Resupply and passenger transport

• A passenger resupply vessel and bus service is on standby and will operate once the northern launch area is deemed safe by WHS.
• This service is expected to commence by Wednesday at the latest.
• The service will operate from the north side of the Daintree River to Port Douglas and return.

Current essentials availability

• Food is currently available at the three shops at Cape Tribulation: Mason’s, Village Rainforest and Friendly Grocer.
• Fuel and gas bottles are available at Rainforest Village.

Daintree River Ferry Latest Upadate:

At this stage, we expect the ferry to remain out of service for at least 14 days. A full damage assessment cannot begin until the ferry is back on the southern ramp. Once that has occurred, we will have a better understanding of the damage and likely timeframe for repairs.

Current situation

• The ferry is currently secured to a steel pylon with tiger rope as a backup, in case the remaining attached cable fails.
• The TMR concrete pontoon and tourism vessel have been dislodged from the ferry.
• Debris clearing has commenced on the northern side around the cable and landside infrastructure.

Works over the next couple of days

• Ease the ferry onto the southern ramp.
• Continue debris removal on the northern side of the river.
• Assess the condition of the ferry and land anchors.

Waste Services North of Daintree River

Cow Bay Transfer Station Restrictions

Restrictions have been applied to waste acceptance criteria at the Cow Bay Transfer Station.

The Transfer Station has limited storage capacity, so Council is requesting your assistance with the implementation of the below process while contingencies for continued waste collection services are being explored.

Until further notice waste disposal will be limited to Food Waste Only – Recycling, landfill, metal, or any other waste types will not be accepted.

Disposal of food waste from all residential properties that receive the kerbside waste collection or hold a Special Refuse Card will be accepted free of charge. This is extended to commercial properties that currently receive the kerbside waste collection service.

Please ensure that all other waste is separated from your food waste and kept on your premises.

Please present your Special Refuse Card as usual if applicable. The Cow Bay Transfer Station will be opened to accept your food waste during standard operating times.

Your patience and compliance with directions when visiting the facility is appreciated.

Wheelie Bin Service

Due to the interruption to ferry services,  the scheduled wheelie bin service for properties north of the Daintree River will not be completed this Monday.

Collection services will recommence as soon as possible, so please stay tuned to Council’s social media and website for updates on when servicing will occur. Please note servicing days and times may vary from the original schedule as catch up services are completed.

It is recommended you still put your bins out by 6.00am as usual, if safe to do so and the bins are not at risk of being moved by windy conditions or washed away.

Please leave them out until they have been serviced or it is no longer safe to leave them out.

Ensure the bin lids are fully closed, especially during rainfall, to prevent collection issues.

Roads Update

• Bloomfield Road is open to 4WD vehicles only.
• Wujal Wujal to Cooktown is open with caution.
• Inland roads from Cooktown are open with caution.
• The Noah Creek heavy vehicle causeway remains closed. The bridge is open.
• Road works are continuing in the Daintree area. All roads are open, however there is still significant scouring and silt/debris requiring clean-up.
• Road works are continuing in Degarra to restore access for residents at the end of Banabilla Road, with assistance from Wujal Wujal Council.
• Road works will commence in the China Camp area today.
• Taylor’s Crossing at Stewart Creek is inaccessible.