This page is edited by Chris Richards. If you want to contact Save MV Collaroy Group our email is savemvcollaroy@gmail.com . If you want to talk to or interview a spokesman please send an email with your details noting this request.

The four large Manly ferries were ordered new by the Wran Labor government in the 1980s. They were originally docked every five years, at the rate of one a year in the order of their original construction. With only four vessels, the fifth year was a skip year. Until the 2015-18 round of dry-dockings all the ships were being maintained for an indefinite life, virtually being returned at as-new condition at each dry docking.

In 2019, the then Liberal government made plans with TfNSW and the Sydney Ferries franchisee to work towards retiring all the larger Manly ferries, and thus initially the usual programmed dry docking simply stopped. As the inadequate capacity and performance of the replacement catamaran ferries on the Manly route became increasing apparent, it was was decided to retain firstly one, then two, and now currently three of the original Manly ferries.

The Labour government announced their plan to keep the four large Manly ferries in their 2023 election manifesto, but this has since been amended down to three. However the reality is only two are ever going to be run at once, as they are used to mop the overflow left by the smaller ferries. This is basically what the previous government planned to do, but by only overhauling two of the large ferries.

The ferry now selected to be surplus was M.V. Collaroy. It is the newest of the four, entering service in 1988, as effectively a more capable "mark 2" Freshwater class vessel. Unlike any other Manly ferry, it was also built to be used for offshore cruising to Broken Bay etc. However its later design makes it slightly different from the other three. However the impact of these differences have been exaggerated, including the use of misinformation, to create a case to withdraw this more useful vessel first.

The main problem now is that M.V. Collaroy was professionally nominated to be placed on the State Heritage Register, as it is considered to be of State Heritage Significance (the highest level). However Heritage NSW and the Heritage Council SHRC committee have not complied with section 33 of the NSW Heritage Act 1977 (requiring giving notice for submissions) and have dismissed the nomination by administrative action, which is contrary to the Act.

Legal advice has been obtained, with the opinion given that the process followed in assessing MV Collaroy was contrary to provisions of the NSW Heritage Act. This has been brought to the attention of the Minister, to be corrected. We are currently awaiting the Minister's response.