Fund ferry, not freeway link

With the greatest respect to the recent announcement from Jim Lloyd the Federal Minister for Roads, any proposed freeway link to Woy Woy would mean carving through the National Park.

I can imagine that the environmental studies will be enormous and take years to complete.

We have a fast ferry approved with all studies completed and ready to go bar for the funding.

As I understand, a mere $30-40 million is needed to get the fast ferry service up and running.

This is a service that would provide a third transport link transporting travellers to Sydney in less time than the road or rail and in supreme comfort.

It is a transport link that doesn't need high maintenance infrastructure nor will it decimate national parks.

It is my belief that Fast Ships are not asking for dollars but a letter of guarantee that will open doors to financial institutions and an assurance from government that this much needed service is a success.

This type of fast ferry service is not available anywhere in Australia.

It will be the first of its kind and once the fast ferry is up and running the opportunities for our area will be boundless.

I believe the cost of building a road like the F3 is currently running at $50 million per kilometre.

The proposed new road at only two lanes would no doubt be at least $20 million per kilometre.

The current Woy Woy Rd is approximately 14km long from Umina to the freeway on-ramp, which makes it at least a $280M investment compared to the $30-40M needed for the ferry and not subject to environmental damage to the parks and a danger of being cut by a bush fire.

Jayne Mote Umina Beach