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Ferry terminal partnership

from Our Redlands Coast Magazine - Winter 2019

from Our Redlands Coast Magazine - Winter 2019, page 20

Listing shores up Coochie's cr...

Redland City Council is working with the Queensland Government to upgrade all four Southern Moreton Bay Island passenger ferry terminals.

Division 5 Councillor Mark Edwards said Council had welcomed a State Government offer to design and partly fund the long-awaited rebuild of the terminals at Russell, Macleay, Lamb and Karragarra islands.

“We have got to this stage after months of talks with the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) and Translink. Now we can work with TMR to progress to the next stage,” Cr Edwards said.

“We have been determined to negotiate a deal that best serves the interests of island residents and visitors well into the future and, as a result, we will achieve a better deal for ratepayers than what was initially suggested by the State.

“We have got to this stage following some vigorous discussion after Council originally voted that the State should fund the entire cost as the level of government responsible for public transport.

“Councillors unanimously voted that these costs shouldn’t be borne by ratepayers and, in response, the State has increased its financial

contribution. We thank the State for listening. We are now working on the detail that will allow the project to proceed so island residents can be provided with the infrastructure needed to provide a reliable and safe transport service.’’

Cr Edwards said the upgrade of the Russell Island passenger ferry terminal would be top priority.

“Due to its condition we need to get Russell Island done first, with the order of the other upgrades to be determined during the planning phase,” he said.

Cr Edwards said the project had many benefits for the four island communities.

“We know these communities rely on this infrastructure to access everything from employment to critical health services and this project will enhance commuter safety, as well as improve access to these vital services,” he said.

“Council is keen to work with TMR to develop an operating model that ensures the long-term viability of this significant infrastructure which really are lifelines to the communities they service. Unlike most residents, these communities have no other transport options available to them.”