Island residents brace for ferry fare rise as diesel costs soar and new jetty, boats, timetable introduced

Residents of four bay islands are bracing for ferry fares to rise as diesel costs soar, new jetties are installed and two new boats commissioned.

Bay island residents are bracing for a hike in ferry fares, with surging diesel costs likely to force ferry operator Sealink to jack up ticket prices.

Sealink refused to say how much or when the anticipated fare hike would be, but admitted a new structure would coincide with the introduction of two new ferries and a timetable overhaul late this year.

The March floods delayed construction of the two ferries being built near Yamba, in northern New South Wales, with completion dates now expected after July.

A new jetty and pontoon was floated to Russell Island last month and is now being anchored at the island. PHOTO: Travis of Bay Islands Info, for Chris McGregor of Bay Islands Property.

If the new fare increases were set at the current Brisbane CPI level of 2.2 per cent, a regular one-way adult ticket for a resident would go up by a minimum of 20c to $8.20 without including any petrol price increases.

A child ticket would go up by a minimum of 8c a trip to $4.08 and a vehicle trip for residents would go up by a minimum of $1.54 to $59.27.

Sealink said it wanted to keep prices as low as possible and would give the public plenty of warning before any new fares.

Current ticket prices for vehicles on the barge to the bay islands.

It remained tight-lipped about its timetable overhaul which could see a streamlined service schedule with the company working to “allow adequate breaks for our crew during their shifts”.

“Our services, like many other industries, are being impacted by the increasing cost of fuel and other operating costs,” Sealink said.

“Whether it is the new vessels or the current vessels we are operating, we are being impacted by the increasing cost of fuel.

“This is constantly being reviewed and further discussions are continuing as to how long we can keep the prices “as is”.

“It is important that commencement of the new terminal facilities at Redland Bay coincide with the arrival of the first vessel.

“We are anticipating work to commence within the next couple of months.

“At this stage, we anticipate introducing the new timetable within the next couple of months.”

Lakarma will continue to operate after two new boats are bought for the bay islands.

The two new boats will run alongside the existing Lakarma boat with The Bay Islander and the Venture to be retired.

Russell Island Development Association president Ian Olsson said the state government should subsidise the extra cost of diesel for vehicles using the barge services to the islands.

“Diesel costs are soaring and a state subsidy would go a long way for island residents.”

Last month, a new jetty and docking pontoon was installed at Russell Island ahead of the ferry upgrades with docking pontoons for Karragarra, Lamb and Macleay due next year.

A new five-storey block of 24 units will be built overlooking the Weinam Creek ferry terminal.

Piling works for the new Macleay Island ferry terminal are due to start this month and take about four weeks.

The pontoon is scheduled to be floated to the island in mid to late June.

Infrastructure Minister Steven Miles and his Toondah Harbour and Weinam Creek committee approved a five-storey building at 99-105 Hamilton St, last month.

The 24-unit building will be the highest in the ferry terminal area, which also includes a new satellite hospital.

Originally published as Island residents brace for ferry fare rise as diesel costs soar and new jetty, boats, timetable introduced