NEWCASTLE MP Tim Crakanthorp has accused Greens councillors of "deliberately spreading misinformation" about electric ferries after Newcastle council called on the state government to commit to a new fleet by 2030.
Last week, councillors voted to write to Mr Crakanthorp and Transport Minister John Graham urging the state government to reconsider plans to spend $5 million extending the life of the MV Shortland and MV Hunter and instead commit to electric replacements by the end of the decade.
Greens councillors argued Newcastle should be given the same treatment as Sydney, where the state government is preparing to trial an Australian-made electric ferry.
Mr Crakanthorp said the proposal ignored the realities of replacing a ferry fleet and accused the Greens of opposing upgrades needed to maintain a reliable service.
"It seems the Greens think you can buy a ferry off the shelf at Bunnings," Mr Crakanthorp said.
"You cannot order a new ferry overnight. Procurement, design, infrastructure planning, and construction all take time."
The state government announced last month it would spend $5 million over 18 months upgrading the Stockton ferry service after more than a year of breakdowns and service disruptions.
Greens councillor Charlotte McCabe described Mr Crakanthorp's criticism as "disappointing" and said Newcastle should not miss out on a commitment to electric ferries.
"I'm happy for the public to scrutinise what was proposed and discussed," she said.
"I'm supportive of any state government investment to ensure Newcastle's ferries are reliable, but I see no reason why Newcastle shouldn't have a commitment to switch to modern, electric ferries that are infinitely cheaper to run, improve Newcastle's air quality and could support local employment and innovation."
Cr McCabe said Newcastle has shipbuilding capacity.
"The commitment that's been made by the state government is not good enough, and that is the point I am making," she said.
"I'm asking councillors to join with me to advocate for Newcastle to be given the same treatment as Sydney."
The state government announced in 2024 that Sydney's fleet would be replaced by electric or hydrogen ferries by 2035.
The council motion stated that local company Ampcontrol has reported a modern, electric ferry with capacity for 80 people would cost about $5 million.
Defending Mr Crakanthorp, Labor councillor Paige Johnson took issue with that figure, arguing the Stockton ferry has capacity for 200 people so it was not "comparing like for like".
"The cost of that doesn't include new recharging infrastructure, which would also add quite a significant cost ... but beyond that, this isn't something I thought I'd be particularly talking about in the council chamber," she said.
Cr Johnson said the intent of the state government's $5 million commitment is to ensure Newcastle's ferries continue to run until future technology becomes available.
"The ferries have been checked, they are watertight, and they are suitable to continue to be used once those mechanical improvements are made to them, and to continue to provide a service."
Last November, Mr Crakanthorp wrote to Mr Graham requesting that Newcastle be commissioned new electric or hybrid ferries.
Liberal councillor Callum Pull criticised Cr Johnson's "spirited defence" of Mr Crakanthorp, arguing he "whinged and complained" while in opposition and since coming into power had "written letters and formed committees".
"We need action, and as my colleagues here have just said, what's good enough for Sydney should be good enough for Newcastle as well," he said.
"We should never give up or abandon our expectations that Newcastle should be treated fairly."
Councillors asked for updates to be provided on maintenance and upgrades for both ferries.
The MV Shortland will undergo its upgrade in August, while the MV Hunter is scheduled for August 2027. The work is expected to dock the ferries for three months.
