A LONG-AWAITED report has been brought to council showing more than $15 million in road sealing works are yet to be completed on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands.
About 48 kilometres - almost half the roads identified for sealing - have been completed, but 50 kilometres of road on Macleay and Russell islands are yet to be sealed.
The report, which councillors requested in October, said between $200,000 and $250,000 could be saved annually in the cost of maintaining unsealed gravel roads.
About $12.3 million has already been spent and a minimum of $15.5 million more is needed to seal the remaining roads.
Cr Mark Edwards said the easier roads - which needed minimal drainage works and re-grading - had been completed and the remaining roads would require more complex works.
The report said a high number of roads would remain unsealed and uncleared due to their location or suitability.
According to the report, there had been a recent trend towards health- and safety-related complaints about unsealed roads, including fears about silica dust.
Residents have complained for years of dust exacerbating lung conditions and causing sore throats.
Safety in Mines Testing and Research Station had monitored dust levels on the islands.
"SIMTARS completed testing on a random selection of SMBI roads, which all demonstrate that the airborne respirable silica content remains within accepted guidelines," the report said.
"This does not account for the potential hazard to those who suffer from breathing difficulties and the nuisance that airborne dust provides to residents."
General Counsel Andrew Ross said council was working with SIMTARS to have the dust testing results released.
Cr Wendy Boglary said she wanted a holistic report on all island issues, including sewerage.
The report came two weeks after Cr Edwards called on council to allocate $800,000 for green sealing for the rest of the financial year.
He said unsealed roads were the number one issue for the island communities.
"I've not heard or seen this response (about) other community projects in the Redlands," he said.
"Every community deserves progress."
He said officers had advised they could deliver $800,000 in road sealing works by the end of June.
The request drew criticism from other councillors, with Cr Lance Hewlett saying he did not think it was appropriate to support it just weeks out from an election.
He said the green seal program was low down on the budget priority list.
Cr Edwards' motion was passed, seven votes to four.
