REDLAND politicians have reiterated opposition to building a bridge to North Stradbroke Island but the island's businesses remain divided on the issue.
The bridge debate was sparked on January 1, when Education Minister John Paul Langbroek said a bridge to the island "might be necessary" when sand mining leases expired after 2030.
Mr Langbroek made his comments while unveiling Cabinet documents from 1982 showing the Bjelke-Petersen government planned to call tenders for an $81 million bridge from Redland Bay across Pannikin and Russell islands to Straddie.
However, Member for Cleveland Mark Robinson, whose electorate covers Straddie, was quick to clarify Mr Langbroek's comments saying the LNP had no plans for a bridge.
Redland City Mayor Karen Williams and island councillor Craig Ogilvie both said a bridge would cost "an exorbitant amount" and was not a priority.
"The council is too busy looking at the assets it has before leaping into building new expensive infrastructure which would be costly to maintain," Cr Williams said.
"Residents of the Southern Moreton Bay Islands, where the bridge would be built, are divided over a bridge, which really is a state government decision."
Cr Ogilvie (Div 2) said a bridge did not guarantee more profitable tourism for island businesses, who were more interested in the state government detailing a timeline for the end of mining and an economic transitional strategy.
On Friday, leaders from the island's sand mining industry, tourism operators and Chamber of Commerce, joined Mr Robinson in opposing the 30-year-old plan.
Straddie chamber of commerce chairman David Thomson, who is also general manager of ferry company Transit Systems marine business development department, said a bridge would change the island's character for the worse.
"The chamber, which now has 110 members, is concerned about life after sand mining and all the businesses on the island are planning for the future, which is about tourism and retaining the island's pristine and unique capabilities.
"We don't want any more tourists on Straddie in the 12 to 14 weeks of school holidays when the island is at capacity. Our challenge is to ensure island businesses survive between the peaks and work out ways to sustain business during the troughs."
However, Dunwich businesswoman Gloria Jones, who owns Straddie Bakery, claimed a bridge would open up tourism and job opportunities without ruining the environment.
She said those opposing the bridge had vested interests including keeping the ferry and barge services afloat.
"Some people are worried Straddie would lose its character, but if the council and the state are not greedy, it would not have to become another Gold Coast or Bribie Island.
"The barge service is a monopoly and when mining closes, there won't be the same amount of barge traffic so the company will probably offer fewer services.
"If a bridge is built, it would have a toll which would limit the number of tourists."
