Redland Bay ferry terminal blame game continues as state refuses to budge on recreational boat ramp

The state government has blamed the investment arm of a local council for failing to deliver on a high-rise carpark and supermarket at a congested ferry terminal, where a teen boy was critically injured last Easter.

Island residents pay land owners to park their cars in front yards that are within walking distance to the ferry terminal. Picture: Judith Kerr

The state government has blamed the investment arm of a local council for failing to deliver on promises of a high-rise carpark and supermarket at a congested ferry terminal, where a teen boy was critically injured last Easter.

Redland teen Carlo Medina was left fighting for life in hospital after he collided with a car while riding his bike between parked cars near the Weinam Creek ferry terminal at Redland Bay on Good Friday last year.

The tragedy occurred when the ferry terminal car park and an adjacent “overflow” car park were both full over the Easter long weekend when island residents were forced to park their cars on nearby streets.

Carlo Medina with his mum and siblings, including his twin brother. Carlo was hit by a car at Moores Rd last year and is now making a recovery. Picture: contributed.

It prompted residents to call on the state government to fix the roads and parking at the busy ferry terminal with 273 signing a petition which specifically called for the state to withdraw approval for a three-lane recreational boat ramp at the terminal.

This week, residents’ hopes of stemming further parking congestion were dashed when the state government ignored their pleas to abort the boat ramp which would use carparking spaces at the terminal.

Chief petitioner island resident Margaret Kemp said residents believed the boat ramp, along with a new dragon boat and canoe facility at the terminal, would slash the number of car parks and lead to more safety issues and traffic congestion.

Mrs Kemp said many of the car parks that island residents needed on the mainland would be allocated to cars with trailers, even though for much of the week trailer car parks were left empty.

But in a letter to more than 270 furious island protesters, Deputy Premier Steven Miles this week sanctioned the ramp but said delays in a high-rise car park were due to Redland City Council’s investment arm, Redlands Investment Corporation.

An excerpt of Deputy Premier Steven Miles’ letter about fixing parking congestion at Weinam Creek ferry terminal by aborting a three-lane boat ramp.

“I am aware that carparking continues to be an important community issue, with high demand for secure carparking for island residents,” Mr Miles said.

“To assist in addressing this matter, a multi-deck car park near the bus and ferry terminal has also been given preliminary approval under the master plan.

“The multi-deck car park will include an additional 470 dedicated carparking spaces, to be increased by 35 spaces each year to a total of 820 spaces by December 2031.

“I am advised that a development application for the car park is still to be lodged by the Redlands Investment Corporation.

“Additional parking will also be provided for the proposed new shopping centre and other uses as they are developed.

“The convenience of having a full-line supermarket and increased retail range adjacent to the ferry and bus terminal will improve local services for all residents and lessen the need to drive to other locations for shopping needs.”

Redland City Council charges people to park their cars long-term in an enclosed compound within walking distance to the Weinam Creek ferry terminal at Redland Bay. Picture: Judith Kerr

The letter angered candidate for the state seat of Redland Gayle Nemeth who claimed island residents had been lied to about a high-rise car park, which was earmarked to have been built by 2020.

“We have asked the council ... what was the name of the full-line supermarket which will go in at Weinam Creek and we were told it had not been selected,” Ms Nemeth said.

“We asked if there would be a lift at the carpark and supermarket and were told they did not know yet.

“The council just blatantly lied to us. If Walker Group looked at the plans and thought they could not make a dollar out of it, how can Redland Investment Corporation make it work?”

Redland City Council said it had already provided 500 carparking spaces at Weinam Creek and was still finalising detailed plans for future stages of the Weinam Creek terminal, which include a multistorey car park and shopping precinct.

“The project is still on track to commence construction of the multistorey car park in 2025,” a council spokesman said.

“A development application will be submitted once the detailed designs have been finalised.

“Management for the car park operations are still under review.

“Once complete, the council will be able to provide accurate pricing indications regarding parking options.

“While the project takes shape, parking will continue to evolve to provide as much parking for Southern Moreton Bay Island commuters as possible.”