Island commuters at wit’s end after decades-long battle with vandalism

Motorists are taking security into their own hands after vandals continue to target their cars, leaving them scratched, dinged and needing thousands of dollars worth of repairs.

Weinam Creek carpark vandalism attacks

FED-UP residents have resorted to installing security cameras on their cars in a desperate bid to curb a torrent of vandalism at a public carpark.

Redland Bay’s Weinam Creek carpark is the regional gateway for residents commuting to the mainland from the southern Moreton Bay islands of Macleay, Lamb, Karragarra and Russell.

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But lately it has resembled more of a wrecking yard, with almost daily incidents of tyres being slashed and cars dinged and smashed with rocks.

The Facebook group is filled with posts about recent incidents. Melissa Morey posted this shot of her dad’s silver Mazda.

Just two weeks ago, Macleay Island resident Anna Linneth’s car was “peeled open like a can opener” and needed $4000 worth of repairs after it was targeted by vandals.

At her wit’s end, Ms Linneth started a Facebook group for victims and after two weeks there have already been more than 10 incidents of theft and vandalism.

The rear of Ms Linneth’s car after it was targeted for a second time.

For years island commuters, who often leave their cars parked on the mainland for several days, have called for security cameras to combat the vandalism.

But the issue has state and local government at loggerheads.

A passenger ferry service operates from Redland Bay to the southern Redlands Coast islands in Moreton Bay. Picture: Paula Shearer

Russell Island resident Greg Hartay-Szabo said commuters had been forced to come up with their own security measures.

“They have come forward with pro-active solutions such as more patrolling done and temporary CCTV cameras mounted on a trailer,” he said.

“But where is duty of care from our elected representatives?”

The Facebook group started by Ms Linneth posts pictures of where the majority of attacks have occurred.

In March, the Federal Government provided $50,000 to install 15 CCTV cameras in the carpark, through its Safer Communities Fund.

A Redland City Council spokeswoman said the cameras would be installed by November but the prevention of crime was “primarily the responsibility of the State Government through the Queensland Police Service”.

The carpark has capacity for 2500 cars.

Mayor Karen Williams said the council and local police were doing everything they could to address the crime levels in the carpark.

“I have spoken with senior local police officers about what can be done to stem the current vandalism occurring at Weinam Creek,” she said.

“In response police have committed to doing all they can.”

Last year, the council drafted a Memorandum of Understanding with Queensland Police and TransLink to ensure that when the cameras are installed, the footage would be managed by the State Government.

Redland City Council mayor Karen Williams. Picture: Elyse Heyn

Cr Williams said she had this week written to TransLink to ensure the understanding was signed “as soon as possible”.

Redland Bay mechanic Mark Halse lives across the road from the carpark and has helped repair more than 500 cars from the carpark.

He was sceptical that security cameras would fix the long-running issue.

“What’s been going on has been happening for 20 years,” he said.

“Cameras are a waste of time and a waste of money. If you want to fix it, you have to have three security guards down there from 4pm until 5am, seven days a week.”