Latest news with #Freshwater
The Age
03-07-2025
- 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
03-07-2025
- 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.
ABC News
17-06-2025
- ABC News
Second person charged over alleged kidnapping and torture of 19yo in Cairns
A second person has faced court over the alleged kidnapping and torture of a 19-year-old woman in Cairns. Semias Donnelly, 23, was arrested in the Cairns suburb of Freshwater on Monday. He has been charged with three counts of common assault, and one count each of threats, deprivation of liberty unlawfully detaining or confining a person and torture. Police alleged in the Cairns Magistrates Court that Mr Donnelly and 34-year-old Townsville woman Kaidii Dayl Ephraums snatched the teenager from Cairns North on Friday. They alleged the pair took her to a property and tortured her for two days. She was found by police on Sunday afternoon with a shaved head and severe bruising to her body after a third party filed a missing persons report. The teenager was taken to Cairns Hospital and has since been released. Police said Mr Donnelly and Ms Ephraums knew one another. Mr Donnelly is due to face Cairns Magistrates Court again tomorrow. Ms Ephraums faced court on Monday and was remanded in custody, to appear again in August.
Scoop
11-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
University Of Auckland Vice-Chancellor To Step Down In 2026
Press Release – University of Auckland Professor Dawn Freshwater will step down from her role as Vice-Chancellor at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland after nearly six years in office. Professor Dawn Freshwater became the University's first female Vice-Chancellor in March 2020 on the eve of the Covid-19 pandemic. She successfully guided the University through a swift transition to online teaching, enabling domestic students and offshore international students to continue their studies. University Chancellor Cecilia Tarrant said Professor Freshwater has worked tirelessly in the face of extraordinary times for the tertiary education sector and will leave the University in a position of strength. 'Under Professor Freshwater's leadership, the University has sustained its global positioning as a top-100 University (QS 65), maintained solid financials in an increasingly complex national and global context, increased domestic and international student numbers, and, in particular, seen significant growth in postgraduate students. 'During Covid-19, Professor Freshwater supported an extensive staff process to develop a new vision and strategy: Taumata Teitei Vision 2030 and Strategic Plan 2025, which was updated in 2024. This launched a significant transformation agenda, which has been realised in the years since. 'We are grateful that Professor Freshwater has given us an extended notice period. This will allow the University to commence a full international search for a new Vice-Chancellor, while maintaining our momentum.'' Professor Freshwater has led the University with a focus on excellence. This has seen a growing number of academics recognised among the top two percent of researchers in the world, of which she is one. Notable developments include research partnerships through Horizon Europe, the success of the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the development of the Newmarket Innovation Precinct. Ensuring the nation's leading University offers students a positive, rewarding, and quality experience was a priority for the Vice-Chancellor. The University of Auckland is ranked No. 1 in the country for graduate employability, and this year's opening of the partially student-funded Hiwa Recreation Centre was a further highlight. She is currently leading the University's response to the challenges and opportunities presented by the accelerated adoption of AI. The Vice-Chancellor commented that 'It is critical for the University of Auckland to remain a comprehensive university, offering students a wide range of options and undertaking research across all disciplines. I believe, unlike many parts of a polarising world, that New Zealanders continue to value what we offer our communities and broader society.' Professor Freshwater commented on cuts to research funding, particularly for the humanities and social sciences. 'The nature of the world's great challenges requires contributions from all disciplines to address them, and that we must not lose sight of people as the world advances through technology.' The outgoing Vice-Chancellor has also commented globally on the challenges facing universities and university leadership, particularly the complex international issues impacting staff and students and misinformation and disinformation. She has described the importance of moral courage in navigating this environment. Professor Freshwater has raised the University's profile internationally among peers in higher education and research, and alongside Prime Ministers and political leaders on overseas missions. She has also forged city partnerships, notably with Eden Park, the Auckland Business Chamber and others that reflect the institution's commitment to Tāmaki Mākaurau. Professor Freshwater chairs Universities NZ's Research Committee and serves as the deputy chair of Research Australia. She is a globally recognised leader, Chair of APRU, Director of U21, and a sought-after speaker at higher education conferences around the world. The University expects to formally farewell Professor Freshwater in the first half of 2026.
Scoop
11-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
University Of Auckland Vice-Chancellor To Step Down In 2026
Press Release – University of Auckland Professor Dawn Freshwater has raised the Universitys profile internationally among peers in higher education and research, and alongside Prime Ministers and political leaders on overseas missions. Professor Dawn Freshwater will step down from her role as Vice-Chancellor at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland after nearly six years in office. Professor Dawn Freshwater became the University's first female Vice-Chancellor in March 2020 on the eve of the Covid-19 pandemic. She successfully guided the University through a swift transition to online teaching, enabling domestic students and offshore international students to continue their studies. University Chancellor Cecilia Tarrant said Professor Freshwater has worked tirelessly in the face of extraordinary times for the tertiary education sector and will leave the University in a position of strength. 'Under Professor Freshwater's leadership, the University has sustained its global positioning as a top-100 University (QS 65), maintained solid financials in an increasingly complex national and global context, increased domestic and international student numbers, and, in particular, seen significant growth in postgraduate students. 'During Covid-19, Professor Freshwater supported an extensive staff process to develop a new vision and strategy: Taumata Teitei Vision 2030 and Strategic Plan 2025, which was updated in 2024. This launched a significant transformation agenda, which has been realised in the years since. 'We are grateful that Professor Freshwater has given us an extended notice period. This will allow the University to commence a full international search for a new Vice-Chancellor, while maintaining our momentum.'' Professor Freshwater has led the University with a focus on excellence. This has seen a growing number of academics recognised among the top two percent of researchers in the world, of which she is one. Notable developments include research partnerships through Horizon Europe, the success of the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the development of the Newmarket Innovation Precinct. Ensuring the nation's leading University offers students a positive, rewarding, and quality experience was a priority for the Vice-Chancellor. The University of Auckland is ranked No. 1 in the country for graduate employability, and this year's opening of the partially student-funded Hiwa Recreation Centre was a further highlight. She is currently leading the University's response to the challenges and opportunities presented by the accelerated adoption of AI. The Vice-Chancellor commented that 'It is critical for the University of Auckland to remain a comprehensive university, offering students a wide range of options and undertaking research across all disciplines. I believe, unlike many parts of a polarising world, that New Zealanders continue to value what we offer our communities and broader society.' Professor Freshwater commented on cuts to research funding, particularly for the humanities and social sciences. 'The nature of the world's great challenges requires contributions from all disciplines to address them, and that we must not lose sight of people as the world advances through technology.' The outgoing Vice-Chancellor has also commented globally on the challenges facing universities and university leadership, particularly the complex international issues impacting staff and students and misinformation and disinformation. She has described the importance of moral courage in navigating this environment. Professor Freshwater has raised the University's profile internationally among peers in higher education and research, and alongside Prime Ministers and political leaders on overseas missions. She has also forged city partnerships, notably with Eden Park, the Auckland Business Chamber and others that reflect the institution's commitment to Tāmaki Mākaurau. Professor Freshwater chairs Universities NZ's Research Committee and serves as the deputy chair of Research Australia. She is a globally recognised leader, Chair of APRU, Director of U21, and a sought-after speaker at higher education conferences around the world. The University expects to formally farewell Professor Freshwater in the first half of 2026.
