Birdon gets contract to build and operate new Daintree River ferry

Douglas Shire Council has at last found an operator to design, construct and operate a larger Daintree Ferry after controversially acquiring the barge four years ago.

The Daintree Ferry will be replaced with a bigger barge, which should be operational by December 2027. Picture: Supplied

Douglas Shire Council has at last found an operator to design, construct and operate a larger Daintree River ferry after controversially acquiring the barge four years ago.

The essential car ferry connecting the residents north of the river to services has been plagued by problems dating back to 2006 when council was forced to buy the ferry from operator Colin Andreassen.

In 2021, Douglas Shire Council bought the cable ferry again, this time from Sirron Enterprises in a shock move that at the time promised a secure crossing for “future years”.

But in 2024 at a special meeting, council conceded the continued operation of the asset plagued by maintenance cost blowouts and the failure of a safety inspection in March of that year was untenable.

The Daintree Ferry was found to be in need of urgent repairs and maintenance after an inspector discovered corrosion on its hull in 2023.

Council made the call to offload the ferry and find an operator to build and fund a new four-lane ferry.

On Tuesday at a special council meeting, Port Macquarie-based company Birdon Pty Ltd was announced as that operator.

Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said the announcement marked a significant milestone in the highly anticipated upgrade.

“This is a huge step forward for our community,” she said.

“Birdon has delivered ferries from their Port Macquarie shipyard on behalf of Transport for NSW and we’re excited to see their expertise brought to the Daintree River.

Aerial view of the ferry crossing the Daintree River. Picture: Tourism Tropical North Queensland

“The new four-lane ferry will significantly reduce queue lengths and provide a more reliable and efficient service for locals, tourists and businesses.”

In 2022, an online survey of Daintree Ferry users found almost half were dissatisfied with the service due to long queues and the waiting time during the peak tourism season.

The new ferry will have the capacity to transport 30 per cent more vehicles every crossing and also cross more frequently.

It will be supported by an $8.9m landside infrastructure upgrade contract awarded to Durak Civil in April this year.

The works will provide quicker access for locals and tourists across the Daintree River and reduce congestion during peak tourism season.

Details of the 20-year council contract with Birdon, including the cost of the new barge and operating charges, have not been revealed and minutes of the special meeting are not yet available online.

Completion is scheduled for December 2027 to coincide with the arrival of the new ferry.

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Originally published as Birdon gets contract to build and operate new Daintree River ferry