Cape York councils proposes $100 toll for northern visitors

A Cape York toll could be on the cards for drivers taking a trip to the tip at the completion of a bridge across the Jardine River.

• Feds announce funding for Peninsula Development Rd
• Jetski fugitive shows more checkpoints needed at Cape
• Cape York tourism helped by road upgrades and lack of rain

DRIVERS taking a trip to the tip of Cape York could be slugged with a toll when travelling north of Lakeland if a long-awaited bridge across the Jardine River gets the green light from Brisbane.

Now, a ferry across the remote northern river, at $100 per car, is the only way drivers can get to the most northern point of the country.

The ferry across the Jardine River during the big wet earlier this year.

Cook Shire Mayor Peter Scott said the proposed toll or a “passport to the Cape” would be charged to motorists crossing the Jardine River bridge, a project that has long been talked about but yet to become a reality.

The $100 fee would be used to fund critical infrastructure upgrades, including camping facilities, waste disposal and better signage.

“We need facilities, showers, toilets, rest areas, good camping grounds,” he said.

“Our main concern for having a passport to the Cape fee is the incredible amount of waste. The tip has got a new name now, ‘the rubbish tip’, rather than the tip of Australia.”

The approach to the Jardine River crossing in flood earlier this year.

Cr Scott said the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) had flagged the Jardine River Bridge as an essential link but there had been no funding commitment made by the state. “There is a long-term commitment from the feds to take the (sealed) road all the way to the tip. The Jardine River bridge is something that is going to have to come about,” he said.

Local police on the ferry at the Jardine River crossing. Picture: Supplied

Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said $10 million in federal funding had been allocated for the bridge and the project was waiting on State Government costings.

“It has been very frustrating trying to find out how much it is going to cost,” he said.

The Leichhardt MP said there was a chance federal funding would be lost if not allocated by the state’s Department of Main Roads.

A TMR spokeswoman said the state was “progressing a $1.5 million planning project to develop a business case to consider preferred crossing options for the Jardine River Bridge”. It is expected to be completed by April 2020.

Work being done to seal the Peninsula Development Rd.

The Cape passport is a collaborative proposal from 10 indigenous councils, the Weipa Town Authority and Cook Shire Council.

If the bridge gets built it would be an asset of the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council.

Cr Scott said opening up Cape York through better facilities and road networks would bring “higher value” tourists.

“Once we get it sealed all the way ... you can get your mums and dads in their conventional cars. They are a higher value market,” he said.

Mr Entsch did not agree with the toll, however.

“I don’t think a toll bridge is the way to go. I would be very much opposed to it,” he said.

Leichhardt candidate, Elida Faith was approached for comment.

Originally published as Cape York councils proposes $100 toll for northern visitors