Improved barge access will bring greater disaster resilience to the Daintree

Communities in tropical north Queensland can look forward to better resupply access during disaster events with funding secured for a new barge landing point in Cape Tribulation.

The Douglas Shire Council project is being supported through the $88 million Crucial Access Links Program from the Australian and Queensland Governments.

Residents in areas like Cape Tribulation and Cow Bay regularly experience isolation during disaster seasons, leaving households and businesses with limited food, fuel and services for prolonged periods.

Improved barge access will allow supplies and emergency services to reach residents when roads are cut by severe weather, and will enable more efficient evacuations. 

The project has been prioritised by all levels of government after repeated major flooding events, including ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper, exposed the vulnerability of communities north of the Daintree River.

This lived experience has been the driver behind the project in a bid to boost resilience to future floods and cyclones.

With planning now underway to identify the best location for the access point, Douglas Shire Council will conduct a feasibility study, including bathymetry to measure and map the seabed, to ensure vessels using the access point have a safe route in.

Once the feasibility study has been completed and a preferred location identified, council will seek community consultation before going to tender for the build.

As well as the new access point, critical upgrades to the Daintree Ferry precinct are also being funded as part of the project.

Works aim to improve vehicle access and traffic management, with dedicated priority lanes for emergency vehicles, and enhance ferry mooring and maintenance facilities.

The Crucial Access Links Program is funded under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Fifteen projects are being backed by the program to improve air, land and sea access in some of Queensland’s most remote communities.