A BRIDGE to Russell Island is back on the boil after Redland City Council today decided to ask the state government to consider it in its draft infrastructure plans for the area.
Island councillor Mark Edwards won his bid, 8-3, to get council to ask the state to amend its South East Queensland infrastructure plan to allow for a bridge.
Cr Edwards said building, designing, approving and maintaining a bridge were state responsibilities as was asking the community whether it wanted or needed a bridge.
He said it was impractical for the council to follow Redlands MP Peter Dowling’s suggestions to amend its town plan to include a bridge as it was a state jurisdiction.
However, he said a bridge would be necessary to cope with population forecasts of 22,000 for the bay islands and urged deputy premier Jeff Seeney to overturn his pro-ferry policies and reconsider his anti-bridge position.
Cr Edwards said the state would have to consult the community on how a bridge would be funded with options including federal grants or property transfer taxes.
“It is inevitable that, at some point in the future, the state government will have to consider alternative transport options,” he said.
“What I am proposing removes council from being perceived as being the responsible entity for delivering or preventing a bridge.”
Councillors Wendy Boglary, Paul Bishop and Murray Elliott voted against the proposal.
Cr Elliott said a bridge would destroy the islands and joked it would cost “about $500 each way”.
Cr Ogilvie said the state would not amend its plan until it saw a need for a bridge and called for all islands, including Straddie and Coochiemudlo, to be involved in consultations.
Council voted on the bridge proposal after hearing from Lamb Island resident Clem Ebber who said more than 400 island residents voted for a bridge in an online survey.
Mr Ebber said the bridge proposal encouraged the state to focus on improving infrastructure on the islands, which were sub-divided without adequate town planning in the 1970s.
He said the number of bay ferries would have to double to keep pace with the burgeoning population, a move that would dramatically push up ferry fares and destroy marine life.
“This is an opportunity for Redland City to finally break the current deadlock between council and the state and end the blame game over the bridge,” he said.
“We are convinced that once a bridge has been built, the socioeconomic structure on the islands will change and turn all islands into thriving seaside communities.”
