Brisbanes City Cat Service Presentation by Alicia Ames

Brisbane’s City. Cat Service Presentation by Alicia Ames Ph. D Candidate School of Geography, Planning, Environmental Management The University of Queensland a. ames@uq. edu. au

The role of water-based transport in history • Many cities have evolved proximate to water bodies Communication means Transporting goods, people, livestock Accelerated economic development (Castonguay & Evenden 2012; Lambert 2010) “Rivers are a spatial system woven into the geographic fabric of the city” (Castonguay & Evenden 2012 p. 5). • Expansion of land-based transport led to the decline of water-based transport

Bangkok’s khlongs (canals) Source: Fotograf 2006 https: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Khlong_Saen_Saeb#/media/File: Ferrieskhlon gsaensaeb 0609. jpg Source: Iioilo Wanderer 2013 https: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Khlong_Saen_Saeb#/media/File: Major_ferr y_boat_stop_Bangkok_with_skyscraper. JPG Khlong Saen Saeb connects the Chao Phraya River to Prachin Buri and Chachoengsao

Early Brisbane history • Water-based transport most reliable means for communication and transport of goods and passengers • Earliest documented ferry services on the Brisbane River are in 1843 • Ferries plied the river connecting small settlements located at Kangaroo Point, South Brisbane and North Brisbane

TOD is generally described as medium to high density walkable, mixeduse development focused around high frequency transit stations, stops or exchanges and featuring quality public spaces (Calthorpe 1993; Cervero et al. 2004). Traditional transit-oriented developments (TODs) have been largely land -based. There is a growing focus on river-based developments and river-based transport.

Ferry-oriented development (FOD) • Waterfront development projects nestled around ferry terminals • Spur development of waterfront areas, particularly where the decline of port, industrial and military uses has created opportunities for redevelopment • Land value uplift may occur around terminals Port Imperial Ferry Terminal, New York Source: https: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Weehawken_Port_I mperial#/media/File: Weehawken_Port_Imperial _Ferry_Terminal_on_Hudson_River. jpg

Ferry-oriented development (FOD) • Hoboken, New York • 8 -10 minute ferry trip from Manhattan • In some areas, rents are half the price of midtown Manhattan Source: City of Hoboken 2014 • Ranked #11 in the Top 20 ‘creative class’ cities in the United States Source: City of Hoboken 2014

Are ferries different?

9 Waterbody Crossings • Traditionally used to cross rivers, lakes, channels, bays, etc. • Used to transport people primarily • Struggle to compete with bridges and tunnels Sydney Ferry (cross harbour route) Source: Nicole Smith 2015

San Francisco • Ferries have been used to cross the bay since 1850 • Golden Gate Bridge opened in May 1937 • Ferries declined by the late 1950 s Source: Beautiful Photography Blog n. d.

San Francisco • Serious problems with traffic congestion on the bridge • Ferries reintroduced in the late 1960 s to help ease traffic congestion Source: Reddit 2015 • Extension of ferry services to a third terminal and special event services to baseball games and concerts at AT&T Park Source: Golden Gate Bridge Highway & Transport District 2015

Linear Ferry Systems • Distinct to ferry services that cross water bodies • Less common to water body crossings, but increasingly being considered • Characteristics: • Linear travel • Operate along a riverfront or shoreline • Service multiple stops • Higher speed (22 -52 kilometres per hour) • Passenger focus • Regular service

Linear Ferry Systems • Cities with linear ferry systems: • Asia – Bangkok, Manila • Europe – London, Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Hamburg • Australia – Brisbane, Sydney • North America – San Francisco, New York Source: Groupon, Inc 2015 Source: Bangkok Trip n. d. Source: CBS New York 2011

Brisbane Case Study Source: Steve Parish Nature Connect 2014

Brisbane’s Ferry Network Three types of ferry services: • Cross river ferries • Cityhopper ferries • City. Cat catamaran ferries

Cross River Ferries • Conventional single-hull boats • Carries between 53 -54 passengers • Fleet of 6 boats • Top speed of 8 -12 knots (14 -22 km/h) • 3 cross river routes

Cityhopper Ferries • Conventional single-hull boats • 8 terminals (2 shared with City. Cat service) • Carries 78 passengers • Fleet of 3 boats • Top speed of 8 -12 knots (14 -22 km/h)

Source: State of Queensland 2015

When were the City. Cats introduced? • Introduced catamaran high-speed boats in 1996 • Initially 6 catamarans in fleet, now 21 • Expanded to 18 terminals • Carry between 149 -162 passengers • Top speed of 25 knots (42 km/h) • Run by private operator (Transdev) under tender

Why were the City. Cats introduced? Reorientation of the city towards the river Urban renewal agenda Replace some cross-river ferry services Tourism Sources : (TL) Australia Trade Coast 2012, (TR) Skyscrapercity 2010, (BL) ABC 2014, (BR) Mactaggarts Place Management 2007.

Why were the City. Cats introduced? University of Queensland Griffith University at South Bank Queensland University of Technology CBD Link important activity centres

Reorientation towards the river • Economic and commercial uses moved downstream • Opportunity to redevelop disused industrial, warehousing and port sites along the riverfront

Reorientation towards the river • Brisbane had turned its back on the river • 1987 Brisbane’s ‘Year of the River’ • Redevelopment of South Bank for World Expo in 1988

Urban renewal agenda • Hawke Labor Government introduced $816 million Building Better Cities Program in 1991 • Urban Renewal Taskforce created with local and state government support • Focused on inner city including riverfront suburbs New Farm, Teneriffe, Newstead • Redevelopment of brownfield sites into residential, commercial, leisure and cultural uses Source: Brett Gray n. d.

Powerhouse at New Farm BEFORE AFTER

Tourism • Provide a tourism opportunity Source: Trip Advisor 2015

Replace some cross-river ferry services • Some cross-river ferry services ceased after the introduction BUT Go Card data suggests that the City. Cats are being used as a linear service

How were the locations for the City. Cat terminals decided? • Availability of existing infrastructure • Existing land ownership • Topography of proposed sites • Potential catchment land uses and population size • Alternate public transport modes in the area

What are the processes causing change?

Developers show considerable interest in adding terminals to service large redevelopment sites along the river. Source: Economic Development Queensland 2014

A need for flood resiliency

A need for flood resiliency

A need for flood resiliency Source: Brisbane Inner West Chamber of Commerce 2014

Expansion of the network

Ageing first generation vessels

What are the impacts of the City. Cat service? • Increase in property values around the ferry terminals particularly for the Regatta, Bulimba and Hawthorne terminals • Housing affordability around ferry terminals • Potential for gentrification • Can reduce pressure on other modes

What could be next for the City. Cat service?

Different routes and more express services Thames Clippers Hamburg

Better coordination and timing of City. Cats with other public transport modes Source: Brisbane City Council n. d. http: //wwwww. everystockphoto. com/photo. php? image. I d=16163898 Source: Foto Fanatic http: //www. yourbrisbanepastandpresent. com/2010/08/n ewstead-air-raid-shelter. html

Better strategic planning • Need for an endorsed ferry strategy • More emphasis in transport planning documents • City Plan 2014 • Transport Plan 2008 -2026 • SEQ Regional Plan 2009 -2031

Consider the ‘service’ being offered

Investigate alternative financing options for ferry infrastructure such as value capture Brisbane City Council and Regatta Hotel shared the cost of the original Regatta terminal in 2003

Higher residential densities around ferry terminals Battersea Power Station FOD Battersea Power Station Redevelopment Source: Mission 2015

References Prado, M 2010, ‘Golden Gate Ferry celebrates 40 years’, Marin Independent Journal, viewed 10 May, http: //www. marinij. com/generalnews/20100814/golden-gate-ferry-celebrates-40 -years. Sipe, N & Burke, MI 2011, ‘Can river ferries deliver smart growth? Experience of City. Cats in Brisbane, Australia’, Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board No. 2217, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington D. C, pp. 79 -86. Soltani, A, Tanko, M, Burke, M & Farid, R 2015, ‘Travel patterns of urban linear ferry passengers: Analysis of smart card fare data for Brisbane, Australia’, Accepted for publication in Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board. Thompson, R, Burroughs, R & Smythe, T 2006, ‘Exploring the connections between ferries and urban form: Some considerations before jumping on board’, Journal of Urban Technology, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 25 -52. Tsai, CH, Mulley, C, Burke, M & Yen, B 2014, ‘Exploring property value effects of ferry terminals: Evidence from Brisbane, Australia’, Proceedings from the World Society for Transport and Land Use Research, June 24 -17, Delft. Weisbrod, RE & Lawson, CT 2003, ‘Ferry systems: Planning for the revitalization of U. S cities’, Journal of Urban Technology, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 47 -68.

Thank you Any questions? Alicia Ames a. ames@uq. edu. au