Birkenhead Point in Drummoyne is also famous for its marina and waterfront shopping centre, which can cause traffic jams at peak times.

Based on projected population growth in Drummoyne, Transport for NSW has determined that in the short to medium term the region’s transport needs can be met by existing bus services.

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Two of the seven new catamarans the government has ordered to replace the Rivercat vessels are operating on the F3 Parramatta River route, with a third Parramatta River class vessel due to sail from Hobart shipyards for Sydney soon.

Action for Public Transport spokesman Graeme Taylor said a long-term plan for ferry services on the Parramatta River was needed due to population growth in suburbs such as Rhodes. “The government needs to make strong decisions on new wharves and larger ferries and extend the life of existing Rivercats,” he said.

The decades-old Rivercats can carry 230 passengers, while the new Parramatta River class units are registered for 200 people.

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But Collins said the older Rivercats were only slightly larger than the new ships, which were much more fuel efficient. “We’re trying to rationalize, and rather than producing a small number of special ships in one lifetime, we’re trying to make sure we have a fleet that’s fairly easy to maintain,” he said.

The state fleet, operated by the French company Transdev, consists of a total of 40 ferries of various types.

The transport agency is still working to restore ferry services to the Elliott Street waterfront in west Balmain, which was an election promise by the Minnesota government.

Labor also pledged before last year’s state election to create two new ferry stops at Rozelle Bay in Annandale and Pirrama Park foreshore in Pyrmont, as well as considering frequency of services to Drummoyne.

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