#Roads & Transport
Target:
The Honourable Robert Gordon Stokes MP
Region:
GLOBAL

We are calling on the Member for Pittwater and Minister for Transport and Roads, Robert Stokes MP, to reverse the New South Wales government decision to decommission the Freshwater Class Ferries.

We are respectfully petitioning the Minister and the Assembly to:

1. Cancel the decision to replace the heritage-style Freshwater-class Manly Ferries
2. Proceed with the scheduled maintenance program and insurance for these ferries
3. Develop a purpose-built Fleet Replacement Plan which includes double-ended clean energy ferries with superior passenger capacity on the F1 Manly to Circular Quay route.

To the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly,
the citizens of the Northern Beaches and greater Sydney, and visitors to Sydney from New South Wales, all other states and territories of Australia and internationally, would like to draw to your attention to the proposal by the NSW Government to phase out, in 2021, our world-famous double-ended 1100 passenger capacity Freshwater-class Manly Ferries.

We are calling on the Member for Pittwater and Minister for Transport and Roads, The Honourable Robert Stokes MP, to reverse the New South Wales government decision.

Large double-ended ferries have served Manly since 1850 and are a major Sydney tourist attraction.

Our petition represents the many thousands of Freshwater-class ferry supporters that identify with their iconic status on Sydney Harbour and want retention of these unique vessels. It also supports our previous 22,000 signature petition presented to the former Transport Minister, Andrew Constance.

The Petition will be made without any parliamentary restrictions on regions and presented directly to the Minister by Jo Haylen MP, NSW Shadow Minister for Transport.

“ Authorised by the Save The Manly Ferry Group”

The overseas built Emeralds that are supposed to replace the Freshwater Fleet have been beset with design and operational problems. The replacement Emerald Class ferries have been in Sydney for more than nine months and haven't carried a single passenger. They are yet to come into service because of a wide ranging list of defects and operational malfunctions.

With the maintenance and safety issues unresolved, there are serious doubts if they'll be ready in time for summer. They are also unable to carry passengers safely in swells that are over three metres, which commonly occur during the crossing of Sydney Heads.

The Government has been unable to confirm that a replacement bus service will be offered in these conditions, which raises the prospect of cancellations and reduced services.

The capacity on the replacement Emerald Class is only 400, compared to the Queenscliff and other Freshwater Class Manly ferries which can seat up to 1,000 plus passengers. Such a significant drop in capacity could mean that passengers are left on the wharf during the Manly service’s summer peak.

There are also concerns in regard to disembarking because of changes to the ramp width which will affect access for parents with double prams and disabled and wheelchair dependent passengers.

Even though restrictions have eased, and Sydney residents are eager to be out on the harbour on the Freshwater ferries, Transport for NSW has said that normal services on the Manly route would not resume until later in the year.

Community groups and supporters worldwide are urging the newly appointed Transport Minister Rob Stokes to reverse the Government’s decision to retire the Freshwater Fleet, Sydney’s most iconic Manly Ferries.

In a letter sent to Minister Stokes, Shadow Transport Minister Jo Haylen raised serious concerns about retiring the Freshwater Fleet from the Manly run.

Ms Haylen has also moved a motion in the NSW Parliament at the first opportunity to call on Minister Stokes to save the Freshwater Fleet in support of our community effort..

https://medium.com/zipidi-intel/rob-stokes-a-unique-opportunity-to-reset-transport-for-nsws-new-normal-ab198fed8b7

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The SAVE THE WORLD FAMOUS MANLY FERRIES petition to The Honourable Robert Gordon Stokes MP was written by RICHARD DUNN and is in the category Roads & Transport at GoPetition.