Government should give ferry funding, says Chamber

Peninsula Chamber of Commerce president Mr Matthew Wales said that it had been difficult for private operators to raise venture funding for the fast ferry service.

"Clearly, it has been difficult for private operators to raise venture funding for the ferry service so it is our belief that the Government should step up to the plate and ensure that such a vital third transport link eventuates," Mr Wales said.

"The high speed ferry is already approved and could proceed quickly for as little as $12 million for a single vessel which could take up to 1000 commuters a day directly into Sydney.

"It may not have the mass transit capacity of the road or rail, but it none-the-less provides an alternative that could be up and running in as little as 12 months.

"Duplicating the freeway and the rail line (or building a new road) will cost billions and take 10 years to implement.

"The Central Coast and its long suffering commuters don't have luxury of that sort of time frame.

"They need speedy and visionary decisions from our politicians sooner rather than later."

Press release, 3 Feb 2008 Matthew Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce