Ferry levy introduced despite mixed response

Gosford Council has introduced an annual ferry operator levy for the use of the Ferry Rd wharf at Ettalong, and for the Wagstaffe wharf, despite a mixed response to the proposal.

The levy will be calculated on the basis of use per wharf by vessels of a survey capacity greater than 120 passengers.

The levy will be set at an amount of $2500 for the remainder of the current financial year.

The fees will be placed in a reserve fund to be used for the repair, maintenance and construction of Council wharves and for localised dredging.

The public exhibition of the ferry operator levy was undertaken between September 7 and October 19.

Six submissions were received.

Two submissions fully supported the proposal to implement the Ferry Operator Levy, one submission supported the proposal subject to it being applied to all wharf users, not only commercial operators and the annual fee being recalculated to be in the order of $2500 per wharf and three submissions did not support the proposal.

Issues raised in the submissions included a lack of community consultation prior to Council considering the introduction of the levy, the excessive nature of the proposed levy and its inconsistency with Council's other charges, the levy's possible impact on services with the reduction of passengers therefore reducing the number of trips and possible adjustment to fares.

Gosford Council Agenda CIT.49, 27 Nov 2012