Higher speeds push for Yarra part of ferry link plan for city's west and CBD A PLAN for Sydney-style ferry services linking the city's west and the CBD is a step closer after a positive feasibility study. A trip between Werribee South and Docklands on a big catamaran could take 50 minutes if speed restrictions on the Yarra were eased. Planning Minister Matthew Guy said all forms of transport had to be considered to keep rapidly growing Melbourne liveable. "A viable commuter ferry service is possible and, importantly, would be able to offer commuters increased comfort, potential access to wi-fi internet and the ability to purchase refreshments," Mr Guy said. He commissioned the $300,000 study after announcing last year that transport solutions were needed to deal with issues such as West Gate gridlock. The preliminary report, by Ernst & Young, found privately run ferry services could work between Docklands and stops at Williamstown, Altona, Point Cook, Werribee South and Portarlington. But the report said trip times competitive with cars and rail could be achieved only if ferries had higher speed limits on the Yarra than the current 6-10 knots per hour. A ferry travelling at a maximum of 30 knots in the bay and 15 knots on the Yarra would cover Werribee South to Docklands in 50 minutes and Portarlington to the city in 70 minutes. But a service to Geelong would take up to two hours and was not viable, the study found. Mr Guy said that the study found that almost a third of workers living in Point Cook and about a quarter in Altona and Williamstown travelled to the CBD for jobs. A final report detailing viable route options, infrastructure costs and issues involving the Yarra and Port of Melbourne will be released mid-year. Submissions can be made at dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning.