A community meeting organised by Les Barklea from Macleay Island was well attended by SMBI and mainland residents, SMBI Chamber of Commerce representatives, Rebecca Young MP, Kristy Da Silva (Rebecca’s Office), Dep Mayor Julie Talty, Cr Shane Rendalls, Graham Simpson (RCC Group Manager Environment and Regulation) and Andrew Ross (RCC Group Manager Governance and Legal Services).
Key issues raised by the community included:
- SMBI residents are to be encouraged to play a key role in driving responsible parking habits
- Impacts on local amenity and foreshore parklands
- Parking availability, proximity, and options
- Parking compliance, including abandoned, unsafe, or long‑term residential street parking
- Support for a balanced compliance approach focused on behaviour change
- Long‑term vehicle storage, including disrepair and misuse of disability parking permits
- Public and private transport options and last‑mile facilities
- Drop‑off zones
Key Priorities for Parking Reform
- Safety as a primary consideration
- Prioritised access for commuters and people with disabilities
- Disability parking located closest to the ferry
- Closest access for daily commuters 12/18-hour maximum parking
- Drop-off/pick up solutions, last mile luggage storage, end of trip e-bike/scooter/mobility devices storage
- Options to improve vehicle turnover in Moores Rd to improve access for commuters requiring short term parking.
- Removal of unregistered vehicles
Ongoing and Planned Actions
- Implement regulated parking signage in the Moores Road carpark to improve turnover and availability.
- Assess surrounding areas and verges for potential additional parking, subject to engineering , see attached maps.
- Review opportunities to expand car‑share arrangements, noting that each car‑share bay may free up multiple public spaces.
- Strengthen compliance processes for removing long‑term or unregistered vehicles and verifying disability permit use, in collaboration with the State Government.
- Improve drop‑off areas and storage options near the ferry terminal.
- Assess connections to the Moreton Bay cycleway and enhance active‑transport facilities, including charging points for e‑bikes and mobility devices.
- Investigate private long‑term parking options and shuttle services similar to airport models.
- Examine options for improved management of local on street parking to maintain access and amenity for local residents.
- Enhance community engagement to support a shift toward public transport, active travel, and car‑share use.
Work is being progressed as quickly as possible in preparation for multideck carpark construction scheduled for September 2026. Improvements to public open space and waterfront amenity remain a key objective.
The community will continue to receive updates through the petitioner.
Abandoned Vehicles
Council may remove property on Council land if it is present without lawful authority (trespass) or is considered abandoned under section 100 of the TORUM Act. Vehicles unlawfully parked in the Weinam Creek compound meet these criteria and may be removed under the Act.
Council must make reasonable enquiries to identify owners before removal, including placing a notice on the vehicle, sending postal notice, and attempting phone contact. If no response is received within approximately 28 days, the vehicle may be considered abandoned. Ownership claims made later must be substantiated, and fees may apply.
