Open Letter to the Attorney General of Western Australia
Date: [Insert today’s date]
The Hon. [Attorney General’s Full Name] MP
Attorney General of Western Australia
Dear Attorney General,
We, the undersigned supporters of Save Matilda Bay, write to you out of deep concern regarding the Western Australian Government’s plan to construct a ferry terminal in central Matilda Bay as part of the METRONET on Swan ferry expansion.
Why We Are Concerned
Matilda Bay is more than a transport corridor — it is a living, breathing community space. It is home to fragile ecosystems, including seagrass beds, black swans, pelicans, and dolphins. It is also the heart of Perth’s recreational water culture, where sailing, rowing, paddling, swimming, and community initiatives like Sailability WA flourish.
The introduction of a high-frequency ferry terminal in this zone presents unacceptable risks:
- Environmental damage — propeller wash and turbidity threaten seagrass, water quality, and local fauna.
- Safety conflicts — ferries operating alongside junior rowers, sailors, and paddlers will increase the risk of serious accidents.
- Loss of community initiatives — groups like Sailability WA, which provides sailing opportunities for people with disabilities, may be forced to close.
What We Are Asking
We respectfully call on your office to:
- Review the environmental and safety compliance of the current proposal.
- Pause all works until a comprehensive, transparent Environmental Impact Assessment is completed.
- Ensure that all viable alternative sites are properly assessed — including Pelican Point and the JoJo’s Restaurant site in Nedlands — both of which lie outside the heavily used Matilda Bay recreation zone and may offer safer, more sustainable solutions.
Why This Matters
Matilda Bay is not simply a piece of infrastructure waiting to be built upon. It is a cultural, ecological, and community asset that belongs to all Western Australians. Decisions made here will set a precedent for how we balance transport development with environmental stewardship and community wellbeing.
We urge you to act in the public interest by protecting Matilda Bay, and by ensuring that ferry infrastructure is placed where it can succeed without sacrificing community safety, heritage, or the natural environment.
Yours sincerely,
The Supporters of Save Matilda Bay