Kamay ferry wharves

Construction planning is underway. Come along to a community drop-in session to meet the team and find out more. View the details below or read more in the May community update (PDF, 1.08 MB).

To receive project updates, fill out this online form or contact us on the details at the bottom of this page.

On 17 March 2023, the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) approved the Kamay Ferry Wharves Project under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

The NSW Government is replacing the previous ferry wharves at La Perouse and Kurnell as part of the Kamay Botany Bay National Park, Kurnell Master Plan by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

The National Park Master Plan will deliver improved visitor amenity and access, provide new experiences, and acknowledge the diversity of stories associated with this place.

The new wharves will provide a valuable recreational resource for the community and will allow for future ferry access between both sides of the National Park.

The project recognises the rich culture and ongoing importance of the area to Aboriginal people. Feedback from the community and stories of Country have helped guide the design.

Large scale artworks by two local Aboriginal artists are integrated into the designs of the jetty and the shelter structures at La Perouse and Kurnell.

Transport engaged the Gujaga Foundation for the project. The Gujaga Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation leading language, cultural and research activities within the La Perouse Aboriginal community.

The Gujaga Foundation worked with the design team (led by Arup), and key people with ancient links to Kamay, the La Perouse Aboriginal community, Elders, knowledge holders and local artists to translate stories into elements of the wharves and landscape design.

The engagement of the Gujaga Foundation supports the health and wellbeing of Country by valuing, respecting, and being guided by Aboriginal people via meaningful engagement to ensure culturally sensitive outcomes are achieved. The engagement of the Gujaga Foundation is also aligned to Transport’s Reconciliation Action Plan and demonstrates Transport’s commitment to meaningful reconciliation at the location of the First Meeting Place.

The wharves will allow for future ferry access between both sides of Kamay Botany Bay National Park. They will also improve access for locals and visitors in small commercial and recreational boats and for people to swim, dive, fish, walk and enjoy the local sights.

Benefits of the project include:

• Deliver on the Kamay Master Plan and enhance the recognition of Aboriginal connections to the area
• A new arrival experience by water and allow people to connect with Aboriginal and cultural values that are associated with Kamay Botany Bay
• Allow for future ferry access between both sides of Kamay Botany Bay National Park
• Improved access and facilities for recreational vessels
• Provide safer access for recreational fishing.
• Provide wider commercial and recreational opportunities by increasing accessibility and attracting more people to La Perouse and Kurnell, which is expected to lead to the creation of jobs and wider economic benefits in the tourism and hospitality sectors
• Improve the sense of arrival and place making improvements to both sides of the Kamay Botany Bay National Park.

The wharves will be accessible to all community members, including people with additional mobility requirements, carers with prams and customers with luggage.

Key features include:

• Berths for small commercial and recreational vessels up to 20 metres in length and ferries up to 40 metres
• Sheltered waiting areas and seating
• Ladders for safety and access to/from the water
• Paving, seating and landscaping at the entries
• New footpaths to connect with existing footpaths
• Lighting
• Additional parking spaces
• New bike racks at La Perouse Wharf
• Power and water utilities to service the wharves.

The wharves will not only facilitate the safe berthing of vessels, but provide a gathering place for visitors to learn about stories of Country, rest, interact and take in the beautiful views.

Artwork features of the La Perouse Wharf

At La Perouse, Bidjigal Artist Jordan Ardler and the Gujaga Foundation identified various narratives and memories amongst the local Aboriginal Community. These narratives spanned over a long period of time, from the retelling of ancient dreaming stories through the re-interpretation of a nearby (now largely eroded) stone carving, to more contemporary memories of the activities undertaken by members of the Community, such as fishing, diving and the making and selling of artifacts.

Jordan worked with senior members of the La Perouse Aboriginal community and listened to community members feedback on what stories are important to tell through her artwork.

Artwork features of the Kurnell Wharf

At Kurnell, Gweagal Artist Shane Youngberry and the Gujaga Foundation identified a single theme for interpretation through the cultural artwork. A dreaming story about the creation of the bay, by a significant ancestral being, was identified through further community consultation. This story has never been documented and has been passed down through the generations verbally.

Shane worked with senior members of his clan group to capture the featured dreaming story and to ensure the visual representations and storytelling is spiritually and culturally appropriate.

Managing environmental impacts is our key focus. We will be working in an environmentally sensitive area which is home to threatened species including Posidonia australis seagrass and White’s Seahorse.

The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) assessed the expected impacts of the construction and operation of the project and how we plan to manage and mitigate these impacts.

As part of our project planning and conditions of approval we are now finalising supporting plans and strategies. This includes the Construction Environment Management Plan and updated Marine Biodiversity Offset Strategy. These will be available in the documents section shortly.

You can read the EIS, Response to Submissions Report and determination documents on our project documents page and the NSW Department of Planning and Environment website.

We’ve also answered some frequently asked questions (PDF, 461.1 KB).

Our construction partner, McConnell Dowell, plans to start construction work in July 2023.

Before then, from 29 May 2023, a range of activities will take place including:

• Survey and investigation work at both La Perouse and Kurnell involving underwater high voltage cable locations and site, road and kerb surveys.
• Seagrass translocation work in Botany Bay. You can read about the seagrass translocation, rehabilitation and monitoring process in our frequently asked questions (PDF, 461.1 KB)

In early June, a small number of local properties will be contacted to conduct preconstruction surveys.

All these activities will have low noise and vibration impacts and take place during the day.

As construction planning progresses, we will provide the local community with more information on:

• Dates for site establishment and construction work
• Our work days and hours
• Construction zone perimeters (land and water-side) and site building locations
• Work activities, impacts and mitigations.

A ferry service operated between Kurnell and La Perouse from the 1890s until 1974 when severe storms damaged the wharves.

In 2018, the former Office of Environment and Heritage completed the Kamay Botany Bay National Park, Kurnell Master Plan.

Stage 1 of the Master Plan includes the re-establishment of the wharves at La Perouse and Kurnell.

An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was exhibited by the former Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, from July to August 2021.

The project was assessed by the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) and approved as State Significant Infrastructure (SSI) on 27 July 2022. The project was also assessed by the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. It was approved on 17 March 2023 under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

You can view the associated documents on our project documents page, the DPE and DCCEEW websites.

We are committed to working with the community and stakeholders throughout this project.

We invite you to a community drop-in session.

Come along and meet the project team, ask questions, and find out more about the project.

La Perouse:

• Saturday 3 June from 2pm – 4pm

• Near the La Perouse Monument, off Anzac Parade.

Kurnell:

• Saturday 17 June from 2pm – 4pm
• In the park near the corner of Captain Cook Drive and Prince Charles Parade.

In the event of wet weather, the drop-in session may need to be postponed. We will provide updated details here.