The majority of those who completed the Daintree River Crossing Survey, undertaken by the Douglas Shire Council, preferred a two-ferry service with 66% of the count, compared to 33% of people who chose a bridge.
The Council has reported the result was consistent across different groups of survey respondents, including those who live north of the Daintree River where 63% preferred the two-ferry solution. Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said he would vote with the community when a report was tabled at the Ordinary Council Meeting this month. “I am now confident we can move forward with the two-ferry contract negotiation, continue applications for relevant approvals for a second ferry crossing and work at improving the ferry experience for travellers and locals,” he said. “The community is also fully aware of the costs Council will incur in establishing a second ferry crossing and have made an educated choice about the future of the crossing.” Jabalbina chair Lyn Johnson said it was definitely a good result. “This is a good news story,” she said. “It matters a lot to Bama, we would have lost a lot if a bridge had gone ahead.” Rainforest 4 Foundation founder Kelvin Davies said while the results were great news for the Daintree there were still many challenges ahead. “I’m sure you join me today in celebrating this great outcome,” he said. “But while we celebrate this small win, I need you to know that this was only one of many threats on the horizon for the Daintree Lowland Rainforest – a living museum with direct links to 120 million years of evolutionary history.”
