REDLANDS MP Peter Dowling wants Redland City Council to make a decision on building a bridge to Russell Island while it is considering its draft 2041 City Plan.
Mr Dowling said the population of the southern bay islands would hit 22,000 by 2030 but council needed to make a decision on a bridge now.
"It's a council, not a state, decision on whether to bridge the island and should be included in the City Plan council is drawing up right now," he said.
"At the moment, the council has decided that residents of the southern Moreton Bay islands should rely on water-based transport or ferries and barges.
"But I believe those forms of transport will not be viable in the medium- to- long term."
Mr Dowling suggested the best sites for a bridge to Russell Island would be from state-owned land on Serpentine Creek Road, off farm land on Scenic Road or off Rocky Passage Road.
He said a bridge from Jacob's Well would "not work" as island residents wanted to travel to schools, shops and health services in Redland Bay and Victoria Point.
The idea to build a bridge to Russell Island has been around for more than 40 years.
But Mr Dowling has recently stepped up the push with an online campaign asking residents to voice their support and warning people not to mention a bridge to North Stradbroke Island.
So far his campaign has struck resistance from some residents in the city's south concerned the ramp to the bridge would be at Weinam Creek and would cause traffic problems.
Redland Bay resident Junita Grosvenor said Mr Dowling needed to tell people where the bridge would be sited.
Mr Dowling said there were a number of preferred sites but Weinam Creek ferry terminal was not one of them.
Russell Island residents have launched a petition claiming the state government owes them a bridge after it allowed subdivision of island blocks without proper infrastructure.
They claim no growth or development has taken place on the islands where the population is now 7000 with almost 60 per cent retirees.
Island resident Jan Schut said the southern Moreton Bay islands were now left without an affordable link to the mainland, job opportunities or higher education facilities.
"The only barge services are an extremely expensive way to take a vehicle to the mainland and, by using the ferry service one is left with only public transport on the mainland unless a person purchases a second vehicle to use on the mainland," she said.
"That ends up being just as cost prohibitive as the barge due to registration, insurance and parking fees.
"On a safety note, the last ferry at night is just prior to midnight and it is a similar situation for the barges.
"In effect no-one can get on or off the island overnight."
