Plans for a commuter ferry from Werribee South to Docklands are dead in the water, with the state government instead considering a service from Portarlington.
The plans’ shelving comes a year after then Planning Minister Matthew Guy announced the service from Wyndham Harbour would be up and running within 12 months.
The trip was expected to take about 50 minutes, with possible stops at Point Cook and Altona, and was tipped to ease congestion on the West Gate Bridge. The plan was for a 35-metre catamaran to make two trips between Werribee South and Docklands in the mornings and afternoons, at a cost of $25 return.
But last week, Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan dashed any hopes Wyndham commuters had of a commuter ferry service in the near future, saying the government was investigating an alternative service.
The government is looking at the viability of a ferry from Portarlington to Melbourne, which was a pre-election commitment.
Ms Allan said a stop at Werribee would be considered as part of its investigations.
However, the ferry could be years away, with Ms Allan saying the government’s short-term priorities were Melbourne Metro and level crossing removals. Ms Allan labelled last year’s announcement of the Werribee South ferry as a “pre-election stunt by Matthew Guy and one of his developer mates”.
Mr Guy, who is now Opposition Leader, has stood by last year’s announcement, accusing Ms Allan of botching the ferry study.
“Jacinta Allan couldn’t care less about congestion in Melbourne’s west,” he said.
The former government’s plan had the support of Lyons Capital, the developers behind Wyndham Harbour.
Research indicted the service would have support from residents wanting alternatives to the West Gate Freeway.
