Can't pay the ferryman...until we know if they'll make that size

Daintree River Ferry

Bryan Littlely

Journalist

Email
Last updated:
Douglas Shire Council will get monthly updates on the tender process and costs associated with the Daintree River Ferry upgrade plans. Picture: Supplied

Councillors will keep a monthly watch on the money spent and potential builder and operator of the proposed $5 million four-lane Daintree Ferry with Deputy Mayor Roy Zammataro saying council won't be able to pay for it if there is no interest from private enterprise.

At the Tuesday, December 10, council meeting, Cr Zammataro successfully moved that councillors be provided financial reports relating to the Daintree Ferry and be updated monthly with the progress in seeking Expressions of Interest from private enterprise to purchase and operate the Daintree Ferry.

“I think it is something we need to know… how much this ferry is costing and the second point is if we get an update of the interest of private enterprise to purchase and operate it,’’ he said.

“If it is going to cost millions of dollars to build this ferry, I would like to know monthly if we have got people interested and can purchase this ferry.

“It will cost around $5 to $6 million dollars to build a ferry of this size. If nobody does tender, council simply cannot afford to build a ferry of this size.’’

Cr Zammataro had support across the council, his motion also raising questions about the landside infrastructure for the ferry.

“I look at the infrastructure…. Do we need to know what the ferry looks like before we start working on the infrastructure?’’ he asked.

CEO Scott Osman responded, saying the intent is that the ferry will be four lanes so the landside infrastructure will be constructed to suit a four lane ferry.

“The primary design will accommodate that size ferry. The details around the actual construction of the ferry won’t make a difference, so long as it is built to that size,’’ Mr Osman said.

He added council had gone to market to determine the interest in the construction of the landside infrastructure but if nobody decides to build a four lane ferry there could be changes to the landside infrastructure required.

“There is some benefit to some of the infrastructure. If it means (construction) of the locals lane, the priority lane, which the community has requested, so I think there would still be some landside infrastructure required,’’ Mr Osman said.

“Whether it is to the scope that was proposed will need to be determined.’’

Mr Osman added that a “non-performing tender” to build something other than a four-lane ferry is an option in the process.

Support public interest journalism

Help us to continue covering local stories that matter. Please consider supporting below.

Got a news tip?

Send a news tip or submit a letter to the Newsport Editor here.

Comments

Comments are the opinions of readers and do not represent the views of Newsport, its staff or affiliates. Reader comments are moderated before publication to promote valuable, civil, and healthy community debate. Visit our comment guidelines if your comment has not been approved for publication.