Gold Coast ferry service: Gold Coast City Ferries launched as council prepares its own 14-stop service
Passengers will board the Gold Coast’s first ferry service this weekend. Gold Coast City Ferries is starting small but there are big plans for expansion. FULL LIST OF STOPS AND COST.
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THE Gold Coast’s first ferry service will launch as early as today, in direct competition with the council’s own grand plans.
After more than 15 years of failed proposals and stalled ambitions as the Gold Coast has tried to get a ferry system under way, Gold Coast City Ferries will launch initially by servicing three stops with one vessel.
FERRY SERVICE TO RUN IN BROADWATER TO METRICON STADIUM
It is a surprise move that could open the gates to a giant fleet and a route running from Moreton Bay to Bond University.
The brainchild of qualified ship’s captain, businessman and maritime lawyer Frances Burgess, the ferry service already has four skippers in training and will take its first passengers this weekend.
It will dock at Evandale, Surfers Paradise and Isle of Capri’s Via Roma shopping centre.
Two of the stops are also set to be part of the council’s planned ferry service, which is expected to begin operating by Christmas.
COMMUNITY GROUPS BACK FERRY SYSTEM PROPOSAL
Mr Burgess said his ferry was “distinctly different’’ from the council’s plan.
“Ultimately what we are trying to achieve is a local service which suits the environment and the community,” he said.
“We have ambitions to go as far south as Bond University and as far north as Macleay Island.
“The Gold Coast’s waterways are stunning and people think of our beaches but do not realise about our other waters.
“We want to show off the Gold Coast.”
LOBBY GROUP BACKS FERRY PROPOSAL
The Gold Coast Ferries flagship vessel is the 28-seat Doris, named after Mr Burgess’s grandmother, which was put through sea and speed trials over the Australia Day long weekend.
Mr Burgess said there were plans to have a fleet of up to 38 vessels, subject to finances and the level of support from the Gold Coast community.
These craft are expected to be larger than Doris, with greater capacity for passengers.
Mr Burgess’s plans for the private system have been in the works for more than two years. He said they had been discussed with the council and the Gold Coast Waterways Authority.
Although operating on a set route, it will not initially run to a time schedule, with passengers wanting to ride the ferry having to hail it from the city-owned jetties, because of council regulations.
Tickets will be $6 for adults and $4.50 for children.
A smartphone ticketing app is also in the works.
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Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said he was not bothered by the new system.
He said Gold Coast Ferries was free to apply to become the operator of the council’s ferry service.
“Any current, or intending, operator can apply,” he said.
“We hope to be in a position to offer this tender in mid-2019.’’
A ferry system has been proposed several times over more than 15 years but has never been launched.
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.
The proposal has the backing of the waterways authority and a report is being prepared for councillors, who will vote on it in March.
If approved, tenders for the city system will launch mid-year, with the first ferries taking to the water in December.
The system has been projected to take more than 3500 cars off the road.
The Bulletin understands several companies from NSW and Victoria have informally expressed an interest in tendering.
The council is hoping to secure cutting-edge solar catamarans that will be able to make the 16km journey in about 40 minutes at speeds of up to 12 knots.
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