Council to look into bridge for Daintree
LEICHHARDT MP Warren Entsch has applauded Douglas Shire’s new mayor for putting a plan to build a bridge over the Daintree River back on the table.
Douglas Shire Council, led by Mayor Michael Kerr, 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.
A petition against the council motion, launched earlier this week by the Douglas Shire Sustainability Group, has so far attracted more than 4000 signatures.
Mr Entsch, who has previously called for a bridge to be built over the scenic waterway stretch, said it was great to see the shire’s new mayor standing up against people who had been campaigning against developments in the Daintree, for many years.
“There’s the same tired old group of campaigners who always scream Armageddon,” he said. “Nothing could be further from the truth.
“The whole area is protected, and there is a whole raft of reasons that these obligations will continue, yet these clowns decide they still want to continue the circus games.”
A traffic study, compiled by GHD engineering for the council last year, found that a two-way bridge with 4m-wide lanes would result in no motorists queuing to cross the Daintree River.
The study also estimated a bridge would cost $45 million to construct.
Mr Entsch said it was worthwhile still examining the bridge proposal, particularly for the benefits it would provide the community north of the river.
“By putting a bridge across there, it doesn’t in any way suggest they will be putting in a multiple lane freeway,” he said.