A VACANT block of Crown land next to the Cleveland train station will be turned into a free car park after Redland City Council voted to hand the site to the state government.
Council set aside the land, to the west of the Cleveland train station, for a park.
But the state government asked for the land after it put out expressions of interest to redevelop the train station last year.
It will provide an extra 20 free car spots within walking distance to the station to complement a shopping complex and residential development to be built on top.
Officers said the land was "surplus" and had not been efficiently used for more than 10 years and recommended it would be better as a car park.
Wednesday's meeting heard council would continue to maintain a small gated area which included a pedestrian path.
Officers said council had planted trees on the site and the area was not a koala habitat, unlike land to the west, known as the Grace Hartley Bushland Reserve.
An anti-climbing shield and fencing was installed at the site last year to stop animals climbing on to the railway tracks.
Councillor Wendy Boglary, whose division covers the site, said the site was a major problem for police and council trying to control young people taking drugs, drinking alcohol, lighting fires and littering.
Cr Boglary said three significant gum trees would not be destroyed and other vegetation was planted by council two years ago.
Redlands Koala Action Group's Debbie Pointing was unhappy with the decision and said she expected construction of the car park would eventually kill the established gum trees.
Cleveland MP Mark Robinson said the tender process for the station redevelopment was not finalised.
"A transport-oriented development at Cleveland Station is important because it provides the critical mass of people needed to revive the CBD, delivers on my commitment to provide car-parking spaces, and is koala-friendly as it reduces the amount of green-field bushland development," he said.
