Council moves to outsource Daintree Ferry service
Douglas Shire Council plans to outsource the beleaguered Daintree River Ferry after controversially acquiring the barge three years ago, but big questions remain about who will come forward to design, construct and operate a larger vessel before 2027.
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Douglas Shire Council plans to outsource the beleaguered Daintree River Ferry after controversially acquiring the barge three years ago, but big questions remain about who will come forward to design, construct and operate a larger vessel before 2027.
The essential car ferry connecting the residents north of the river to services and amenities has been plagued by problems dating back to 2006 when council was forced to buy the ferry from operator Colin Andreassen, who refused to extend his contract until the delivery of a new vessel by incoming operator Chris Norris later that year.
In 2021, Douglas Shire Council bought the cable ferry again, this time from Sirron Enterprises in a shock move that at the time promised a secure crossing for “future years” but also triggered heated debate among councillors and former mayor Michael Kerr.
However the arrangement has proved untenable and at a special meeting on Monday it was decided the council would divest itself of an asset plagued by maintenance cost blowouts and the failure of a safety inspection in March this year.
According to council the new larger ferry will be privately owned and operated and to ensure the continuation of the ferry service, will replace the existing vessel before the end of its asset life in November 2027.
Kianna Lafferty of the Daintree River Cruise Centre said the tender process would be followed by locals with great interest.
“There have been quite a few issues with them running it and whenever you have the government involved in running a business it does not end well,” she said.
“The new operator has to be someone that has to be committed to the community as it’s an essential service.
“Everyone will be watching very closely to see how it unfolds.
“(But) I welcome the announcement for a bigger ferry to make people’s journey over there easier, it will be great for the community and for local tourism.”
The new ferry will feature four lanes, compared to the current vessel’s three lanes, which according to council will reduce waiting times by 90 per cent.
Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon in a council statement said she was “excited and grateful”.
“I would like to say a big thank you to the staff for all their hard work that has been put into this project,” she said.
“I am happy we are moving forward for our community, and I am quite excited to see what the new ferry is going to look like.”
Council will now tender for a contractor to design, construct, and deliver the new vessel, as well as operate the ferry service under an initial agreement of at least 15 years.
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