THERE was barely a space left on the steps of Parliament House as more than 200 people gathered to rally against the proposed Matilda Bay ferry terminal on Thursday. 

Nedlands Liberal MLA Jonathan Huston received up a petition with over 8000 signatures from community members pleading against the confirmed development, which he later presented to Parliament.

• More than 200 people attended the rally on Thursday, bolstered with an 8000-strong petition. Photos by Carla Lane

The planned ferry terminal has drawn months of division, with concerns ranging from environmental and heritage, to the threat towards vulnerable water users. 

Protestors chanted “JoJo’s jetty, use what we got, save the day, shift the spot”.

Opposition leader Basil Zemplis made an appearance in support of changing the location.

“These people have a right to advocate for their preference and they are not being listened to,” Mr Zempilas said.

“Ferries on the river is a great idea and I also believe the locals – local people with local knowledge – who believe one side is better than the other, deserve to be heard by the transport minister.

• Nedlands MLA Jonathon Huston addresses the crowd.

Mr Huston said transport minister Rita Saffioti was clinging onto the wrong site.

“JoJo’s is a … safe place for both the community and nature to put this ferry terminal,” Mr Huston said.

“The Environmental Protection Authority only approved the land base project; there has been nothing approved on the water yet and there’s other parts of the approval that must occur.

“It is not over,” Mr Huston said of the campaign.

by CARLA LANE