Two progress associations will jointly push for changes to ferry services across the Hastings River.
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North Side Progress Association president Kingsley Searle and his Settlement Point Progress Association counterpart Shane Williams say they have common ground over the matter.
They plan to approach council to outline the plan, formulated by the Settlement Point group with support from the North Side association.
One of the key changes would be increasing the Hibbard ferry service to 24 hours with the Settlement Point ferry operating on reduced hours.
The Hibbard ferry would also be the sole service for heavy vehicles across the river, Mr Williams said.
“Our main focus is on safety on the Settlement Point peninsula,” he said.
“Traffic is a major problem along the (Settlement Point) road with many people speeding along there to catch the ferry while there are also issues with the number of heavy vehicles too.
“Heavy vehicles affect the road surface and quality but also adds to the vibration factor for homes that are (mostly) built-up.
“And Settlement Point Road along the river does not have footpaths and there are no plans for footpaths.”
Mr Williams said there were also possible large scale ‘fixes’ including the construction of a boardwalk, flood mitigation works and a link or loop road.
Their plans were part of a holistic approach, he said.
Mr Searle said the traffic issue and ferry services were ‘common ground stuff’ between the two associations but he raised the need for the inclusion of associated infrastructure works to accommodate the proposal.
“If you changed the ferry services, there is the need for works on the approaches to the Hibbard ferry on the south and north banks,” he said.
“But we would support the Settlement Point association in regards to the Hibbard ferry being solely used for heavy vehicular traffic.”
Meanwhile the North Side association met on Wednesday night where the historic Coal Wharf was one of the main agenda points.
The meeting also discussed the Kangaroo Park, Maria River Road condition and issues with bed and breakfast accommodation in the area.
Mr Searle said the meeting also discussed the need for better communication regarding ferry breakdowns.
“We spoke in depth about this matter, particularly in relation to school children being stranded at critical times in their education.
“The association is also developing activities to celebrate Heritage Week too which could include an afternoon of billy tea and entertainment, bush poetry and music at Coal Wharf.”
