Matilda Bay and Applecross ferry terminals approved in Swan River Metronet plan

WA's peak planning body has approved a development application for a controversial ferry terminal and jetty at Matilda Bay in Perth's western suburbs, despite receiving hundreds of public submissions and mounting opposition.

The Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) approved the site, along with another terminal at Applecross in Perth's south, at a public meeting in Floreat lasting nearly five hours on Thursday afternoon and attended by about 100 interested parties.

The Metronet project will connect services from Matilda Bay and Applecross to a floating pontoon at Elizabeth Quay, but criticism against the $29.9 million Matilda Bay site in particular has drawn mounting public backlash.

The decision comes after WA's environmental regulator last month decided not to conduct a formal assessment of the government's plan.

'We have listened': premier

The Matilda Bay jetty will extend 140 metres into the bay to accommodate multiple electric ferries.

It forms part of the government's plans to expand ferry services on the Swan River in what's been dubbed "an exciting new chapter in public transport for WA".

"We have listened to the community and significantly shifted the position of that particular landing platform [at Matilda Bay]," Premier Roger Cook said on Thursday.

"But it's an important part of our network, and we understand that when you make these decisions — decisions that are in the interest of the broader community — sometimes some sectors of the community don't agree with it, but that's what government is about."

The proposal has been met with criticism from several sailing and recreation groups, including Royal Perth Yacht Club, Safety on Swan, and Sailability WA.

Many have raised safety concerns about the site's location in close proximity to a number of sailing, rowing, fishing and swimming activities.

Locals worried about impact

Nedlands local Judi Wilson, who attended the meeting and a snap protest outside, said the Matilda Bay site posed environmental risks.

"I've investigated the wave wash, the sea grass beds, the whole environmental impact and the fact that in talking to people on the bay … they just love that space," she said.

Nedlands Liberal MLA Jonathan Huston also joined protesters to call for the site to be moved to nearby Jojo's Jetty to mitigate impacts.

"Jojo's is 150 metres away from the Purple Cat bus, which does a turnaround in front of Steve's Hotel," he said.

"So if you're 150 metres away from the Purple Cat bus at Jojo's, you're connected to the bus network system."

His position was contrary to the premier's, who said the Jojo's site "doesn't make sense from a public transport accessibility point of view".

The WAPC received 1,884 submissions during recent public consultation about the Matilda Bay site, with a large portion completely against the proposal.

Several members at the public meeting called out while Public Transport Authority (PTA) officials gave one of their addresses.

One woman was asked to leave after yelling, "Will you arrest me?" leading to the meeting being adjourned for 15 minutes.

Facilitators told the group the WAPC held the meeting "in good faith" and mentioned several times "it's not a public town hall meeting".

Matilda Bay 'best overall': PTA

Many of the submissions read out raised concerns about the social and environmental impacts.

The PTA told the meeting five sites were assessed along with Matilda Bay, including Jojo's Jetty, with Central Matilda Bay deemed "the best overall".

A representative said ongoing engagement with local groups would continue but noted a risk assessment at Jojo's Jetty was deemed "not acceptable".

They also pointed towards the EPA's non-referral but said environmental impacts would continue to be worked through.

Services on stage one of the expanded ferry network plan, going to Matilda Bay and Applecross, are expected to begin by the end of 2027.