After months of debate, the issue of the Daintree River Ferry crossing has been brought back before Council with the Mayor and councillors resolving to resume negotiations for a two-ferry contract at the Daintree River crossing.

However, key points from the negotiated Daintree Ferry contract, including costs, time frames and key performance indicators, will be brought back to a Council meeting before a contract is formally entered into.

The negotiations for a second ferry were paused earlier this year when a community consultation was opened to gauge the public’s preference between a bridge or two ferry system, to address the issue of traffic congestion at the current single ferry crossing.

The recent Daintree River Crossing options survey revealed a majority of the almost 4000 people who voted preferred a two-ferry service with 66 per cent of the vote, compared to 33 per cent who wanted a bridge.

During the Council meeting, Mayor Michael Kerr said after seeing the results of the survey there was a clear mandate to move forward with ferry contract negotiations.

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“I am a lot more comfortable in moving forward now that I have confirmation through our community consultation that a majority of residents and ratepayers have had the opportunity to consider the options and cost implications to this Council,” he said.

A second ferry at the Daintree River will cost $2.8 million for initial infrastructure and over one million dollars a year to run and maintain.

A single-lane bridge would have cost between $50-70 million.

Listen to FAB FM's interview with the Mayor and councillors following the Meeting below:

“I believe this council has received a great result with 3902 survey responses. These responses show similar results across the board and as such this argument can now be formally put to bed.

“We have an answer and the majority of the community has now spoken on the direction they would like to go and that is a two ferry system.”

“I’ve heard people say that this (the consultation) was a waste of time but quite frankly the consultation results clearly show that every third person was in favour of the bridge. Every third person in the Shire never had an opportunity to have their say previously,” he said.

During the meeting Councillor Roy Zamatarro said the people had spoken with an overwhelming majority supporting the two-ferry option.

“At the end of the day there is no question that the ferry service is the preferred option so we can carry on now and finalise the contract and move on with council business,” he said.

Councillor Abigail Noli echoed his sentiment and thanked those who made their opinion known in the survey.

Councillors Peter McKeown and Deputy Mayor Lisa Scomazzon both voted in favour of the motion, however, did express concerns with the consultation process, and the costs of the two ferry service.

Both also wanted to know more about the ferry contract before anything was finalised to make sure that the best possible contract was progressed for the Shire.

Cr Scomazzon said she felt “blinded” as she and Cr McKeown had not had the opportunity to view the ferry contract as it was passed during the previous term of council before the two new councillors were elected.

“This is a very important decision to make as a councillor and it is imperative that the correct decision is made to least impact the ratepayers who will ultimately foot the bill,” she said.

“I will support for CEO to continue negotiations, but I expect councillor McKeown and I to have the contract and all information available to us before anything further is done.”

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Cr McKeown said he was also concerned that there had been confusion amongst the community during the consultation with some people expressing to him that they were unsure about the voting process, while others were still unaware of the full cost implications.

“While I am not surprised with the 66% to 33% response, I have some issues with this result,” he said.

“If there was an organised pro bridge group out there as there was a pro ferry group I believe it would have been a bit closer.

“There was some untruths banded around during the consultation period.”

Cr McKeown was happy to move forward with the wishes of the majority but said he too wanted to see the contract before it was progressed.

Council staff will now pick up negotiations from where they left off.

A design of the second ferry channel crossing and land-based infrastructure will need to be completed before an application for permits is made.

Other items approved at this month’s Council meeting include:

• The approval of the material change of use for retirement facility at 111-119 Port Douglas Road.
• An application to amend the existing development permit for a Material Change of Use for Short-Term Accommodation (Motel) at 20 Warner Street Port Douglas. Just over a year ago Council approved the development of the micro hotel. Douglas Shire Council today approved a minor change to the development approval to allow a recreational area to have two small plunge pools on top of the 36-room motel.
• Council resolved to enter into a funding agreement with the State Government under the Cycle Network Local Government Grants Program for the Cooya to Mossman Stage 2 construction. Council will contribute 50% ($1.2 million) towards the total project cost.
• Council also resolved to offer a Trustee Permit to Douglas Hockey Association Inc. Over Part of Lot 92 Crown Plan SR 81 Mossman. The club requested to lease the building at the entry to Coronation Park so that it would have sufficient storage and space to have club meetings.

Full Council reports can be viewed here.