Almost twice as many vehicles will be able to cross the Noosa River from next month when a new ferry operator takes over.
Entrada Travel Group will run the Noosa North Shore ferry with new 27-vehicle and 12-vehicle boats.
The company will also have cashless payment options.
Noosa Council acting CEO Larry Sengstock said the larger ferry alone would substantially improve the current carrying capacity of two 10-vehicle boats and more than 200,000 vehicles per year.
“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,” he said.
Entrada will offer cashless payments, as well as online ticketing options via its website.
Mr Sengstock said fares wouldn’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,” he said.
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Tugboats will tow the new ferries from Brisbane to Laguna Bay in coming weeks and smaller pilot boats will then take them up the river to temporary moorings.
Entrada will start operations in the region with plenty of experience.
The company operates two vehicle ferries and a passenger ferry in New Zealand, and the Daintree River vehicle ferry for Douglas Shire Council in Queensland.
Entrada Queensland chief operating officer Genevieve Wardleworth said they were eager to start work at Noosa.
“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,” she said.
“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 2022 after it was announced as the preferred operator.
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,” he said.
Mr Sengstock said there may be some service impacts during a two-week changeover period.
“We appreciate the community’s patience while we transition the service over to the new operator and they bring the new vehicle ferries online,” he said.
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