A DISPUTE between rival ferry services in Tea Gardens could signal stricter regulations for operators using the town’s public wharf.
Port Stephens Ferry Service and Tea Gardens based Nelson Bay Charters, owner of the Wallamba and Argonaut, are locked in a bitter feud over access rights to the wharf, which both services use daily for passenger pick up and drop offs.
Owner of Port Stephens Ferry Service, Adrian Thompson, lodged a complaint with Great Lakes Council this year regarding use of the wharf by Nelson Bay Charters without Council development consent.
Council’s business papers indicate concerns were raised over “conflicting timetables, dangerous loading and unloading practices at the public wharf and the use of the floating pontoon.”
Despite its complaint, the Port Stephens Ferry Service also operates at the wharf without development approval, however following a $7500 contribution during its construction, has arrangements with council for certain usage rights.
To comply with regulations, owner of Nelson Bay Charters Ray Horsefield has since lodged a DA which appeared before Council at its July meeting but was deferred to September.
Based on advice by council officers it was recommended the DA be refused for inadequate wharf facilities unable to safely accommodate loading and unloading of passengers from two ferry services. The papers also indicated insufficient passenger parking and said the “proposal is not in the public interest.”
Voting to defer the motion Clr Len Roberts said rejection of a DA from Nelson Bay Charters would be “devastating for ratepayers and tourists to the area.”
“Another reason I refused the decision was that I believe the information in the report was probably not correct, I also thought the gentleman who made a presentation – the objector, mislead council.”
During his address to council in July, Mr Thompson accused Mr Horsefield of “poaching customers” and said he has access to two other nearby wharfs which he could use instead of “clogging up the public wharf”.
But Clr Roberts said a Tea Gardens based ferry service is an important asset to the community.
“What we need to do is look strategically at a way to resolve the problem. This issue signals the importance of one single authority for the waterway including issues like dredging, salinity etc.”
Local businesses and community groups have since voiced their support of Mr Horsefield to Council.
“I’d like to thank all the support given by local business houses, community groups and local residents who’ve got behind us,” Mr Horsefield said.
“We greatly appreciate the councillors who moved to have a further look at the issue. The decision has given us breathing space to gather support of the community."
A final decision regarding the wharf is expected to be made at Council’s next meeting.
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