Momentum builds for plan to bring back the barge from Scarborough to Moreton Island

REINSTATING a barge between Redcliffe and Moreton Island is a step closer, after a businessman met with council and the State Government.

Bid to bring back the barge to Moreton Island

REINSTATING a barge between Redcliffe and Moreton Island is a step closer, after a businessman met with the local council and Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing to discuss the proposal.

The Combie Trader II stopped operation in July 2008 and was sold, leaving the Port of Brisbane as the closest transport to the island.

Redcliffe businessman Chris Bale now plans to have a boat built to ferry passengers and vehicles between Scarborough and Bulwer and from Scarborough to Tangalooma Wrecks - services he said would be much cheaper and faster than current services.

The plan does face hurdles but the boat's $9 million price tag is not one of them according to Mr Bale, who met again with Moreton Bay Regional Council this week.

"This is not a new idea, this is something I've been thinking about and planning for a number of years,'' Mr Bale said.

The plan involves a barge to carry between 40 and 52 vehicles and up to 270 passengers, and could operate twice a day in off-peak and six times a day in peak season.

The only hurdles now are a permit and then a site for the barge to depart and arrive.

The permit to travel from Redcliffe to Bulwer belongs to Hawkins Group, which runs the Micat service from the Port of Brisbane. Hawkins Group chief executive Roz Hawkins has said there was no service running from the Peninsula because it was not financially viable.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service acting regional director for the southeast region Rob Allen said two companies currently held NPRSR approval to land ferries within the Moreton Island Recreational Area.

"The department has had preliminary talks with a person interested in starting an additional service, but no application has been made," Mr Allen said.

"Additional services would also need Department of Transport and Main Roads approval."

Mr Bale is now in the process of applying for the permit, and if successful, could have the boat in the water and operating by Christmas.

The proposal has the support of Moreton Bay Regional Council and Mayor Allan Sutherland, who said a cheaper and quicker trip from the Redcliffe Peninsula to Moreton Island could provide a major tourism boost for Redcliffe and the greater area.

"Having a local service that can take residents, businesses and tourists to Moreton Island could really boost our local economy and tourism market," Cr Sutherland said.

"Council will continue to liaise with Mr Bale and State Government agencies to see if his idea can come to fruition."