Redland City Council calls for autonomous vehicles on Moreton Bay islands

Mayor Karen Williams said council would call for the state government to remove barriers to technology that could meet transport challenges in the Redlands.

The suggestion of autonomous vehicles would be included in a submission to a state government inquiry into the future of transport technology.

Mayor Karen Williams said council would make the case for better transport technology in their submission to the Transport and Public Works Committee inquiry into Transport Techology – the challenges and opportunities which technology will bring to the transport sector in coming years.

She said transport was one of the most significant challenges in the Redlands.

“With six residential islands and significant coastal populations, transport needs in the Redlands Coast are unique and present difficulties that require innovation and new technologies to overcome,” Cr Williams said.

“The vast majority of transport routes in and out of the city are managed by the state government. This includes the major state controlled roads and the Cleveland rail line and other public transport routes.

“The marine infrastructure that helps our island-based residents access employment opportunities and social services are provided either by the state government or private transport operators.”

Cr Williams said an example of technologies was autonomous vehicles, which council had been encouraging the state government to trial in island communities.

She said council had advocated for years and offered innovative funding solutions but there was little committed state government funding for transport projects to manage growth across the city.

“Redland City Council welcomes the inquiry which provides an opportunity to think outside the box in terms of our city’s transport future,” Cr Williams said.

The council also recently endorsed the Draft Redlands Coast Transport strategy for community engagement.