Redland City Council is continuing its push to secure the best planning outcomes for a new emerging community in Victoria Point while navigating a complex planning and appeal system.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said Council was committed to delivering a well-planned and co-ordinated approach to the development of this significant future growth area.

“This includes Council representing the community in recent Court appeals on planning interests in the area, including the area around Clay Gully.

“Council’s approach is outlined in the draft South West Victoria Point Local Plan (draft local plan) it submitted to State Government in November 2019 for State Interest Review and which is yet to receive Ministerial approval for us to then go on to public consultation.”

The local plan area is approximately 175 hectares and is situated between Bunker Road and Brendan Way in the north, Clay Gully Road and Cleveland-Redland Bay Road in the east, Double Jump Road in the south and Little Eprapah Creek in the west.

“The planning commitment for this area is for a well-planned urban community, integrating all necessary components of the built and natural environments in an orderly, and coordinated land use pattern,” Cr Williams said.

“Council’s planning process undertaken for the area has been a key contributor to these efforts.

“Since 2015, Council has received a number of properly made development applications over sites within the local plan area.

“In early 2018, Council resolved to defer its decision on development applications in the area until the structure plan was in place and the Government gave a clear commitment to funding the vital infrastructure required for the area’s future growth.

“As no decision was made on these deferred development applications within the statutory timeframe, seven of the applicants subsequently lodged an appeal in the Planning and Environment Court arguing for their own plans for the area.

“With the support of the Draft Structure Plan and experts, Council has represented the community’s interests through the appeal proceedings to ensure a co-ordinated approach to development.

“Even though approximately 40 per cent of the local plan area is captured by the three Court judgements that have been handed down in recent months, Council will continue to fight on behalf of the community for better outcomes as there is still much to gain by having an adopted local plan.

“Local area planning ensures a co-ordinated approach to the area’s development is undertaken to achieve the desired vision for the area.

“It will help ensure environmental values and corridors are protected and that infrastructure networks are co-ordinated and effectively delivered within the area.

“On completion of the State Interest Review and Ministerial approval to proceed to public consultation, the draft local plan will be publicly notified on our Redlands Coast Your Say website.”

“In the meantime, Council will continue to represent the community during the appeals that are ongoing but confidentiality provisions mean Council is unable to comment further on those matters still before the courts.”

Following Court judgment on one of the settled appeals, Council has approved an operational works development permit for earthworks to begin in the Clay Gully area.  Council understands that these works will commence very shortly.

More information on the South West Victoria Point local plan is available on the Redlands Coast Your Say page (link).

The Southern Moreton Bay Islands ferry terminals upgrade project has entered the construction phase, with the State Government and Redland City Council announcing a $20 million contract for stage one of the works.

Member for Redlands Kim Richards said marine construction company The Jetty Specialist had been awarded the contract to build and install new ferry terminals on the four islands.

“This is good news for the SMBI communities on Russell, Macleay, Karragarra, and Lamb Islands with the all-important pre-site works set to start,” Ms Richards said.

“When the project is completed, ferry customers will benefit from increased seating, drinking fountains, more waiting areas with better weather protection, and improved security with lighting and 24-hour video recording.

“It will also deliver wider jetties and gangways for improved accessibility.”

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said awarding the tender was a significant project milestone for Redlands Coast creating local jobs and bringing delivery of the new terminals a step closer to fruition.

“This is one of the largest – and possibly the most important – marine infrastructure projects we have seen for the Southern Moreton Bay Islands which will deliver for the community the much-needed ferry terminal upgrades they have been calling for,” Cr Williams said.

“Islanders will finally have modern ferry terminal facilities built for purpose which will serve them for years to come.

“I am particularly pleased that a local company will be part of the contract, with Thornlands-based Aluminium Marine responsible for building significant fit-out work for the ferry terminal pontoons.

“Council and the State Government have worked together to fund and plan this project and islanders played an important role in telling us what they wanted. I know how excited they are now the project has reached this important stage.

“Today’s great news means we are one step closer to helping residents move around our beautiful Redlands Coast faster and safer.”

Division 5 Councillor Mark Edwards said he was thankful for the community’s contribution that has helped bring the project to this exciting phase.

“As the project enters its final phase, I would like to thank the community for their invaluable input and support over the years to help deliver the long-awaited ferry terminals,” Cr Edwards said.

The Jetty Specialist is a Queensland family-owned company based on the Sunshine Coast that has delivered marine facilities throughout the state and in the Redlands area.

The Jetty Specialist General Manager of Operations, Dane Morris said the company was proud to be awarded the contract for the SMBI Ferry Terminal Upgrades.

“This is important infrastructure for the Southern Moreton Bay Islands and will benefit the region and support the manufacturing industry in South-East Queensland,” Mr Morris said.

“Our company is looking forward to delivering this high-quality marine infrastructure project in our beautiful backyard.”

Due to the scale of the project with four new terminals, the contract has been split into two packages.

Package one involves sourcing materials and building important components such as pontoons, headstocks, and deck slabs for the fixed jetties and the pontoon piles.

There will also be a new floating walkway for the Macleay Island boat ramp and redesign and construction of existing ferry pontoons for recreational boating and fishing.

The remaining onsite construction of the ferry terminals and all the landside works will be combined into the second contract, due to be awarded late this year.

It is likely works will occur on more than one island at a time.

Locals and visitors will also benefit, with gangways and pontoons repurposed for recreational use.

The project will support an average of 45 direct jobs over the life of the works.

Southern Moreton Bay Islands ferry terminals upgrade project is a jointly-funded $37 million project, with the Queensland Government contributing $22 million and Redland City Council contributing $15 million.

For further information, visit yoursay.redland.qld.gov.au/upgrade-of-smbi-ferry-terminals

For more information on public transport, including changes to ferry terminals and services during construction, visit the TransLink website www.translink.com.au(External link) or phone 13 12 30.