Related Content:
The Northside Progress Association says the lack of an active contingency plan added further distress for North Shore residents after the Settlement Point ferry broke down on Friday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Association president Kingsley Searle says he will be reiterating the call to establish a plan when he meets with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council this week.
The ferry was out of action from around 6.30am and returned to service some 12 hours later. The disruption pushed all traffic to the smaller Hibbard Ferry.
But, says Mr Searle, the issue was a lack of information from council.
“We had residents trying to get to work – some have reported that they were docked pay – we had students studying their Higher School Certificate who were late, we had business operators unable to meet their commitments while others residents missed medical appointments and flights,” he said.
“Unfortunately council only put out one Facebook post to inform residents.
“In 2017, we don’t think that is good enough.”
Mr Searle said he spoke with council about 12 months ago – coincidentally following a breakdown of the ferry – on the same topic.
And there is a definite disconnect between what council thinks is an issue and what the users know is an issue.
- Kingsley Searle
At that time he called for a plan that would see council utilise an SMS alert system to inform residents when there was a ferry breakdown.
“Our plan would see council issue an SMS alert, which would help in planning your day, to know where and when kids would be picked up and dropped off for school – which are all high priorities for North Shore residents,” he said.
“Another parallel issue is the traffic chaos and congestion at the Hastings River Drive and Boundary Street intersection.
“Traffic was backed up at the lights and was unable to turn onto Boundary Street. Then traffic was double parked down to the ferry and across the marked lines.
“It is disappointing that nothing has been done. There is a definite disconnect between what council thinks is an issue and what the users know is an issue.”
Mr Searle said the North Shore is home to around 1000 people and several major business operations.
The association president says he will this week meet with Mayor Peta Pinson to further discuss the issue.
Mr Searle praised the efforts of ferry contractor Will Eades and ferry staff.