PROTESTORS have marched down Bloomfield Street, Cleveland, to Redland City Council premises, calling for better fire protection for bay islands.
The small demonstration was triggered by a Russell Island fire last month which caused evacuations, threatened 60 homes, burnt out more than 150ha and frightened many residents.
Protestors also called for a bridge to be built to Russell, better island access, improved roads and lighting and complained that they paid the same level of rates as mainland residents for lesser services.
Moreton Bay Combined Islands Association chairman Greg Hartay-Szabo said the primary focus was insufficient fire hazard prevention, a lack of care and discrimination of Southern Moreton Bay Islanders.
Mr Hartay-Szabo said although the rally focussed on shortcomings of fire disaster/hazard management, it also was aimed at raising awareness of other issues.
These included limited transport and evacuation options and no sewerage planning for the 4000-strong community even though North Stradbroke Island had been sewered for a population of 2000.
The islands also had no 24/7 medical centre and were treated as remote and isolated places on federal government maps.
Locals also had to pay a Translink fee on rates that mainland residents did not pay and a fire fee on rates despite vegetation maintenance being palmed off to private owners.
Mr Hartay-Szabo said council owned 60 per cent of the land on Russell Island and 43 per cent of all SMBI.
Local Disaster Coordinator Mike Lollback said the Russell Island fire burned over five days and no houses or lives were lost.
This reflected well on the handling of and planning for such an event.
Mr Lollback said many residents were not aware of emergency plans that were in place and he took responsibility for that.
Nevertheless, islanders had to be aware that during such an event, emergency services staff could not be at every place as locals demanded.
Mr Lollback said better communications about the island’s Disaster Management Plan would be investigated.
Mr Hartay-Szabo said it was regrettable the state government also had ignored the island.
“No care and compassion (was) shown from the Queensland government during the fires,’’ he said.
Mayor Karen Williams said a review of processes post the fire would include engaging Queensland Fire and Emergency Services to look at council's annual prescribed burn plan.
She said QFES were expert in fire management and so having them review the plan would provide confidence in the work.
