THE state government has asked Redland City Council to stump up money to help cover free inter-island ferry costs despite putting up posters crediting itself with the service.
The hypocritical move was slammed by councillors.
Mayor Karen Williams told council that Transport Minister Mark Bailey had asked for Redland City Council to help fund inter-island travel.
Cr Williams said that Mr Bailey's letter said council could contribute without imposing a levy on SMBI residents.
She said this would mean all ratepayers would be slugged for council's contribution.
Mr Bailey told the Bulletin that Brisbane City Council contributed towards free ferries and Gold Coast toward free travel for seniors on their transport network.
"The mayor wanted free transport services for Redlands Coast residents but doesn't want council to contribute to the cost," he said.
He said the Redlands had covered the cost of the free inter-island ferry services until late last year.
The request to council in December came less than a month after the government said it would fully fund the $400,000 cost of inter-island travel and integrated ticketing.
Redlands MP Kim Richards said at the time that fares would have been re-introduced for travel between the four islands if the government had not intervened.
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SMBI residents have been charged a levy since 2013 when the state government agreed to integrate the islands into the Translink ferry services. Then levy was to end in 2015 but was extended until December last year.
Then transport minister Jackie Trad wrote to Cr Williams in November 2015 that council would not be required to contribute after December last year when the agreement ended.
Ms Trad said free inter-island travel would be maintained until that time.
In council on Wednesday, Cr Julie Talty said she was bewildered by the minister's request.
"Either he is very ill informed or is playing political games," she said.
Cr Mark Edwards said the minister's request was incredulous, while Cr Paul Gleeson said it was absurd.
Cr Edwards said posters on ferries credited the Queensland government for free inter-island travel but the state wanted money from council.
Cr Williams said the state government had asked council for an annual payment to support the integration of the SMBIs into the Translink ferry services in 2013.
Councillors agreed that Cr Williams would tell Mr Bailey that public transport was a state government responsibility and council had fulfilled its obligations.
Mr Bailey said the Palaszczuk government had shown its commitment to delivering infrastructure in the Redlands with the $9.77 million Victoria Point bus station, $17.5 million for marine infrastructure upgrades and the Victoria Point bypass study.
He said advocacy by Ms Richards had resulted in free inter-island ferry services.
"That doesn't stop council coming back to the table and funding its fair share - which is what I invited the mayor to do," Mr Bailey said.
"I've pointed out that this could be done without council imposing a levy on SMBI residents, which is what they did in the past."