Mayor asks Daintree residents to be patient as ferry to stay closed
DAINTREE FLOODS
Douglas Shire Mayor Julia Leu said today that people north of the Daintree River need to be prepared for the possibility of another two days without a ferry service.
Leu said initial observations suggest there has been no significant damage to the Daintree Ferry, however, it appears equipment and surrounding infrastructure has sustained extensive damage.
“The ferry contractors were able to inspect the ferry site via boat and have provided a preliminary list of damage caused by the biggest major flooding of the Daintree River since 1901,” said Leu.
“The priority ticket booth has dislodged and rolled near the caretaker house, the public pontoon has broken off and is blocking the boat ramp, and the water tank at the public toilets near the boat ramp has been dislodged.
“It is anticipated that the major flooding may have caused silt build up in the ferry channel, which could further delay the start of ferry operations.
“Council is working closely with the ferry contractors to get the river crossing back open,” she said.
Mayor Leu said Council’s focus has been shifted to getting the Daintree Ferry back to normal operations.
“Council understands this is a difficult situation for everyone in the area and is doing its best to return the service to normal.
“We ask everyone to be patient as Douglas Shire recovers from widespread monsoonal rain and the biggest Daintree River flood in 118 years.”
Council is aware that the road from Cape Tribulation to Cow Bay is impassable due to a large landslip on the Noah Range.
Heavy machinery will need to be sent north of the Daintree River once the ferry is back open.
The following is a list of issues reported by the ferry contractors:
• Water tank at the boat ramp public toilets dislodged
• Floating public pontoon broken off & blocking boat ramp
• Road expected to be thickly covered in sand & debris
• Ticket booths, cash registers and electronic equipment completely flooded
• Priority ticket booth dislodged and rolled over beside Western ferry house fence
• Front ferry house fence partially flattened
• No working generator to run ferry public toilets
• Numerous bollards missing
• Electrical hazards - lights power box flooded
• Toilets flooded
• House power box flooded
• Phone box flooded
• House water pump and public toilet pump.
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