Request for Council to Undertake a New Southern Moreton Bay Islands Alternate Transport Route Study
Principal Petitioner: Tom Carpenter
Closing Date: 4:30pm, 11 June 2024
At 10 signatures, this petition will be considered properly made.
Petition Request:
The last time a study was commissioned into alternate transport routes for the Southern Moreton Bay Islands was over a decade ago, which was completed by GHD. Residents are crying out for help with the continued isolation they are experiencing with the lack of services available on the islands and overall isolation compared to mainland residents. They are also crying out over the continuous lack of parking, which is available, as well as the frustrations in dealing with a monopoly water transit company which are not serving in the best interest of islanders. Residents are aware of the new PDA project however there is uncertainty with regards to how many of the 2200 spots will be allocated to them as well as the costs associated to park there. Residents also believe that once the new PDA project is completed, it will hardly place a dent in the current situation as the population was estimated at 8,500 within the 2021 census, with the population now estimated at around 12,000 and continuing to grow. I believe now as a new council has just formed, it is the perfect time to explore alternate transport routes with an independent study whilst the PDA is still in progress.
Petition Outcome:
The petition was presented by Cr Shane Rendalls at the General Meeting held on Wednesday, 19 June 2024. The matter was defined as operational in nature and referred to the Chief Executive Officer for consideration.
Council investigated the petition request and provided a response to the Principal Petitioner on 12 July 2024 as follows:
In your petition, you requested that the Water Transport - Alternative Route Study be updated and that several issues related to parking and circulation at Weinam Creek
be addressed.
Southern Moreton Bay Islands Water Transport – Alternative Route Study
This 2011 Study investigated seven alternative ferry crossings and landing locations on the islands and mainland for vehicle and passenger ferries. It identified significant cost, environmental, neighbourhood impacts and dredging issues for each alternative.
The Study also identified that there would need to be a large increase in ferry trips to support new services running from new locations and that without this the viability of current ferry services could be undermined. The Study stated that there was insufficient community interest in an additional northern passenger service.
The Study informed the findings of the 2011 Integrated Local Transport Plan (ILTP). The ILTP Implementation Plan included investing in upgrades to ferry terminals for water transport between Weinam Creek and the Islands in preference to building a bridge.
Council has been working with the Department of Transport and Main Roads since 2014 to upgrade ferry terminals on the islands. This $48M investment in transport infrastructure now complies with the requirements in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002. The terminals include sheltered walkways, charging options for personal mobility devices, shared paths and seating for pedestrians and bike racks to support those who do not travel by private vehicle.
Making commercial activities and services more accessible to islanders.
The ILTP envisaged introducing a mix of land uses on the islands and at Weinam Creek, to improve access to key commercial activities and services without residents having to travel beyond these areas for many of their everyday needs.
Since the declaration of the Priority Development Area (PDA) at Weinam Creek in 2013, the Redlands Investment Corporation and State government progressed planning to reinforce the Marina Redland Bay as the main gateway (by means of water transport) to the Southern Moreton Bay Islands (Islands).
In addition to the satellite hospital, a new supermarket and other commercial developments in the Marina Redland Bay will provide those services that you referenced in the petition.
Parking at Weinam Creek.
Council and the Redland Investment Corporation are working to ensure that parking and access during the construction of new buildings and roads, remains available to minimise disruption to people parking in the area. Information on parking and other changes is available on Council’s Your Say webpage. When complete Marina Redland Bay will provide increased car parking for Islanders, visitors, and recreational boat owners, as prescribed in the Development Scheme and detailed on the PDA website.
Other initiatives
Council continues to advocate to the State Government and transport providers to improve passenger transport services delivered by Translink and others. Translink and Sealink have responded by improving and coordinating timetables between ferry and bus services.
Council trialled the provision of a commercially operated car share service at Weinam Creek to kerb the increasing need for vehicle parking. After a successful trial, a lease has now been granted for this operation to continue. This has particularly benefitted many hundreds of islanders who no longer require their own mainland vehicle to access destinations in the city and beyond.
A range of other travel options are being investigated, both on the islands and mainland, which will provide alternative ways for residents, businesses and visitors to travel and assist in containing the demand for parking in these locations.
Conclusion
Council continues to implement actions to improve access for people living, working, visiting and working on the Islands, consistent with the ILTP. This includes advocating for improved water-based connections and services between Weinam Creek and the SMBIs and support for the provision of accessible commercial and community based services on the mainland and islands.
Council does not intend to revisit the Study in the immediate future, bearing in mind the combined investment in upgrades to ferry and other supporting infrastructure that will be delivered, which should improve access to and from the islands.
Please note that this response has been sent to you as the head petitioner and it is your discretion to notify other persons listed on the petition of the outcome.
Thank you for highlighting issues of concern, which Council will continue to address in the years ahead.
Should you wish to discuss any of the issues relating to the Redland Bay Marina, please contact the Redland Investment Corporation at contact@redlandinvestcorp.com.au . For other transport related issues, you can contact Council’s Customer Service Centre on telephone (07) 3829 8999.