Daintree ferry is back on the river today - look away now if you don't want to know the price tag
Shire transport
It has cost a good chunk of a $1.8m damage bill, but the Daintree River Ferry is back up and running today to the relief of most people in Douglas Shire.
The council posted online this morning the news that residents, business owners and tourists had all been hoping for.
“Great news - the Daintree ferry is now back in operation,” the DSC stated.
“We know this has been a really tough period for the community, and we sincerely thank everyone for their patience, understanding and support while works were carried out.”
In this week’s council meeting, a budget update revealed how much had been spent this month on “events caused by severe weather from Low 29U” when the ferry was knocked out of action and a wharf and tour boats were swept away.
“Unfortunately, counter disaster operations and emergent works resulting from severe weather from Low 29U are estimated to have an unfavourable ($1.8m) 25/26 in-year impact,” the report stated.
Before the tropical low hit, council staff were hoping to have moved from an about $400,000 budget deficit to an about $1.4m surplus during March.
They are confident that money will be returned to the council in the form of Federal and State Government disaster funding, but that will not happen until next financial year, putting an about $1.8m dent in this year’s budget numbers.
The hefty price tag to fix the ferry, however, is likely the last thing on the minds of commuters to the Daintree Rainforest and towns such as Cape Tribulation today and during Easter and the school holidays.
They will mainly just be happy to get cars, supplies and people across the river in time for the busy tourism period.