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New Daintree River Ferry attracts interest

The opportunity to supply and operate the next Daintree River Ferry has attracted significant interest.

51 suppliers have viewed a request for tender.

To generate further interest, Council has advertised the ferry opportunity in The Australian newspaper.

The request-for-tender process closes on March 26.

Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said she was pleased with the interest so far.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for an operator to take the Daintree River Ferry into an exciting new era. With more than 100,000 vehicles crossing the river each year, it is not surprising there is interest in this vital project for our community,” Mayor Scomazzon said.

The Council aims to replace the existing ferry, which is at the end of its asset life, by no later than November 2027.

Shovel-ready cycleway planned for Port

Council endorses the application for funding to complete a $2.1 million cycleway upgrade in Port Douglas.

The project will receive more than $1.5 million dollars in Federal Government funding while the remainder has been allocated in Council’s Footpath Renewal Program.

The upgrade – which is earmarked for Port Douglas Road between Lakeland Avenue and the Old Port Road intersection – is shovel ready, once the funding is secured.

Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said it was important to improve the cycle network given the shire’s strong cycling culture.

“The shared pathways in Port Douglas, Cooya Beach and Mossman make it easy for leisure cyclists to enjoy the region safely and in Port, cycling is the preferred option for seasonal workers to get around,” Mayor Scomazzon said.

“We appreciate the Federal Government’s input through the Active Transport Fund and the Roads to Recovery Program and I look forward to seeing this project come to fruition.”

Post-Jasper road recovery project progressing

A highlights list of road recovery projects has been released in Council’s January report.

The milestones outline in the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements – Reconstruction of Essential Public Assets report (final quarter of 2024) include:

  • Stage One works completed at Noah Range slip
  • Seven slip sites completed at Alexandra Range
  • Detail design and approvals progressed for Noah’s Bridge
  • Tenders for the Cape Tribulation Bloomfield Road slip repairs have been awarded

To date, more than $13 million has been spent across Restoration of Essential Public Assets projects.

Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said she was proud of the efforts of contractors and staff in progressing these vital works.

“The community is aware the post-Jasper recovery is lengthy but significant inroads were made last year,” Mayor Scomazzon said.

“Council looks forward to what can be achieved in 2025 when work begins in earnest after the wet season.”

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