Douglas Shire Council to start two-ferry service negotiations for Daintree River crossing

A landmark decision for the Daintree River will move ahead but not everyone is convinced following a robust Far North council meeting.

THE Douglas Shire will enter into negotiations for a two-ferry service at the Daintree River crossing following a council meeting at Mossman.

Councillors voted unanimously to push ahead with the stalled contract first ticked off by previous mayor Julia Leu last year, but it was not without robust discussion.

Newcomers Lisa Scomazzon and Peter McKeown, the only councillors not involved in the previous administration, both demanded more detail including costs, time frames and exact monetary implications on ratepayers before an agreement is entered into.

Douglas Shire council will start negotiations for a two-ferry service at the Daintree River crossing.

MORE NEWS

Bizarre way Far North shire will discover historic decision

‘Totally destroyed’: Bakery owners relive hellish ordeal

Cr Scomazzon was visibly frustrated at the motion she claims changed on the morning of Tuesday’s meeting, saying she felt “blinded” and lacking “full facts and implications” of the contract to the shire.

“I do not believe this is the right way forward, we have so many other options,” she said, despite voting to resume talks.

Cr McKeown intimated he was a supporter of the construction of the bridge, saying the debate would raise its head again, but also agreed to move forward with discussions.

Cr Noli was animated in her disapproval of mayor Michael Kerr’s want to take the debate to the public, saying the 66 per cent support for a second ferry, as opposed to 33 per cent for a bridge, was vindication.

Newly elected councillor Lisa Scomazzon in Newell Beach PIC: GIZELLE GHIDELLA

She also said it was a “hugely costly” and “time wasting experience.”

Mayor Kerr said taking the question to the public was needed after the previous contract was discussed behind closed doors in a closed council session with no transparency.

“Under the previous council a third of this community’s opinion didn’t count,” he said.

“The community now has a deeper understanding of the financial impacts of a second ferry and community sentiment about the preferred option, which means we can prioritise finalising negotiations and gaining permits for the two-ferry crossing.”

Cr Zammataro said it was clear the overwhelming majority supported a second ferry.

“There’s always been a belief that a bridge into the rainforest would spell disaster for the environment and that’s a view I share,” he said.

A design of the second ferry channel crossing and land-based infrastructure will need to be completed before an application for permits is made.

Originally published as Douglas Shire Council to start two-ferry service negotiations for Daintree River crossing