Ferry tender in new year

THE Gold Coast City Council expects to go out to tender for a ferry service in the new year, with the initial outlay for ratepayers to be about $200,000.

Several city councillors asked questions of senior council bureaucrats at this week’s transport and infrastructure committee meeting.

Cr Peter Young told the meeting he had read about the proposed service and asked officers whether discussions to introduce it were “far advanced”.

Cr Dawn Crichlow asked if officers had been told the State Government would increase the speed limit in the Broadwater from six to 12 knots to accommodate the service.

A senior officer said they had not been advised about any change to speed limits and at this point they were “dusting off” a 2012-13 report on ferries as preparations began to consider the new service.

The Bulletin last week reported the State Government had given the green light for a two-year trial of a 12-stop ferry system after a “positive’’ meeting between Mayor Tom Tate and Transport Minister Mark Bailey.

The Bulletin understands the Mayor supports council investing about $200,000 during the trial to ensure jetties are compliant for disabled passengers.

“The tender won’t specifically state the speed a ferry can travel at,” a council source said yesterday. “That will be determined by working with the successful tender applicant.”

One of the challenges for a ferry system will be introducing it without any impact on 10 11 12 Cavill Ave HOTA/Evandale Metricon Stadium

Proposed Northern Ferry Alignment

Proposed Core Ferry Alignment Game Day Extension the revetment walls for waterfront homes.

“Once the trial starts, part of the assessment will be to gradually increase the speed while monitoring wake energy. That way all parties can get the best wave energy-speed relationship,” the council source said.