SMBI Integrated Transport Community Advisory Panel – 19 December 2024
Please direct any comment and feedback on issues reported here, or to raise new issues please contact Shane Rendalls by email [email protected] or Tel 0738298604. Alternatively, come along to one of my pop-up offices or schedule a meeting for me to attend your group or association.
BACKGROUND
Purpose
A community meeting facilitated by Shane Rendalls in his private capacity to discuss transport and parking issues on SMBI and the mainland.
Participants
Six residents from across the SMBI islands, comprising:
Age groups 15-24, 25-44, 45-64 and 65-74
Residents with and without mobility limitations
Carers of people with complex disabilities
Residents with and without children of school and preschool age
Residents with and without a mainland car
Residents who regularly commute (4) and who do not regularly commute (2) to work on the mainland.
A mixed use of private car, bus, electric bike and walking
2 residents from the mainland
Privacy of residents
Due to the risk of social media trolling, it was agreed that participants would remain anonymous. As in any discussion with residents, these are private, unless the individual resident wish to identify.
SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION
To address ferry terminal traffic flow, parking congestion, and improve overall transport on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands (SMBI), the group discussed a range of initiatives inspired by best practices from other island communities and territories in Australia.
The following ideas are tailored to the unique circumstances of SMBI, and account for the needs of people with disabilities, parents with young children, and the Weinam Creek development plans. Key factors influencing traffic management include the introduction of larger vehicle barges, planned increased barge subsidy, increased public transport use due to the $0.50 public transport fares, and balancing the needs of the boating community.
Proposed Actions
Briefing with the Redland Investment Corp and the Weinam Creek development team to ensure alignment between SMBI needs and broader regional plans.
Conduct a traffic and parking audit at key terminals (Macleay and Russell Islands) to identify peak congestion times and high-demand areas.
Develop a community consultation process to test the feasibility and support for initiatives such as single-direction traffic, off-site parking, and stricter parking enforcement.
Pilot one or two initiatives (e.g., drop-off zones, off-site parking) for a fixed trial period and assess impact before wider implementation.
DISCUSSION TOPICS
General
We are a group of interested community members who volunteer our time and who represent a range of community needs across the islands. We are a sounding board for Cr Rendalls and other stakeholders (e.g. RIC, SeaLink, TMR, State Govt, RCC) to explore a range of issues, opportunities and solutions to the integrated transport issues of residents and people who regularly visit the SMBIs. They are not the only voice that Council invites or hears from.
The goal is to improve the on-island, mainland, and integrated transport for all residents, workers and visitors to the SMBIs.
Multistorey carpark
Rebecca Young MP reaffirmed:
Government commitment to the construction of 2000+ car spaces at Weinam Creek, in the area bounded by the ferry terminal and Banana St.
Planning is underway with the Redland Investment Corporation and the developer on the design to deliver these spaces. A commitment has been given that plans will be released for comment once formed.
TRAFFIC FLOW MANAGEMENT
Traffic Flow Analysis:
Work with traffic engineers to model and optimise the flow of vehicles, especially during peak times.
Larger Vehicle Barges:
Deployment of larger barges for vehicle transport, reducing wait times and accommodating more vehicles per trip.
Expanded vehicle loading and unloading zones at Redland Bay Marina and island terminals to improve operational efficiency.
Single Direction Traffic Flow:
Implement one-way traffic systems around ferry terminals at Redland Bay Marina and Macleay Island to reduce congestion and confusion.
Review the impacts of car queuing for larger vehicle barges at RI and MI and the impact on traffic flow, dual lanes?
Review the impact on barge traffic, pedestrian and local cars and local businesses (Macleay Island).
Segregated safe walking routes for pedestrians.
Include clear signage and road markings for smooth navigation.
Drop-off and Pick-up Zones:
Extend the Drop Off/Pick Up zone at Redland Bay Marina; provide weather cover for exiting passengers, especially for people with prams and wheelchairs/mobility aids.
Convert ‘School Bus ‘zone to ‘School Bus during school hours” to 2-minute drop-off zones where drivers must remain with their vehicles.
Amend existing 10 minute drop off zones to 2-minute drop-off zones where drivers must remain with their vehicles.
Permit disabled drop off in Emergency Vehicle standing bays (if vacant) – 2-minute drop of where driver must remain with vehicle and immediately move vehicle if an emergency vehicle comes.
Designate areas for off-site waiting zones, as seen at Brisbane Airport, where drivers can wait for free before entering the terminal for pickups.
PARKING SOLUTIONS
Disabled Parking Spots:
Expand the number of disabled parking bays at Redland Bay Marina due to the higher proportion of permit holders on SMBI.
Ensure bays to accommodate accessible vans and vehicles with ramps.
Align time limits for disabled parking spaces with surrounding zones, e.g., 18 hours/7 days to optimise turnover and fairness.
Ensure Permit Holders are operating in accordance with the regulations.
Note: people with intellectual disability or dementia cannot be dropped off at the terminal while drivers go to find a park. There are higher levels of support needed for some commuters.
There are no undercover drop off areas on the islands for disabled/wheelchair users; in wet or stormy weather some people are not able to travel as they cannot get to/from vehicles in their wheelchair (esp. power chairs in puddles)
Area between Hamilton St short term parking and bus stop at 55-61 Hamilton St. Can this be surfaced to improve access to footpath – request has been submitted to Council and awaiting works.
Flooding at the pedestrian ramp from the Russell Island Ferry terminal footpath to the pedestrian crossing. Impeding access by wheelchair users.
Longer stay Parking Limits:
Strengthen enforcement against vehicles significantly overstaying parking time limits, with fines or towing as deterrents. This is related to apparently abandoned vehicles in the 7-day parking areas.
Utilise digital parking sensors or license plate recognition systems to monitor spaces.
Off-site Parking Facilities:
Develop long term (greater than 7 days) off-site parking lots at Weinam Creek or nearby areas, serviced by shuttle buses.
Trial off-site commuter parking locations serviced by free shuttle buses on Macleay and Russell Island
Promote the use of e-scooters to/from off-site parking; subsidies to increase the use; encourage people who can park off-site and scooter to do so, leaving parking spaces closer to the ferries for people with mobility difficulties.
Provision of secure on island storage for mobility scooters, bicycles and scooters.
Offer wheelchair-accessible shuttle buses connecting ferry terminals to main hubs or off-site parking areas.
OTHER ISSUES
Pedestrian safety
Increased traffic flow near ferry terminals is a risk to pedestrians, especially people who are walking on the roads; risks are to all pedestrians including wheelchair users, parents with prams and young children.
Car speeds and overall safety issues in the parking areas with people rushing to get a park to get on the ferry.
Need a segregated footpath up the hill from MI Ferry.
Need a footpath from Michael St to Perulpa Island for safe walking (MI).
Parent-Friendly Facilities:
Explore dedicated parking for families with young children and prams.
Explore sheltered waiting areas with benches for Macleay Island Ferry Terminal similar to Russell Island.
Increase rubbish disposal facilities at island ferry terminals and/or frequency of emptying.
Public Transport Integration:
Enhanced bus services connecting ferry terminals to surrounding areas to accommodate increased ridership due to the $0.50 fare policy.
Ensure real-time GPS tracking for ferries and buses to minimise waiting times for people with disabilities or young families and connectivity of buses and ferries.
On island wheelchair accessible public transport buses during peak periods on a loop – 6am-9am; 3pm-6pm
Awareness Campaigns:
Promote education campaigns on proper use of disabled parking spaces, drop-off zones, and ferry terminal etiquette to encourage community compliance.
Green Transport Options:
Promote the State Gov subsidy of the Car Share program
On island Community car sharing
Encourage the use of e-bikes and e-scooters – are there implications with taking these on the ferries; what is Sea Link’s perspective?
Provide secure bike storage facilities at terminals and the Weinam Creek development.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations: Install EV chargers at parking facilities to promote environmentally friendly travel.
Encourage Active Transport: Develop safe cycling and walking routes to and from ferry terminals to reduce vehicle dependency.
On island transport
Discussions have commenced with on island transport providers in respect to more affordable commuter transport.
Barges
New barge, now in operation, official launch Sat 22 February 2025.
Improve barge booking system to provide real-time barge availability for last minute bookings.
Progress updates
Requests to RIC for more regular updates have been well received with the website updated Weinam Creek Redevelopment | Your Say Redlands Coast.
RIC has also noted the need for more regular updates to keep community informed.
Other topics
On island transport options:
- Uber ride share?
- STAR transport?
- Private bus company?
- Boating parking access?
- Parking congestion, including boat trailer parking, on residential street surrounding Weinam Creek.
Data capture:
- Ferry and bus passenger data
- Car share membership and utilisation
- # of Disability permit holders living on SMBI
- % of barge bookings used for commercial and non-resident purposes
- % of barge bookings for residents
- #Abandoned cars or cars overstaying 7 day parking
- # Unregistered cars parked at island and mainland ferry terminals
- Use of disabled parking spots – rotation or long-stay use
Integrated timetable needs; ferry schedule to reflect changing population and increased usage.