WA State Election 2025: Labor pledges $107m for new ferries and two ferry stops at Applecross and UWA

Roger Cook will fire the starter’s gun for the WA election on Sunday, announcing he’ll spend $107 million on a new public transport ferry plan for the Swan River if re-elected in March. Mr Cook says he hopes “Metronet on the Swan” will be the start of a new era for Perth where ferries will join buses, trains and cars to become a major part of the city’s transport system. In what is Labor’s first election commitment ahead of the March 8 poll, five new electric ferries will be built and in service by 2027. And two new ferry stops will be built — at Applecross, near the Raffles, and near the University of Western Australia at Matilda Bay. It means university students can jump on a ferry at Applecross and be at UWA in just 10 minutes, rather than facing heavy traffic on the freeway. But it won’t be just students who will benefit from the new services. The new ferry stops at Applecross and Matilda Bay will be linked to existing ferry stops at Elizabeth Quay and South Perth. Services would operate every 20 minutes. “Our ferry plan means an activated riverfront, shorter commute times, better connected communities, and quality local jobs in manufacturing,” Mr Cook said. “For decades Western Australians have wanted to see our iconic Swan River better utilised. This is the investment our growing city needs. “Whether you’re a uni student, someone who works in the city, a tourist or just a local exploring the city, Metronet on the Swan will change the way we see and use the river.” The State election is nine weeks away, but Labor has decided to fire the starter’s gun from Sunday with a transport commitment. Labor’s slogan for this campaign is: “Roger Cook and WA Labor, doing what’s right for WA.” Labor is expected to make several election commitments in the lead-up to the election, with welfare groups asking for more cost-of-living relief. On Saturday, WA Liberal leader Libby Mettam put law and order on the 2025 election agenda, reaffirming her commitment to introduce workplace protection orders, if elected, that would give business owners and employees better avenues to keep troublemakers out of their premises. Under her plan, employers could apply to courts to keep thugs away from businesses, rather than individual employees having to go to police to get violence restraining orders against repeat troublemakers. Mr Cook first flagged Metronet on the Swan early last year, with $2m allocated at the May State Budget for planning for the service expansion. The State Government has already launched an expression of interest process for local shipbuilders. This is the first time the Government has put a figure on what it would cost to deliver its ferry vision. It’s expected that in future years, further ferry stops would be located at the Causeway Bridge precinct, Burswood Park, Optus Stadium and Claisebrook Cove. “Imagine a 10-minute ferry ride from the Raffles to UWA — it’ll be a game changer for the suburbs along the river and provide a new way for tourists to travel to the beautiful Matilda Bay area, supporting small businesses and the local economy,” Mr Cook said. “Just like our new Metronet trains, these electric ferries will be built right here in WA, supporting local manufacturing and helping our State become a shipbuilding hub.”