Community
20 February, 2025
Daintree ferry sparks flurry
MORE than 50 requests to tender have been lodged to supply and operate the next Daintree River ferry.
Fifty-one suppliers have viewed the request for tender.
To generate further interest, Douglas Shire Council has advertised the ferry opportunity in The Australian newspaper.
The request-for-tender process closes on March 26 and the council has hosted a mandatory briefing for tenderers.
Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said she was pleased with the interest so far.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for an operator to take the Daintree River ferry into an exciting new era,” she said.
“With more than 100,000 vehicles crossing the river each year, it is not surprising there is interest in this vital project for our community.”
The council aims to replace the existing ferry, which is at the end of its asset life, by no later than November 2027.
Late last year councillors called for financial reports related to the current ferry be provided at each monthly meeting as well as progress on the tender process.
Deputy mayor Roy Zammataro told last week’s council meeting that the monthly report was good for the public to realise what the ferry was costing to operate.
Cr Scomazzon also told the meeting that the report showed the progress with the ferry was “moving along”.
The report showed that since July 1 there had been more than 178,000 tickets sold, the majority pre-purchased and return tickets. The busiest month was July (36,431) and the quietest December (22,878).
In December cars and utes were the most popular using the ferry (19,660) followed by busses (1528).
The total budget for the ferry for the full financial year was $950,000 with $212,000 spent, $207,000 committed and $531,000 remaining.
The report contained no further financial information.
“It should be noted that this is not a comprehensive assessment of the financial performance as (the) council’s corporate and administrative costs that support the ferry operation have not been included,” the report said.
“These costs include, but not limited to, ticket and ferry card sales administration, contract invoicing, accounts payable and receivable, budgeting and financial reporting, payroll and human resources, auditing, issues, complaints, enquiries, council staff support and administrative costs and overheads”.
