A petition launched by Macleay Island resident Melanie Lynch is calling for an inclusive Translink bus service on the island, arguing that elderly residents, people with disabilities and their carers are facing discrimination and, in some cases, are effectively “stranded” without safe access to the ferry terminal.
The e-petition, published on the Queensland Parliament website on November 21, has already collected 472 signatures and will remain open until February 27, 2026.
Ms Lynch, the principal petitioner, said she had earlier gathered signatures on 120 letters detailing the “appalling state” of transport options for those with mobility issues and chronic health conditions.
Those letters were sent to Transport and Main Roads Minister Brent Mickelberg, Redlands MP Rebecca Young, Redland City councillor Shane Rendalls and Disability Discrimination Commissioner Rosemary Kayess.
The petition states that residents with disabilities, and those who support them: “face discrimination and hardship in accessing the island’s jetty in order to leave or return to the island.”
It argues the steep footpaths leading to the Macleay Island jetty are “not navigable” for many residents with mobility issues, while the absence of any Translink bus service leaves them without a viable alternative.
“As a result, they are stranded on the island,” the petition reads, adding that residents’ rights to freedom of movement and independent living are being breached.
Redland City Councillor Shane Rendalls, whose portfolio includes Transport and Marine Infrastructure, acknowledged the challenges in providing public transport on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands. He said:
Public transport on the islands is a state issue which I have discussed with Rebecca Young MP and previously with Kim Richards MP. The challenge is availability of state funding for a Translink service for a relatively low population with a preference for private transport.”
Councillor Rendalls pointed to a previous trial on Russell Island, noting:
Some months ago Russell Island bus trialled a free bus service operating on defined routes and this had very little take up, people preferred to pay for door to door. My view is that this is partially due to increased travel time, relative to private car and challenges walking and carrying shopping or lugging shopping trolleys on poor roads and non-existent footpaths.”
However, he said growing population and rising ferry demand justified further trials:
I believe the population growth on the Islands and 50c fares driving increased ferry demand does warrant a trial of a ‘day hours’ service. If we can relieve commuter parking congestion at the ferry terminals it will improve access for residents who need to drive and the savings in car running costs should incentivise commuters to use a bus.”
Cr Rendalls also highlighted transport solutions on the mainland, noting:
On the mainland, I think we need ‘airport shuttle’ type buses running the 250 route to provide shopping access for people with trolleys and those with mobility aids and prams, etc, to Victoria Point and Capalaba.”
The petition also notes the island’s ageing population, with a median age of 62 recorded in the 2016 Census and expected to rise, increasing the need for accessible transport options.
Petitioners are calling on the Minister for Transport to establish an effective Translink bus service on Macleay Island, with consultation involving the community and SeaLink ferry timetables.
They also want the demographic profile of the island taken into account, and for any service to start and finish at the Macleay Island Ferry Terminal.
Ms Lynch said she expects many supporters will also lodge disability discrimination complaints due to the inaccessibility of the ferry terminal and lack of public transport.
Redlands MP Rebecca Young MP said she welcomed the community’s feedback and thanked residents for raising their concerns through this petition.
“The Crisafulli Government is committed to listening to the community, and this petition provides an important opportunity to look closely at the current transport arrangements on Macleay Island,” she said.
“The Department of Transport and Main Roads is also undertaking the Bayside and Redlands Transport and Mobility Study which is investigating the transport challenges and mobility priorities relating to road, active transport and public transport modes from Port of Brisbane, right through to Redland Bay – capturing the Southern Moreton Bay Islands.
“Once the petition has run its course and is formally presented, the Government will be able to review the issues, together with the key findings from the TMR study, which is currently developing its final report.”
The petition is open to all Queensland residents and can be accessed via the Queensland Parliament’s e-petition portal.
