ANSWERS CRITICAL QUESTIONS ON THE FUTURE OF PARKING AT WEINAM CREEK
Not enough car parking proposed for Island residents!
In her acceptance speech and her first address to the Queensland Parliament, Rebecca Young confirmed that the LNP will definitely build a major parking station at Weinam Creek.
“The LNP will build it, but not before it has been properly planned and properly costed,” the Member for Redlands said.
The LNP Member for Redlands expands on it further in this special Friendly Bay Islander Q and A.
Q: Mainland parking for island residents has long been an issue; were you aware of the parking dilemma that has long confronted Weinam Creek?
A: In my almost two year campaign, I worked to listen to the SMBI community on what was most important to them. The ongoing topic of parking was continually raised with me. For years the former government insisted this was a council only issue and stated "they just need to get on with the job". That is why the deputy leader, Jarrod Bleijie took the situation to the floor of parliament to encourage the former government to work with council to solve the issue. After this time, they allocated $5 million a year over 3 years for a feasibility study.
Q: The former ALP Member for Redlands made many bold promises prior to the November election last year, including a $90 million commitment to a Weinam Creek Car Park. you were more circumspect in your promises?
A: My focus is and always has been, solutions. I am committed to delivering the SMBI parking relief package. Barge subsidies, car share membership and a multilevel carpark. The former member’s promise offered less than 100 additional carparks. The headline of "$90 million" meant very little and we now know, in fact, offered very little.
Q: Your words ‘properly planned and properly costed’ were significant; were there specific reasons for your caution?
A: Yes, this carpark will be paid for with tax payer money. We need to ensure that the final figure provides real solutions. We are committed to respecting your money.
Q: As you are aware, the Weinam Car Park concept is subject to a Priority Development Area declaration and planning has been underway for several years by a division of Redland City Council, has your Government investigated this process?
A: The lack of progress on the multi level car park solution is not due to the PDA process. If you were to look at an aerial photo from five years ago until now, there will be significant changes, all facilitated by the PDA process. Had the former government worked with council from the beginning, the development may been further along by now.
Q: Have your enquiries revealed any major concerns in relation to council’s planning process?
A: No
Q6: Do you believe the current plan adequately provides enough parking spaces exclusively for island residents?
A6: No, the current plan is 1200 carparks. This is the current breakdown of parks in the PDA:
• Council Owned Secure Facility 444
• Adjacent to Ferry Terminal 293
• Dirt Car Park 300
• Banana Street Temporary Car Park 141
• Moores Road Car Park 352
• Boat/Trailer Parking Parking (Moores Road) 38
• Temporary Car Parks (Hamilton Street North/South) 122
• Vehicle Ferry Car Park 147
• Car Share Operator 35
The multi-level car park build will ‘take out’ some of the above current car parking areas.
The expectation will then be provided in the multi level carpark as a Council Owned Secure Facility. Add in the Dirt car park, 2 x Temporary car parks and we need to allow for a total 70 Car Share carparks. As well as an additional 52 trailer parks are to be catered for at Moores rd, meaning car only spaces will be reduced at Moores Rd.
This is a current total of 1128. This figure is just 72 fewer than the additional parking areas being provided in the planned multi level carpark, as it currently stands. No way can $90 million be spent providing just 72 more car spaces than is currently available at Weinam Creek.
With this in mind, I will be introducing a questionnaire to get opinions from islanders and Redland Bay residents on the issues. Watch out for the questionnaire launch in this edition and on my website.
Q: And what about added services such as a car share operations?
A: The expectation is that the multi level carpark will be a Council-owned secure facility, Dirt Car Park, 2 x Temporary Carparks and we need to allow for a total 70 Car Share carparks. This is a total 1128, just 72 additional parks being provided in the current planned multi level carpark. This is not good enough.
Q: The Redland City Council plan has a large element of commercial use; will competing areas for parking between island use and commercial use be a significant problem?
A: I would be very interested in our community thoughts on having a full line shopping centre in the precinct, and if it would be supported. I will be running an engagement exercise on this, which will be one of the questions in a special survey I have just released on my website, and in this edition.
Q: Does the current plan for the parking station need to be changed or upgraded to be ‘properly planned and properly costed’ in your Government’s opinion?
A: The current plan needs to be improved.
Q: What likelihood is there of the State Government taking over the Weinam project entirely?
A: It is our intent to work with council for the best outcome; all options need to be explored to ensure this.
Q: Once your Government is happy with the planning and concerns, when would implementation happen?
A: This would be guided by the final outcome in line with budgets.
Q: Will you now seek to meet with council to adjust the current plan to your, and island, expectations for additional car parking spaces?
A: I am in constant contact with council, councillors and Redlands Investment Corporation regarding this issue. A meeting with all parties including the minister’s office has been scheduled. But first, I want to know what the public thinks. It has been 10 years since a community opinion has been sought. I have just completed a questionaire that is available on my website and also in this edition of The Friendly Bay Islander. I need to know what the public thinks of the present situation and the best outcomes for going ahead in relation to parking at Weinam Creek.
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