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OPINION: PARALYSIS by planning – with the real threat that nothing will be accomplished – is the fate that awaits Council’s decision to commission another report on the Daintree River Crossing.

On Wednesday, Council unanimously agreed to make a submission to the Maturing Infrastructure Pipeline Program (MIPP) for a $100,000 grant to fund the Daintree River Ferry Capacity Analysis Project. 

The decision raised many eyebrows considering there is a reported $4 million sitting in a ferry fund; the view that Guy Chester’s 2004 report should be totally disregarded despite many of his predictions still holding true 14 years later; and elements of the Daintree Gateway Master Plan – an initiative of the Cairns Regional Council to improve the user experience and visual appearance of the Daintree Gateway precinct and tabled in July 2011 – not be overlooked.

A Newsport reader summed up what many already agree with not only north of the river, but in the Shire as a whole.

“Council does not have a great track record of actually following up on Daintree-related studies. The 2004 ferry future options study that recommended a second ferry being only one of them.

“Bit cheeky to ask the State Government to pay for a study when there's $4 million in the ferry reserve, which is for ferry-related expenditure.

“But the North Douglas community and their businesses don't need a solution in 2021 when the current ferry contract expires. We want to see some improvements before June, when the next tourist season starts up again. We don't want queues for another three seasons.”

This inactivity is not uncommon. Money was allocated for improvements to the Mowbray Bridge – which is now sealed – yet nothing has been done. But that’s a discussion for another time.

What is of major concern – and this is before any thought is given to a second ferry or other options – is that infrastructure in the Daintree has been neglected.

This is highlighted in the 2011 Daintree master plan. “Infrastructure in the Daintree has not kept pace with the increasing visitor numbers and changing visitor demographics and expectations. There are areas which are visually unattractive, in poor condition and not fit for purpose. In short, the area is an inadequate gateway for an environment with the significance of the Daintree.”

Just as the 2004 report warned of traffic congestion, among other accurate predictions, the 2011 plan presents educated options to considerably improve this area and where caution is required to preserve the environment. Sadly, these reports have been ignored.

What is being made abundantly clear is that the area has been neglected and as you leave the ferry and head towards Cape Tribulation Road, it’s best not to look to your left – it’s not a pretty sight.

There is enough factual and reliable data available which cannot be cast aside.

Although ‘wait times’ at the ferry may have changed over the years – the general consensus is they have worsened with increased tourists and a two-hour wait is common during peak season – you have to question the need to spend $100,000 when it is well known what needs fixing.

This is how Mayor Julia Leu views the situation:

“Council anticipates road carrying capacity, peak hour demand and duration of the peak will be accurately determined. The assessment aims to detail current congestion issues and model high level solutions, such as a second ferry, bridge or other travel demand initiatives. This will then be developed into a strategic transport plan.

“The 2004 study worked to visitor number and inflated population statistics not yet reached north of the Daintree River and needs to be updated.

“Council makes decisions on unbiased and factual data so it is absolutely crucial we have accurate statistics that reflects the current state of play.”

How many more plans do we need? Another plan which is presented by a Council official to be praised for his/her work and the endless detail, time and effort that went into compiling it? Got to keep the bureaucrats busy, I guess.

At the recent forum in the Daintree, participants questioned why the 2004 report was discarded at the time.

“Admittedly we de-amalgamated, but the Daintree ferry crossing has long been an issue and the current Council has chosen to overlook it. The data in the 2004 report did not see the light of day and since then nothing has been done.

“Numerous attempts were made to address our concerns with Council and the Mayor, but the door was shut in our faces. This is not something that will simply disappear and the Daintree community will continue the fight for as long as they have to,” was the common thread at the forum.

It is worth noting a key statement in the Daintree Master Plan that clearly underpins how much work has been done. It also raises the question how many times you need to ask the same questions.

The plan states:

“The Daintree Gateway project has many stakeholders, including the Daintree-Cape Tribulation communities, tourism operators, landholders, traditional owners, State Government and Council

“The project has included a robust stakeholder engagement process, including workshop meetings with stakeholder groups and direct meetings with specific interest groups.

“Although there are some divergent views and interests amongst stakeholders they do have the following common objectives which have informed the project.

• Protect, enhance and better promote the natural values of the area;
• Increase local benefit from tourism; and
• Maintain quality of life for residents in custodial communities.

So what can we look forward to? Who will undertake the ‘latest’ report and will we learn anything significant from it? Perhaps we’ll learn that visitor numbers have changed. We expect that.

We know there is congestion.

Little else has changed; in fact, from the data we have reviewed it’s got a whole lot worse.

In essence, there are two matters that require urgent attention: upgrading Daintree infrastructure and finding a solution to improving crossing the river.

Now what we need is for Council to answer the call and respond in a proactive way to unbiased and factual data.

And as we have illustrated, there is no shortage.

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