Raymond Island Ferry - pass changes

Council is inviting the Raymond Island community, ferry users, local businesses and the broader community to share their views on how a planned change to the ferry pass system will work ahead of its induction in 2026–27 financial year.

This opportunity to have your say follows a Council decision on 16 September 2025, where Councillors:

• Resolved to update the ferry pass system to improve consistency and ease of use, and to better reflect the range of people who live on Raymond Island.
• Committed to moving to a fixed sticker‑based resident pass.
• Committed to seeking community feedback to help refine how the new system will work.

What’s changing?

Council will transition from portable passes to fixed window sticker passes that remain with a vehicle. This includes:

• Two free sticker passes for residents who own developed property on Raymond Island
• One free sticker pass for eligible long‑term renters
• Continued free ferry access for emergency services and approved not‑for‑profit organisations
• Portable passes will be discontinued
• The new system will be introduced in 2026–27

The above changes are already determined by Council and cannot change through this engagement.

You can find more information by reading the FAQs on this page.

Why we’re asking for your feedback

Your feedback will help Council refine the system and minimise unintended impacts. We want to hear from the people who use the ferry. We are seeking your feedback on:

1. How the new sticker pass system should operate day‑to‑day

This includes:

• What should happen when a resident changes their vehicle / needs to replace a sticker
• How to manage temporary or short‑term vehicle use
• Options for purchasing additional passes
• Eligibility documentation / requirements (e.g. renters)
• How we communicate and support the transition
• Sticker renewal timeframes and how they are issued to residents.

2. Exploring pedestrian fares and ticketing systems

The ferry is used in different ways by residents, visitors, workers and pedestrians, and Council is looking at how ferry access and ticketing arrangements can be managed more consistently into the future.

Council is exploring the introduction of a low‑cost pedestrian (walk‑on) fare for people who are not Raymond Island residents, alongside suitable ticketing systems to support it. This work forms part of longer‑term planning for the ferry service and aims to ensure any future changes are practical, fair and reflect community expectations.

No final decisions have been made. Council is seeking community feedback to understand how a pedestrian fare could be managed if introduced, what impacts it may have, and the reasons people may support or oppose it.

We are seeking community views on:

• How a pedestrian (walk‑on) fare could be managed in practice, including ticketing options
• Who it should apply to and why (visitors, East Gippsland residents, others)
• Potential price points
• Community benefit opportunities
• Any reasons a pedestrian fare should not be introduced, including potential impacts on access, visitation or the community

How you can get involved

There are several ways to participate:

• Completing the online surveys
• Visiting a Council customer service centre
• Calling 5153 9500
• Email to feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au
• Writing to us at East Gippsland Shire Council, PO Box 1618, Bairnsdale 3875

Direct letters will also be sent to all Raymond Island residents inviting participation and we are also engaging directly with the Raymond Island Community Association.

How your feedback will be used

All feedback collected will inform:

• Refinements to the sticker pass system
• Council’s assessment of potential pedestrian fare options
• Final recommendations to Council ahead of implementation in 2026–27

A public summary of what we heard and how it shaped decisions will be published on this page at the end of the engagement period.