This paper explains the current discussion around regional status for the Southern Moreton Bay Islands (SMBI), why Council has been advocating for this recognition, what benefits it could bring, and why regional status on its own will not solve the long-standing infrastructure issues facing the islands.
Why regional status matters
Recognition of the Redlands Coast islands as regional for state and federal planning and funding has been a key advocacy priority for Redland City Council, including during the 2024 State Election and the 2025 Federal Election.
This position has been supported unanimously by councillors, and Council has consistently raised it with government agencies and elected representatives.
Regional status could improve access to funding opportunities, but it is not a standalone fix for the long-standing infrastructure shortfalls facing SMBI.
In practical terms, regional recognition may improve eligibility for certain state and federal funding streams and strengthen the case for targeted government investment. However, it should be understood as an enabling mechanism rather than a complete solution.
The long history behind the infrastructure gap
The infrastructure gap on SMBI has deep roots. When the islands were subdivided in 1971–72, major infrastructure works were not completed at the time the subdivision was approved. This occurred before SMBI became part of Redlands Shire.
The islands were effectively sold before the supporting infrastructure had been delivered. Roads, drainage, and other essential works were not completed to a standard that would meet the needs of a growing community, and the consequences of that early planning failure are still being felt today.
Queensland Cabinet records from January 1973 show that the issue was recognised at the time, yet the cost burden ultimately fell to local communities. In practical terms, this has meant that Redlands residents and SMBI residents have continued to carry costs linked to infrastructure that should have been addressed much earlier.
This is an important part of the regional status discussion. While additional funding access is valuable, the core issue is that SMBI has a historic infrastructure backlog that developed over decades. That backlog was not created by current residents, but they continue to live with its impacts.
What needs to happen next
Regardless of whether regional status is granted, the most important next step is to clearly identify, prioritise and cost the infrastructure needed across SMBI. While Council holds parts of this information through various plans, studies and service data, there is not yet one consolidated picture of the full scope of need, the order of priorities, and the likely total cost.
Without that full picture, it is difficult to build a strong strategy for advocacy, funding applications, or internal planning. A clear and shared understanding of the infrastructure backlog is essential to making real progress.
That work is essential not only for future advocacy but also for sound planning. It helps demonstrate the scale of the challenge, supports funding submissions, and provides a stronger basis for discussions with state and federal governments about their role in addressing legacy issues on the islands.
To move forward in a practical way, infrastructure needs across SMBI can be grouped into two broad tasks: identifying the scale of what is needed, and planning how that work should be prioritised and delivered.
Identifying needs and planning solutions
Some of this work can be progressed through desktop review, existing Council data and broad cost estimates. Other parts require detailed on-the-ground mapping and direct engagement with local residents to understand where the most significant gaps and impacts are occurring.
Examples of the work ahead
Unsealed roads: The extent of unsealed roads is already known, which makes this a good example of where desktop analysis can help estimate the scale of the challenge. SMBI currently has more than 40 kilometres of unsealed gazetted roads, nearly all on Russell Island. At an indicative cost of around $800,000 per kilometre to seal, this indicates a budget requirement of more than $32 million. The final cost will be higher if roads are widened, verges are included, or more durable surfacing methods are preferred over the current green seal approach.
Planning for roads also involves policy choices about value and durability. That includes weighing up whether to maintain the current green seal method or invest in higher-quality construction, as well as determining the order in which road works should be delivered. This is an important point for consultation with the community.
Drainage: Drainage needs are less clearly understood and are a strong example of why local mapping and community input matter. While some flood mapping exists to show areas that experience inundation, it does not fully identify the drainage contributors behind those problems or potential solutions.
For example, on Wake Street on Macleay Island, there is no kerb and guttering, and runoff from the street and around 20 residential lots is channelled for about 280 metres into a privately owned residential property. Issues like this are best identified in consultation with the local community and then merged with Council’s existing data so an overall picture of drainage works, options, costs and priorities can be developed. There are many such examples across the islands.
Zoning and planning regulations: There is also a clear need to review commercial and industrial zoning across the islands so that businesses can grow in step with the increasing population, create local jobs, and strengthen the SMBI economy.
Much of this work is a desktop planning process supported by community and business consultation. It is currently being progressed through the review of the Redland City Plan, and there is a strong case for ensuring SMBI is considered early in that planning work.
Sewerage: Sewerage planning is another example of a strategic desktop process. The major question is whether sewerage should ultimately extend across all islands, some islands, or selected parts of islands such as commercial precincts.
Options could include staged rollout models, similar to how growth areas such as Shoreline have been planned, with early investment focused on cost effectiveness and on enabling commercial and community infrastructure.
While I will continue to advocate for roads, parking, expanded marine infrastructure and faster planning processes, the key areas to work through with the community over the next 12 months are drainage, footpaths, and paths and trails.
Quantifying the extent of these needs and applying indicative costs will help build a stronger foundation for future decision-making and advocacy.
- A quantified assessment on the requirements of SMBI
- An indicative indication of overall costs
- A basis for discussion with the community on priorities
- An information base with which to advocate for Federal and State funding.
The infrastructure needs of SMBI cannot continue to be set aside. They need to be identified, costed, prioritised and supported by a practical work program in the same way Council would approach any other major long-term capital challenge.
Call to action: Residents, community groups and all levels of government have a role to play in ensuring the infrastructure needs of SMBI are properly recognised and addressed. Building a clear picture of priorities, costs and local impacts is the next step toward stronger advocacy, better planning and fairer investment for the islands.