Gold Coast ferry service: How a ferry service can work and what will either sink or float the boats
The Gold Coast City Council is about to embark on a trial for a ferry service. It can be revealed the real factors which will determine if it will succeed. And speed is not one of them.
Council
Don't miss out on the headlines from Council. Followed categories will be added to My News.
INCREASING speed limits will not be the key to the Gold Coast getting a ferry service — the critical factor will be who pays for the multimillion-dollar upgrade of pontoons.
The Gold Coast Bulletin can reveal the other key factor on the boats getting the green light will be the demand for service between particular routes.
The Surfers Paradise to Southport Broadwater connection including Sea World is considered a goer but doubts remain about taking the ferries to Paradise Point.
A detailed options report will be considered by councillors in March.
Industry insiders admit there are at least two more critical issues than speed with the
service able to work with the current six knot speed limit.
TWO BIGGEST FERRY COMPANIES EXCITED ABOUT COAST TRANSPORT NETWORK
A recent council report reveals disability access for pontoons and customer waiting areas were a “significant issue” given recent legal changes setting out minimum entry and exit spaces.
Old infrastructure must be compliant with accessible services and facilities by the end of 2022, the report said.
“Ideally all waiting areas, walkways, gangways and pontoons should be fully covered to provide ferry customers with protection from the elements.”
NEW STOPS ADDED TO PROPOSED COAST FERRY SYSTEM
SUBSCRIBE TO THE GOLD COAST BULLETIN FOR JUST $5 A MONTH FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS
Acting Mayor Donna Gates has asked council transport infrastructure director Alton Twine whether the cost of pontoon upgrades was part of the ferry trial.
In a presentation to councillors, Mr Twine admitted that an infrastructure check was a critical factor.
“So we’re hoping they will require minimal upgrades but we don’t know until we proceed with this investigation,” he said.
Industry sources suggest a pontoon upgrade could cost more than $1 million and the only suitable facility was at Appel Park, upgraded at a cost of $800,000 in 2014.
FERRY SERVICE TO RUN IN BROADWATER TO METRICON STADIUM
LOBBY GROUP BACKS FERRY PROPOSAL
Previous ferry proposals have failed after the council was asked to provide up to $3 million for infrastructure or TransLink refused to subsidise the service placing the full costs on the local authority.
The other key factor which guarantees the success of a service was rating customer demand.
Mr Twine said the 14 sites released on a map by council were only under investigation.
“We’re not necessarily proposing a 14-stop service. It might be smaller than the 14 stops before you,” he told councillors.
Blaze blitz: Hazard burns amid fears for thousands of homes
Fourteen Gold Coast areas are being targeted for hazard reduction burns amid fears more than 40,000 homes could be at risk. See the full list of areas impacted.
Dust-up over concrete plant: Council weighs in
Councillor have had their say on plans for an around-the-clock concrete batching plant at Burleigh needed for light rail works which more than 1000 residents have opposed.