Mayor Tom Tate floats Broadwater and Gold Coast canal ferry service in re-election bid

A FERRY service which could eventually take more than 3200 cars off Gold Coast roads each week will begin operating in Broadwater by Christmas, according to Mayor Tom Tate.

Brisbane CityCat on Brisbane River generic Mandatory credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

A FERRY service which could eventually take more than 3200 cars off Gold Coast roads each week will begin operating in the Broadwater by Christmas, says Mayor Tom Tate.

In his first policy announcement of the election campaign, Cr Tate has unveiled a “fully costed” ferry system proposal which would use a private sector operator.

The first stage would be a short-haul service which would cross the Broadwater between the Southport Broadwater Parklands, Sea World and either Marina Mirage or Mariner’s Cove, making the trip in four to six minutes.

It would use existing jetties and not require new infrastructure beyond the catamarans themselves.

The Gold Coast could soon have its own ferry service under a proposal put forward by Mayor Tom Tate. Picture: Tourism and Events Queensland

The system’s cost is “commercial-in-confidence” but is expected to cost upward of $1 million to deliver.

However, according to Cr Tate the system would cost around $250,000 a year, assuming a subsidy for a commercial operator followed the tender process, with other elements funded from “existing resourcing”.

Mayor Tom Tate’s ferry proposal is his first major policy announcement of the election campaign. Picture: Regi Varghese

He said it would likely be jointly funded between the council and the State-backed Gold Coast Waterways Authority which would be required to give the system its blessing.

According to plans to seen by the Bulletin, the second stage would be a long-haul service between Evandale and Wavebreak Island, with stops at Labrador, Doug Jennings Park on The Spit and Cavill Ave in Surfers Paradise.

Under the proposal, the second stage would be operational by the Commonwealth Games and include a stop at Metricon Stadium, allowing for a service to bring fans to the events precinct during the April 2018 event.

A map of the proposed service. Source: Mayor Tom Tate.

The stadium stop is not featured in the initial plans but has been the subject of discussions between the mayor and Gaven MP, Sid Cramp.

Cr Tate has pitched the proposal as a way to reduce traffic congestion across the city.

“During the Commonwealth Games links between attractions such as Sea World and accommodation centres like Surfers Paradise to events precincts like the parklands will be important for visitors to the city,” he said.

“Usual routes would involve either the Sundale bridge or Thomas Drive on Chevron Island but this bypasses both and would take an estimated 1000 cars a week off those routes alone.

“Compared to driving, travel time would be reduced by 64 per cent without modelling for traffic as well as four travel routes.

“A fulltime service, as well as allowing approved private operators to use public facilities, is estimated to take 3200 cars off the road each week.”

If Cr Tate’s plans come to fruition, it will be the realisation of dreams going back nearly 12 years to the early days of Ron Clarke’s mayoralty.

The late former mayor came close to getting a service off the ground in 2004 and revisited the idea several times before he left office in 2012.

Cr Tate said he hoped to source “advanced electric ferries” such as those built in the Gold Coast’s Chinese sister city, Zhuhai.

Metricon Stadium and the Carrara games precinct could have a ferry stop. Picture: Glenn Hampson

He said it was hoped the system would also allow for an expansion of the city’s existing water taxis by allowing private transport operators to use public infrastructure.

“For many residents, a trip on a water taxi before heading out for an event would be not only a scenic but a quicker trip,” he said.

“If the taxi companies do not want to get it going, I will talk to the State Government and lobby for Uber on water.

“The timing for this is right because the technology of the vessels has improved and previously Wavebreak Island has been the exclusive domain for people with boats, so this would give families the chance to visit it and enjoy the open space there.”