Bridge plan defended

It’s up to Douglas ratepayers, says mayor

DOUGLAS Shire’s new mayor has defended bringing up a bridge over the Daintree River as one of his first orders of business, saying he merely wanted more public consultation on the controversial issue.

The council on Tuesday resolved to temporarily suspend Daintree River Ferry contract negotiations, to explore the option of a bridge crossing at various locations, as well as identify possible economic benefits to the region.

The contract for a second ferry across the waterway has yet to be finalised.

Newly elected Mayor Michael Kerr said ultimately, it would be the ratepayers who would pay for the service.

Mayor Kerr said the reason he brought the issue up at the council’s first meeting was that it was his election promise to inform ratepayers exactly what they may be paying for.

He said since the council’s decision, he had received personal attacks via email and on social media.

“If this is the reaction people are giving, we’ve done the right thing by bringing it back to public consultation,” he said.

“I don’t think the initial consultation contained enough of the shire.

“I believe the consultation needed to be wider to include the ratepayers who will be involved in paying for it.

“I don’t want to delay it any longer than I have to.

“Consultation will happen as quickly as possible, it’s a priority.”

A green group-led petition that was launched this week vowing to prevent any bridge from being built over the Daintree River has so far garnered more than 3500 signatures.

Heritage Lodge in the Daintree owner Vicki Bidwell said if a bridge was economically and environmentally feasible, she would support it.

She said the current ferry service did not work well enough for locals and visitors during peak periods.

“While it might be a nice experience for them to get on the ferry and come across the river, it’s a bad experience when there’s the wait times, and it can easily be two hours,” she said.

“There’s no facilities at the ferry for visitors to go and get a drink or coffee while they’re waiting to get out of the car.”

Daintree resident Chris

Beckwith said any upgrade to improvements to the river crossing needed input from all shire ratepayers.

“I don’t believe (the previous council) did an extensive consultation with all the community,” he said.

“It was more like they had done their own research, done a deal, and advised the community what they were going to do.

“I don’t believe it was transparent, so I welcome the new council providing a bit more information on all possibilities.”