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Later Ferry Services & Proposals
5. The 1994 university ferry
A privately operated ferry service between Applecross and Nedlands was launched on 24 February 1994 by Transport Minister Eric Charlton and UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Fay Gale. UWA arranged the service to help reduce traffic and parking problems around its Crawley campus, with support from Nedlands, Subiaco and Melville councils. An estimated 4,000 UWA staff and students lived south of the river between Rossmoyne and Fremantle.
Les Hoffman’s Bayside Nominees Pty Ltd operated the MV Duchess II, which could carry 100 passengers. It travelled between Applecross Jetty at the end of Ardross Street and Nedlands Jetty at the end of Broadway. The crossing took approximately 15 to 20 minutes, with 22 trips advertised each weekday between 8 am and 6.30 pm.
199133PD: Ferry MV Duchess II at South Perth, Western Australia
UWA subsidised fares for its students and staff, who paid 80 cents and $1.50 respectively. The public adult fare was $2.50, with lower fares for children, students and concession holders.
The university contributed approximately $130,000 towards the ferry arrangements and a separate city-to-campus bus shuttle. Market research suggested that up to 500 people might use the ferry daily, although this was an estimate, rather than recorded passenger numbers.
Parking problems and the service’s closure
Former UWA Campus Services manager John Burrows recalled in January 2025 that the ferry initially attracted students, including passengers travelling with bicycles. A connecting bus carried passengers between the Nedlands landing and the university.
According to Burrows, problems developed when passengers parked in residential streets near the departure points, particularly in Applecross. Following complaints, parking restrictions prevented commuters from leaving their cars for the day. He attributed the service’s closure to these restrictions.
Further investigations
Ferry connections to UWA continued to be investigated after the 1994 service ended. A Department of Transport report recorded that a proposed Canning Bridge-Matilda Bay service was modelled in 2012 but was not considered viable at that time.
The report identified possible future demand from development around Canning Bridge, university staff, students and visitors. It also noted that passenger numbers would vary between university teaching periods and holidays.
Walking distances, connecting services, fares and journey times were identified as important considerations. A ferry competing with existing buses and trains would need to provide a convenient service, while new routes were considered likely to require government subsidies.
6. The current proposal and community response
The expanded ferry network
The State Government’s METRONET on Swan project proposes a new ferry service connecting Elizabeth Quay, Matilda Bay and Applecross. The $107 million expansion includes five electric ferries, new terminals and upgrades to existing facilities. Services are expected to begin in late 2027.
Metronet on Swan Ferry Service Expansion - Proposed Locations and Proposed Ferry Route
The Matilda Bay terminal would provide access to UWA, with connecting transport serving the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre and surrounding areas. It would also accommodate equipment for charging the electric ferries.
Selecting the terminal site
The government confirmed central Matilda Bay as its preferred location on 26 July 2025. Five sites were considered, including locations in northern, central and southern Matilda Bay, the Pelican Point boat ramp and Nedlands Jetty beside the former JoJo’s restaurant.
UWA’s campus masterplan had identified a ferry connection near the northern end of the bay. Following concerns from existing water users, including the rowing club, other locations were assessed.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said central Matilda Bay provided the best overall outcome when marine safety, environmental considerations, existing activities and transport connections were assessed. The government also established a reference group to advise on sharing the waterway.
Metronet on Swan Ferry Service Expansion - Development Envelopes and Indicative Development Footprint at Matilda Bay Site
Proposed terminal and foreshore works
The development application advertised in 2025 included a fixed jetty, sheltered waiting area, gangways and two floating pontoons. Associated works included a shore connection, limestone headwall, replacement public toilets, electrical infrastructure, bus facilities, paths and changes to Hackett Drive.
The advertised application valued the Matilda Bay works at $27.7 million. Later reporting referred to a $29.9 million terminal.
The Western Australian Planning Commission conditionally approved the terminal applications in December 2025. A separate application covering ferry operations was advertised for public comment between 31 August and 29 September 2026.
The design of the charging facilities was subsequently revised. As outlined by the Public Transport Authority in October 2026, a two-storey building would combine electrical equipment, public toilets and bicycle shelter within the existing car park.
The bay’s changing environment
Matilda Bay forms part of the Swan-Canning Estuary, where river flows interact with seawater. Conditions change with rainfall, freshwater runoff, saline water entering from downstream and the seasons. Research undertaken in Matilda Bay has examined how these changes influence plankton and biological activity.
The foreshore is also affected by tides, storm surges and wave action. These processes contribute to changes along the shoreline and are considered in management of the Swan and Canning river foreshores.
Dredging and reclamation
Parts of the present foreshore were formed through dredging and reclamation. A 2016 study of the western suburbs riverfront recorded major works around Nedlands, Pelican Point and Crawley between 1936 and 1938.
Later works included dredging or reclamation associated with the UWA boatshed before 1954, Royal Perth Yacht Club at northern Pelican Point in 1954 and the Matilda Bay swimming jetties in 1972.
The study noted that historical records were incomplete. It also described a change in river management, with extensive dredging giving way to greater environmental controls and more localised sediment maintenance.
Seagrass and aquatic habitat
Seagrass provides habitat for fish and small invertebrates throughout the estuary. Paddleweed, Halophila ovalis, is the dominant species in the Swan-Canning system. Research reported by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions found that its seagrass habitats supported more abundant and diverse invertebrate communities than nearby bare sand.
These habitats are affected by changing water conditions. During the summer of 2023-24, low water levels exposed shallow seagrass to high temperatures. Monitoring subsequently recorded reduced cover and incomplete recovery at several estuary sites during 2024-25. These findings concerned the monitored estuary sites rather than a measured decline specifically at the proposed Matilda Bay terminal.
On 17 February 2026, the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation granted the Public Transport Authority a conditional clearing permit for the proposed ferry terminals at Matilda Bay and Applecross. The project documents identified potential seagrass loss from piling, mooring removal, sediment disturbance and shading beneath the new structures. At Matilda Bay, up to 0.37 hectares of seagrass and macroalgae habitat could be affected. The approval does not confirm that clearing has taken place.
Sediment disturbance and shoreline erosion have been raised in objections to the proposal. In a March 2026 review published by Safety on Swan, Murdoch University Associate Professor Mike van Keulen argued that Matilda Bay’s shallow waters would be more vulnerable to disturbance during construction and ferry operations than the deeper water at Nedlands Jetty.
Fish, dolphins and sharks
The area around the Swan-Canning Estuary supports black bream, flathead, flounder, mullet, whiting, Australian herring, cobbler, gobies, hardyheads and river garfish. These species form part of a food chain connecting aquatic vegetation, small invertebrates, fish, birds and larger predators.
Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins use the river throughout the year. The estuary supports a resident dolphin community, while dolphins from nearby coastal waters also visit.
Bull sharks also occur in the Swan-Canning Estuary. Females give birth in rivers and estuaries, where young sharks may remain for several years before moving into coastal waters.
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Bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas). Illustrative photograph, not taken at Matilda Bay
Swans and other waterbirds
Black swans use fresh, brackish and saltwater habitats. Some remain around permanent waterways, while others travel between wetlands as water and feeding conditions change. Although mostly black, adults have broad white flight feathers which become visible when their wings are extended.
The black swan is native to Australia. The familiar white mute swan is a different species, identified as introduced in the Western Australian Museum’s bird checklist.
Pelican Point has long provided feeding and resting habitat for waterbirds. Historical records include pelicans, cormorants and terns, together with shorebirds such as red-necked stints, red-capped plovers and stilts.
Disturbance of birds at Pelican Point was documented before the current ferry proposal. Studies recorded birds leaving the area following disturbance, including repeated interruptions to resting fairy terns. These existing pressures form part of the environmental concerns raised about additional activity near the reserve.
Environmental protection and assessment
Matilda Bay Reserve is managed under an approved management plan titled Matilda Bay Reserve Management Plan 1992-2002. Pelican Point also forms part of the Swan Estuary Marine Park, which includes provisions to protect seagrass and waterbird habitat.
The Public Transport Authority referred the ferry project to the Environmental Protection Authority in 2025. The EPA decided that formal assessment was not required under section 38 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986. Other planning, clearing and operating processes were considered separately.
Trees and electrical infrastructure
Tree removal has become another focus of opposition. Campaign material and reporting during September and October 2026 referred to 39 or more trees being affected by the proposed works. These figures were circulated by opponents of the development.
The charging facilities require more than a connection at the jetty. The advertised application included a Western Power substation and associated electrical infrastructure, alongside the terminal and foreshore works. A separate technical assessment examined construction and operational noise.
Ferry speeds and existing water users
The Public Transport Authority states that ferries approaching and departing the Matilda Bay terminal on the east-west route would be limited to eight knots, approximately 15 kilometres per hour. This restriction applies to that part of the journey rather than the entire service.
Safety assessments commissioned by the government and opponents have reached different conclusions. The government’s assessment supported central Matilda Bay with operating controls and adjustments for existing activities.
A review commissioned by Safety on Swan and undertaken by risk assessor Paul Chivers argued that ferry movements would create unacceptable interactions with vulnerable water users. It favoured Nedlands Jetty, where greater separation could be provided between ferries and recreational activities.
Friends of Matilda Bay
Friends of Matilda Bay was publicly active by September 2025, bringing together people concerned about the proposed terminal and changes to the foreshore. Spokesperson Lauren Zagami said the group supported ferry expansion but wanted the terminal moved to Nedlands Jetty beside JoJo’s.
The collective described itself in November 2025 as entirely community funded. Its stated concerns included public access, swimming and recreation, views across the river, and the character of the reserve.
Its activities have included community gatherings, fundraising and public demonstrations. A September 2026 walk promoted the connection between Nedlands Jetty and UWA, while an October rally called for the government to pause the project and review the location and operating arrangements.
Save Matilda Bay and Safety on Swan
The Save Matilda Bay petition was established by Nedlands MP Jonathan Huston in August 2025. It called for the terminal to be relocated to JoJo’s, citing concerns about safety, environmental effects and continued access to the bay.
Safety on Swan is a separate coalition of community water clubs, disability organisations and sporting associations. Its members include Sailability WA, Fishability WA, UWA Boat Club, UWA Outdoor Club, Mounts Bay Sailing Club and Royal Perth Yacht Club.
The coalition states that its participating organisations collectively represent more than 7,000 members. It supports ferry expansion but opposes the central Matilda Bay location, arguing that ferry operations would conflict with existing swimming, sailing, rowing and paddling activities.
Nedlands Jetty and JoJo’s
Nedlands Jetty was constructed in 1908 as part of the development of the Nedlands foreshore and its tramway connections. The adjoining swimming baths opened on 9 February 1909.
The baths closed in 1975-76. During the mid-1980s, the buildings were converted into a restaurant and marina complex. The municipal heritage record identifies Warren Mead and Ian Love as operators who used the JoJo’s name, following an earlier period under Jamie Loh. Margaret and George King later operated the premises.
The former JoJo’s café and restaurant closed in 2022. Sevens Group announced a $27 million redevelopment incorporating hospitality, accommodation and marina facilities, although DBCA advised in April 2026 that it had not received a development application for that proposal.
The alternative terminal proposal
Supporters of the Nedlands Jetty alternative argue that existing infrastructure and access to deeper water would reduce the extent of new construction.
An August 2026 report by Z Marine assessed the public jetty as structurally sound following its 2014 upgrade. It proposed adapting the structure for four electric ferry berths, with additional pontoons, passenger facilities and charging equipment.
The report estimated construction costs of approximately $19 million at Nedlands Jetty, compared with $29 million at Matilda Bay. These were indicative estimates prepared for the comparison rather than accepted construction prices.
The government maintains that Nedlands Jetty is less suitable because of its distance from the university, potential conflicts with other water users and proximity to protected habitat. Opponents dispute these conclusions and have called for the detailed comparison between the locations to be released.
UWA’s position
UWA Vice-Chancellor Amit Chakma expressed strong support for introducing a ferry service in published 2025 Convocation minutes. He referred to the difficulties faced by students travelling from south of the river and the university’s longstanding interest in a ferry connection.
The minutes also recorded that UWA did not hold a formal position on the terminal’s location and intended to provide feedback, particularly on safety.
In October 2026, Convocation announced a special general meeting for 11 November following a request from at least 50 members. The meeting would consider how to ask UWA to seek a pause in the project and further investigation of alternative locations. At the time of writing, that meeting had not taken place.
