Jardine River ferry at Cape York closed during peak tourist season

The reputation of Queensland tourism has taken a hit, according to Cape York tour operators, following the shut down of access to the Tip that’s been slammed as a failure of state government leadership.

Routine safety announcements and a month long closure to the Jardine Ferry, which links Cape York to Queensland’s northern tip across Jardine River, has once again stirred frustration with residents. Picture: Supplied.

The reputation of Queensland tourism has taken a hit, according to Cape York tour operators, following the shut down of access to the Tip that’s been slammed as a failure of state government leadership.

Cape tour operators have joined a chorus of frustrated business owners north of the Jardine River to criticise a month-long closure of the troubled ferry ordered by the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council.

Ferry hull maintenance is needed to comply with Australian Maritime Safety Authority standards after patch-up fixes to the damaged vessel that were sustained prior to 2017.

But the timing of the repairs and closure of the ferry between April 23 and May 23 have been heavily criticised.

The Jardine River ferry has been closed for maintenance by the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council and is expected to reopen on May 23. Picture: NPARC

The ramshackle old car ferry is the only legal passenger vehicle access to the tip.

Cape York Motorcycle Adventures director Renae Kunda estimated the closure had cost her business up to $200,000.

“Why was this job not done then during the wet season? We did not have rains until January so they had November and December to do the work,” Ms Kunda said.

“All of these small businesses on the other side of the river rely on us to come in early. Chopping into one of those months and taking touring money away is crippling for some businesses.”

Ms Kunda said her clients booked at least a year in advance and riders scheduled to depart on tours have had to cancel connecting flights into Cairns.

“It’s the Queensland tourism reputation that is affected. You can’t just put things off for the next week because they are booked out by other people,” she said.

Renae Kunda is the director of Cape York Motorcycle Adventures. Picture: Brendan Radke

Tour operators have also raised serious concern about a 19 days’ notice of the ferry shutdown given by council after the closure was announced on April 4.

Local transport operator Jim Foody won the contract to do the repair work and, despite what he described as “atrocious” flood conditions, he expected the work to be completed on time.

“We are driving through the floodwater to gain access to where the ferry is parked up at the moment,” he said.

“It’s added a difficulty factor to everything we do and we have had no space to park anything and you have to be careful of crocs.”

Regardless of whether access is restored on May 23, Cairns MP Michael Healy slammed any month-long closure during peak tourist season.

“The Daintree and Jardine ferry crossings are essential to Queensland’s tourism and transport networks,” Mr Healy said.

“A responsible government would’ve ensured these works were scheduled in the off-season, not when families, tourists and businesses are relying on access.

“This is a clear failure of foresight, of planning, and of leadership. The people of the Far North deserve better.”

The Tip of Australia at Pajinka within the Northern Peninsula Area of Cape York. Image: Supplied

Cook MP David Kempton, despite Mr Healy’s claim that roads were under state government control, said both access routes to the ferry crossing were council managed.

“It’s not a state issue,” he said on behalf of the Far North LNP members.

“I have done everything I can to make this as seamless as possible.

“(Repair work) was locked in to be done and they didn’t know when the rain was coming.”

Tourism Minister Andrew Powell said the Jardine Ferry and its servicing was the responsibility of the local government.

“We acknowledge the impact of the ferry’s closure, however safety must remain the number one priority,” he said.

“We understand the timing was chosen to minimise disruption for locals during the Easter holiday period, and to reduce impacts on tourism operators and visitors for the upcoming tourist season.

“Despite flooding and road closures, NPARC has indicated that the contractor is making every effort to complete repairs on schedule.”

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Originally published as Jardine River ferry at Cape York closed during peak tourist season