MACLEAY Island resident Robin Harris says the city’s transport strategy should include a push for cheaper and quicker barges to reduce the need for mainland parking.
Mr Harris’s appeal comes as council has invited the state government to the Redlands to be part of a joint effort get feedback on the city and state’s transport strategies.
Redland City Council last week extended community consultation on the Draft Redlands Coast Transport Strategy to March 1, while the state government is developing a regional transport plan with submissions due the same day.
Mr Harris said if vehicle barges were cheaper and quicker, many retired islanders would quickly dispose of their mainland cars and parking space and instead use the barge.
“This single strategy could reduce mainland parking by 30 per cent or more,” he said.
Mayor Karen Williams said she had written to Transport Minister Mark Bailey to ask that he and state officers stand with council at engagement sessions to speak to residents.
She said council officers had found much feedback on the city’s transport strategy related to state government transport responsibilities such as state-controlled roads and public transport.
“Transport is one of the most important issues for Redlands Coast and delivering council’s transport strategy is highly dependent on the state’s transport network,” she said.
“As such, it is vital the community has the chance to comment on much-needed state projects, such as upgrades to state-controlled roads, the Eastern Busway and duplication of the Cleveland rail line and see how these yet to be delivered state projects would alleviate local transport issues.”
Cr Williams said there was a deficit in state transport infrastructure in the Redlands.
“...People need to be able to speak directly with the state government to explain why this infrastructure is important to our community,” she said.
“The best way to do that is on the ground, here in the city, with council on hand to answer questions about our draft transport strategy.”
Mr Harris said the city’s draft transport strategy failed to mention SMBI vehicle barge transport.
He said any residents interested in ameliorating the parking issues at Weinam Creek should comment on the council’s strategy.
Mr Harris said the council’s local transport plan for the Southern Moreton Bay Islands, done in 2002 and reviewed in 2011, contained information that was still relevant.
The document cites the need to decrease reliance on parking on the Redland foreshore; ensure transport services are competitively regulated, contracted and priced for the SMBI community; and investigate the feasibility of barge services from Macleay Island to Victoria Point and additional services from Russell Island to Redland Bay.
It says that if public transport and barge and water taxi services could be better tailored to islanders’ needs, car parking and reliance on private vehicles could be reduced for SMBI residents.
Mr Harris said public transport on the islands had the potential to reduce parking demand and a reduction in the zoning or price of passenger ferry journeys could boost mainland and island employment, together with island commerce and tourism.
Mr Harris said car share arrangements could also reduce vehicle trips and the need for parking.
Information about the Redland City Council’s Draft Redlands Coast Transport Strategy is available at yoursay.redland.qld.gov.au/draft-redlands-coast-transport-strategy.
Information about the state government’s regional transport plans is available at tmr.qld.gov.au/About-us/Corporate-information/Publications/Regional-Transport-Plans.
