Request to Temporarily Suspend Parking Infringement Notices at the Redland Bay Marina
Principal Petitioner: Les Barkla
Closing Date: Tuesday 10 February 2026, 4.30pm
Petition Request:
Council immediately cease issuing parking infringement notices at the Redland Bay Marina parking precinct until the proposed Multi-Level Car Park is constructed and overflow parking issues are resolved for SMBI residents, based on:
1. Council has not kept pace with required parking infrastructure at the Marina area to meet current and foreseeable demand, due to:
a. a 17.48% increase in SMBI population since 2021 - 7,718 in 2021 to 9,067 estimate in 2024 (Source: RCC Population highlights | Redland City Council | Community profile);
b. new SMBI dwelling approvals granted by Council in recent years - 400 in 2023 and 800 in 2025 (Source: Advice to a community meeting on Macleay Island on 17 December 2025); and
c. Marina parking overflow is having a significant impact on surrounding Redland Bay residential streets and residents (Source: Residents’ meeting on Sunday 30 November 2025).
2. There appears to be a conflict of interest in Council with a serious lack of coordination between Council departments. It is unreasonable and inconsistent for one arm of Council to provide approvals for hundreds of new dwellings annually on SMBI, thereby increasing mainland parking demand, whilst another arm of Council undertakes parking infringement enforcement practices by issuing parking fines without the necessary infrastructure provided to support that growth.
This disconnect in planning and enforcement places SMBI residents at a disadvantage and raises legitimate concerns about unfair and potentially discriminatory treatment of island residents with no adequate parking alternatives for essential transport needs.
Petition Response (3 March 2026):
Thank you for your petition and for raising the concerns of the Southern Moreton Bay Islands (SMBI) residents regarding parking availability and enforcement at the Redland Bay Marina. Council recognises the essential role the Marina precinct plays in supporting daily travel, access to health services, and overall liveability for island residents. We also acknowledge the challenges associated with increasing population growth, higher vehicle usage, and infrastructure pressures in the Redland Bay area.
Council is committed to improving parking outcomes for SMBI residents; however, it must also maintain regulated parking to ensure safe, fair, and equitable access to public spaces for all users. While the construction of the multi-level car park and associated upgrades will significantly expand capacity, responsible parking management is still required in the interim.
Population Growth and Parking Infrastructure
Council acknowledges that population growth on SMBI has placed additional pressure on mainland facilities, including parking at the Marina. Demand has increased in recent years due to rising resident numbers and new dwelling approvals. These trends are driving the need for expanded parking infrastructure, which Council is actively progressing through the Redland Bay Marina Precinct upgrades and the planned multi-level car park project.
Delivering increased parking to the Weinam Creek Priority Development Area (PDA) remains a key objective of the project.
Stage 1 of the Weinam Creek redevelopment delivered more than 500 new parking spaces within the Moores Road car park in late 2020, with additional temporary parking facilities provided on Banana Street and Hamilton Street, Redland Bay.
It is important to note that car parking within the Weinam Creek PDA precinct will continue to evolve as the construction stages progress.
The proposed designs for the multi-level car park are still being finalised in partnership with Economic Development Queensland, who will be delivering this facility.
While infrastructure development is underway, it is important to note that parking availability is influenced by a range of factors including travel behaviour, peak-period demand, and the finite amount of land available for expansion. Even with growth, Council must continue to manage public parking spaces in a way that is orderly, safe, and fair to all users—including island residents, local businesses, and visitors.
Parking Regulation
A suspension of parking enforcement would result in significant unintended consequences. Without regulation:
• vehicles may overstay time limits or park indiscriminately, reducing turnover and decreasing access for those with essential travel needs
• unsafe parking behaviours may increase, creating risks for pedestrians, bus operations, and vital transport services
• overflow parking may worsen as cars remain longer in high-demand spaces
• inequity may increase, as some users gain unfair advantage at the expense of others
Coordination Across Council Functions
Council works to ensure that planning, infrastructure delivery, and compliance functions operate cohesively. Growth in the SMBI residential population is managed through planning frameworks that consider long-term infrastructure needs—including transport, parking, and marina access. At the same time, regulatory functions such as parking enforcement must continue to operate to maintain public safety and equitable access.
Although these functions are different, they are not in conflict. Both are necessary, and both contribute to ensuring that the Marina precinct remains accessible and orderly as the region continues to grow.
Council’s Commitment to SMBI Residents
Council remains committed to supporting SMBI residents by:
• progressing the multi-level car park and broader Marina precinct upgrades
• reviewing parking regulations to ensure they are fair, transparent, and responsive to community needs
• exploring options to manage overflow impacts in adjacent streets
• continuing dialogue with island communities to ensure their concerns and experiences inform ongoing planning
We appreciate the challenges that SMBI residents face and remain committed to delivering long-term solutions that improve accessibility, safety, and equity for all users of the Redland Bay Marina precinct.