SMBI ferry terminal project moves to next phase after signing of deed of agreement

March 2020

The Department of Transport and Main Roads and Redland City Council have sealed the deal on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands Ferry Terminal Upgrade Project after both parties signed off on the project’s deed of agreement this week.

Transport and Main Roads Minister, Mark Bailey, said this was an important milestone for the $34.1 million project and we're delighted to be working with Redland City Council to deliver this much-needed project for the SMBI communities.

Redland City Council CEO Andrew Chesterman said he was very happy that an agreement had been reached during such a critical phase of the project.

“I am satisfied that the terms of the deed align with the community’s needs and Council’s long-term goals for Redlands Coast,” Mr Chesterman said.

“It’s great to see this project moving on to the next phase, the detailed design phase.”

The signing of the deed has occurred concurrently with the announcement of the outcomes of the project’s final stage of community consultation which took place last year.

Minister Bailey said there had been three stages of community engagement since 2016.

“Consultation involved collecting feedback through intercept surveys, meetings, in-depth stakeholder reviews, the project webpage and open houses,” Minister Bailey said.

“By working closely with key stakeholders and local residents, we have been able to explore their requests and plan suitable terminal design options for Russell, Macleay, Lamb and Karragarra islands.”

"The third and final stage took place from August to November 2019 with a number of key themes being identified during the concept design consultation period. These were incorporated where possible in the preliminary designs.

“The preliminary designs were then presented in November at a series of open houses on each of the four islands and on the mainland. The community’s feedback on the designs was very positive.”

"One of the highlights of attending the open houses was the opportunity for people to vote on the four potential terminal screening colour palettes for each island, and to view the sample board displaying different material options.

“The colour scheme selected for each island were the most popular choices – I encourage locals to view the consultation snapshot flyer now available on the project webpage at yoursay.redland.qld.gov.au/upgrade-of-smbi-ferry-terminals," Mr Bailey said.

Mr Chesterman said he was excited for the community to view the results and looked forward to construction starting on the first new terminal on Russell Island later this year.

“The project includes upgrading or replacing the SMBIs’ terminals – including jetties, gangways and pontoons – over four years. The plans also include repurposing existing ferry pontoons for recreational uses such as fishing and mooring,” he said.