On the Ferries

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/team_schrinner/status/1510745342211661826

[ozbob]

TransLink: Brisbane River ferry services

> https://translink.com.au/updates/95776

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1510866829941436420

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[ozbob]

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/bne_lordmayor/status/1527028344797433856

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Translink_QLD/status/1527495525708099586

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/couriermail/status/1534019162401837056

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/bne_lordmayor/status/1545614989268242432

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Brisbane City Council to sell eight wooden ferries suspended from river two years ago

Key points:
Brisbane City Council is selling off its eight wooden ferries
The ferries were pulled off the river over safety fears in 2020
Budget limitations cancelled a planned restoration of three ferries

Eight wooden ferries will be sold off this month by Brisbane City Council, two years after they were abruptly pulled from the river over safety fears.

The sale means no wooden ferries will now be restored and returned to the river, with only one steel-hulled ferry remaining from the council's original cross-river fleet.

In mid-2020 the wooden ferries were taken out of CityHopper and cross-river services amid a dispute between the council and former ferry operator Transdev over their condition.

Reports commissioned by the council revealed multiple ferries had serious wood rot and other safety issues. ...

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/events/han/2022/2022_08_16_DAILY.pdf

Questions without notice

Southern Moreton Bay Islands, Transport Infrastructure

Ms RICHARDS: My question is to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads. Can the minister
update the House on transport infrastructure upgrades for the Southern Moreton Bay Islands?

Mr BAILEY: I thank the member for Redlands for her question and for her commitment to her
Southern Moreton Bay Islanders and her terrific work as chair of the War on Wrecks Taskforce, doing
not just magnificent work in our waterways around the Southern Moreton Bay Islands but right across
the state. I thank the member for her commitment.

It is important that we acknowledge certain milestone on such an historic day in terms of our Path
to Treaty. Our commitment has been to work with First Nations communities across this state within
our departments. I acknowledge that TransLink and Transport and Main Roads have worked very
closely with First Nations communities with the rollout of our smart ticketing program, for instance. We
worked with artist Elisa Jane Carmichael who designed the motifs for the smart ticketing trial which will
unite 18 different public transport system ticketing processes into one. It will be the biggest geographic
area for one ticketing system in the world. We work with our First Nations communities not just on that
but on the cape where we work with Indigenous road building businesses. It is very important that we
have these partnerships.

We are currently delivering a $44 million commitment to ferry terminal upgrades for the Southern
Moreton Bay Islands because of the hard work of the member for Redlands and her advocacy for them.
For those members of the community, getting a ferry is essential to get to services and to do the ordinary
things that people on the mainland take for granting. I note that the member for Redlands recently
attended the float out of the new Russell Island terminal and will soon be attending the float out of the
Macleay Island terminal as works ramp up. This is great news for the Southern Moreton Bay Islands
residents as we see improved public transport infrastructure in their area. These ferry terminal upgrades
are happening because of this government's commitment to better public transport in the Southern
Moreton Bay Islands.

This work is being undermined by the work of disgraced mayor of the Redlands, Karen Williams—
an LNP member, I might add. Amity Trader runs a ferry service from the mainland to Coochiemudlo
Island. To do that they pay landing fees to the council. I was shocked to learn that under the council
and the disgraced mayor these landing fees have spiked by 88 per cent for the financial, with more
exorbitant price increases to come. The landing fees are jumping from $72,000 last financial year to
$136,000 this financial year and then to a whopping $346,000 in 2025. That is a 500 per cent increase.
This blatant revenue grab by the disgraced mayor ought to be reversed if she has any respect for
Southern Moreton Bay Islanders because inevitably this increase will be passed on to them to pay as
cost-of-living imposts.

[ozbob]

Brisbane City Council to sell historic wooden ferries | 7NEWS

[#Metro]

Cr. Jared Cassidy is like- This... is a privatisation!

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Eight terminals still closed months after floods $

More than a third of Brisbane's flood-damaged ferry terminals remain shut, with some not expected to be repaired and ready to open until next year as worker and supply shortages impact building schedules.

While most of Brisbane's 21 ferry terminals were up and running within weeks after the catastrophic floods earlier in the year, eight remain shut including stops at QUT Gardens Point, UQ St Lucia, Sydney Street, and Milton.

Brisbane City Council's transport committee chair Cr Ryan Murphy said "most" of the remaining eight would be up and running by the end of the year.

The repair program may extend until January 2023 for at least two stations, according to Brisbane City Council's website. ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Translink_QLD/status/1575376543731224576

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2022/931-2022.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 931
Asked on 31 August 2022

MR D CRISAFULLI ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS (HON M BAILEY)

QUESTION:

Will the Minister advise when the barge from Scarborough to Moreton Island is expected to
commence operations?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Broadwater for the question.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads has undertaken a number of procurement
processes over the last few years to identify a commercial entity willing to establish a new vehicle
and pedestrian barge service from the Redcliffe Peninsula to Moreton Island (Mulgumpin). While
a preferred proponent was identified through the procurement process, it chose not to proceed,
citing the current unpredictability of the economic climate and the rapid increase of construction
cost in both marine and land-based industry.

A decision has now been made to redirect the $4 million funding contribution that was earmarked
for the barge and instead invest in infrastructure to be identified as an outcome of the
Scarborough Boat Harbour Master Planning process, which is currently underway.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/team_schrinner/status/1597390973067464705

[ozbob]

Double-decker 'Kurilpa II' CityCat launches on Brisbane's ferry network | 7NEWS

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/brisbanecityqld/status/1603525084903518208

[ozbob]

New ferry for the Redlands ⛴ SeaLink's newest passenger ship, Talwurrapin, is up and running. After successful sea...

Posted by Mark Bailey MP on Monday, 30 January 2023

[ozbob]

The wait is over! Sail away to adventure with the upgraded Russell Island ferry terminal is now open for you to use!...

Posted by Translink on Wednesday, 8 February 2023

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1627240827486625792

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/brisbanetimes/status/1629642338720169984

[ozbob]

Cr Mruphy's 1st April effort, rather good 

🚨 HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨 I am proud to announce that Brisbane City Council will be funding a new KittyCat route to Eagle...

Posted by Cr Ryan Murphy on Friday, 31 March 2023

[verbatim9]

Interesting! Is that an April fools?

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1663800020653727746

[ozbob]

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/97844

Russell Island's ferry terminal officially opens

1st June 2023

Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services
The Honourable Mark Bailey

. The new Russell Island ferry terminal is now complete and open for passengers.
. The $48.6 million Southern Moreton Bay Islands (SMBI) Ferry Terminals Upgrade project is being jointly funded and delivered by TMR and Redland City Council.
. Russell Island is the first of the four islands' ferry terminal upgrades completed.

The new Russell Island ferry terminal has officially opened, marking another significant milestone for the Southern Moreton Bay Islands Ferry Terminals Upgrade project.

The modern design of the new Russell Island ferry terminal provides much-needed safety improvements for ferry customers and recreational boaties.

Ferry customers will now benefit from the larger, accessible pontoon and waiting areas.

Russell Island's dual berthing pontoon has allowed Translink's passenger ferries to use the outer berth (anticlockwise) towards Lamb Island, and the inner berth (clockwise) towards Redland Bay Marina.

This will assist with managing the passenger ferry timetable, now and into the future.

The four new passenger ferry terminals for Russell, Macleay, Lamb and Karragarra islands boast vast improvements including:

. larger waiting areas with more seating
. improved weather protection
. wider gangways and enhanced circulation spaces
. new amenities blocks (Russell and Macleay islands only) and new landside shelters
. security cameras to improve passenger safety
. meeting the requirements of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002
. larger pontoons to accommodate future passenger growth
. smart lighting and remote lighting control systems
. digital timetable information
. unique Quandamooka artwork on screening and storyboards
. new and repurposed existing jetty and gangway elements for recreational boating and fishing.

Another significant milestone for the overall project also took place this week (31 May) with the operational switchover for ferry passengers to use the new Macleay Island terminal.

Upcoming milestones planned for June include the pontoon float-outs for Karragarra and Lamb islands.

The Southern Moreton Bay Islands Ferry Terminals Upgrade project is a jointly funded $48.6 million project, with the Queensland Government contributing $31.5 million and Redland City Council contributing $17.1 million.

There are no changes to Translink's SMBI ferry timetable with services operating at Russell Island as normal and viewable at Southern Moreton Bay Island Ferry | Translink

Quotes attributable to the Member for Redlands, Kim Richards

"Today is a fantastic day for the Redlands community, with the official grand opening of the Russell Island ferry terminal, the first of four new bay island terminals to be delivered.

"A striking feature of the new terminals catching everyone's eye is the Quandamooka artwork on the screening, giving a unique identity to each island and really bringing the facilities to life.

"The contractor, The Jetty Specialist, is working extremely hard to deliver the overall project under some very challenging conditions and the quality of the work continues to impress.

"Locals and visitors to the island can now use the dedicated recreational boating pontoon for fishing and mooring, keeping in mind that the commercial and recreational users are now separated – the ferry terminal pontoon is only for use by the ferries.

"I'm proud to be part of a government that delivers city-shaping infrastructure and opportunities like this for locals and visitors.

"Construction has really ramped up on Macleay, Lamb and Karragarra Islands, with overall completion on track for mid-2023."

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey:

"The Palaszczuk Government is prioritising better infrastructure and services all over Queensland, assisting communities where it's needed most.

"Planning for the SMBI ferry terminal project has been underway since 2014. Nine years of planning, consultation, design, and construction phases all coming to fruition in 2023.

"I am pleased to say the design life of the new infrastructure is 50 years which will provide ongoing benefits for the bay islands well into the future.

"This project is a great example of collaboration between the state government and local government working together with local communities to deliver vital infrastructure for Queenslanders."

Quotes attributable to Redland City Mayor Karen Williams:

The official opening of the Russell Island ferry terminal marks a momentous achievement in the largest infrastructure investment yet brought to our Southern Moreton Bay Islands.

The biggest of the four islands' ferry terminals, the Russell Island ferry terminal is representative of the entire project, which nears its completion after years of planning, community consultation and at times challenging construction.

Its unveiling comes as our SMBI make great strides in popularity, with visitors and residents travelling from near and far to enjoy a truly unique lifestyle and experience.

In addition to its vast improvement in amenity and service, the Russell Island ferry terminal is notable for combining future-proofed utility with personalised design.

Thorough community consultation ensured residents played a critical role in choosing the colour scheme, and close work with Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) allowed for celebration of the island's rich Indigenous history and art.

Quotes attributable to Division 5 Councillor Mark Edwards:

The Southern Moreton Bay Islands Ferry Terminals Upgrade project is testament to an effective partnership between local and state government.

Together with Redland City Council's $17.1 million investment, Council will maintain this impressive facility, along with those soon to come online at Karragarra, Lamb and Macleay islands, going forward.

The Russell Island ferry terminal caters to residents and visitors like never before and heralds a dynamic shift in the island's development.

Of note is its Australian Standard disability access, its splendid build quality and the many years of service it will provide to our naturally stunning city.

I am also heartened by the pride Council and TMR have had in bringing this project to life and trust the community will experience a likewise sentiment in its use and care.

ENDS

[SurfRail]

One of our family friends is moving to the SMBI (Macleay I think) so I might be making more use of this in future.

It's a nice day-trip.

[pionsix]

Saw at Bulimba/Teneriffe over the weekend (Sun 4 June).





https://translink.com.au/updates/298581

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Electric dreams: the bid to take Brisbane's CityCats into the future

The boatbuilder that delivered Brisbane's first CityCats is partnering with the company electrifying Auckland's ferries in a bid to bring eco-friendly vessels to Brisbane before the 2032 Olympics.

Brisbane boatbuilder Norman R. Wright and Sons built its first ferry for Brisbane City Council in 1914 and has since built 13 of Brisbane's CityCats. ...

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Boat builders eye South Bank as central hub for electric ferries

Brisbane's South Bank CityCat terminal could be the "main stop" and recharging station for smoother, faster electric ferries if an emerging bid is successful in 2026.

Two prominent boat-building companies – one based in Auckland, the other in Brisbane – have announced they will work together to build battery-powered ferries for the Brisbane River after setting their sights on CityCat's 2.1 million annual trips. ...

[ozbob]

https://x.com/MoggillFerry/status/1718788762199875912?s=20

[ozbob]

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1719736047956017209?s=20

[#Metro]

There is another LGA that does contribute to ordinary PT operational funding. Redland City Council.

Council strikes landmark Translink deal for bay island residents
By Judith Kerr
Updated December 17 2012 - 7:51pm, first published 6:00pm
https://www.redlandcitybulletin.com.au/story/1191080/council-strikes-landmark-translink-deal-for-bay-island-residents/

Lamb, Karragarra, Macleay and Russell islands will become part of the state government Translink public transport system as of July 1, subsidised by an annual $88 levy on bay island ratepayers.

Redland City Council ratified a deal with the state government to extend the service to the bay islands on a trial basis at a special meeting this afternoon.

[ozbob]

^ is it still in place?

[SurfRail]

Believe so.  In this case it is specific and targeted to a particular outcome - like GCCC, SCRC and NSC.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> New fast ferry service to Stradbroke Island from Brisbane launches March 1 $

Lovers of North Stradbroke Island will be able to hop on board a fast ferry from next month without having to trek to Cleveland, with a new service departing six days a week from Manly and Hamilton Northshore.

River To Bay, which has run tours of the Brisbane River and over to Straddie since 2019, announced it was now adding a ferry service from March 1 which would run up to five times a day from Tuesdays to Sundays.

Passengers could book one-way tickets or return tickets on different days to allow for an overnight — or longer — stay on the island.

Manager Ilsa Toomey said the service was not intended to compete with existing passenger and vehicle ferries which ran from Cleveland.

It was instead aimed at tourists who wanted a fast, fun and economic way to get to the island. ...

[verbatim9]

Considering these changes, the new city stop will likely be at the proposed Waterfront Place rather than Riverside. There is no point having two city river cat stops within 200 m of each other. This would provide better and even spacing between the stops as well as maintain reasonable travel times.

[verbatim9]

I am also very curious about these proposed new electric city cats. Could lead to almost silent operations along the river. Very interesting indeed.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Redland council's $78k in ferry fees sink Straddie tourist venture $

A fledgling fast ferry service from the Brisbane River to North Stradbroke Island has been canned days after it started, with operators claiming it was sunk by exorbitant fees from a local council.

River to Bay started its fast shuttle services from Hamilton Wharf and Manly on March 1.

But on Sunday, the new service will cease after the operator said Redland City Council had whacked it with $78,000 in annual fees to use an island public jetty.

The fees included $30,484 for the company's two boats to use a pontoon at One Mile on Straddie along with a one-off licence fee of $2064 for the both boats and $8.50 for every landing, which equated to $8840 a year per boat.

River to Bay operations manager Isla Toomey said the council move was effectively choking island tourism. ...

Couriermail --> New fast ferry service to Stradbroke Island from Brisbane launches March 1 $

Lovers of North Stradbroke Island will be able to hop on board a fast ferry from next month without having to trek to Cleveland, with a new service departing six days a week from Manly and Hamilton Northshore.

River To Bay, which has run tours of the Brisbane River and over to Straddie since 2019, announced it was now adding a ferry service from March 1 which would run up to five times a day from Tuesdays to Sundays.

Passengers could book one-way tickets or return tickets on different days to allow for an overnight — or longer — stay on the island.

Manager Ilsa Toomey said the service was not intended to compete with existing passenger and vehicle ferries which ran from Cleveland.

It was instead aimed at tourists who wanted a fast, fun and economic way to get to the island. ...