The West Australian public will now have the option to take a ferry to Optus Stadium during the football season, with the debut of the new $5 million Burswood Jetty, today.
The purpose-built facility provides an alternative transport option to access the new Optus stadium and surrounding areas. The Burswood Jetty forms a part of a new tourism offering to leverage Optus Stadium and WA’s picturesque Swan River. The Burswood Jetty is located on the northern side of the controversial and delayed pedestrian bridge. The initial work to establish the required land footprint for the passenger congregation area was completed by York Rizzani Joint Venture, in May 2017.
Maritime Constructions developed the three 32-metre steel pontoons for the jetty at a Henderson workshop in December, and in March they were towed up the river to the new location in Burswood. The pontoons were then positioned to create the 96 metre-long purpose-built jetty to the west of Optus Stadium and slightly north of Matagarup Bridge.
Western Australian-based company Deep Green Landscaping was also contracted to complete the landscaping for the passenger congregation area, featuring shelters and furniture manufactured in Western Australia and artwork developed by indigenous artist Wendy Hayden.
“The Burswood Jetty provides a new on-water facility for public and commercial use, and offers another transport option for people accessing Optus Stadium and the surrounding precinct,” commented Transport Minister, Rita Saffioti.
“Targeting world-class events to our city to drive visitation is a key part of the Tourism WA’s Two-Year Action Plan,” commented Tourism Minister, Paul Papalia.
The ferry will offer a drop-off service only, with a 15-minute time limit for all public and commercial users.
Captain Cook Cruises, owned by Sealink, has secured the exclusive use licence for one of the three jetty berths, with the other two births free for commercial and recreational use.