Ferry service linking Brisbane's CBD with Straddie hits approval snag

A ferry service linking Brisbane's CBD with North Stradbroke Island, which the Palaszczuk government promised would open by Christmas, is yet to take a single passenger because it has not been certified by council.

In September, then-tourism minister Kate Jones announced three new pontoons would be built at Howard Smith Wharves.

Howard Smith Wharves is a step closer to having its own CityCat terminal.

The project would be a "game changer" for Brisbane residents, especially those living in the north and west of the city, who have to drive about 30 kilometres from the CBD to the Cleveland terminal.

Construction of one of the pontoons has finished but is "waiting on Brisbane City Council certification before it can be used as a passenger terminal", a Tourism Department spokesman said.

Brisbane City Council Deputy Mayor Krista Adams said she was disappointed that the state government was "trying to shift the blame" onto council.

"The state government is responsible for any delays to a state government project," she said.

"Any delays to the certification are a result of a lack of clarity around the operation and management of the pontoon from the applicant."

Cr Adams said council received a request for compliance assessment on September 9.

"More information was required from the applicant, which was received on December 21, 2020. It is anticipated that compliance certification will be finalised shortly."

The Tourism Department spokesman said the remaining two pontoons would not be built until council had completed its CityCat Terminal at Howard Smith Wharves.

He said this was because two of the pontoons shared infrastructure.

But Cr Adams said this was untrue and the construction of the CityCat Terminal "has in no way delayed Howard Smith Wharves being able to proceed with the construction of commercial pontoons".

"Early works have started offsite for the Howard Smith Wharves ferry terminal, with onsite works expected to start in the coming months. Completion is due late this year," she said.

Once completed, the pontoons will be available to commercial operators as pick-up and drop-off points, in a bid to increase tourism traffic to the islands.

The Queensland government has entered into a partnership with operators of fast tour boats to get tourists from the wharves in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley to Stradbroke in under an hour.

Two of the new fast boats were used for charter services over Christmas, the department spokesman said.

'The final two vessels are close to completion."