On the Ferries

[verbatim9]

Ferry stops explained in Whiteboard Wednesdays by Councillor James Mackay

https://www.facebook.com/657584581341075/posts/938788976553966/

[verbatim9]

Eagle Street Pier Redevelopment thread----> Ferry Terminal moved upstream from the Riverside Centre

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ryansrumblings/status/1277066511442563072

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1277122021818642434

[ozbob]

SeaLink --> https://www.sealinktravelgroup.com.au/

[verbatim9]

^^Great interview and sounds like a good outcome.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Ferry operators to keep their jobs in new council contract

Most of Brisbane's ferry staff are expected to keep their jobs under a 10-year contract between Brisbane City Council and Adelaide-based ferry operators SeaLink to operate Brisbane's ferries.

On the weekend lord mayor Adrian Schrinner announced SeaLink would take on the $390 million contract with the council in November after a competitive tender process, beating out current operators Transdev.

Cr Schrinner said the deal would offer certainty for 250 jobs in Brisbane, with SeaLink operating and maintaining the ferries.

Thirty-one CityCats and ferries operate around the city, to and from 25 ferry terminals.

Public and active transport committee chairman Ryan Murphy on Monday said it was the council's expectation that most existing staff would transition from Transdev to SeaLink.

Ferry staff are expecting to continue under existing conditions in their current agreement, but there may be trouble on the horizon with the new operator with the Maritime Union, when expected 6 and 8 per cent pay rises are due in coming months.

The 10-year contract can be extended for a further five years out to 2035 at "council's sole discretion", Cr Murphy said.

"The new contract shifts some responsibilities from council onto the operator and gives us the ability to trial new services and offerings such as water taxis, river tours and private charters," he said.

"This comes at a slightly greater cost but one that's affordable for council."

Cr Murphy said the lengthier contract offered "more stability" for workers.

The council has also contracted with Aus Ships in Murarrie for another seven double-decker CityCat ferries at a cost of $37.1 million.

A further $48.6 million has been budgeted for new and upgraded ferry terminals, including a terminal at Howard Smith Wharves.

SeaLink has been broadening its operations base after acquiring Australia's largest privately owned metropolitan bus company, Transit Systems, in January.

The company operates ferries to North Stradbroke Island and the southern Moreton Bay Islands, as well as ferries further north along the Queensland coast.

SeaLink chief executive Clint Feuerherdt said the company was a "multi-modal transport provider".

"We look forward to working with the Brisbane City Council to deliver innovative and efficient transport services and bringing our people together to deliver a world-class ferry experience in Brisbane," he said.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Council panned for 'senseless' decision to scrap colourful CityCat wraps

The decorative CityCat wrappings commemorating Queensland sporting teams, artists and events will be phased out in a move the council argues will save money and the environment.

The change, confirmed on Sunday night in response to questions from Brisbane Times, has been criticised by one of the artists involved in the project and an opposition councillor.

Brisbane City Council public and active transport chair Ryan Murphy said many wrappings were well past their three-year use-by date and starting to fade under the Brisbane sun.

"CityCat wraps have been a great way to celebrate our city's success stories and commemorate historic events," Cr Murphy said in a statement.

"However, to be more environmentally friendly and to save ratepayers, we have made the decision to discontinue CityCat wraps once the current wraps reach the end of their life.

He said the move would save ratepayers $836,000 as the average CityCat cost about $38,000 to wrap and used more than 50 kilograms of plastic.

Brisbane artist Debra Hood, whose artwork has featured on the Mooroolbin CityCat for four years, said she was told of the decision after that boat was pulled from the water in January to have its wrapping renewed.

"Brisbane City Council called and said they would re-wrap my design on one of the new double-decker CityCats, which was very exciting for me," Ms Hood said.

"They said it would be back on the water in April or May.

"Then I got a call last Thursday [July 30] saying that there would be no re-wrap."

She was told the ferries dedicated to sporting teams would meet the same fate.

"It's very sad that such a decision has been made," she said.

"We will lose so much of our Brisbane identity and connection that people have with them and the joy they bring.

"The council lady who rang me was most apologetic. I think she was sad about the decision too."

Morningside Labor councillor Kara Cook was outraged by the cost-cutting measure.

"I am totally speechless at another senseless decision by the Lord Mayor and LNP Council," she wrote on Facebook.

"First they take all of our cross river ferries off the water (with no notice and with no date of return) now this!!

"What's next!!??"

Cr Murphy stressed the move was not permanent, saying the ferries would still be decorated through collaborations with local community artists, including a "significant activation" for Brisbane Festival in September.

"We've designed the new double decker CityCats with larger floor-to-ceiling windows that offer optimal views of the city," he said.

"Current wrap does sometimes cover the windows and I want everyone to be able to see what's going on across Brisbane as they take their journey.

"This doesn't mean that we won't ever wrap CityCats into the future, but we were approaching a situation where just a handful of Cats were in their original livery.

The wraps will be removed progressively as the vessels go in for scheduled maintenance.

[Gazza]

Yay we can see out the windows again?

[ozbob]

Yay we can see out the windows again?

Yo!

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1289947082975895553

[ozbob]

See >>> https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10971.msg238501#msg238501

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/bne_lordmayor/status/1290501428742520834

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> CityCats step in while Kangaroo Point loses its hop

A new stop will be added to the CityCat timetable on Friday as Brisbane City Council scrambles to service Kangaroo Point residents who lost their single-hull CityHopper ferry services last week.

The change in river passenger services comes as the council investigates the future of eight old CityHopper cross-river ferries that connected Kangaroo Point and the city.

Lord mayor Adrian Schrinner said the addition of Holman Street to the CityCat route would be a short-term change while a review of the council's old timber ferries continued.

Problems with the timber ferries were observed a fortnight ago.

A network of feeder bus services have been in place for at least week while the safety review is completed.

"Kangaroo Point has never had a CityCat service, unlike many other parts of the Brisbane River," Cr Schrinner said.

"Often the cross-river ferries were the only way Kangaroo Point residents could get across the river and connect into the wider network.

"Hopefully by the end of this week we will have those CityCat services stopping at Holman Street."

Cr Schrinner said while Holman Street was not usually used as a CityCat stop, the terminal had been designed to cater for the larger vessels.

The extra stop would mean some possible delays in the CityCat service, he said.

The council's Labor opposition questioned if the administration planned to retire the older timber fleet permanently.

This was rejected by the lord mayor.

In council chambers on Tuesday, Cr Schrinner said his administration was taking independent and governmental maritime advice.

"Any decision that we will make – and any decision we have made on these matters – will be about the safety of Brisbane residents," he said.

"If [the vessels] are determined to be safe, they will all go back on the Brisbane River.

"We love our CityCat and CityFerry services. We love the CityHopper. We introduced the CityHopper service."

Cr Schrinner said safety of the timber ferries was the guiding principle.

"All of the cross-river and CityHoppers services will be back again, and our position remains that we want to see this as soon as possible, but we will make no compromise on safety," he said.

"In the meantime, we continue the important process of reviewing these vessels and getting these services back up and running as soon as possible."

When the cross-river ferries return, the first will be the Bulimba-to-Teneriffe service.

The small timber ferries, which date back to 1984, were Brisbane's main river ferry network before Labor lord mayor Jim Soorley introduced CityCats in 1996.

There are now 21 standard and one double-decker CityCats in service.

Meanwhile Kangaroo Point councillor Jonathan Sri last night said adding the CityCats to the Kangaroo Point ferry stop should be a permanent change.

"It's important that this is a permanent, ongoing change, and that the mayor commits clearly to keeping the CityCat stop at Kangaroo Point even after the other cross-river ferries are restored," Cr Sri said.

"A CityCat stop at Kangaroo Point won't just benefit local residents, but also the many workers and visitors who travel into Kangaroo Point," he said.

"This is a massive outcome particularly for local community institutions like the Brisbane Jazz Club, which is located right next to the Holman St stop."

[achiruel]

I really hope the CityCat stop at Kangaroo Point doesn't become permanent, the service has become slow enough already with all the extra stops added over the past few years.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/team_schrinner/status/1291245159942778881

[Gazza]

Whats the reason for not having KP included in the first place when citycat was first established? It seems like a major destination to be skipping!

[verbatim9]

Whats the reason for not having KP included in the first place when citycat was first established? It seems like a major destination to be skipping!

I understand that City ferries always serviced that stop. City cats were designed to be a Limited Stop HF Service. Adding interim stops just makes the service slower and untenable. I understand now that there are new express City Cat services that run together with all stop City Cat Services, so these complementing services still allow potential passengers to catch speedier limited stop services when travelling longer distances.

[AnonymouslyBad]

I really hope the CityCat stop at Kangaroo Point doesn't become permanent, the service has become slow enough already with all the extra stops added over the past few years.

Yes I agree, unfortunately there is the usual "express to my stationitis" when it comes to CityCats. It doesn't matter if it makes an objectively worse service, everybody will campaign to have a stop near them. And nobody will accept losing one. Based on standard BCC political expediency I suspect KP will become permanent

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ljstone09/status/1293041080775016449

[Gazza]

Whats the reason for not having KP included in the first place when citycat was first established? It seems like a major destination to be skipping!

I understand that City ferries always serviced that stop. City cats were designed to be a Limited Stop HF Service. Adding interim stops just makes the service slower and untenable. I understand now that there are new express City Cat services that run together with all stop City Cat Services, so these complementing services still allow potential passengers to catch speedier limited stop services when travelling longer distances.

Even so, i would have thought that KP would be more important than say Sydney St

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> 'Conflicting' reports keep Brisbane's wooden ferries off-river

One of Brisbane's nine monohulled ferries that was yanked from the water two weeks ago over safety concerns will return to service early next week, operating the Bulimba to Teneriffe cross-river service.

The announcement came as Brisbane City Council released a host of reports, commissioned by the council and by the ferries' operator Transdev, which showed conflicting levels of deterioration on each of the vessels.

The council's report relied upon "higher-level investigation" involving direct testing of the woodwork on some of the more than 30-year-old ferries, while Transdev's reports were visual inspections, lord mayor Adrian Schrinner told the council chamber on Tuesday afternoon.

Eight of the nine cross-river and CityHopper ferries have wooden hulls, and all nine were pulled from the river on July 24 after the council announced the discovery of "serious" safety issues.

Cr Schrinner said one ferry would return to work again early next week as it had a steel hull and would have minor work completed this week.

An independent report commissioned by the council described issues in some of the timber-hulled vessels such as "rotten planks and frames, faulty bilge pumps, significant rust and corrosion, water in the bilges", Cr Schrinner said.

The issues ranged from critical to minor, he said, and Transdev was ultimately responsible for the condition of the ferries.

Cr Schrinner said the maintenance of the vessels was always the responsibility of the ferry operators and the council's reports recommended immediate removal of the ferries.

Transdev Australasia general manager for transition Tony Ralph said the company had "operated and maintained Brisbane Ferry services and vessels to a high standard, at all times under the guidance and direction of Brisbane City Council's maritime experts".

"The safety of our employees and passengers is our primary concern, and without being privy to council's own assessments when the decision was made to remove all monohull vessels from service, it was necessary to commission our own independent report by an [Australian Maritime Safety Authority]-certified surveyor," Mr Ralph said.

"Given the varied opinions of the independent surveyors Transdev has proposed to council that all parties meet to determine the best way forward to complete any required repairs and return the iconic vessels to the river."

Mr Ralph said all the ageing monohull fleet were "regularly maintained" in line with plans approved by the council, and were certified every six to 12 months.

Cr Schrinner said Transdev had commissioned visual inspection reports which were provided to the council and "indicate that the vessels are in OK condition and there's no real reason to take them off the water".

"Council is not an expert on maritime risk assessments, which is why we have engaged external experts to undertake this work," Cr Schrinner said in a media release.

"Two separate inspections, including 'poke' tests of the timber hulls, have been definitive in their findings; the vessels needed to be taken out of service for major work before getting a clean bill of health."

The council-commissioned report, completed by Thompson Clarke Shipping, was based on condition reports for each ferry conducted by Oceanic Design & Survey in mid-2019.

Oceanic Design & Survey, an accredited AMSA organisation, also provided fresh reports to the council surveying each of the ferries in July this year, noting further issues and maintenance requirements.

The Thompson Clarke Shipping report warned that the "short assessment timeline" of just one week to survey all eight timber vessels had "substantially impacted the quality and accuracy of this assessment".

But two of the ferries - Mermaid and Lucinda - were identified as having "extensive deterioration of the hull" and needed to be pulled from work immediately, the report said, with Mermaid the worst affected.

Three other ferries were recommended to be removed as soon as possible for major work, and based on that report the council pulled all nine vessels.

A Transdev-commissioned visual hull condition survey completed on Mermaid by Maritime Survey Australia in late July found it was in "good condition" with some wear and tear, as "expected" on a 30-year-old ferry.

MSA also inspected the other ferries and found some "minor deficiencies" in the hulls.

Cr Schrinner said the conflicting advice between the consultants was "really interesting" as one raised serious issues and the other said the vessels only needed minor work.

"When you look at the reason for these two independent reports being so different, the first question ... has to be the level of detail included in those reports and inspections," he said.

Cr Schrinner said the council's independent inspections were a "higher level of testing" which included direct testing of the vessels' structures, but the Transdev inspections were only visual.

"I am convinced, I believe it in my bone-marrow, that we made the right decision," Cr Schrinner told the chamber.

"We cannot afford to put the people of Brisbane at risk on those ferries."

Opposition deputy leader Kara Cook (Morningside) welcomed the reinstatement of the Bulimba-Teneriffe ferry service but questioned what the potential issues could be when Transdev's contract with the council ends and a new contract with SeaLink begins in November.

Cr Schrinner said the ultimate responsibility for the quality of the ferries lay with Transdev when they were handed over to SeaLink.

Mr Ralph said Transdev was committed to ensuring a "smooth transition of operations" in November.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Popular cross-river ferry service to resume on Monday

The popular Bulimba to Teneriffe ferry service will again carry passengers across the Brisbane River from Monday after a steel-hulled vessel was cleared by maritime experts.

Brisbane City Council flagged the return of the Kalparrin last week, as it released reports showing various levels of deterioration across the three CityHoppers and six CityFerries.

Services will resume on the route from 5.33am on Monday, in time for the return to work after the Ekka long weekend.

"I thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we made the tough decision to remove all nine of the monohull ferries from service," lord mayor Adrian Schrinner said in a statement.

The vessels, some of which are more than 30 years old, were pulled on July 24 after council announced "serious" safety issues had been discovered.

With its steel hull, the returning vessel was able to have minor repairs, but fixes for the remaining eight timber-hulled ferries will be less straightforward.

Cr Schrinner said council was working "around the clock" to get the services back on the river.

A new stop has been added to the CityCat timetable to service Kangaroo Point residents who lost their CityHopper ferry, with a free shuttle bus also now in operation.

An independent report commissioned by council found issues including "rotten planks and frames, faulty bilge pumps, significant rust and corrosion, and water in the bilges" of some ferries, Cr Schrinner said last week.

This was in contrast to a visual inspection by operator Transdev, which said the ferries had been "regularly maintained" and certified every six to 12 months.

With only months left on its contract with council, the company's general manager for transition, Tony Ralph, said it would be a "smooth" handover to SeaLink in November.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ryansrumblings/status/1298131109998256129

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/brisbanecityqld/status/1298138035394027520

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> The ship has sailed for Transdev as CityCats helmed by new operator

A $417 million contract to operate Brisbane's ferries has been approved by Brisbane City Council on Tuesday.

SeaLink Travel Group was found to have made the highest value-for-money offer, scoring 193 on the council's assessment scale, compared with current contractors Transdev, whose bid only scored 155.

The SeaLink bid will see the council's fleet of more than 20 CityCats and nine cross-river ferries transferred from Transdev to the new operators in early November, although a cloud remains over the state of the eight wooden monohulled cross-river ferries.

Lord mayor Adrian Schrinner pulled the ferries from operation several weeks ago after the council conducted an assessment that found significant safety concerns.

One ferry, a steel-hulled vessel, has returned to operation servicing the Bulimba-Teneriffe cross-river route, but the remaining eight were still being assessed.

Council opposition leader Jared Cassidy on Tuesday questioned the maintenance schedule and spending for the wooden ferries, noting a line in the council's most recent quarterly financial update that said revenue was up and spending was down on ferry maintenance.

Cr Schrinner told the chamber the $3 million variance had "zero" relation to the maintenance of the wooden monohull ferries.

The underspend was attributed to reduced revenue from charter services during the COVID-19 pandemic, reduced fuel costs during the lockdown, and fewer information brochures being printed about ferry services.

The wooden ferries, along with the CityCats, will be transferred to SeaLink from Transdev and most staff are expected to retain their jobs during the transition.

SeaLink in June estimated the contract would be worth $390 million, while the council budgeted a lump sum of $633 million over the maximum possible contract term of up to 15 years, with the first contract set at 10 years.

Council documents show SeaLink's bid was $417 million, while Transdev submitted a contract bid of $420 million.

In 2010 the 10-year contract between Transdev and Brisbane City Council was renewed at $150 million.

Cr Cassidy said the contract was one of many approved by the council's delegates, rather than the councillors, and councillors were simply being asked to note the decisions.

"Once again, there is little to no information in the [report] and little on file in level 23 in Brisbane Square," he said.

"I again went there, Chair, hoping information might be on file and alas there was not.

"You would think with such significant contracts the people of Brisbane deserve to know the details."

Public and active transport committee chairman Ryan Murphy said SeaLink would trade as River City Ferries from November.

Cr Murphy said the procurement process was "extensive", with the contracting plan going through the council in September last year before going to the market.

Under the new contract, SeaLink will be responsible for staff and rostering, ticketing, all maintenance and cleaning for the fleet and ferry terminals, the provision of fuel and customer management.

"There is also the opportunity to conduct activities such as private CityCat charters, with the gross revenue to be shared with council," Cr Murphy said.

Cr Murphy said the contract also had a possibility for SeaLink to develop a new audio commentary app for people to learn more about the river as they travelled on the ferry.

On Tuesday the council also launched its newest CityCat, a double-decker named after respected Indigenous politician Neville Bonner.

[ozbob]

Sunday Mail 6th September 2020 page 5

KittyCats set to purr

A FLEET of mini catamarans, dubbed "KittyCats", will sub in for Brisbane's suspended timber ferry fleet while they undergo a lengthy assessment for restoration.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Brisbane City Council chartered the four vessels from Sydney, after the small timber ferry fleet was removed from service in July when experts found an extensive list of damage, deterioration and faults in most of the vessels.

The KittyCats will operate from early November when RiverCity Ferries takes over.

[achiruel]

A couple of decades ago there was a plan to replace the inner city ferry monohulled ferries and the demonstrator was called KittyKat. I wonder what ever happened to that plan?  :conf

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> 'KittyCats' to fill in for suspended cross-river ferries awaiting repairs


One of the KittyCats plies the Brisbane River at South Bank, while the others are yet to arrive from Sydney.CREDIT:MATT DENNIEN

Brisbane City Council has chartered a fleet of four mini catamarans to stand in for its ageing and suspended cross-river ferries, with the lord mayor blaming border restrictions for delays on starting the repairs.

So far only one of the vessels, which have been dubbed "KittyCats" and can carry up to 60 passengers, has arrived in Brisbane from Sydney. The other three will soon be piloted up from New South Wales to undergo modifications for Brisbane River conditions before crews are trained.

Commuters can expect the fleet to begin running the still-suspended routes from early November, when RiverCity Ferries takes over operation of the CityCat and ferry fleet.

Lord mayor Adrian Schrinner said the sleek ships would be a "very different look" compared to the older, mostly wooden-hulled ferries, some of which have been in service for more than 30 years.

"It's clear it is going to take a significant amount of time to repair the timber vessels," he said.

Removed from routes on July 23 and 24 as a precaution after "serious" safety concerns were uncovered in the nine older ferries, just one has since been cleared to return – on the Bulimba to Teneriffe route.

CityCats have been servicing the Holman Street terminal since July, with a shuttle bus running between Kangaroo Point and the city.

An independent report commissioned by council found some of the ferries had rotten frames, rust and faulty bilge pumps. Operator Transdev said all had been maintained and certified once or twice a year.

Cr Schrinner said state COVID-19 border restrictions had meant interstate experts had not been able to come and start the "extensive repairs" needed on the timber ferries.

"This means we still don't have a firm timeframe for when the timber ferries will be back in the water," he said.

"As an interim measure, this KittyCat fleet will get residents and visitors back and forth across the river."

[AnonymouslyBad]

Bets on the old wooden ferries all getting mothballed?

Even if made perfectly safe, they're just getting a bit long in the tooth and aren't a great passenger experience. These mini-cats have got to be an upgrade and that will be hard to take back.

Getting rid of the "SpeedyCat" rubbish and other quirks, there should be more than enough ferries in the fleet to provide good service across the board. (Do I think City Hall will do this, no of course not, but it's marginally more likely than fixing the buses )

[achiruel]

^ You may well be right, I understand another major issue with the monohull ferries is that they're not DDA compliant, so they probably can't stay in service much longer anyway.

[James]

Bets on the old wooden ferries all getting mothballed?

Even if made perfectly safe, they're just getting a bit long in the tooth and aren't a great passenger experience. These mini-cats have got to be an upgrade and that will be hard to take back.

Getting rid of the "SpeedyCat" rubbish and other quirks, there should be more than enough ferries in the fleet to provide good service across the board. (Do I think City Hall will do this, no of course not, but it's marginally more likely than fixing the buses )

Very high. The CityFerries, while charming, were slow and old and didn't have much capacity. These smaller versions of CityCats will zip around the river and make trips much faster.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> NSW border closure delaying timber ferry assessment: BCC


New KittyCats will cover for the beached timber ferries.

Frustrated residents of inner-city riverfront suburbs have been promised more frequent services when the replacements for ageing wooden ferries take to the water from November.

Nine ferries, some of which are 32 years old, were suddenly removed from service in late July after a number of issues were identified with their hulls.

Brisbane City Council this week announced that, from November, mini catamarans – dubbed KittyCats – will be drafted in from Sydney.

They will temporarily service the CityHopper and Cross River ferry routes while eight of the nine timber vessels are being restored.

One wooden ferry has now returned to service Bulimba and Teneriffe.

Council says it does not yet know which services will be resumed using the KittyCats but public and active transport chair Ryan Murphy said service restoration was being prioritised "as much as possible on patronage numbers".

"From day one we have acknowledged and apologised for the inconvenience," Mr Murphy said.

Despite having only four KittyCats, Cr Murphy said their higher top speed meant schedules could be more frequent than the older wooden ferries.

Frustrated Norman Park residents have said the closure cuts off their only convenient link with New Farm.

"It's unfathomable for us to put up with the roadworks (along Wynnum Rd) for 18 months, and then turn around and take the ferry away," local resident Constance Munnich said.

Ms Munnich, who does her shopping at New Farm's Merthyr Village, said council's suggestion to take the bus instead "would take forever".

"It is absolutely insane," she said.

"It's outrageous."

Another Norman Park local, Dr Bob Rees, said the terminal's sudden closure was also impacting on local traffic.

"A lot of students from the northside come via this ferry," Dr Rees said.

"The closure of this little terminal affects a heap of people, and I don't think the council thought that through."

Council refused to say whether Norman Park would benefit from the new KittyCat services, saying it was still determining services across the ferry network.

Morningside Labor councillor Kara Cook expressed doubt over whether the wooden ferries would return.

Council also said work to restore the wooden ferries is being hampered by Queensland's hard border closure.

"Due to the State Government's strict border restrictions, there is not yet a firm time frame for when the maritime specialists will arrive from New South Wales or when the timber ferries will be back on the water," a council spokesman said.

[achiruel]

I suspect New Farm Park <-> Norman Park will be the very last service to be restored, if it all. From memory, patronage was woefully low, around 4 pax per trip. I imagine quite a few of them ran completely empty.

[ozbob]

This #FerryFail is a significant public transport failure of course.

The silver lining is that it might expedite the replacement of the old ferries.  I think the fundamental reason why the problems with the wooden monohulls was brought out into the clear light of day, was that they were starting to do some modifications for DDA improved access and saw the faults.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ryansrumblings/status/1304568288408555520

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Two Brisbane ferry terminals closer to reality after contract awarded

Brisbane City Council has awarded a $25 million contract to a single supplier to build a ferry terminal at Howard Smith Wharves and upgrade the South Bank ferry terminal.

The contract came before council on Tuesday with an amendment to give priority to local fabrication when evaluating the bids as part of council's efforts to support local business during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The South Bank ferry terminal upgrade will combine all ferry services, including CityCats and the smaller monohulled ferries, into one terminal covering the existing two berths.

The Howard Smith Wharves terminal, co-funded with HSW Nominees and the Fantauzzo group, with a $3 million contribution, will allow for dual berthing of CityCats and have the ability to berth monohulls.

Fitzgerald Construction Australia won the tender to build both terminals at a cost of more than $25 million.

Council heard Fitzgerald put forward offers with different construction methods. The winning bid proposed fabrication at Brisbane and Ipswich.

Off-site fabrication for Howard Smith Wharves will begin this year and on-site construction in early 2021. Work on the South Bank terminal will begin in mid to late 2021.

Council noted that opting for a local bid would reduce the risk of supply-chain interruptions or problems further down the line.

The state government also recently announced a plan to install three pontoons at Howard Smith Wharves, developing a partnership for direct ferry trips from there to Stradbroke Island.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1305428140806864896

[ozbob]

Couriermail 24th September 2020 page 17

Ferry Contractor Saw Firm Sink

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Final reports on Brisbane's wooden ferries delayed

More than two months after pulling nine monohulled ferries off the Brisbane River over safety concerns, Brisbane City Council is still waiting for technical reports to determine the next steps.

The ferries, eight of which had wooden hulls, were taken out of commission on the cross-river and CityHopper ferry routes on July 24.

On Thursday, lord mayor Adrian Schrinner said the council was facing delays in gathering full reports into the fleet's condition as some experts were interstate.

"[Work] has unfortunately been slowed down a bit by the fact that some of the experts that we're dealing with are not based in Queensland," he said.

"But we'll get there and the soonest we can have the report finalised to determine what needs to be done to the timber ferries, we'll be sure to release it and let the community know."

Cr Schrinner said the wooden ferries "will be back".

"At this stage we don't know the cost of the repairs that need to be done, but they will be back," he said.

Conflicting reports on the ferries' condition from the council and their operator Transdev led to further disagreement over the future of the fleet, while the council was pushing Transdev to repair the wooden ferries.

The council-commissioned report, completed by Thompson Clarke Shipping, was based on condition reports for each ferry conducted by AMSA-accredited organisation Oceanic Design & Survey in mid-2019.

Two of the ferries - Mermaid and Lucinda - were identified as having "extensive deterioration of the hull" and needed to be pulled from work immediately, the report said, with Mermaid the worst affected.

Three other ferries were recommended to be removed as soon as possible for major work, and based on that report the council pulled all nine vessels.

Opposition leader Jared Cassidy said Brisbane commuters were "suffering" due to the delays.

"Adrian Schrinner has had more than three months to get these repairs under way and he hasn't even sourced a quote yet," Cr Cassidy said.

"The lord mayor is blaming the virus and border closures, but at the same time can somehow miraculously import new KittyCats from Sydney."

A Transdev-commissioned visual hull condition survey completed on Mermaid by Maritime Survey Australia in late July found it was in "good condition" with some wear and tear, as "expected" on a 30-year-old ferry.

Since then, the ferries have been kept off the water while one steel-hulled ferry returned to operate the Bulimba-Teneriffe cross-river route.

New ferry operators SeaLink, scheduled to take over the ferry operation contact in November from Transdev, has brought five small ferries up from Sydney which are being modified to operate on the Brisbane River.

Those ferries will begin work from November 4 on the cross-river routes that have been left without ferry services, or reliant on additional CityCat ferries, since late July.

[achiruel]

Couriermail 24th September 2020 page 17

Ferry Contractor Saw Firm Sink

Sounds like they should've stuck with Norman R. Wright & Sons.