Ahoy there to ferry providers
RATEPAYERS need to fork out $1 million to start a Gold Coast ferry service – as a homegrown solar-powered electric vessel provider pitches up, it can be revealed.
Gold Coast City councillors yesterday unanimously voted to go to market for expressions of interest from potential ferry operators for a trial.
The successful proponent will be responsible for trial costs but the council must upgrade jetties. Other operational costs that would fall to council were about $700,000.
A council report said ferry service patronage would be 400 to 700 passengers daily.
With proper marketing, that could be 1000 to 1800.
Speed limits in the Broadwater and on the Nerang River would be unchanged.
Council officers recommend five stops: Sea World, Southport Pier, Marina Mirage, Appel Park at Surfers Paradise and HOTA.
Council would seek to upgrade Southport and Appel Park jetties on a 50-50 basis with Gold Coast Waterways Authority.
Village Roadshow and management of Sea World had indicated support.
Councillors were told the two-year trial could start on December 1 after council sought expressions of interest.
Mayor Tom Tate said a ferry gave residents alternative transport and could reduce congestion on arterial roads.
Silent Yachts Australia director Grant Hudson said his company had been liasing with council already about a tender.
“The Mayor was interested to hear what the public would say in regards to the tenders and it just so happened he wanted a solar electric catamaran. We are the only ones in the world with a current functional 100 per cent proven solar electric yacht,” Mr Hudson claimed.
Silent Yachts Australia, established in 2012, was testing new technology in Thailand last year and Mr Hudson said he was ready to launch a solar electric vessel in Australia.
“Everything checked out. We’re excited to launch on the Gold Coast, my home town.
“The technology is amazing – each ferry has 28 lithium iron batteries and 30 to 64 solar panels depending on size.”
Mr Hudson said his twin electric motors made no noise.
“There’s no fuel costs so they wouldn’t have to stop and refuel all the time,” he said.
“There would be no pollution for our waterways.
“It would be nice to protect our waterways so it doesn’t end up all brown like Brisbane.”
A 55-footer Silent ferry can hold 80 or 120 for a bigger size.