ASSISTANT Transport Minister Glenn Butcher has repeated his push for council to upgrade security in car parks at the Weinam Creek marina.
Mr Butcher made the call at the official opening of the $8.15 million marina bus station on Tuesday.
The upgrade includes 17 security cameras which provide security at the station and cover part of the car park.
Mr Butcher said while touring of the station in June that council would have to spend money to improve the car park protection.
On Tuesday he said safety issues in the ferry terminal car parks had been raised a number of times.
“Having our CCTV cameras helps, but we would like to see the whole facility covered,” he said.
A council spokesperson said police were responsible for providing community safety and responding to criminal activity.
“Council works proactively with the Queensland police on community safety initiatives, including any future CCTV requirements in the city,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said they had discussed suggestions for CCTV coverage and would continue to do so in consultation with police, councillors and council officers when specific proposals arose.
Councillor Mark Edwards said the station was much improved, but some fine tuning was needed.
He said people had already fallen on concrete guttering that had not been properly line marked.
“Bad weather is still an issue as there is little protection for people,” Cr Edwards said. “People get drenched trying to get to work.”
“Some elderly people also have asked for more seating and there is only one ambulance bay instead of two.
“I suppose that will be just a matter of line marking.
“The facility certainly makes a great entrance statement to the islands,” he said.
Mr Butcher said the upgraded station provided customers with modern, secure, accessible and comfortable facilities.
“The $8.15 million upgrade has delivered an impressive new facility that will be a huge asset for the Redlands community for many years to come.
“It will also be the gateway to the Southern Moreton Bay Islands providing a seamless link between the bus and ferry as well as an improved waiting area at the new station.”
Mr Butcher confirmed that a cafe would occupy one of two retail spaces at the station.
He said Translink’s go cards would be sold at the facility for people who had difficulty using the new machine that had been installed in the upgrade.
The council spokesperson said the upgrade had allowed improvements to be made to traffic management and safety at the site, including a safe drop-off facility and emergency and disabled parking.
“The new terminal is expected to help encourage better transport connectivity to the area,” the spokesperson said.
“Minimising the demand on parking, through the improved co-ordination of transport services, or other transport alternatives, is a working project priority for council.”
