The Minns Labor Government has celebrated the re-opening of the much-loved Mortlake Ferry following a vital four-month maintenance blitz.
Affectionately known by locals as the ‘Putney Punt’, the free ferry has long been part of daily life for hundreds of residents, visitors and businesses on the Parramatta River.
At the helm for the ferry’s first run back was the first female Mortlake Ferry Master in its near-100-year history, Yvonne Trovato. Yvonne swapped a life in finance for life on the water and a job she loves.
First opened on 16 May 1928, the diesel-powered cable ferry replaced a hand pulled barge which started operating near the Mortlake Ferry in the 19th century.
The Ferry initially cost £4000 and was built to help Australian Gaslight Company (AGL) workers travel from the north to their workplace in Mortlake.
As the local area grew, so did the capacity of the ferry, from eight cars to eighteen.
Even after the construction of the nearby Ryde Bridge, the Mortlake Ferry has proven to be a favourite for locals who rely on the crossing, with an average of 400 cars using the free service daily.
In the early 1900s, slipping the ferry (winching it out of the water) for repairs required closing streets overnight and using trucks to haul the vessel out during a low spring tide.
By the 1970s, permanent winches and deep concrete piles made this process far more efficient, though the ferry still endures significant wear and requires a full overhaul and repaint every four years.
Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison, said:
“The Minns Labor Government is thrilled to welcome this iconic ferry back into service.
“The Mortlake Ferry has always been a free service, and that is something we are proud to continue. At a time when every dollar matters, keeping this crossing free helps families, workers and businesses stay connected without extra cost.
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