50c PUBLIC TRANSPORT FEE PERMANENT
Unions and the public were calling for an ‘extension’ of the 50 cent Translink fare fee, after the six month program was due to come to an end. Queensland Unions, the peak body for unions in this state, started a ‘petition’ to extend the 50 cents scheme ‘beyond’ the six-month trial. Since then, the State Labor Government has announced it will make the program ‘permanent’ and the LNP have jumped on the bandwagon to to follow suit. Islanders, more than anywhere else, welcome the 50 cents fee being extended to permanency. Unlike other parts of Queensland, where a mere much cheaper bus fare will suffice, islanders who use our passenger ferries daily have no choice but to pay around $100 a five day week to get to the mainland and return for work. It has been a big cost for regular mainland workers who live on our islands (and an incentive for many not to seek mainland work). The new 50 cents fare means the five-day week return travel cost for islanders drops to just $5! The impact is enormous for island mainland-working families. Redlands MP Kim Richards tells us the real reason for the cheap fee deal is because the Queensand Public Transport system had not recovered from the depths of the Covid Lockdowns; although offering the cheaper fees for a small amount of time just prior to a State election could also have something to do with it! Kim Richards says she has worked ‘flat out; for the 50 cents fee extension to permanent because it encourages people to leave their cars and SUV’s at home and use public transport, thereby impacting ever-crowded roads; particularly before and after school travel (which is unlikely to change). More road use also means more infrastructure spending; and a cost saving in low public transport fees is a small price to pay for a long-term benefit. Premier Steven Miles says the 50 cent low fee is working and public transport use is already over and above pre Covid levels. That why he will make it permanent if re-elected, and now with the LNP and David Crisafulli on board, it is a definite and certain win for Queenslanders and islanders in particular. Crisafulli said: “"For public transport to be effective, it needs to be affordable, reliable, safe and frequent," he said.
JAM PACKED FERRY
There must have been some issues with island passenger ferries when one of the ‘oldies’ was rolled out for island use a couple of weeks ago. We admit we are very affectionate for the older passenger ferries. It was these vessels that The Friendly Bay Islander leased when we started the weekend direct journeys to Straddie from the four SMB Islands a few years ago. During hot summers many enjoyed the breezes that swept through the open side entry doors of these vessels back in the day. Not so much, however, in winter. Anyway, one of them made a return to service a couple of weekends ago. We were amazed when the crew kept ‘cramming’ islanders who wanted to head to the mainland for obvious weekend activities. Not only were all the seats full, but all the aisles as well. It was the most crowded vessel we have ever seen in all our 15 years on the islands (see pix)
PLIBERSEK STUFF UPS
It seems Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek, has done it again. The Minister has caused a huge furore in putting huge obstacles in the way of a potential Gold Mine at Blayney in NSW. The Minister has listened to an obscure group that claims to have ‘feelings’ about the site selected for ‘tailings’ in the project and so has rejected the mine application in its current form. It seems that the group that she listened to, has no genuine links to the main aboriginal group of the area, who are all for the Gold Mine proposal and the jobs and security that it can bring to their community. We know how they feel. The Minister also ‘listened’ to a minority group on the mainland that saw her kibosh the Toondah Harbour project on ‘environmental grounds’. What was not recognised was that Toondah Harbour is one of the busiest small ports in Queensland serving the direct links to one of Queensland’s biggest tourism Mecca’s, North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah). Also, the port is a ‘nightmare’ from a depth point of view and looks more like a swamp than a harbour. The Minister deserves a new title: The Minister for Stopping Everything.
ISLANDERS DOING ISLAND WORK?
One of the observations islanders make around our islands is the work that is often carried out by Redland City Council. Two work activities that come to mind involve council tree trimming and council gravel road repair. In the past there was once a very successful road repair program on the islands run by islanders. They used their ‘local’ knowledge extremely well to come up with the later concept that introduced by the then Cr Mark Edwards that became the ‘Green Seal’ road sealing program that is still be utilised to this day. We have noticed teams of late on the islands carrying out tree trimming, most recently amongst the avocado trees located at ‘The Farm’ adjacent to the RICARTS art gallery. The trimming seemed very vigorous considering the location and the impact to one of the most attractive areas on our islands. There was also an example of residents in one street on Russell Island who complained about the danger of overhanging branches from a tree not on their property, but closer to the road that is controlled by council. A team did turn up to ‘trim’ the tree, and the result was disappointing to say the least. No approach was made to the owners by the workers, where some ‘local knowledge’ would have been more than helpful. A insignificant ‘trim’ made hardly any difference and the danger from the overhanging branches still remains. We believe there is enough unemployment on our islands that could easily see an ‘island team’ put together to carry out small and menial council jobs on our islands. And having local knowledge could make all the difference in quality and benefit from the work being carried out. But, we know when this is put to council, a suitable reason involving some unknown factor, will be provided; so it may never happen. And whilst on the subject, it would be interesting to know just how many island people actually have a job with Redland City Council? We will pass this item onto our new Division 5 Councillor, Shane Rendalls, to see what he can find out.
CHAPLAINCY PROGRAM FUNDRAISER
Tickets are now on sale for the 22nd annual Redland City Mayoral Chaplaincy Prayer Breakfast that raises funds for chaplaincy programs in Redlands Coast state schools. The annual breakfast has raised more than $220,000 in the past 10 years and Mayor Jos Mitchell said she was happy to continue Mayoral support for this year’s event to be held on 30 October 2024 at the Alexandra Hills Hotel and Conference Centre. “This breakfast brings the community together to raise funds for programs that benefit more than 15,000 local students each year,” the Mayor said. Hhw to buy tickets, nominate a chaplain for the Pastor Glen Gray Award, or become a sponsor – is available on Council’s website at redland.qld.gov.au/mcpb
EVENT DETAILS Redland City Mayoral Chaplaincy Prayer Breakfast, Wednesday 30 October 2024. 7am to 8.45am (arrive 6.45am) Alexandra Hills Hotel and Conference Centre, corner of McDonald and Finucane Roads, Alexandra Hills. Tickets: $65 each or $600 for a table of 10 (incl GST). Buy tickets: redland.qld.gov.au/mcpb
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