FERRY SOLUTION: Daintree Ferry now a ‘matter of urgency’
FERRY SOLUTION
The future of a renewed, more reliable and higher capacity Daintree Ferry has now become a matter of urgency, according to Douglas Shire Council.
The current ferry has been plagued with maintenance cost blowouts and a recent mechanical breakdown caused a delay in dredging of the vessel’s operational area – resulting in further disruptions to capacity during very low tides.
Council also copped a raft of complaints on social media after that few days just over two weeks ago about a lack of communication to the public about the low tide disruptions.
Mayor Lisa Scomazzon has told Newsport that even though the ferry is owned by Council, it is operated by a private company, Entrada, but that Council is working with the operator to improve communications when there are problems with the vessel that
affect ferry customers.
“Council is working with Entrada to put out communications earlier on the Daintree Ferry social media page advising people of potential impacts, these Daintree Ferry branded pages are managed solely by Entrada,” Ms Scomazzon said.
“Council understands there is an impact to local businesses when customers are unable to reach their final destination.
“Unfortunately, the Daintree River is unpredictable particularly after extreme flood events and on very low tides, which can impact travel times.”
New ferry “urgency”
In the meantime, Newsport understands the process for tendering out the Daintree ferry service entirely – including its ownership – to a private operator, will be discussed at the next Council meeting on Tuesday, 27 August.
Earlier this year the Mayor revealed to Newsport that Council had sought expressions of interest for a new ferry and operator, and received three responses. Now, Ms Scomazzon has indicated the process will be sped up.
“Council is working on the new ferry solution as a matter of urgency,” she told us.
More dredging in August
The Mayor told us that Council relies on Entrada to advise it and its contractor of the timing of dredging activity – of which there is more planned for later in August.
“Council’s contractor dredged for eight nights in early July 2024 in anticipation of the upcoming low tides,” The Mayor said.
“Permit conditions and the capacity of the stockpile site dictate how much sediment can be removed in one dredge.
“The stockpile site is currently full, once it is cleared and relocated a second dredge will occur. Council is working with its dredging contractor to arrange another dredge in mid-August 2024 prior to the next round of extremely low tides.”
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