Ferry service linking Brisbane’s CBD with Straddie hits approval snag

Brisbane City Council Deputy Mayor Krista Adams said she was disappointed that the state government was “trying to shift the blame” onto council.

“The state government is responsible for any delays to a state government project,” she said.

“Any delays to the certification are a result of a lack of clarity around the operation and management of the pontoon from the applicant.”

Cr Adams said council received a request for compliance assessment on September 9.

“More information was required from the applicant, which was received on December 21, 2020. It is anticipated that compliance certification will be finalised shortly.”

The Tourism Department spokesman said the remaining two pontoons would not be built until council had completed its CityCat Terminal at Howard Smith Wharves.

He said this was because two of the pontoons shared infrastructure.

But Cr Adams said this was untrue and the construction of the CityCat Terminal “has in no way delayed Howard Smith Wharves being able to proceed with the construction of commercial pontoons”.

“Early works have started offsite for the Howard Smith Wharves ferry terminal, with onsite works expected to start in the coming months. Completion is due late this year,” she said.

Once completed, the pontoons will be available to commercial operators as pick-up and drop-off points, in a bid to increase tourism traffic to the islands.

The Queensland government has entered into a partnership with operators of fast tour boats to get tourists from the wharves in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley to Stradbroke in under an hour.

Two of the new fast boats were used for charter services over Christmas, the department spokesman said.

‘The final two vessels are close to completion.”