Wharf Access Policy
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to:
Provide consistent and transparent arrangements for commercial vessel operators
seeking to use the network of commuter and charter wharves in Sydney Harbour and
its tributaries;
Ensure that public transport services provided under contract to Transport for NSW
(TfNSW) are provided priority access to the wharves to deliver timetabled services.
Scope
This policy applies to all commuter and charter wharves in Sydney Harbour and its
tributaries and any commercial vessel using those wharves.
Objective
The objectives of this wharf access policy are to:
Facilitate increased transport options for customers.
Promote increased use of wharf infrastructure by allocating capacity effectively and
equitably.
Enable Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) to perform its role as wharf owner and
maintainer in a financially viable way.
Ensure wharf access arrangements are widely accepted and easily understood by
industry and other stakeholders.
Wharf access arrangements for Sydney Ferries services
The operator of Sydney Ferries services will be provided exclusive access to Circular Quay
Wharves 2, 3, 4, 5 and the western side of Manly wharf. Exclusive access to the wharves is
considered essential to enable the efficient delivery of the Sydney Ferries network.
Future access arrangements to the proposed new ferry terminal at Barangaroo will be
determined once the size of the terminal and operational requirements of Sydney Ferries are
identified.
Sydney Ferries services will be given priority access at all other commuter wharves on
Sydney Harbour.
Wharf access arrangements for other operators
No exclusive wharf access arrangements will be entered into with any other commercial
vessel operator.
Other relevant commercial vessel operators can access the wharves listed in Schedule 1
using either the Commuter Wharf Permit Scheme or the Charter Wharf Booking System.
Use of Manly W harf East or Circular Quay W harf 6 requires an access agreement with RMS
or a service contract with Transport for NSW to provide a service directly between the two
wharves.
Access to King Street Wharves 1, 2, 4 and 5 at Darling Harbour will continue to be offered
under long term leasing arrangements with RMS in accordance with RMS‟ commercial
leasing policies.
Commuter Wharf Permit Scheme
Operators must hold a valid Commuter Wharf Permit to use the commuter wharves
listed in Schedule 1.
A Commuter Wharf Permit may cover one or more commercial vessels owned by a
commercial vessel operator and may be issued for 3, 6 or 12 months.
Conditions may be applied to a Commuter W harf Permit, for example, access to a
particular wharf may be restricted to particular times of day to protect access at certain
times of day for timetabled services.
Fees for a Commuter Wharf Permit are based on usage and are set out in Schedule 2.
A Permit does not provide a booking to use a wharf at a particular time and date, rather
it allows a vessel to pick up and drop off passengers on a “touch and go” basis with
berthing times limited to five minutes.
Timetabled services will be given priority access over other wharf users.
Operators of timetabled services will be provided opportunities to post information about
their services at the wharves (for example, timetables). However, the provision of
information to Sydney Ferries customers will take primacy.
Charter Wharf Booking System
Operators must have a booking on the Charter Wharf Booking System to use the
charter wharves listed in Schedule 1 in accordance with fees set out in Schedule 2.
A booking allows a vessel to use a wharf to load and unload passengers at a specified
time and day.
Priority will be given to operators with existing bookings, with other applications
processed in order of receipt.
Arrangements for use of Circular Quay Wharf 6 and Manly Wharf East
Only one operator will be awarded a service contract with TfNSW to provide a highspeed regular ferry service between Circular Quay W harf 6 and Manly Wharf East. No
other operator will be able to provide a regular ferry service between any wharf in Manly
and any wharf in Circular Quay with the exception of the operator of Sydney Ferries
services.
The service contract for high speed services between Circular Quay 6 and Manly W harf
East will be awarded following a competitive market process. The amount of wharf
access fees payable under the contract will be determined by TfNSW.
Wharf access slots at Circular Quay W harf 6 and Manly W harf East not included in the
service contract with TfNSW will be made available through separate wharf access
agreements. These slots can be used by operators seeking to provide tourist or charter
services or regular ferry services on a route approved by TfNSW.
These agreements will be awarded through a competitive market process. Expressions
of interest for these slots will initially be sought at a „base access fee‟. Respondents will
only be required to bid above the „base access fee‟ if conflicting proposals cannot be
accommodated via negotiations with relevant parties.
Note on Implementation:
The new Wharf Access Policy will be implemented by Transport for NSW and
Roads and Maritime Services throughout 2014 and 2015.
Transport for NSW and Roads and Maritime Services will ensure that commercial
vessel operators operating on Sydney Harbour are notified well in advance prior to
the commencement of individual elements of the Wharf Access Policy.
Schedule 1
Wharves included in Wharf Access Policy
Commuter Wharves
Watsons Bay
Meadowbank
Rose Bay
Kissing Point
Double Bay
Huntleys Point
Darling Point
Woolwich
Darling Harbour (King Street 3) Hunters Hill
Darling Harbour (Aquarium)
Longueville
Pyrmont Bay
Northwood
Balmain East
Greenwich
Balmain
Greenwich Point
Birchgrove
McMahons Point
Balmain W est
Milsons Point
Birkenhead
Kirribilli (Jeffrey St)
Drummoyne
Kirribilli (Beulah St)
Chiswick
Kirribilli (Holbrook Ave)
Abbotsford
North Sydney
Bayview Park
Neutral Bay
Cabarita
Kurraba Point
Sydney Olympic Park
Cremorne Point
Parramatta
Mosman Bay
Rydalmere
Taronga Zoo
Charter Wharves
Man O‟W ar
Walsh Bay 2
Eastern Pontoon
Towns Place
Harbour Master‟s Steps King Street 6
King Street 7
Commissioner‟s Steps
Campbell‟s Cove
King Street 8
Ives Steps
King Street 9
Casino
Pier 26
Schedule 2
Note: pricing structure
currently under review
pending further industry
consultation
Commuter Wharf Permit Fees
Permit category
Casual
(up to 1000 berthings per annum)
Regular
(up to 5000 berthings per annum)
Heavy
(unlimited berthings per annum)
Vessel size Annual fee
Up to 12m
$1,300
12-24m
$2,600
Over 24m
$3,900
Up to 12m
$6,400
12-24m
$12,800
Over 24m
$19,300
Up to 12m
$12,800
12-24m
$25,700
Over 24m
$38,500
Fees are based on a maximum berthing rate of $7.70 for a vessel over 24 metres. This is
considered the average notional cost recovery of an individual berthing by a Sydney Ferries
vessel.
Fees are calculated using the midpoint for the Casual (500 berthings p.a.) and Regular (2500
berthings p.a.) Permit categories.
For an operator with multiple vessels, the permit fee will be based on the largest vessel.
Wharf Booking System Fees
Type of Booking
Single
Bulk
Vessel size
Up to 12m 12-24m Over 24m
$15.10
$30.20
$45.30
$10.60
$21.20
$31.80