Southern Moreton Bay Islands Ferry Terminals Upgrade

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The Southern Moreton Bay Islands Ferry Terminals Upgrade project has been in planning by Council and the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) since 2014.

Council and TMR are working in partnership to deliver new ferry terminals at Russell, Macleay, Lamb, and Karragarra islands in consultation with island communities, Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation, SeaLink, and other key stakeholders. The project will also include repurposing the existing ferry pontoons and jetties for recreational use, such as fishing and mooring.

The new ferry terminals will meet the full requirements of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002, which are made under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.

Find out more and get involved

  • Check out the ferry terminals' 3D images and screen artwork
  • Watch the preliminary design video
  • Read through our resources, FAQs, and news feed
  • Subscribe to receive project updates straight to your inbox

The Southern Moreton Bay Islands Ferry Terminals Upgrade project has been in planning by Council and the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) since 2014.

Council and TMR are working in partnership to deliver new ferry terminals at Russell, Macleay, Lamb, and Karragarra islands in consultation with island communities, Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation, SeaLink, and other key stakeholders. The project will also include repurposing the existing ferry pontoons and jetties for recreational use, such as fishing and mooring.

The new ferry terminals will meet the full requirements of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002, which are made under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.

Find out more and get involved

  • Check out the ferry terminals' 3D images and screen artwork
  • Watch the preliminary design video
  • Read through our resources, FAQs, and news feed
  • Subscribe to receive project updates straight to your inbox
CLOSED: Feedback on the concept designs has concluded. Your comments will help us refine the designs for the new jetties and have been passed on to the project team for consideration.

Your comments will help us refine the designs for the new jetties and have been passed on to the project team for consideration.


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    What is the progress on construction timeline for this project at Russell Island?

    DDesigns asked about 5 years ago

    Hi DDesigns,

    Thank you for your feedback.

    I'm pleased to advise that we have recently updated the SMBI Ferry Terminals Upgrade Project FAQs, which can be found on the project's Your Say page here

    I would also like to remind you of the project's November Open Houses which will be held on each of the four islands and on the mainland. 

    The Open Houses will provide an opportunity for the project team to present the ferry terminals' preliminary designs and receive feedback from the community. 

    Details about the Open Houses can be found here.

    We hope to see you there.

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    Hi, I have three suggestions re the new pontoon design, I hope they will be implemented! 1. Have the waiting area after, not before, the entrance to the fishing / mooring pontoon walkway. This will hopefully minimize interface between travellers and fishers - who in my experience smoke, drink and make mess. 2. If possible, move the fishing pontoon further away from the new pontoon. On the design, it looks inevitable the moorers and fishers will get in the way of ferries. 3. As per above, if there was more space between the pontoons, the designated mooring area could be in the protected space between the jetties and the fishing areas on the outside.

    Canaipapete asked over 4 years ago

    Hi Canaipapete,

    Thank you for your feedback. Your comments and suggestions were passed on to the project team. 

    I'm pleased to advise that we have recently updated the SMBI Ferry Terminals Upgrade Project FAQs, which can be found on the project's Your Say page here

    I would also like to remind you of the project's November Open Houses which will be held on each of the four islands and on the mainland. 

    The Open Houses will provide an opportunity for the project team to present the ferry terminals' preliminary designs and receive feedback from the community. 

    Details about the Open Houses can be found here.

    We hope to see you there.

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    An old design showed the new jetty to be further away from the Barge landing ramp. This design now shows it closer to the ramp? This in itself only adds more risk to the situation and more concern for the Captains of the vessels. The provision of berthing of two ferries is a good idea but in this situation they will have to enter and leave across the considerable current that runs through the passage. It is much easier to come alongside directly int the current. Have any of the Barge or Ferry Captains been asked for there advice an this project. Will there be any practical consideration given for weather protection or will it be the same as Weinam Creek where if there is more than 10 Knots of wind there is not a dry seat outside of the waiting room to sit on.

    Jenv1d asked over 4 years ago

    Hi Jenv1d,

    Thank you for your feedback. Your comments and suggestions were passed on to the project team. 

    I'm pleased to advise that we have recently updated the SMBI Ferry Terminals Upgrade Project FAQs, which can be found on the project's Your Say page here

    I would also like to remind you of the project's November Open Houses which will be held on each of the four islands and on the mainland. 

    The Open Houses will provide an opportunity for the project team to present the ferry terminals' preliminary designs and receive feedback from the community. 

    Details about the Open Houses can be found here.

    We hope to see you there.

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    Regarding the Macleay upgrade, I notice the existing Pontoon will be Repurposed for fishing and mooring. I'm probably not alone in thinking it would be great for our friends who have boats to be able to tie up and stay for a limited time - say 3-4 hours as they have done at Calypso Bay. We do not have any kind of pontoon anywhere on the Islands where anyone can moor a boat and step onto dry land, notwithstanding the end of the existing pontoon where the occasional tinny ties up. Are willing to provide actual finger pontoons to accommodate a number of boats of say 4 to 6 metres length? Politically, I doubt this would create a massive overload of buyers looking for high rise apartment development - it just makes sense for those weekend boaties who want to visit to do just that, and help the nearby businesses in the process. Please advise, Thank you

    Christopher asked over 4 years ago

    Hi Christopher,

    Thank you for your feedback. Your comments and suggestions were passed on to the project team. 

    I'm pleased to advise that we have recently updated the SMBI Ferry Terminals Upgrade Project FAQs, which can be found on the project's Your Say page here

    I would also like to remind you of the project's November Open Houses which will be held on each of the four islands and on the mainland. 

    The Open Houses will provide an opportunity for the project team to present the ferry terminals' preliminary designs and receive feedback from the community. 

    Details about the Open Houses can be found here.

    We hope to see you there.

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    The sheltered area on the Russell Island Jetty had better be sheltered from a southerly buster with horizontal rain and wind. Unlike the Redland Bay Marina - which was a total $8million FAIL. And do not forget the toilets for the Sealink Employees. Maybe you could get that corporation to Chip In? Currently the crew and captain have to run up the hill on a difficult timetable (due to Translink). As only one of the Jetcats has toilets and they are permanently locked. If you do not provide for the disabled with toilets on a level area to the jetty - you are in for Sh*tstorm. Rail Fail will just be a memory. Regards Alison.

    AlisonL asked over 4 years ago

    Hi AlisonL,

    Thank you for your feedback. 

    I'm pleased to advise that we have recently updated the SMBI Ferry Terminals Upgrade Project FAQs, which can be found on the project's Your Say page here

    I would also like to remind you of the project's November Open Houses which will be held on each of the four islands and on the mainland. 

    The Open Houses will provide an opportunity for the project team to present the ferry terminals' preliminary designs and receive feedback from the community. 

    Details about the Open Houses can be found here.

    We hope to see you there.

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    re Landside improvements on Russell island foreshore. I would suggest the land immediately to the East of the community centre,and directly opposite Dr./Aunty Alices,be made into a bbq area and Lookout.Much of the required infrastructure is already there,including Public toilets,Disable parking,ample parking,and bollards.There is also a power pole in place. I would suggest 2 electric bbq,and two covered shelters with tables.And a long narrow deck right on the edge of the embankment ,for veiwing across the bay and the new pontoon.Of course disabled access to all areas.

    RI Orphans club asked over 4 years ago

    Hi RI Orphans club,

    Thank you for your feedback. Your comments were passed on to the relevant Council officers. 

    I'm pleased to advise that we have recently updated the SMBI Ferry Terminals Upgrade Project FAQs, which can be found on the project's Your Say page here

    I would also like to remind you of the project's November Open Houses which will be held on each of the four islands and on the mainland. 

    The Open Houses will provide an opportunity for the project team to present the ferry terminals' preliminary designs and receive feedback from the community. 

    Officers from Council's traffic, road and Civic and Open Space team will also be present to answer questions and record feedback relating to landside queries.

    Details about the Open Houses can be found here.

    We hope to see you there.

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    Regarding Lamb Is. upgrade ... 1. The kiss n ride zone is too far away. It should go at no. 9 2. Pushbike parking changes are unnecessary, plus the garden with seating is nice and should be kept 3. Ambulance parking should go in front of no. 7 4. Disability parking should go in front of no. 6 5. More general parking places should be made available near the jetty by widening the road area at no. 10, 8, and further up, turning the parallel parking into angle parking spots

    Lamb is resident asked over 4 years ago

    Hi Lamb is resident,

    Thank you for your feedback. Your comments were passed on to the relevant Council officers. 

    I'm pleased to advise that we have recently updated the SMBI Ferry Terminals Upgrade Project FAQs, which can be found on the project's Your Say page here

    I would also like to remind you of the project's November Open Houses which will be held on each of the four islands and on the mainland. 

    The Open Houses will provide an opportunity for the project team to present the ferry terminals' preliminary designs and receive feedback from the community. 

    Officers from Council's traffic, road and Civic and Open Space team will also be present to answer questions and record feedback relating to landside queries.

    Details about the Open Houses can be found here.

    We hope to see you there.

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    Toilets closer to the terminal are a must.

    Carmel asked over 4 years ago

    Hi Carmel,

    Thank you for your feedback. Your comments were passed on to the relevant Council officers. 

    I'm pleased to advise that we have recently updated the SMBI Ferry Terminals Upgrade Project FAQs, which can be found on the project's Your Say page here

    I would also like to remind you of the project's November Open Houses which will be held on each of the four islands and on the mainland. 

    The Open Houses will provide an opportunity for the project team to present the ferry terminals' preliminary designs and receive feedback from the community. 

    Officers from Council's traffic, road and Civic and Open Space team will also be present to answer questions and record feedback relating to landside queries.

    Details about the Open Houses can be found here.

    We hope to see you there.

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    As the majority of passengers are elderly like myself, the fact that there are absolutely no sanitation facilities at all other than a 120m uphill walk plus eight steps, can be and is at times a very distressing problem.

    Rodney & Christine Sampson asked over 4 years ago

    Hi Rodney & Christine Sampson,

    Thank you for your feedback. Your comments and suggestions were passed on to the project team. 

    I'm pleased to advise that we have recently updated the SMBI Ferry Terminals Upgrade Project FAQs, which can be found on the project's Your Say page here

    I would also like to remind you of the project's November Open Houses which will be held on each of the four islands and on the mainland. 

    The Open Houses will provide an opportunity for the project team to present the ferry terminals' preliminary designs and receive feedback from the community. 

    Officers from Council's traffic, road and Civic and Open Space team will also be present to answer questions and record feedback relating to landside queries.

    Details about the Open Houses can be found here.

    We hope to see you there.

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    Over the last 5 years the population growth on the islands has increased dramatically. With these new jetties there would have to be an increase in boat traffic to accommodate this growth which would either be multiple boats per hour or the need for larger craft .Has the need for larger vessels been taken into account with the new jetties? Has there been a survey or study of the expected population growth on the islands and whether the transport will be adequate? Has there been any studies relating to the environmental impact this increasing boat traffic is having on the island foreshores and mangrove area. The purchase of land for parking at Weinam creek will increase parking by how many vehicles and what is then the estimate of people residing on the islands which will then also require these people to have a 2nd vehicle on their respective island,where will that vehicle be parked.

    Jeremy Collett asked over 4 years ago

    Hi Jeremy Collett,

    Thank you for your feedback. Your comments and suggestions were passed on to the project team. 

    I'm pleased to advise that we have recently updated the SMBI Ferry Terminals Upgrade Project FAQs, which can be found on the project's Your Say page here

    I would also like to remind you of the project's November Open Houses which will be held on each of the four islands and on the mainland. 

    The Open Houses will provide an opportunity for the project team to present the ferry terminals' preliminary designs and receive feedback from the community. 

    Details about the Open Houses can be found here.

    We hope to see you there.

Page last updated: 07 Sep 2023, 04:39 PM