Noosa Council will this month discuss cashless ticketing on the Noosa North Shore Ferry along with other possible changes including operation hours and the introduction of a second ferry as the current lease nears its expiry date in June.
The ferry which council says is one of the busiest vehicle ferries in Australia with an annual turnover in excess of 300,000 cars has been operated by Noosa North Shore Ferries (NNSF) for the past 20 years with the operators able to extend their lease for a further five years.
In the lead up to the lease extension council officers reviewed the service and determined that hours of operation should stay the same, a second ferry would be costly, deliver only limited queuing efficiencies and Council subsiding, and priority slip lanes were not supported.
The review also found customers increasing demand for digital payment services and the need to improve the concession system.
The Noosa North Shore and Teewah Beach area contains 253 residential properties and NNSF
provides 146 residential and 338 ratepayer concession passes and further worker
passes.
The service provides a vital access for residents to the mainland. The Noosa North Shore Association has called for a priority slip lane for residents who are regularly affected by queuing times at weekends and holidays and occasionally by natural hazards, with these delays being a
source of frustration for many.Council’s investigations into a slip lane show it may be achievable at a cost of about $1.4m and widening and vegetation clearing to the south (480m) and north (330m).
