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The Age
a day ago
- General
- The Age
‘Stop procrastinating': Large Manly ferry languishes two years after it was retired
Almost two years after one of the large Manly ferries was retired from Sydney's busiest route, its fate remains up in the air due to challenges finding a new owner or community group to look after it. The double-ended Collaroy, which is the youngest of the four renowned Freshwater-class ferries, is tied up indefinitely at Cockatoo Island in Sydney Harbour as the state government decides its future. One of the other large Manly ferries – the Freshwater – has also been bumped from a planned dry docking at Sydney's Garden Island in August by the navy, delaying its overhaul until next March. The Collaroy was retired from service on the Manly-Circular Quay route in September 2023, after the government deemed it 'prohibitively expensive' due to its 'one-of-a-kind build'. Despite expressions of interest in the Collaroy originally being due to close in May, Transport for NSW said a final decision had yet to be made about the vessel's future, adding that it would be managing any interim berthing arrangements. Loading 'The expression of interest for future options regarding the Collaroy remains an open and confidential procurement activity. Further details cannot be disclosed at this time,' it said in a statement. Action for Transport ferry expert Graeme Taylor said it would be difficult to find a buyer or a community group for the Collaroy because a new owner would need to develop a business model generating sufficient revenue to cover the operating costs of the 70-metre ocean-going ferry. 'You would need two or three charters a day to begin to pay the bills. You might be lucky to get one a week,' he said. Taylor said the government should retain the Collaroy for ferry services, arguing that its mechanical differences to the other three Freshwater-class vessels were overstated, while its steel hull was in top condition.
Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- General
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Stop procrastinating': Large Manly ferry languishes two years after it was retired
Almost two years after one of the large Manly ferries was retired from Sydney's busiest route, its fate remains up in the air due to challenges finding a new owner or community group to look after it. The double-ended Collaroy, which is the youngest of the four renowned Freshwater-class ferries, is tied up indefinitely at Cockatoo Island in Sydney Harbour as the state government decides its future. One of the other large Manly ferries – the Freshwater – has also been bumped from a planned dry docking at Sydney's Garden Island in August by the navy, delaying its overhaul until next March. The Collaroy was retired from service on the Manly-Circular Quay route in September 2023, after the government deemed it 'prohibitively expensive' due to its 'one-of-a-kind build'. Despite expressions of interest in the Collaroy originally being due to close in May, Transport for NSW said a final decision had yet to be made about the vessel's future, adding that it would be managing any interim berthing arrangements. Loading 'The expression of interest for future options regarding the Collaroy remains an open and confidential procurement activity. Further details cannot be disclosed at this time,' it said in a statement. Action for Transport ferry expert Graeme Taylor said it would be difficult to find a buyer or a community group for the Collaroy because a new owner would need to develop a business model generating sufficient revenue to cover the operating costs of the 70-metre ocean-going ferry. 'You would need two or three charters a day to begin to pay the bills. You might be lucky to get one a week,' he said. Taylor said the government should retain the Collaroy for ferry services, arguing that its mechanical differences to the other three Freshwater-class vessels were overstated, while its steel hull was in top condition.
