Councillors have backed plans to capitalise on Perth’s “greatest natural asset”.
Details of a park and sail venture on the River Tay were unveiled on Wednesday as part of ambitious proposals to reap the benefits of city status.
Over the next decade, water taxis could be introduced at West Kinfauns as part of a larger multi-million-pound leisure and tourism development.
Visitors would be able to leave their cars on the outskirts of Perth and travel straight into the heart of the city via the River Tay.
There would also be the opportunity to head to Dundee by boat.
A 10-year masterplan, developed by Tay Salmon Fisheries in partnership with Perth and Kinross Council, estimates the park and sail will cost at least £1.8 million.
They carried out a number of community consultations, in which residents and visitors said they would be keen to see the river taxis being reintroduced if there was adequate parking and a bus shuttle service.
Other key elements of the Perth City Plan include the creation of a new business park, a third Tay road crossing and an overhaul of the Dewars Centre and leisure pool.
Councillor Alan Livingstone told The Courier he hoped the local authority could form a link with the V&A museum to ensure the success of the water taxi.
He said: “It is encouraging that the collective agreement wants to make much more of the River Tay. Arguably the river is Perth’s greatest natural asset.
“Developing a waterway park and ride facility from West Kinfauns to the city centre and even beyond could become what Perth lacks, namely a must-see attraction.”
The proposals for the Tay were also backed by Councillor Archie MacLellan.
A native of Inverness, he told his colleagues that Perth had to follow in the footsteps of the capital of the Highlands by making the most of the waterfront.
He said: “I feel Perth has failed to use the river to promote itself in the way Inverness has and I’m delighted to see that will change. We also have a major asset in Moncrieffe Island and we should consider building a very cheap bridge to give better access to it.”
The island is home to King James VI Golf Club, which has the honour of being the only self-contained course on a river island in Scotland.
It is only accessible by foot using the train bridge crossing but there are hopes that a boat link could be created in the future.