Daintree Ferry to close for safety inspection and maintenance Upcoming Daintree Ferry Temporary Closure

March 2023 - Mandatory inspection

Stops: 12:01am, Monday 6 March

Starts: 5am, Saturday 11 March

Passenger ferry will operate 6am to 6pm daily

Car parking will be available on both sides of the river

The five-day closure is for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority out-of-water inspection

For more information, please visit Council's website or call 4099 9444

THE AUSTRALIAN Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) will conduct an out-of-water safety inspection of the Daintree Ferry from Monday morning next week.

Douglas Shire Council will close the vehicle ferry for five days from 12.01am on Monday 6 March 2023 to allow the inspection and vital maintenance tasks to be completed.

At high tide on Monday, dry-dock airbags will be placed on the concrete ramp at the southern side of the Daintree River and inflated slowly to help tow the ferry to shore. This could take up to six hours.

Inflation and deflation of the airbags is regulated by gauges to control lift capacity, ferry height and airbag pressure. The ferry will be washed down and inspected once secured.

After the inspection, Council will also undertake important maintenance tasks that can’t be done during normal operations.

At this stage, the ferry is scheduled to resume service at 5am on Saturday 11 March 2023.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said the five-day closure was a complex exercise that would guarantee a safe ferry operation.

“The Daintree Ferry is a critical public transport service that connects people living on both sides of the Daintree River and is the arterial link for the tourism economy over the river,” he said.

“As one of the last cable vehicle ferries in tropical Australia, it is a unique service that transports about 230,000 vehicle movements between the southern bank of the river and the world’s oldest rainforest each year.

“The ferry is a workhorse that runs 19 hours on every day of the year, so we are taking the opportunity while it is out of the water to do as much maintenance as possible and we appreciate the community’s patience whilst this compulsory AMSA inspection is completed.”

“Council continues to invest in the iconic river crossing to ensure this required transport link maintains an exceptional level of service, improves travellers’ experience, enhances local community needs and complies with relevant safety requirements.”

Since announcing the closure in August 2022, Council held two drop-in sessions and sought feedback from key ferry users.

A 50-person passenger vessel will take people across the river during the closure – operating continuously all day from sunrise to sunset.

Council has organized security to protect any vehicles such as tour buses, which will be parked on the northern side during the closure, to enable companies to continue taking travellers on day tours to the Daintree. Emergency services and Queensland Health have also put measures in place to ensure the community is well prepared.

Coastal Works Step Up At Four Mile Beach

A NEW boardwalk and stairs will make it easier to get to Four Mile Beach via Sand Street in Port Douglas.

Douglas Shire Council will replace the old wooden stairs with composite fibre stairs and a boardwalk. Further work will also be done on the track at the end of Port Street including realignment of a beach access track, general path maintenance and fencing.

Once complete, interpretative signs will be installed, and a community tree planting day will be organised to help beautify the area.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said the up- grades would improve access to the beach and help rehabilitate the foreshore.

“Four Mile Beach is one of the best coastlines in the country and any investment making it more accessible is fantastic news for locals and visitors,” he said.

“The new beach access and coastal rehabilitation forms part of Council’s Resilient Coast Strategic Plan which helps us manage the risk of coastal hazards.”

“I am very pleased Council received funding and appreciate the support of the State Government and Local Government Association of Queensland to help