Everyone on board with new Coast ferry

GOLD Coast City Ferries flagship Doris will take her maiden voyage this weekend and it seems everyone is in favour.

Maritime lawyer Frances Burgess is the mastermind behind bringing ferries to Gold Coast waters with the project attracting a positive response.

The Bulletin spoke to Surfers Paradise Alliance CEO Mike Winlaw who was supportive of the venture.

“We are looking forward to having a new tourism product in place that could become something the Coast is known for, similar to the Brisbane City Cat,” he said. “Accessible public transport is paramount and the ferry will be another means of accessing Surfers.”

Surfers Paradise councillor Gary Baildon said a ferry service was a “long time coming”.

“It’s something we’ve been talking about for well over 30 years, I don’t really see any downside.”

Surfers Paradise MP JohnPaul Langbroek said Gold Coasters would be in favour of alternative transport options that would allow them to both sightsee and get around.

“For a city projected to grow by 400,000 in 30 years, there is a big opportunity for public transport,” he said.

While council has plans to operate its own ferry service by Christmas, Mr Langbroek wished Mr Burgess every success. “He has gotten a head start on council but there’s no reason two services couldn’t coexist,” Mr Langbroek said.

The ferry will dock at Evandale, Surfers Paradise and Isle of Capri’s Via Roma shopping centre.