Entrada Travel Group will begin operating Council’s Noosa North Shore ferry from mid-July with new payment options and greater carrying capacity to reduce queueing.
The company has built two new ferries to service the river crossing – a 27-vehicle ferry and a 12-vehicle ferry.
Noosa Council’s acting chief executive officer Larry Sengstock said the 27-vehicle ferry alone would substantially improve the current carrying capacity.
“This will help ease the queuing of vehicles waiting to cross the river at peak times, reducing wait times and traffic congestion in surrounding streets,” Mr Sengstock said.
Entrada Travel Group has a strong track record in ferry operations, running two vehicle ferries and a passenger ferry in New Zealand, plus the Daintree River vehicle ferry for Douglas Shire Council in Queensland.
“We are honoured to have been awarded the contract to operate the Noosa North Shore Ferries and make it part of our family of ferry services,” said Genevieve Wardleworth, Chief Operating Officer Queensland at Entrada Travel Group.
“It has been exciting to begin working alongside the council to implement electronic ticketing and the launch of the two new vessels.”
Councillors awarded the company a 20-year contract for the management of the ferry in October 2022.
Existing Operator, Noosa North Shore Ferries, has provided the service since 1999.
Mr Sengstock thanked the outgoing operator for many years of reliable service.
“Noosa North Shore Ferries has provided our community with more than 20 years of service and, in particular, we wish operator, Cliff Andreassen, all the best for his retirement.”
Mr Sengstock said there may be some service impacts during a two-week changeover period in July.
“We appreciate the community’s patience while we transition the service over to the new operator and they bring the new vehicle ferries online.”
Tugboats will tow the new ferries up from Brisbane to Laguna Bay in the coming weeks and smaller pilot boats will then take them up the river to temporary moorings.
Entrada will offer cashless payments – which the community has been calling for – as well as online ticketing options via their website.
Mr Sengstock said fares won’t change for Teewah and Noosa North Shore residents.
“But a modest increase for all other users in the new financial year – subject to council’s budget deliberations – will ensure ratepayers aren’t subsidising the new and improved ferry service.”
