Where Redland Bay local Mark Ball once saw a beautiful expanse of greenery from his back deck, he is now confronted with a “massive” car park.

It’s a more than 500 space car park, to accommodate day trippers to the islands and fishermen, which Redlands council argues will make the area an “exciting and dynamic destination in its own right”.

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The council started work on the multimillion-dollar “transport hub” project last year as part of the city’s ‘Master Plan’ first announced by Redland City Mayor Karen Williams in 2014 as a ground up rejuvenation of the Weinam Creek Marina.

Announced in conjunction with the now controversial Toondah Harbour project at Cleveland Cr Williams said at the time the proposals would help shape the city’s future and boost its tourism potential.

Weinam Creek Marina, first developed as a ferry terminal in the early 1960s, has undergone minimal redevelopment since.

The car park at Moores Road has been built on what was the old Moores farm land.

Part of the Weinam Creek priority development, the car park has been constructed by Redland Investment Corporation, which is a propriety company formed by Redland City Council in 2014.

And the council says more construction is on the way, with a new boat ramp expected to be completed by 2022.

A council spokesman said the Moores Road car park would accommodate 501 car park spaces during construction of a multistorey car park to the north of the site.

Once both parking spaces are complete the Moores Road site would cater to 90 boat trailer spaces and 297 car spaces.

There has been furious local debate however about its impact with many residents shocked by the scale and others encouraged by the promise of significantly upgraded infrastructure.

But after 26 years at his Auster St property Mr Ball, a retiree, was confounded by what he viewed as a lack of consultation.

“We do want a say into how our lives are affected,” Mr Ball said.

“And we are not against development but we do want the development to benefit the community.”

With construction at the car park already advanced Mr Ball was desperate to stall further planned development of a boat ramp next to his house in what has become a construction bonanza in the quaint enclave.

A footbridge linking the Moores Road car park with the Redland Bay Marina precinct on Meissner Street is near complete and preparatory work has begun for a boat ramp adjacent to Mr Ball’s property.

Mr Ball feared an already popular locale would be overrun once facilities were complete.

“We are just at our wit’s end,” he said.

“Just come down here on a Sunday or a Saturday and see the boats; you can hardly drive through.

“So how in the hell is all of this (the new car park) going to function without someone being struck?”

Mr Ball said disruption would occur at all hours with noise and lights as vessels are launched.

The resident has since installed a host of privacy blinds and security screens but feared it would not be enough given the spate of crimes which have occurred at the existing marina car park.

Steven Komorowski lives a few blocks away on Cliftonville Place in the Orchard Beach estate and was appalled by the scope of change taking place.

A resident for 25 years Mr Komorowski was particularly concerned about a potential increase in crime, flooding and traffic.

“We are devastated because this is our home; we bought down here for a reason and now it has been ruined for us, like for most other families in the area,” he said.

“When that car park opens up it is going to be a massive collector of water and the (Weinam) creek will back up, because it floods.

“And the additional cars and boat trailer traffic is a major concern for the community who use Orchard Beach waterfront for leisurely strolls.”

Mr Komorowski has called for the Orchard Beach estate to be blocked off at Moores Road “before someone is seriously injured or killed by the increased traffic.”

The resident said the estate was already used as a “scenic rat run” to exit Redland Bay for the Gold Coast; a trend he feared would become more pronounced as development continues.

Congestion at the locale should increase markedly with plans for multiple multistorey apartments and medium density housing townhouses planned in the development area.

However, Redland City Council said the project would transform the area for the better.

“Weinam Creek is set to become an exciting and dynamic destination in its own right – as well as an effective transport hub and gateway to the islands,” a council spokesman said.

“The master plan, which will be delivered in stages, will transform the waterfront of Redland Bay, improve the usability of the transport hub, attract visitors, create jobs and drive economic development in the area.” 

Council refuted a lack of consultation which it said was comprehensive, started in 2013 and was ongoing.

“The public notification of the car park, footbridge and residential sub-division proposals was communicated via on-site signage, media announcements and website updates, letters to the adjoining owners and advertisements in the Redland City Bulletin and Courier-Mail,” a council spokesman said.

“The need for more and better parking at Weinam Creek was a key reason for the project and the newly completed Moores Road car park will accommodate up to 501 car park spaces throughout future staged PDA development work.

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“Following the completion of the new recreational boat ramp, expected by 2022, Moores Road Car Park will provide for 90 boat trailer spaces and 297 car spaces.

“This will be in addition to other planned PDA parking, including multi-level parking.

“The construction of the new Moores Road car park has included planted buffer zone and acoustic fencing between the car park and adjoining residences.

“Newly constructed residential dwellings along the border of the Moores Road car park provide further separation from existing residences.”

Council could not confirm whether security cameras would be installed at the facility.