CCBR Business Review

27 M A J O R S T O R I E S NRMA’s interest in ferry services to Central Coast A Fantasea Ferry leaving Ettalong Beach for Palm Beach IN NOVEMBER THE NRMA announced the acquisition of Fantasea Cruising, which operates a ferry service from Palm Beach to Ettalong Beach, as it continues on its strat- egy to become Australia’s largest provider of transport and tourism services. Fantasea provides a raft of transport and tourism services, harbour cruises, ferry services and yellow water taxis across Sydney Harbour. “This announcement of NRMA’s acquisi- tion of Fantasea – 12 months after we bought the Manly Fast Ferry service sees our fleet of vessels grow to 31 and boosts our capacity to unlock the potential of Sydney’s waterways, offer fantastic experi- ences to people wanting to enjoy our city and connect the Central Coast with Palm Beach,” said Mr Rohan Lund, President of the NRMA. Following the acquisition of the Manly Fast Ferry the NRMA undertook an exten- sive study of the public transport needs of the Greater Sydney Region and in June. Blue Highways explored the opportuni- ties for ferry services and highlighted that urban congestion in and around densify- ing residential and business precincts has resulted in the need for new public transport services, for which ferries on uncongested waterways offer significant advantages. Considering ferry services outside Sydney Harbour Blue Highways said, “In addition, the Central Coast and the Illawarra would benefit from a fast ferry service to the Sydney CBD. While demanding longer journey times, these potential routes would support commuters during peak times and pro- vide tourists the opportunity to visit the regions from Sydney during the day on a return journey. Within Brisbane Water, the Central Coast Ferry Service operates regularly between Woy Woy, Saratoga, Davistown and Empire Bay. Ferries also travel up and down Cockle and Lintern Channels and across Paddys Channel to Woy Woy. During the past two decades, several proposals to establish a ferry service out- side Brisbane Water between the Central Coast and the Sydney CBD have been pursued, however none have progressed to the point of securing funding or regula- tory approvals. Despite this, the previously proposed benefits of connecting the Central Coast and Sydney by ferry still exist. With 20 per cent of the local workforce travelling to Sydney, the provision of an additional transport mode is vital and would offer some residents the option of leaving the car at home. The establishment of a fast ferry service would complement existing transport by providing a third corridor to support the growing Central Coast population, which is forecast to increase from 340,000 to 450,000 by 2036. Additionally, a permanent third corridor would provide an alternative travel option in the event of accessibility issues. During the devastating 1994 NSW bush- fires, road and rail from the Central Coast to Sydney became inaccessible, and two local ferries were consequently requisitioned to transport several hundred stranded residents to alternative accommodation. Gosford to Ettalong and Sydney CBD The NSW Government’s Regional NSW Services and Infrastructure Plan identifies Gosford as the capital of the Central Coast region and a Satellite city of Greater Sydney. The provision of a fast ferry service between Gosford and Sydney via Ettalong would sup- port commuters, infrequent visitors and tourists, and help to attract busi- ness, investment and jobs. Providing visi- tors to Sydney with fast access to the Central Coast by ferry would increase visitation and pro- vide economic ben- efit. With Gosford’s Waterfront Redevelopment initiative progressing, the arrival point into the Central Coast would act as a destination itself, enticing visitors to the precinct. A Gosford–Sydney CBD service by fast ferry could be completed in approximately 90 minutes, which is comparable to rail or road during the peak commute periods. The advantage of a ferry service is convenience, desirability and reliability, which is estimated to exceed 90 per cent for this journey. Gosford's Waterfront Redevelopment initiative under the Central Coast Regional Development Corporation offers the short- term opportunity of establishing a modern wharf to accommodate vessels that could service this particular route.” Buying or selling a quality business, contact the experts on the Central Coast. 02 4332 6555. Argyle Estates EST. OVER 40 YEARS argyle@argyleestates.com.au Graham McMullen – Licensee F.A.I.B.B. 0419326555 CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW YEARBOOK 2018