Rebecca Young MP and the state government have confirmed their commitment to deliver a multistorey carpark at Weinam Creek. We now have a clear framework for delivering the carpark.
On Monday 1st December 2025, Rebecca Young MP (Assistant Minister to the Deputy Premier and Assistant Minister for Planning, Housing and Better Regulation), Amanda Stoker MP (Assistant Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training), Russell Field MP, the CEO and Executive Leadership Team (ELT) of Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) had a two hour face to face meeting with 10 of the 11 Redland City councillors and council ELT. EDQ presented a proposal and timeframe for progressing the multi-storey carpark at Weinam Creek. We also worked through issues surrounding each of the Priority Development Areas in Redlands. This level of collaboration between the state government and Redlands Council was previously unheard of.
This meeting was followed by a presentation from Redland Investment Corporation on the 8th December of the latest iteration of their proposal for Weinam Creek. This comprised a site plan built around a full line supermarket, the cornerstone of their proposal:
- Restricted site for the carpark, trading footprint for height, this restricted future potential for additional floors
- On ground parking for supermarket shoppers, drawing more people into a congested parking area
- Supermarket staff parking in the multistorey carpark and competing with residents
- Restricted foreshore for public access
- Limited capacity for redesign of ferry and bus interchange
Many councillors did not think the RIC proposal was the best outcome for SMBI, mainland Redland Bay or the wider Redland area in terms of this prime waterfront land.
Following on from the clear commitment and capacity of the State government to deliver the multistorey carpark, I moved a motion at the General Meeting 10 December 2025 to delegate authority to the CEO to commence negotiation with the State Government to progress delivery of the multi-storey carpark. While a minority of councillors wanted to further delay the process for yet more consultation and planning, I and the majority of councillors felt that we should not be delaying or standing in the way of the state government delivering the carpark any further. There has been twelve years of planning and delay and still no carpark!
This motion approved by Council:
- Enables EDQ to meet the full cost and responsibility for the delivery of this project
- Removes the inclusion of a full line supermarket in the development, allowing the release of land identified for an on-grade supermarket carpark for alternative uses to be determined by Council. Restoring this rare and highly valuable prime waterfront area to the community
- Enables a reconsideration of road infrastructure, predominately designed around the supermarket to better plan the overall amenity of the site
- Maintains most of the existing car spaces during the construction of the multi-storey carpark, minimising impact on SMBI residents
- Pauses expenditure on high cost Loop Road from the 2025/2026 and 2026/27 budget
- Enables a rethink of the Marina/bus interchange/ disability parking and drop off/pick up areas to better meet the needs of a SMBI population that is likely to double over the next 8-10 years
Most importantly it allows the State to get on with the job of delivering a multistorey carpark while giving Council the time to plan the best utilisation of this prime waterfront land for the benefit of both SMBI and mainland residents.
Senior staff from Council met with EDQ in the days following the council resolution. I expect that a proposal from the state government will be presented to Council early in the new year.
Minutes from the Council meeting are attached below