General News
4 December, 2025
Getting ferry lowdown
Community given answers to new Daintree River vessel planning
THE Daintree River ferry will shut down for 10 days sometime in 2027 as its replacement ferry is commissioned.
Nearly 30 Daintree Coast residents and stakeholders attended a community information session to learn more about the Daintree ferry landside infrastructure and the new vessel.
They were told a minimum 10-day full ferry closure would be required to install new ramps and cables, with a date yet to be confirmed.
Landside infrastructure works are expected to start after the wet season next year and be completed in December 2027 when the ferry will be delivered to the site.
The meeting at the Alexandra Bay Sporting Club on Thursday last week gave locals a chance to hear directly from the council’s project team and the contractors involved, including Durack Civil (landside infrastructure) and Birdon Pty Ltd (ferry design build and operation).
Participants were given the opportunity to ask questions directly and gain a clearer understanding of construction timelines, expected impacts and long-term benefits.
Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said the strong turnout reflected the community’s interest in the future of the ferry service.
“We know how important the ferry is for daily life north of the river, whether it’s getting to school, work, medical appointments or running a business,” she said.
“It was great to see so many people come along to hear the latest updates, ask questions and be part of the conversation.
“Feedback following the event has been positive. One resident commented that she left feeling excited for the upgrades and changes.”
Key topics discussed included the minimum 10-day full ferry closure required to install new ramps and cables, the mandatory 14-day AMSA survey closures every five years, planned upgrades to approach roads and traffic lanes, management of tourist buses and local access, how to stay informed and how council will communicate during works
Mayor Scomazzon said there would still be opportunities to ask questions about the ferry project.
“We’re encouraging anyone who couldn’t attend to send their questions through. The more we understand the community’s concerns, the better we can prepare clear answers and updates,” she said.
Council is preparing a video summary of the presentations and Q&A, which will be published on council’s website for those who could not attend the recent meeting. Residents can also visit council’s project page to learn more about the ferry replacement, landside infrastructure upgrades, timelines and frequently asked questions.
Cr Scomazzon said the meeting was an important step in keeping the community informed and involved.
“This is a huge step forward for our community. The journey to a new, modern ferry and supporting infrastructure has been a long time coming and now we’re finally seeing progress,” she said. “We know it’s not always easy to get a clear picture of a project of this scale without asking questions.”
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