritage concerns and desire for involvement of Aboriginal people in project planning and impact assessment.
Some responses to these issues raised can be found here.
SydneyDives6 days agoSydney is the best city due to these dive sites.Project destroys habitat for weedy seadragons,redindianfish, anglerfish& other unique fauna.
Crucial endangered species will be lost
0 comment0NPoet8 days agoOne of Sydney south east’s most loved coastal environments destroyed....for what?
Gobsmackingly stupid idea
0 comment2Zach17 days agoWeedy seadragons
Kurnell is one of the only places in Sydney with a healthy and growing population of weedy seadragons which are an endangered species. They are also sensitive to sound or vibration (same thing), such as from a ferry.
0 comment4NicolasRemy7 days agoImpact on fragile&rare marinelife: the iconic weedy seadragons, the sydney pygmy pipehorses, the red indianfish are just some examples
rare marine life impacts
0 comment0Seahorse18 days agoProtection of Marine Life and foreshore is required not a ferry service.
0 comment3 -
Flora and Fauna / Biodiversity
24 days agoWhat we have heard from the community and other stakeholders has included:
- The importance of seagrass and need to minimise potential impacts on this through construction or operation
- Need to assess and minimise disruption to marine life and cultural fishing practices
- Concern about species including weedy sea dragon and the Eastern Tern migratory bird
Some responses to these issues raised can be found here.
Suzanna297 days agoI have grave concern for the local turtles, octopus, weedy sea dragons, nudibranchs, cuttlefish, sharks: all marine life who reside here.
0 comment0Commonsense8 days agoAn unnecessary service which nobody ask for, in an area that doesn't need it, where the ecosystem and the communities will suffer inmensaly
No need, no social or environmental benefit...no point!!!
0 comment0Maria Poulos22 days agoThe ferry service and other commercial vessels will cause serious disruption to marine life around Bare Island, Kurnell and Frenchman's Bay.
The best way to avoid damage it to not proceed with this development.
0 comment2 -
What we have heard from the community and other stakeholders has included:
- Additional people coming as result of the wharves will change the ambience of the community
- Inadequate services to cater for the additional tourists
- Impact on the amenity and facilities and services available for local residents
- Need for the wharves to provide for recreation including diving, swimming and fishing
Some responses to these issues raised can be found here.
Kurnell Local18 days agoKurnell is beautiful for its old world charm. Bare feet, bike riding and horses.
More people bring more rules and while we want to share the beauty of kurnell can you find a way to do the project and keep the car traffic away from the kurnell peninsular.
0 comment0Dee H22 days agoWill enable other small boat users to pick up and drop off friends and family
Accessibility for boat users
0 comment0Maria Poulos22 days agoThis development will bring far too many people to an already crowded tourist destination, severely impacting resident amenity.
Save the Bay Coalition is opposed to this development because of the impact on community amenity
0 comment0Fiftygrit1 day agoCreate marine sanctuary that removes boaters from dives sites. 250m radius from shoreline. Both sides. Otherwise same as CTB MR
Hazard - will attract more recreational boaters
0 comment0Scubaroo17 days agoWho would clean the wharfs of smelly bait . More toilet amenities and food sources would be needed and rubbish removal.
0 comment0
Key Dates
Connect with us
Email: kamayferrywharves@transport.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 1800 228 554
Post: Kamay Ferry Wharves Project, c/o Arup, Level 5, 151 Clarence Street,
Sydney, NSW, 2000
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Q&A - General
- What is happening now?
- How long has this project been in the planning?
- Is there funding for this project?
- When might the wharves be built?
- What is the connection between this project and the Botany Bay Cruise Terminal proposal?
- Does the project allow for another wharf in the Sans Souci area?
- How will the community be involved with this project?
Q&A - Users and Benefits
Q&A - Design
- How were the proposed wharf locations determined?
- What additional facilities will be included with the wharves?
- Given that the previous wharves were damaged by storms in 1974, how can you be sure the reinstated wharves will withstand future storm damage?
- Will new permanent vessel moorings or a marina be included with the project
Q&A - Planning approval pathway & environmental impact statement
Q&A - Environmental and other impacts
- What investigations and assessments will take place for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)?
- How will the increase in traffic and car parking at La Perouse and Kurnell as a result of the wharves be managed?
- How are the sea grass, fish habitats and protected fish species going to be protected?
- Will there be any impacts on the native and migratory birds and bats?
- What about Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal heritage at both wharf sites?
- What impact will vessels using the wharves (e.g. ferry service) have on the existing navigation within Botany Bay including cargo ships?