Last ditch bid to save Ulmarra ferry
By Tim Howard
Clarence Valley councillors have not give up hope they can rescue the Ulmarra Ferry from State Government ordered oblivion.
At this week’s May council meeting Cr Steve Pickering has brought a notice of motion begging the NSW Government to reverse its decision to terminate the service from June 10.
Cr Pickering’s NOM asked that council:
1. write to Jenny Aitchison MP, Minister for Regional Transport and Roads of NSW, and Chris Minns, Premier of NSW, requesting a review of the decision to terminate the Ulmarra to
Southgate ferry service and that assurance be given to the Clarence Valley community that the
service will remain in operation.
2. write to the Local Member, Richie Williamson MP, thanking him for his support to date and request he make representation to Jenny Aitchison MP, the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads of NSW, requesting a review of the Transport for NSW decision to terminate the Ulmarra to Southgate ferry and that assurance be given to the Clarence Valley community that the ferry service will be retained.
Cr Pickering said the ferry service was tied to the identity of the local community and was recognised as such in planning documents such as the Clarence Way Masterplan II.
It said: B 3.2 Promote cultural tourism that links to the river and reflects a sense of place. Coordinate heritage assets. Manage and protect the ferry crossings for their local and tourists
B5 Enhance the visitor experience on the ferry. Consider safe options to allow pedestrians and cyclists and allow passengers to move out of their vehicles.
But Transport for NSW which operates the ferry said the service has become unviable with an average of just one car a trip using the ferry.
Cr Pickering said for residents, businesses, families with school children, tradies, farmers, primary producers and tourists from the Ulmarra side of the Clarence River to the Southgate side of the river; it acts as an infrastructure link, similar to a bridge.
The ferry operated seven days a week between 6am and 10.40pm with stops for meal breaks. The trip took seven minutes each way.
Travelling from Ulmarra to Southgate using roads through Grafton would take 28 minutes and is 29.5km each way.
TfNSW claims that the patronage of the ferry has been reduced since the opening of the Balun Bindarray Bridge and the completion of the M1 Motorway.
The ferry service has also become less reliable recently, with around 250 stoppages last year (as announced by TfNSW).
The reliability was attributed to silt buildup under the ferry due to infrequent dredging.
Cr Pickering said the ferry was part of the community used for daily commutes and was also a tourist attraction.
“To date, there has been no local community consultation, and due to the haste of decision-making and the failure to consult the users and local community effectively, this decision will have unintended consequences,” Cr Pickering said.
The government has also received a petition with the signatures of 6000 people protesting against the decision to close the ferry service.
The outcome of the NOM to be heard at this week’s council meeting, will be reported in next week’s edition of The Northern Rivers Times.
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