Car park plan upsets Redland Bay residents

Redland Bay residents are up in arms about Redland City Council’s plans to develop a large 600 vehicle car park on flood prone land next to a quiet suburban neighbourhood.

Five wasted years

At Redland City Council’s request in 2013 the Newman State Government declared a Priority Development Area (PDA) around Weinam Creek where ferries depart for the Southern Moreton Bay islands. Assorted politicians congratulated themselves for this “great result” a “turning point for Redland Bay and the Bay islands”.

Walker Group was selected as preferred developer of the Weinam Creek PDA in 2014 but years went by (and local council elections in 2016) without any development plans being unveiled to the community.

In May 2018 local media reported that Walker Group’s plans for redevelopment at Weinam Creek will not go ahead. Walker Group was walking away.

Months earlier the Council decided to spend $3.2 million on a flood prone area known as Moores Farm for car parking at Weinam Creek.

At that time, publicly at least, the illusion of Walker Group’s involvement in the PDA was being maintained.  But behind the scenes it was clear that the Council was already moving onto “Plan B”.

Instead of development being done at no cost to ratepayers, the Council’s property company (Redland Investment Corporation)  revealed its own plans for development of the Weinam PDA.

Residents were told that the Council had stepped in to develop the precinct to ensure it included significant public infrastructure.  Presumably, the private sector developer selected many years earlier was not interested in providing much public infrastructure, such as car parking.

“The master plan, being developed by council for delivery in stages, will transform the waterfront of Redland Bay and enhance the amenity and functionality of the busy local community hub,” said Mayor Karen Williams.

No one bothered to apologise to the community for five years of delay and unfulfilled expectations.

Community reaction to Plan B

People living near the the former Moores Farm are angry with the prospect of having a major car park with space for 600 cars imposed into their neighbourhood.

Residents reject claims by the Council that community consultation done in 2014 is sufficient

Residents have said: “We urge the council to listen and consult with the local community and not move the problem of the existing carpark from one side of the creek to the other. The poor decision by council will ultimately prove to be more costly for the local rate payers.”

There is also criticism of plans to sell off a chunk of this land for residential development.

Community action

Residents near Moores Farm have established a Facebook group (Moores Farm Carpark Redland Bay) to share information.

Professional advice is being sought and crowd funding options are being explored.

Residents are invited to discuss their concerns at the next meeting of Redlands2030 on 27 September.

A petition is circulating

Local residents are now petitioning against the Council plans to construct a 600 car park space allotment on Moores Farm and to relocate the Boat Ramp at Weinam Creek.

This community are greatly concerned that the proposed carpark raises several issues that will impact negatively on their community and the existing character of the lands on the southern side of Weinam Creek.  Some of their concerns relate to:

• Flooding of the site during storm events is a concern and mitigation measures seem non existent. Cars parked by Island residents could be stranded and how could up to 600 cars be evacuated when a flood happens.Of course then there is the safety hazard for people trying to use the carpark during flood events.
• Traffic in and out of the locality, is by the existing Moores Road, Auster Street and the Esplanade.It seems unlikely these streets can carry the additional carpark traffic without impacting existing residents and there are concerns that The Esplanade will turn into a “rat run” for people heading south.
• Noise and light pollution will affect the residents living on Moores Rd and those backing onto the carpark on the Esplanade and Auster St. The prospect of late night and early morning movement of vehicles including boat trailers is a concern”. Crime problems in the existing car parks at Weinam Creek indicatesecurity measures will entail all night lighting will be installed adversely impacting on local amenity.
• Property valuations are being put at risk, because “nobody wants to live adjacent a 600 spaced carpark”
• Locally birdlife and the flying fox community are abundant and there has been recent recent sightings of Koalas and all will be put at risk by the construction and operation of a massive car park in that area.
• Crime brought closer to where families live as it is well known that over the past 30 years the existing carparks have numerous reports of theft from vehicles and there are no Cameras in the local carparks.

Stop the bureaucratic bungling

Residents near Weinam Creek and on the southern Moreton Bay island are suffering from double bungling by the state government and Redland City Council.

The State Government should revoke its powers to declare and manage priority development areas which override normal planning processes and reduce community consultation.

Redland City Council should wind up its secretive Redland Investment Corporation.

Then the Council should initiate a proper consultative planning process to achieve cost effective provision of infrastructure at Weinam Creek which meets the needs of ferry users and Redland Bay residents.

Redlands2030 – 21 September 2018