Redland City Council has unanimously backed a submission to the State Government on the proposed $41 million Dunwich Ferry Terminal upgrade, calling for any future changes to ferry operations on North Stradbroke Island to be driven by community consultation and integrated transport planning.
The amended submission was adopted at Wednesday’s general meeting after councillors strengthened council’s response to a State Government concept plan currently out for public consultation.
Division 2 councillor Peter Mitchell, who represents North Stradbroke Island, said the project was a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” but warned it needed to deliver more than just new infrastructure.
“This must be an island-led, community-first outcome,” Cr Mitchell told the meeting.
“Because this isn’t just an isolated transport terminal upgrade, although that is the direct submission, it’s actually about how residents live, work and stay connected on that island, travelling to, from and around every single day.”
The proposed terminal upgrade forms part of the State Government’s long-term plans for Dunwich and includes a new dual-berth ferry facility, upgraded passenger amenities and improvements to public transport connections.
However, councillors raised concerns about suggestions that ferry services currently operating from One Mile could eventually be consolidated at the Junner Street terminal precinct.
Cr Mitchell said many residents remained unconvinced that now was the right time for consolidation.
“There’s strong local community-based support at the moment for maintaining choice, the role of independent ferry operators and for multiple operators to work through onto that island,” he said.
“The local community are still very much using One Mile as a part of their integrated transportation choices.
“So they don’t want to reduce competition.”
Councillor Paul Bishop said revisions made to the submission following discussions with councillors and council officers better reflected community concerns.
“I really particularly want to support the recommendation that community feedback must be integrated into future planning by the state, and that any changes to the One Mile ferry service should be staged, sequenced and strategically integrated in line with the broader Dunwich economic transition strategy and the Gumpi Master Plan,” Cr Bishop said.
He warned that relocating ferry services alone would not solve broader transport issues.
“Current parking pressures at One Mile are well understood, but simply relocating ferry operations doesn’t remove the parking demand,” he said.
“Without a clear, broader integrated strategy, there’s a real risk that parking impacts will simply shift elsewhere within Dunwich.”
Cr Bishop also highlighted concerns about weather resilience at the proposed terminal site, noting One Mile Harbour historically developed where it did because of natural protection from westerly winds and wave action.
He said any future closure of One Mile services should only occur once appropriate infrastructure and operational solutions were in place.
“Such as a breakwater, to make sure it’s an all-weather arrival point,” he said.
Councillors also called on the State Government to honour commitments contained in previous planning documents, including improved public transport integration, marine safety improvements, pedestrian and cycling connections and adequate parking facilities.
Cr Mitchell said residents had become wary after years of promised projects and planning strategies that failed to materialise.
“Sadly, but understandably, the island community lost faith with government after multiple failed or undelivered transitional activities,” he said.
“So they’ve lost trust and faith, and we’re going to need to bring people along with this journey.”
Despite the concerns, councillors broadly welcomed the State Government’s investment in island infrastructure and praised ongoing engagement with the community.
In his closing remarks, Cr Mitchell said council would continue advocating strongly for local residents while working collaboratively with all stakeholders.
“National, state, council, community, business and Indigenous interests are not opposed or exclusive,” he said.
“They overlap more than they clash.
“If we all work together and continue to be great partners, not barriers, then we’re going to get a much better outcome, not just at Junner Street, but across the whole island, the bay and beyond.”
The adopted submission will now be forwarded to the Queensland Government as part of the consultation process for the Dunwich Ferry Terminal concept plan.
