|
Special Commission of Inquiry into Sydney Ferries
|
|
Thursday, 25 October 2007 |
|
Mr MIKE BAIRD (Manly) [4.24 p.m.]: I talk today of the concerns of Manly residents about the Manly ferry service, the inquiry into Sydney Ferries and the inquiry recommendations that are to be handed down next week. Following today's question time, it would be remiss of me not to talk about concerns within my community. The Premier engaged in frivolous recounting of conversations between members and the Minister for Police slandered the member for Epping. The State's public hospitals are in crisis and the Department of Community Services lets young children die in its care. The New South Wales Police Force is now failing in the enforcement of crime. I call on the Premier and his Government to take their responsibilities far more seriously than was demonstrated in the House today.
As to the inquiry into Sydney Ferries, I congratulate Bret Walker on the work he has done. When I asked about making the Manly community a core component of the inquiry, he listened. I asked him to listen first-hand to the people who make up almost 50 per cent of Sydney Ferries customers as to why 432,000 fewer passengers used the service than in the previous year, complaints had increased by 49 per cent and delays and cancellations had increased 38 per cent on the previous year. I asked him to inquire about the impact of the declining service on our community. He attended a forum and listened to clear and constructive contributions. At the forum between 200 and 300 local constituents and commuters gave a voice to the problems, 50 to 60 made contributions and hundreds made submissions to the inquiry.
The key concerns that were raised during my consultation with the community were the integration of the service with buses, customer service and, in particular, parking. All the concerns provide a case for change, but, as always with change, there is community concern that things may get worse. The community of Manly and I are open to the recommendations that Bret Walker hands down. We are keen to have them address the problems. We have one message for Bret Walker and, indeed, the Minister as he reviews the recommendations: Hear our voice. We want to use the service and we ask the Government to address our concerns.
In relation to the changes, I need to be very clear about the parameters on which the community will judge Mr Walker and how the Minister deals with the recommendations. Those parameters include maintaining all existing services and giving consideration to increased services during peak times. Any new vessels must not be inferior to existing ferries and Jetcats and must be more environmentally friendly. The community is passionate about that. Fares should not be increased to make up for past mismanagement. The management of Sydney Ferries has been under attack. I will not refer to the number of chief executive officers Sydney Ferries has had. One statistic tells it all: over the past five years Sydney Ferries revenue has increased 14 per cent but expenses have increased 46 per cent. Today the Minister for Transport talked about reasonable fare increases. It is not reasonable to ask commuters to fund poor management.
Management must be made more accountable and the contracts of management tied to performance. Customer service surveys must be undertaken. There must be an essence of reliability and a focus on patronage growth. A focus on patronage growth will result in commuters using the service and fewer cars being on the road. The whole system will start to work. Senior management must be stable and must have a long-term sustainable plan. Management cannot be thinking about short-term patronage numbers. Maintenance and safety must be made a priority. The member for Willoughby made a compelling case to have the inquiry examine safety. I implore the Minister to heed the call to make maintenance and safety a priority. Finally, there must be more investment in customer service. Better customer service will drive commuters to use the ferry service. Again, I ask that Bret Walker and the Minister to hear our voice and listen to the desires of the community. If the Government invests in the service in the way we have asked, we will follow and use the service.
|
