Council requests funding deal to secure delivery of State’s North Stradbroke Island public transport…

Redland City Council will soon submit its feedback on the Queensland Government Draft Minjerribah Public Transport Strategy (Draft Strategy) after endorsing the submission at the General Meeting on Wednesday 17 November 2021.

The State’s Draft Strategy recommends a suite of priorities and actions to improve the public transport system on and to North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah).

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said Council was pleased with the opportunity to review the State’s Draft Strategy that aims to support the Redlands Coast community, economy, and environment.

“With the Queensland Government proposing different ways to enhance the island’s passenger transport network, there are several infrastructure projects that need to be delivered to achieve these goals,” Cr Williams said.

“Council noticed during its review of the Draft Strategy it had been nominated to lead many of these projects, such as new bus stops and parking facilities and, for Council that is simply financially impractical.

“Our island communities know that Council continually advocates for improvements to the public transport network across our islands, but the reality is Council needs funding commitment from the Queensland Government to help deliver the work.

“Thankfully, Council was able to provide feedback on the Draft Strategy.

“Our feedback outlines these concerns and requests for the development of an implementation plan, detailing lead and partner agency responsibilities, indicative costings, funding sources and delivery timeframes.

“I am hopeful that Council’s feedback on the Draft Strategy leads to future conversations between Council and the Queensland Government so that we can arrive at a mutually beneficial agreement and provide our community with better and easier ways to travel.”

Division 2 Councillor Peter Mitchell said he was optimistic about the Draft Strategy and hoped it would kick-start future development of public transport infrastructure on North Stradbroke Island.

“While the island has a permanent population of about 2,000 people, it can swell to over 10,000 during peak tourism season, making transport to, from and around the island critical for residents and the local tourism economy,” Cr Mitchell said.

“Advances to bus stops, bus operations, active transport access and bicycle parking, a review of parking services and lighting and security enhancements are just some of the facilities and features that I know would be welcomed by residents and visitors.

“With the Draft Strategy developed and feedback submitted, I think the Queensland Government is moving in the right direction to provide the island community with the public transport improvements they need.”

Consultation on the Draft Strategy closed on Friday 19 November 2021, however the document can be viewed on the Queensland Government’s website.