Support for water taxi

Both Gosford Council and State Member of Parliament Ms Marie Andrews fully supported the introduction of a water taxi service for the Bays area, a meeting of Bays' residents was told last week.

Gosford Council's director of city services Mr Stephen Glen stated that council would give its full support to a water taxi scheme.

However, he said that the decision had to be made by the Premier's Office because the water taxi service was a contracted service run by the State Government.

Ms Andrews reported that she had taken the request to Minister for Transport Mr John Watkins and Minister for Ports and Waterways Mr Joe Tropodi.

She said the Ministry of Transport was worried about the safety of the water taxi in the area particularly for the carriage of school children.

Ms Andrews said the Ministry of Transport felt it was better to focus on getting better bus services into the area though Ms Andrews said she would continue to pursue the water taxi idea.

Residents' meeting, 20 May 2008 Reporter: Kimberly Williams