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Ferry operator calls for wharf upgrade

The proprietor of Palm Beach Ferries has called on Gosford mayor Cr Robert Bell to convene a meeting to fast track improvements for Ettalong wharf.

Ferries owner Mr Peter Verrills suggested to Cr Bell that a meeting should take place with Transport NSW and local members of parliament.

He said increased demand during the recent bush fires "proved how inadequate Ettalong wharf is".

"Being a one-sided wharf and having not much in the way of facilities such as access for prams and disabled passengers, it is difficult to provide for large groups of people."

With the recent bush fires, the old Ettalong wharf had a hard time in coping with the increased crowds of people with the police having to be called to handle the crowd, he said.

Mr Verrills said his concerns about the lack of facilities on special days prompted him to talk to Cr Bell.

Since the bush fires in 1994, Palm Beach Ferries has upgraded its fleet of old wooden ferries to their present high-speed cats.

The upgrade was initiated by the Government of the day which recognised the importance of the ferries in times of emergencies.

Palm Beach Ferries operates four cats that range in size from 170 to 250 passengers and take only 20 minutes to reach Palm Beach from Ettalong wharf.

Jim McGinty, December 11