Redland City Council and the Queensland State Government has started a long-term process that could see the rejuvenation of island jetties over the coming years.
Engineering and design firms Cardno and Architectus have been engaged by the Queensland Government and Redland City Council to design an upgrade of the Southern Moreton Bay Islands (SMBI) ferry terminals.
“Appointing a respected team of engineers and designers is a crucial first step in delivering new, upgraded terminal infrastructure that’s safe and accessible for all ferry passengers,” Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said.
“The Queensland Government has contributed $290,000 and expertise to move forward on the important design and engineering phase of the ferry terminals project.
“It includes $250,000 from the Queensland Government’s Passenger Transport Infrastructure Program, which Redland City Council has agreed to match, and demonstrates what can be achieved when State and Local Governments work in partnership for the benefit of local communities.”
Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the engineering and design appointments followed extensive consultation with residents and users of the Russell, Macleay, Lamb and Karragarra island ferry terminals.
“Ferry terminals are the gateways of our island communities and users want better protection from the weather and wider gangways for improved access,’’ Cr Williams said.
Division 5 Cr Mark Edwards advised that a proposal was in the early planning stages.
“Apart from works by the Queensland State Government to strengthen the Russell Island Jetty and then replace it in approximately three years, there is no future funding for the jetty replacements on all Bay Islands; just for the design process only.
He said any future work on the jetties would be a process that would involve both Redland City Council, the Queensland State Government and other stakeholders.
The councillor said he had already made comments on some initial concepts that will produced in the coming weeks.
“As I have said, this will be a long process and it would give the island community ‘every chance’ to participate in the design phase.
“Community consultation on this is important to the process,” he added.
The plans that will be produced will initially be a ‘talking point for community discussion’.
However, Cr Edwards says some concepts that need to be considered for the new jetties for all the Bay Islands include facilities that have already been requested by the community such as:
• Bigger and Better than the existing jetties
• Improved cover for waiting island residents
• The ability to accommodate visiting craft
Cr Edwards asked island residents to be patient and to understand this will be a ‘developing process’.
“Concepts and ideas from island residents will be welcome and can be included until we come up with the eventual finished result,” the councillor added.
• The Russell Island Jetty will be the first to be ‘replaced’
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