Cutbacks allow Straddie fast ferry to stay afloat for busy Easter rush

From capsized to cruising, a fast ferry service to Straddie is setting sail again for the Easter rush after it was abruptly canned when a council slugged it $78,000 to use public jetties.

The Straddie Shuttle docked at the island. The owner has cut back to just using one boat to Straddie to keep costs down but hopes the new council will come to the party and drop fees to use the island’s public jetties. Pictures: Contributed

A fledgling fast ferry service, abruptly canned after being slugged $78,000 to use council jetties, has salvaged its popular North Stradbroke Island route and is gearing up for an Easter island rush.

River to Bay ferry service decided to keep the island route afloat after thousands of messages of support from Brisbane residents wanting to experience the Straddie coastline and beaches.

News of the refloated service came a week after operators axed the service because Redland City Council was charging $78,648 for its two boats to use the public jetty at One Mile.

River to Bay operations manager Isla Toomey said the company was forced to cut back to using only one boat and had to introduce a second stop at Manly to make the venture viable.

By using one boat, the company effectively reduced its bill to Redland council by $15,245.

It takes more than an hour in the boat from Portside at Hamilton to One Mile on Straddie and costs $44 a return trip. Picture: Contributed

The Straddie Shuttle will start services on Sunday from Manly to Dunwich, connecting Brett’s Wharf at Hamilton and Manly Village.

Owner Paul Mohokoi said he hoped the new incoming council would act to boost tourism to the island in the lead up to the Olympics after he said the previous council ignored pleas for discounts to use public jetties on Straddie.

“To reduce the fees that council imposes, we are running just one boat to Dunwich where previously we ran both boats to Dunwich,” Mr Mohokoi said.

“Instead, we now run from Hamilton to Manly and then to Dunwich. I apologise for the shaky start.

“We will pay council the outrageous fees as prescribed in their schedule of fees and demanded by phone.

“Unfortunately, we have had to increase our ticket prices to cover the additional council fees with adult tickets now $22 one way.

“However, our genuine hope is that the new council will support genuine competition and come to a reasonable position.

“We eagerly await working with the new council, as we bid the old council a fond farewell.

“We will continue to fight for fair and equitable fees and access to North Stradbroke Island.”

Brisbane customer Craig Noakes said he was glad to see the service back running.

Hundreds took up the recent offer of a free fast shuttle ferry trip to Straddie to test the waters for the demand for the service, which runs from Hamilton in Brisbane and from the harbour at Manly. Pictures: Contributed

“I can’t believe with the upcoming Olympics and the request for more tourism to the islands that the state government doesn’t give the service some support along with the greedy council,” he said.

Redland City Council said it was waiting on further information from River to Bay to complete the permit approval process and calculate fees and charges.

The council’s schedule of fees applies to all commercial operators using council-owned or managed jetties for business.

“Council has a responsibility to maintain its jetties in good working order, and fees are required to be applied to help relieve the cost burden on ratepayers,” the council said earlier this month.

The Straddie fast ferry runs from Manly to One Mile from Friday to Sunday and costs $44 return or $22 one way. Concession tickets are $30 return.

Brisbane customers can catch a fast ferry from Portside down the Brisbane River to Manly, a one-hour trip which also costs $44 return or $22 one way.

A trip from Portside to One Mile takes an average 1 hour and 20 minutes with tickets including a courtesy bus to all three island townships in a continual loop all day.

Brisbane residents who do not want to use the new fast ferry service can drive to Cleveland and catch the Sealink boat from Toondah Harbour, where they can park.

Originally published as Cutbacks allow Straddie fast ferry to stay afloat for busy Easter rush