Moggill Ferry breaks down again

MOGGILL Ferry should be up and running today after a mechanical breakdown stopped the service yesterday until 2pm.

The ferry was also shut down for a few hours one morning last week with a winch-cable problem, affecting many of the 1000 drivers on average that use the service each day.

This is despite the ferry being closed for maintenance for 10 days last September.

Alternative river crossings are 15 minutes from Moggill at Colleges Crossing and Jindalee. Debate over many years has raged over the reliability of the service and whether it should be scrapped in favour of a bridge over the Brisbane River linking Moggill and Riverview.

Ipswich Councillor Paul Tully is firmly in favour of the bridge option.

“I regularly receive complaints from residents about the 131-year-old ferry (service),” he said.

“It literally goes back to the horse and buggy days when Ipswich and Brisbane were serviced by Cobb & Co coaches.

“The ferry should be scrapped and replaced with a bridge, which should form part of a western Brisbane ring road linking the Ipswich and Logan motorways with the Bruce Highway north of Brisbane.

“Land should be set aside now as part of the medium-to-long-term planning needed for such a project.”

The ferry is funded by the State Department of Main Roads, which yesterday ruled out any plans to build a bridge.

“This proposal is a decision for the Department of Infrastructure and Planning through the South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program, as it would be a significant infrastructure project,” a spokesman said.

“As with any mode of transport, the ferry requires ongoing maintenance for effective operation and optimal safety for passengers.

“The department aims to minimise any inconvenience arising from ferry closures and keeps users updated with advertising or radio announcements.”

The Main Roads spokesman said the ferry was closed yesterday to carry out urgent repairs on the vessel.