Ferry still open for debate
A move by a Douglas Shire councillor to open debate on selling the Daintree Ferry to a private operator has been stymied by red tape.
Councillor Roy Zammataro said he’d been told that as his notice of motion was given with four days’ notice, and not the required five days’ notice, it would not be up for discussion at the council’s May 30 meeting.
But Mr Zammataro said it would be on the agenda for the June 27 meeting.
“The mayor said five days’ notice was required and I’d only given them four, which is disappointing because I know other councillors really want to discuss this, it’s a hot topic,” Mr Zammataro said.
“It has cost ratepayers a fortune in maintenance and repairs and will continue to do so – it’s a piece of steel in saltwater, it is going to deteriorate,” he said.
Mr Zammataro said it cost $645,000 when the ferry came out of the water for an Australian Maritime Safety Authority inspection in March this year.
It failed the safety inspection and repairs were needed.
“I think there would be interest in it, the previous contractors made money out of it and council made money when it was under private contract,” Mr Zammataro said.
Council resolved last July to replace the existing Daintree Ferry with a single ferry capable of four lanes of road vehicles and dual-road vehicle loading capability and associated landside infrastructure upgrades on both riverbanks, expected to cost $6.5m.
But residents prefer the twolane ferry, as they fear the northern side of the river could become congested. After community consultation in 2021 determined there was no support for a bridge, the council bought the ferry for $4.5m from Sirron Enterprises Pty Ltd.
Tickets, which are available to buy online, cost $45 return for a car. Ratepayers get a concession. The council offers residents from Cardwell to Cooktown, including the Atherton Tablelands, free travel on the ferry from November 1 until the end of February annually.
The Daintree Ferry operates continuously between 5am and midnight daily.
A priority lane for locals operates from 9am to 4.30pm during peak season from July to November, when there are often long queues.