Gold Coast ferries: Mayor Tom Tate reveals when ferry service will launch

The launch of the Gold Coast’s ferry service is close, with Mayor Tom Tate revealing when locals will be climbing aboard for the first time.

The date of the Gold Coast’s ferry service’s long-awaited launch has been revealed.

Mayor Tom Tate told the Bulletin the first ferry would cast off in the second week of December and be running in time for Christmas.

Cr Tate said the countdown to launch was on.

“We are going to open the second week in December, ready in time for summer,” he said.

“It will go to show you won’t have to have a lot of money to get out on the Broadwater.

“You’ll be able to just buy a ticket and get on. It’s the beginning of a wonderful friendship.”

The service will operate in the Broadwater

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SW CruiseCo Pty Ltd, operating as CruiseCo which runs services between Sea World and Surfers Paradise, was named as the successful operator of the ferry service in July.

The tender, put out in April, required the successful bidder to deliver a system with:

* At least three vessels.

* A seven-day-a-week operation across the two-year trial.

* A minimum of five stops as defined by council.

Cr Tate last year revived his ambition for the city to have a water-based public transport system with 14 stops along the Broadwater and Nerang River. A trial is to be conducted.

Earlier this year councillors ticked off on ratepayers paying $1 million to deliver the disability access and facilities needed at ferry stops.

Council has also allocated $500,000 in operational funding in 2019-20 for “necessary management activities” along with community consultation. Another $500,000 is provided for the following 12 months.