Daintree River crossing: Douglas Shire Council’s pitch for four lane, dual loading ferry car delayed

A Far North council is divided on a new plan to fix frustrating wait times and maintenance issues at the iconic Daintree River crossing. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

A FAR North council remains divided on how to fix frustrating wait times and maintenance issues at one of the world’s most iconic tourist crossings.

Douglas Shire Council was set to vote on a recommendation to turf the current Daintree River cable ferry and replace it with a larger four-lane, dual-loading carrier to help ease crippling issues across the river.

Residents voted for a “two-ferry solution” instead of a potential bridge at the famous crossing back in December of 2020, however the council has backflipped on the option since buying the operation last year.

Traffic queued to cross the Daintree River ferry. Picture: Mark Murray.

Its project management team has recommended a wider ferry, with four lanes and dual-loading capable, to replace the current three-lane car – capable of delivering up to a 90 per cent increase in vehicle capacity.

Mayor Michael Kerr said the option, tabled at an ordinary council meeting in Mossman, was a “realistic and cost-effective solution”, but conceded there was no guarantee it was the “perfect answer” to logjams for touristsand residents at the ferry.

“Is it a perfect answer? I don’t think we can tell that just yet, possibility not. We don’t know,” he said.

“Is it the answer that will satisfy everyone? I very much doubt that as well.

“But will it solve most of the issues currently plaguing this crossing? The answer is yes it will.”

He said it was a better option than planting a second ferry at the crossing given the size of council’s rate base, income and expenses.

A recommendation to scrap the current three lane ferry (pictured) is on the table in favour of a wider four-lane, dual-loading ferry.

“It (two ferry solution) sounded perfect on the surface but it was certainly fraught with a lot of risk and the possibility of it never even being completed,” he said.

“This option is not only financially sensible but it’s factually possible.”

But the motion was eventually deferred to next month, with Cr Lisa Scomazzon saying voting on a new four-lane ferry was “premature” and the latest report was “three years late”.

“It’s shame,” she said.

“This is a big decision to get it right for once and for all.”

“This preferred option to replace the existing ferry with a wider ferry, it does not give enough detail as to why.
“The public needs to know this and why this is the best option?”

Councillors Roy Zammataro and Abigail Noli also voted for the motion to be deferred.

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Originally published as Daintree River crossing: Douglas Shire Council’s pitch for four lane, dual loading ferry car delayed