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What you have told us so far

We've been talking to Southern Moreton Bay Islands (SMBI) residents about the upgrade of the ferry terminals on Russell, Macleay, Lamb and Karragarra islands.

This is some of what you have said you would like to see.

Ferry terminals should provide protection from the weather

  • The ferry terminals should provide protection from the southeast rain and wind.
  • The ferry terminals should provide protection from the sun.
  • Gutters are needed to stop rain running off the roof and blowing onto users queuing on the ferry terminal's jetties, gangways and pontoons.
  • The roofing between pontoons, gangways, jetties and the land shelters should be unbroken so users can pass from shore to boat without getting wet.
  • Land shelters should be large enough to accommodate the growing number of users of the ferry terminals.
  • Protection from the elements should not come at the cost of lost views or breezes.

Jetties and gangways should be wider

  • The jetties and gangways need to be wider to deal with the uses and number of users of the ferry terminals. There needs to be sufficient room for queuing on and off the ferries, as well as sufficient room for passing of people with trolleys, dogs, prams, 'carry on freight', and people in wheelchairs or scooters.

Pontoons should be bigger

  • The pontoons need to be wider to deal with the uses and number of users of the ferry terminals. For instance, those with mobility issues would ideally make their way to the pontoon to wait in close proximity to where the boat arrives, but at present there is insufficient room, seats or shelter.

Ferry terminals should be safe to use

  • The yellow dimpled floor tiles (for the sight impaired) are slippery when wet, difficult to push wheel chairs over and capture wheels in their ruts.
  • The rocking of the pontoon can make it difficult for those with mobility issues to wait in close proximity to where the boat arrives.
  • The gangway slope can be difficult for those with mobility issues, particularly those using wheeled walking frames - who can struggle to control their descent down gangways.

Ferry terminals should be safe places to be

  • Installation of a phone (or other audio hook up) to police would improve the feeling of personal security at the ferry terminals.
  • Better lighting and a CCTV security camera with a 'safe zone' in camera frame would also help.

Ferry terminal users should be comfortable

  • More seating (protected from the weather) is needed to deal with the number of users of the ferry terminals.
  • Seating should be comfortable.

Ferry terminals should look good

  • The ferry terminals should look good, they're what visitors and residents first see when they come to the islands.
  • Less attractive facilities, like bins for example, should be repositioned to less visually prominent places.
  • The design and materials used in the upgrades of the ferry terminals should be in keeping with the character of the islands.
  • The mosaics should be incorporated more effectively into the upgraded terminals.

Features that ferry terminal users would like considered in the upgrade

  • A water bubbler
  • A fire hydrant
  • Access to water (and hose) for cleaning of decking
  • Fish cleaning bench and sink
  • More bins
  • Dog tidy bags and bins
  • Lockers
  • Signage that better identifies each of the islands
  • Better tourist information boards or facilities
  • Somewhere to tie up boats
  • Somewhere to lock up bikes
  • Somewhere out of the weather to lock up mobility scooters
  • Somewhere to top up Go cards
  • A drink vending machine
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Separate male and female toilets in close proximity to the terminal
  • See through screening enabling passengers to see the ferry from the shelter

Other potential ferry terminal uses

  • Somewhere to fish. Many islanders believe islanders need somewhere to fish, but all dislike the mess and smell that those fishing leave.
  • Somewhere for foreshore business activities - like cafes, kiosks and pump out facilities to attract passing boaties.
  • Somewhere to show local art.

Related issues

  • Population growth and changing demographics are putting increasing pressure on car arking, disabled car parking and drop off and pick up zones.
  • Limited transport options are exacerbating existing access issues experiences by the aged and those with mobility issues.
  • The high volume of vehicular traffic (heavy vehicles using the barge, buses, taxis and cars dropping off and picking up) mixing in a small area with pedestrians, including many children, requires good traffic and pedestrian planning and management.

Issues specific to the Russell Island ferry terminal

  • Length of the jetty makes access to the ferries difficult for those with mobility issues, or those carrying 'freight' (for which the trolley was historically used).
  • A fire hydrant is needed half way up the jetty.

Issues specific to the Karragarra Island ferry terminal

  • The character of the island should be reflected in the design and materials used in the construction of the ferry terminal.
  • Lighting at the terminal needs to be improved.
Categories: Southern Moreton bay Islands, SMBI, ferry terminal, community feedback, Russell Island, Macleay Island, Lamb Island, Karragarra Island, jetty, gangway, pontoon
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