Location announced for Perth university ferry terminal

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Posted by Allen Newton
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27 July, 2025
PERTH’S University of WA (UWA) is to get a ferry terminal.
The state government confirmed the location for the new terminal servicing UWA and the residential and recreational area of Matilda Bay as part of its METRONET on Swan Ferry Service Expansion on 26 July.
The new ferry terminal will be built in central Matilda Bay.
The UWA masterplan originally had the proposed ferry terminal located in the northern Matilda Bay area, but in response to feedback from user groups, including the rowing club, additional locations were assessed.
Local sailing, rowing, and swimming groups—especially the advocacy group Safety on Swan—had voiced strong opposition.
They argued the terminal’s location near UWA poses risks due to high recreational use by vulnerable users like children and people with disabilities.
These groups suggest relocating the terminal one kilometre south to Jojo’s restaurant near Pelican Point, citing lower risk and better access to the QEII hospital and UWA’s southern entrance.
The state government conducted a multi-criteria analysis and independent risk assessment, ultimately selecting the central Matilda Bay site.
They maintain the terminal can safely coexist with recreational users and plan to establish a reference group for ongoing consultation.
Transport minister Rita Saffioti said that around the world and across Australia public transport ferries had operated safely alongside recreational users and other watercraft, and she said, there was no reason the same couldn’t be achieved here.
"DTMI (Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure), will be establishing a reference group, to provide ongoing advice and guidance to the government on the rollout of the expanded ferry service,” she said.
"This is an exciting milestone, and I am confident we will be able to work co-operatively with key user groups to safely share the waterway just as we do in South Perth and in other parts of the country and the world."
A government media release announcing the decision said the site was one of five considered in the area, with the preferred location identified through a multi-criteria analysis which assessed waterway and marine safety, heritage and environment, water and land use, and connectivity.
“A wide range of key stakeholder groups were consulted as part of the process including rowers, sailors and other river users, as well as several state government agencies,” the release said.
“As part of a thorough approach to safety, an independent risk assessment was conducted in accordance with the AS/NZ Risk Management Standard using a wide range of information including maritime vessel data, bathymetric surveys, feedback from user groups and aquatic events calendars.
The government said the terminal builds on the previously announced new terminal to be built at Applecross outside the Raffles Hotel, which it said would provide more convenient access to users and the community across Perth.
“Stakeholder engagement has been ongoing since October last year and will continue to be an important part of the delivery of this project.
“The State Government will establish a reference group, with key water user groups within the Matilda Bay and Applecross areas to be invited to participate. The group will provide ongoing advice to ensure appropriate controls and measures are in place so the waterway can be shared safely by all users.”
A development application for the two new terminals will be submitted shortly and the Department of Planning Lands and Heritage will seek public comment for a period of up to 21 days as part of the review.
The government said expansion of the ferry service will support the activation of popular riverside precincts and increased accessibility across the river, creating a scenic experience for tourists to explore the city and local attractions.
Five new electric ferries will operate services between Elizabeth Quay, Matilda Bay and Applecross.
Construction of the Matilda Bay terminal will include an upgrade to landscaping and existing public toilets, a new roundabout and pedestrian crossing, and bus bays on Hackett Drive.
Current bus services will be reviewed to ensure connectivity.