The first quarter Cooper Ferry figures-Eclipsing all by a Country Mile

Submitted: Monday, Sep 13, 2010 at 22:11

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Member - Stephen L (Clare SA)

Hi All
I have just received the very latest figures for the Cooper Creek Ferry Crossing and if these do not make those in high places stand up and take notice, then nothing will. Before I post the latest, I will give you all the previous figures so you can see for yourself what has happened over the lifetime of the current Cooper Creek Ferry.

July - December 1974
1266 vehicles and 1873 head of stock.

October 1989 - January 1990
1072 cars, 13 trailers, 2704 people and 1 stock horse.

July 1990 - January 1991
3665 cars, 457 trailers, 76 motorbikes, 142 trucks/buses, 61 tractors/front end loaders, 10,155 people, 122 cattle, 53 horses, 41 camels, 1 pig.

NOW FOR WHAT YOU ARE WANTING TO HEAR FOR 2010.

With the flooding of the Cooper Creek system, crossing the Birdsville Track on the 1st June 2010, the waters rose faster that the experts predicted and within 7 days, the Cooper Creek Ferry carried its first official travellers on the 8th June 2010.

8th June 2010 to the end of June 2010
673 Four Wheel Drive Vehicles, 27 Cars, 12 buses, 28 Motor Bikes, 2267 People, 1033 crossings, with the Busiest day 29th June and 58 Vehicles.

July 2010
1341 Four Wheel Drive Vehicles, 30 Cars, 62 Buses, 84 Motor Bikes, 5201 People, 2106 Crossings, with the Busiest day 6th July 2010 and 76 Vehicles.

August 2010
1082 Four Wheel Drive Vehicles, 19 Cars, 163 Buses, 42 Motor Bikes, 3711 People, 1925 Crossings, with the Busiest day 30th August 2010 and 94 Vehicles

The above figures do not include 7 push bikes, 1 Tractor and 1 1928 'A' Model Ford. The 10,000th person crossed on the 18th August 2010 and the ferry has not run for 10.5 days due to inclement weather( ie too windy, or The Birdsville Track Closed due to rain)

So as you can see the figures for the first 3 months are unreal and just how long the ferry will run is unknown, simply for the fact is that it will not stop raining.

I would like to personally that my contact at the Northern Office, Port August, Department of Transport for supplying these valued updates, as I know that a lot of people out there are following the figures closely like me.

To answer a simple question that I get asked very often, the ferry is going to run for quite some time yet and yes, it will stop raining one day, so if you have thought about it but have been put off by all that rain, it is not too late to head up and have a ride on the famous Cooper Creek Ferry.

Until my next update.

Cheers to all and head up for a history making experience.

Stephen
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Reply By: miandering fiander - Monday, Sep 13, 2010 at 22:50

Monday, Sep 13, 2010 at 22:50

Thanks for the info.
Found it very interesting as well as being a part of the data as well.

AnswerID: 430247

Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Monday, Sep 13, 2010 at 22:57

Monday, Sep 13, 2010 at 22:57

Hi miandering fiander
Yes the data is very interesting. The September figures will be down a lot, even with the Birdsville Races due to the long times that it has been closed due to all that rain.

Cheers

Stephen

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Reply By: The other Norm C (WA) - Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010 at 01:05

Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010 at 01:05

Thanks for the info Stephen
I hope to be heading that way in the next couple of days
I realy need the Great Central Road to open and I'm off.
Innamincka is the goal but time will tell if it's possible or not.
If not a good look around the areas that are accesable will
surfice
Norm

AnswerID: 430251

Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010 at 07:52

Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010 at 07:52

Hi Norm
Yes that Australia wide rain does not want to ease off and just keeps falling. I was speaking to one of our customers yesterday from the Northern Flinders and they had received over another 1/2 inch of rain by yesterday morning in the Northern Flinders Ranges and all roads were closed again. She said that it would have to be the best season in over 25 years for the wild flowers and this rain will prolong the season for quite some time.

Have a great trip to where ever you travel.

Cheers

Stephen

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Reply By: The Landy - Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010 at 08:55

Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010 at 08:55

Not surprisingly the numbers have increased dramatically, and I suspect much of this is due to the popularity and accessibility of the ‘outback’ these days compared to previous times when it has flooded.

I guess one of the problems with this issue is that a lot of the traffic is recreational, and I don’t suggest for one moment the needs of the local community should not be considered, but how do you plan and provision for an event that occurs on average once every twenty years, and the fact that the event itself has become an attraction drawing in many recreational visitors?

You haven’t said specifically what you would like the authorities to do. Is it a bridge that is needed, and do people generally want to see a bridge built on the Birdsville Track over the Cooper Creek? It is hard to imagine a more viable option, if an alternative to the current arrangement is needed, but does the local community want money spent on that, and would we see the same influx of ‘tourists’ if it was a bridge they were crossing on rather than the ‘Cooper Creek Ferry’?

All food for thought, and I have appreciated your posts and have read all with interest...

Perhaps EO could run a poll on whether members would like to see a bridge over the Cooper Creek..

Cheers, The Landy

AnswerID: 430259

Follow Up By: Fab72 - Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010 at 09:49

Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010 at 09:49

In my opinion....NO to a bridge.

.....But I would like to see one of the old Hindmarsh Island ferries relocated enabling more cars at a time to use the ferry and it also be able to accommodate supply trucks, buses, road plant and equipment etc from making the crossing.

Goes without saying that the appraoch and departure ramps will need upgrading too.

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010 at 14:32

Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010 at 14:32

Hi Landy
Firstly there is no way that I would like to see a bridge built on the Birdsville Track as this would not be cost effective for the number of times that the Cooper floods over the Birdsville Track. What would be great, but would never happen is a larger punt that could hold say 4 vehicles. In that size punt, it would be large enough to take caravans and campers and cater for the larger crowds. The ferry operators do a fantastic job, but imagine how busy it would have been on the 30th August to ferry 94 vehicle in just 1 day.

Like I have mentions from my very first post all those many months ago, the current ferry was put in place to cater for then on average 25 vehicles per day that would use the Birdsville Track. Times are changing in a very fast way and by our population growth over the years, just how many travellers will be using the Birdsville Track say in another 20 years we will never know, but it will be far greater than that use it today.

We have to plan for the future and the number of travellers that have used this great service is a testament than life out on the Birdsville Track is far from dead and dying and we should be planning for our next flood, as it will happen but when, only mother nature knows.

Cheers

Stephen

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Follow Up By: The Landy - Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010 at 16:51

Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010 at 16:51

Hi Stephen

Yes it would be a pity to see a bridge. It will be interesting to see if they actually do anything, but perhaps with the Government’s new found love of the bush and rural Australia things might change – but let’s not hold our breath...

Enjoy your posts on the topic and wish I had the chance to get out there myself..

Cheers, The Landy

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Reply By: CraigFox - Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010 at 09:51

Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010 at 09:51

Stephen or someone else may be able to answer a question I have been pondering for a while.

Why back in the 90/91 flood were trailers able to be towed on the ferry, but not now. I thought it was the same one, but I am certain the ferry back then was longer. Looking at the figures, trailers were transported, so that part of my memory is correct.

Maybe it is just old age that things were better/faster/better looking etc!

Craig

AnswerID: 430269

Follow Up By: Fab72 - Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010 at 12:48

Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010 at 12:48

All I know from having been on the ferry is that the stock gates at each end actually consume a fair bit of usable length.

They are there to assist the mentally challenged from driving off the end or going for a swim.

Whether they were on there back in 90/91, who knows.

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Follow Up By: Fab72 - Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010 at 12:52

Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010 at 12:52

As I suspected.... older photos of the ferry don't show the stock gates. This would have allowed for trailer/vehicle overhang. Probably just enough to allow most to tow a trailer.

Have a look at the photofrom Dec 09 that member Josh posted on here.
Old Explor Oz post

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Follow Up By: Fab72 - Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010 at 13:00

Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010 at 13:00

And this extract... "maximum length of vehicles is 7.8m - trailers are permitted providing that the total length of towing vehicle and trailer does not exceed 7.8m ". Taken from this gov. website.

Government website

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Follow Up By: CraigFox - Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010 at 13:19

Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010 at 13:19

Thanks Fab. I didn't think there were that many brain cells missing from 20 years ago!
Also on same post from earlier this year:

Ozhumvee replied:
We have actually had to use it to get across back in the early 90's (can't remember the exact year 93 or 4) and we didn't have to queue for long but it was late in the day , it stops of an afternoon and restarts in the morning. You want good clearance on the approaches as there were a few vehicles parked with damage to fuel tanks etc.
It could only fit a 4wd and small trailer, anything bigger you couldn't cross and they wouldn't let you put the trailer/van on and take it across alone. Our troopy plus small Cub hardfloor camper only just fitted between the ramps when they were raised.
It used a little Honda engine and cables to pull itself across.

A friend and myself towed a 6x4 trailer behind a Datsun Stanza up to the ferry after the Curdimurka Outback Ball just to see the flood. Swagged it for a few nights under the stars on the North side. Still one of the best trips that I have done!

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010 at 14:35

Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010 at 14:35

Hi Craig
Just like Fab has mentioned, back then the gates were not closed and you would simply drive a lot further onto the ferry with the trailer out over the back, which is not possible now because of the closed gates.

Cheers

Stephen

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Reply By: jim870 - Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010 at 13:38

Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010 at 13:38

Thanks for the update Stephen,

I was one of the people held up due to bad weather, 22 hours sitting first in line waiting for the wind to die down.

Good thing was we had one hell of a party :)

Even more rain since I was up there, the country must be looking fantastic.

Only 18 days till we are off to the Flinders...Woohoo

Feet are getting itchy

Jim

AnswerID: 430284

Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010 at 14:39

Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010 at 14:39

Hi Jim
I know a couple of travellers that were stranded at the ferry site for 2 days due to the closed roads and the rain. They told me they had the time of the life and wished the track was closed longer. They did the Cooper cruise as well as the helicopter flight and had a ball.

As for the Flinders, you are in for the site of your lifetime, the display of flowers are unreal from what I am told.

Have a fantastic trip

Cheers

Stephen

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Follow Up By: Member - G N (VIC) - Tuesday, Sep 21, 2010 at 20:38

Tuesday, Sep 21, 2010 at 20:38

Hi Stephen

Do you know how much the cooper has fallen so far at the ferry?

Still hoping to get there.

Regards
GN

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Tuesday, Sep 21, 2010 at 21:23

Tuesday, Sep 21, 2010 at 21:23

Hi GN
When I was last speaking with my contact at Transport SA, she was telling me that parts of the middle section of the Birdsville Track that was under water are now exposed and the deepest section over the actual Birdsville Track is 1.2 metres deep. The way that it was dropping, it could be less than 2 months and the ferry will not have to run, but like anyone knows, mother nature will have the final say.

Cheers

Stephen

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Follow Up By: Member - Ed C (QLD) - Tuesday, Sep 21, 2010 at 22:20

Tuesday, Sep 21, 2010 at 22:20

Approx 100mm (4") of rain fell in the Thompson/Barcoo catchment area over the weekend...

BOM flood warning

Given that most (if not all) of the country over which this water has to flow is already saturated, methinks that there will be quite a bit of water yet to make it's way downstream....

:)