Fast Ships welcomes ferry approval

Fast Ships chairman Mr Peter Hale has welcomed Gosford Council's formal approval of the Ettalong Beach Fast Ferry facilities.
"We believe that we have now fully met the concerns of both the Council and the local residents at considerable cost to the company," he said in a press release last month.
"Although it has taken an extraordinary amount of time, the company is nonetheless appreciative of community's and Council’s support for this project.
"The issues and ramifications of the fast ferry project are significant and needed to be fully tested in the public arena".
"However, there are a large number of conditions attached to the approval which Fast Ships will now have to address as part of the construction process for the transport interchange and berthing facility.
"Our consultants will be working without delay to satisfy the conditions of consent so that the new wharf and pontoon can be constructed as soon as possible.
"The facility will include a wharf with a fixed walkway to a floating pontoon structure. The walkway and wharf will be fully covered and lead to a covered ticketing and waiting area on The Esplanade opposite Bangalow Street.
"The company will also be constructing a transport interchange including the reconstruction of the existing car park near the pine trees, provision of disabled parking facilities, commuter "kiss and ride" and the construction of a bus lay-by area.
"In addition, a taxi rank and bus stop will be provided in Bangalow Street near the intersection with The Esplanade with appropriate pedestrian crossing facilities.
"Fast Ships have also been highly conscious of the need for commuter and visitor parking in the vicinity of the ferry terminal.
"A Parking Management Plan has been prepared and adopted by Council which provides for the upgrading of side streets such as Lagoon St, Palm St, Ridge St and Beach St including kerb and guttering, road shoulder work and concrete footpaths. This will be coupled with timed parking restrictions.
"These works will be carried out by the fast ferry company at no cost to Council"
Mr Hale said that plans are now under way for the construction of the new purpose-built fast ferry which will be able to seat 450 passengers and travel at speeds of over 40 knots on its way to Circular Quay.
"We are also considering the introduction of an interim lease vessel while the purpose built vessel is under construction.
"The lease vessel will be a high speed catamaran with a similar seating capacity to the purpose built vessel".
Fast Ships Limited hope to have the berthing facility ready for fast ferry operations by the middle of this year.