Daintree Ferry: Prices to increase $5 one way and $9 return into iconic rainforest

Prices have been jacked up into the iconic Daintree Rainforest as this Far North council attempts to soften a $4.5m ferry purchase without slugging its rate base. HAVE YOUR SAY

PRICES have been jacked up into the iconic Daintree Rainforest as the Douglas Shire Council attempts to soften a $4.5m ferry purchase without slugging its rate base.

A single vehicle trip into the rainforest will increase from $18 to $23 for a one-way ticket and from $31 to $39 for a return trip.

Mayor Michael Kerr said the new prices, which will commence from July 1, would ensure operational costs of the new $4.5 million council-owned ferry were not funded by ratepayers.

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“The price increase is to retain the current status of user pay, while generating a modest income which the community consultation showed that the rate payers wanted,” he said.

“I believe that this increase is less than what potentially would have occurred if council had not taken the action of purchasing the ferry.”

Mr Kerr said to fund the recent ferry purchase the council was using a combination of funding from the Daintree Ferry Reserve and available funding in the capital works budget.

The reserve was established to fund operational costs and ongoing capital works associated with the provision of ferry services.

“The new price is consistent with our approach to user-pay services and makes sure the costs aren’t funded through increases to general rates,” he said.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr holds a Daintree River crossing options report last year at the Daintree River.

“During the public consultation, the preference for a ferry service was abundantly clear with most residents and ratepayers in favour of us using that service to provide revenue to council.

“We also heard from a number of people in the community who were willing to see higher ticket prices if it meant maintaining a ferry service.

“Our area north of the Daintree River has spectacular natural beauty and we have no doubt tourists will be willing to pay a little bit extra to see this world-class attraction.”

Originally published as Daintree Ferry: Prices to increase $5 one way and $9 return into iconic rainforest