What is the Russell Island car park upgrade project?

    Council is upgrading the Russell Island ferry terminal car park with additional parking and a range of safety improvements. 

    Proudly supported by $650,536 from the Queensland Government through the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS), the Council-led $1.98 million project will provide 64 additional parking spaces, upgraded wildlife-friendly LED lighting and significant improvement in amenity.

    The project will be delivered in three stages to reduce impact on the community and prevent loss of parking during construction.

    Construction is expected to take approximately nine months with work scheduled to commence late 2022 and completion expected by mid-2023, weather permitting.

    The upgrade represents a complete refurbishment of the ferry terminal car park with improvement to traffic flow and pedestrian safety.

    It will also include an expansion of the car park to the east on recently acquired land at Hawthornden Drive.

    A dedicated drop-off zone will help residents with their daily commute, offering a “kiss-and-ride” zone adjacent the new ferry terminal.

    When will the Russell Island car park upgrade be completed?

    Construction will take place across three stages.

    Work is scheduled to commence in early September 2022 and is expected to conclude mid-2023, weather permitting.

    Stage one is expected to take approximately three to six months and involves formalising the vacant land off Hawthornden Drive at the eastern end of the parking area. 

    Stage two involves work on the middle section of the existing parking area and is expected to take around two months. 

    During this time parking will be relocated to the fully operational stage one area to maintain pre-existing parking capacity.

    Stage three will adjoin the ferry terminal. 

    During this stage we ask the community to be patient and observe all traffic control directions to ensure the safety of pedestrians and workers. 

    Completion is expected by mid-2023, weather permitting.

    What improvements will be made to the car park?

    The project will bring significant improvement in amenity to the arrival and departure experience on Russell Island.

    Together with the new ferry terminal it will bring numerous benefits.

    These will include: 

    • 64 additional parking spaces 
    • improved pedestrian access with new raised pathways, line marking and pedestrian crossings 
    • new roundabout for heavy vehicle manoeuvring and improved traffic flow
    • dedicated bus drop-off zone
    • eight accessible parking spaces close to the terminal 
    • provision for future electric vehicle charging 
    • eight motorcycle parking bays and compact bicycle racks 
    • energy-efficient, wildlife-friendly LED lighting
    • dedicated taxi and emergency vehicle zones
    • landscaping to compliment the new facilities

    Will toilet facilities be improved?

    New toilet facilities are being built as part of Council’s joint $44.6 million Southern Moreton Bay Islands Ferry Terminals Upgrade project, led by the Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR). 

    Council contributed $17.1 million towards upgrading the new ferry terminals and landside facilities.

    The $1.98 million car park upgrade is funded by Council and proudly supported by $650,536 from the Queensland Government through the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS). 

    Will traffic management be improved between pedestrian and vehicle use?

    Council has incorporated improvements to pedestrian and vehicle safety in the design of the car park upgrade. This includes providing dedicated raised pedestrian footpaths, pedestrian crossings, a roundabout to guide vehicle movement, clear line marking and a revised traffic flow.

    As part of the works, Council will be delivering improvements to the passenger drop-off zone, a new dedicated bus stop and a one-way traffic flow through the facility. 

    The new exit will be located on Hawthornden Drive, while the current exit will remain for convenience. 

    It will also allow vehicles and bus services to exit the lower car park from High Street.

    Will landscaping be improved in the area?

    Existing landscaping will be improved and maintained and new landscaping introduced to accommodate altered designs to improve the amenity of the car park.

    Will security cameras be installed at the car park?

    Security cameras will be installed at the new ferry terminal as part of the SMBI Ferry Terminals Upgrade project and may provide a level of surveillance in the direction of the car park.

    No cameras are planned within the upgraded car park’s footprint. 

    All matters of criminal activity should be reported to police.

    Will vegetation be removed to make way for more parking?

    Council has endeavoured to minimise vegetation removal in the design of the car park.

    Some vegetation management works are required on the lower foreshore in stage one on the vacant land. 

    These works will not affect the existing mangroves and will be offset by new planting in adjacent areas.

     

    What will be done about barge queuing?

    Council is aware of increased constraints placed on barge queuing and barge services on the islands and will work with SeaLink to investigate long-term solutions.


    What will occur during construction?

    What to expect during construction:

    • presence of construction personnel including traffic controllers, surveyors and service investigators 
    • changes to informal car parking with the establishment of site compounds and construction fencing
    • windscreen leaflets notifying of upcoming closures to car parking areas
    • changed traffic conditions within the existing Russell Island ferry terminal car park

    Please note: Council will provide alternative parking areas to reduce the inconvenience to residents when stage one is complete.

    Council reminds residents to please use caution when travelling to the ferry terminal during construction. 

    Thank you for your patience and continued support during the delivery of this project.

    What is energy-efficient and wildlife-friendly LED lighting?

    The lights used are LED which makes them energy-efficient and long-lasting with minimal maintenance required. 

    It ensures street lighting will be practical and sustainable, further reducing the project’s impact on its natural environment.

    Wildlife impact has been reduced by ensuring the light does not directly face the water and foreshore. 

    A focus on foreshore vegetation maintenance will also reduce light spillage, while continuing to provide habitat for wildlife. 

    This reduces the impact on nocturnal species’ natural behaviours such as feeding, breeding and migrating.

    The colour of the light has been chosen to be friendly to wildlife as the natural, warm light they emit is known to have a reduced impact on most species.