REDLANDS MP Rebecca Young has defended the State Government’s dramatic intervention to take full control of the long-delayed Weinam Creek Priority Development Area, declaring “we couldn’t afford any further delays” as the project shifts into a new phase.
In this exclusive interview, she outlines what triggered the takeover, who is responsible for years of setbacks, and what comes next for the long-promised car park and broader precinct vision.
Andrew Jefferson: When did the idea of the State stepping in and taking full control of the Weinam Creek PDA first become a serious option? What triggered that shift?
Rebecca Young: The motion being brought forward by council in December 2025. In December, the Deputy Premier wrote to council stating that we looked forward to the cooperation to move forward with the plan, and highlighted the fact that we did have compulsory acquisition rights and we would exercise them if there was any delay.
It became apparent within the last couple of months that we weren’t moving as quickly as the State needed to move, bearing in mind we should have had a DA lodged late last year on this. So we just couldn’t afford any further delays. We had to exercise the right.
Andrew Jefferson: And when was that decision made?
Rebecca Young: After Christmas. Well and truly. Only just recently, really.
Andrew Jefferson: Was that your decision or the Minister’s?
Rebecca Young: These types of decisions are always determined by the Minister. I will always, as the local representative of Redlands, speak for what’s best for Redlands, and I made it very clear to the Deputy Premier that we couldn’t delay any further. This critical infrastructure has been on the table for some time and had been used as a political football leading into the last term of government.
The previous government would point to council and say it was council’s problem. We’ve come along and said we understand this needs to be a functioning transport hub. The multi-level car park is quite unique compared to a traditional park-and-ride or kiss-and-ride setup, but we were there saying let’s get on with it. Eighteen months down the track, we need to get on with it.
Andrew Jefferson: What specifically convinced the Government that full State control was necessary?
Rebecca Young: The barriers that were put in place. It comes down to long-running delays. It’s the fragmented way this has been pieced together. You’ve got land owned by council, and this goes back years to when the State did a land swap for the health clinic.
What this plan does now is bring it under one entity that’s going to deliver a key infrastructure piece, give it certainty, and then unlock the entire precinct so we can move forward and ask what comes next.
Andrew Jefferson: Was there a breakdown in the relationship between State and council?
Rebecca Young: No. The two entities had been working really closely and will continue to work closely. This isn’t about a relationship breakdown. This is about what is fundamentally the best way forward to get the job done.
We still need to work with council. Local government is key — they’re closest to the residents. As we move into later stages like the foreshore development, councillors will want their say and we want to listen to that.
Andrew Jefferson: Some councillors seemed unaware of the plan when it was announced. Were they kept out of the loop?
Rebecca Young: From our perspective, we were very transparent in saying that if this didn’t come together quickly, following the December 2025 motion, we would exercise this right. So it shouldn’t have been a shock.
There is a process that needs to happen. The Deputy Premier signed off on this, and that process has to be respected.
Andrew Jefferson: How do you respond to concerns this undermines local government authority?
Rebecca Young: I don’t see this as riding roughshod over council. We’re coming in and giving council the support they need.
From my role, speaking with councils across Queensland, many are under-resourced, especially in planning. This is about bolstering their resources — letting the State deliver key infrastructure while council focuses on everything else they need to do.
Andrew Jefferson: When will construction actually start?
Rebecca Young: It’s our hope we get shovels in the ground by the end of the year. Every delay has pushed that back.
From here, we finalise designs, undertake the parking audit, then go out to competitive tender. That opens the door to getting the best value for taxpayers.
Andrew Jefferson: Do you have a cost estimate?
Rebecca Young: We can’t put a fixed dollar figure on it right now. Anyone in the industry knows a car park of this scale would be significant, but we want to go to market and get the best outcome rather than locking in a number early.
Andrew Jefferson: What size car park are we looking at?
Rebecca Young: Based on the footprint and allowable height, it will likely be around 1,400 spaces, across five or six storeys.
Going to 2,000 spaces would require six, seven, even eight storeys, which would dominate the precinct and isn’t what the community wants.
Andrew Jefferson: Will there be underground parking?
Rebecca Young: No. It’s very difficult in that precinct due to the water table and significantly more expensive. The quickest and most economical solution is above ground.
Andrew Jefferson: Paid or free parking?
Rebecca Young: There’ll be a combination. Free parking will remain in parts of the precinct, but the multi-level car park will be paid. We need to strike the right balance so people actually use it.
Andrew Jefferson: When will the final detailed plans be released?
Rebecca Young: Now we have certainty, plans will come in due course. There’s still a couple of months of work as we go through tender and procurement processes.
Andrew Jefferson: What’s your long-term vision for the precinct?
Rebecca Young: It needs to stop being treated as a separate part of the city. It should be an integrated, accessible, service-driven gateway.
It’s prime for mixed-use — residential, services, potentially retail — but not a standalone shopping centre. We want a well-rounded precinct that serves both Redland Bay and the islands.
Andrew Jefferson: Is a supermarket part of that vision?
Rebecca Young: There’s no push for a supermarket at this stage. Our sole focus is parking. If a developer comes forward with a broader proposal, EDQ will assess it, but we won’t support a standalone shopping centre with just a car park.
Andrew Jefferson: What guarantees can you give this won’t face the same delays as the past decade?
Rebecca Young: This announcement gives certainty that it’s all under one lead organisation with the resources to deliver.
All election commitments will be delivered by 2028. There’s never been more certainty around this project.
EDQ has undergone a major shift — they’re no longer just a planning body, they’re focused on delivery.
Andrew Jefferson: What land is being acquired?
Rebecca Young: About 5.6 hectares — from the ferry terminal east to Banana Street, south to the Coast Guard, and north to Weinam Creek.
That footprint allows for construction, staging and essential infrastructure to be delivered without the fragmentation we’ve seen before.
Andrew Jefferson: How will the community be involved moving forward?
Rebecca Young: The community has already had a significant say. There’s been extensive consultation — people don’t want more delays, they want it done.
We’ll continue engaging as the design evolves, but the message is clear: get the car park built first, then shape the broader precinct.
