FERRY XMAS

Exclusive: Govt backs boat service for city waterways

GOLD Coasters will be catching ferries to work about this time next year after the State Government green-lighted Mayor Tom Tate’s plan for a 12-stop waterways service.

Gold Coast City Council will go to tender before Christmas for an operator to run cutting-edge solar catamarans. The 13km service from Labrador to Surfers Paradise will take about 36 minutes, travelling at a proposed speed of 12 knots. The two-year trial is expected to take 3500 cars off the city’s congested roads.

GOLD Coasters look set to be boarding a ferry in the Broadwater by Christmas 2019.

The State Government has given a green light for a twoyear trial of a 12-stop ferry system after a “positive’’ meeting between Mayor Tom Tate and Transport Minister Mark Bailey on Tuesday.

Cutting-edge solar catamarans will be able to make the 13km journey from Labrador to Surfers Paradise in just 36 minutes under plans being considered, which would see the ferries permitted to travel at speeds of 12 knots or above.

The council is preparing to go to tender by December for the system, which is expected to be integrated with TransLink timetables and would take more than 3500 cars off the roads, according to projections.

A positive Mr Bailey said staff from the Department of Transport and Main Roads would now investigate the proposal.

“While this is a council-led proposal, I am always happy to hear about any projects that could improve public transport for Queenslanders,” he said.

“Cr Tate has proposed a two-year trial for the ferry service, in partnership with the Department of Transport and Main Roads, Maritime Safety Queensland and Gold Coast Waterways Authority.

“I’ve asked my department to now liaise with the City of Gold Coast and perform early investigations into how this plan could work.”

Mr Bailey vowed to keep those affected by the proposal