SOUTHERN Moreton Bay Island communities are among the biggest beneficiaries of the Queensland Government’s 2025-26 Budget, with new funding for barge travel subsidies, a commuter car park at Weinam Creek, and support for local jobs and training.
The funding forms part of a broader investment across the Redlands region in schools, health, housing and transport.
But former Capalaba MP Don Brown said the Budget included “cuts and broken promises” for the region, highlighting delays to the Redlands Hospital mental health facility and the removal of key local projects from the capital works program.
Island residents will benefit from a new Southern Moreton Bay Islands Parking Relief Package, which includes a 50 per cent subsidy on vehicle barge travel, a new commuter car park at Weinam Creek, and fully subsidised memberships to Bay Island Car Share.
Member for Redlands Rebecca Young said the Budget was delivering for the region.
“This Budget delivers parking relief for Southern Moreton Bay Islands, with a vehicle barge subsidy and more hospital beds and frontline workers for Redlands,” Ms Young said.
However, Mr Brown claimed some major projects had been left out.
“There’s no money in the capital statement for the Weinam Creek car park or the Alexandra Hill TAFE upgrades,” he said.
“And the big one – Stage 2 of the Cleveland-Redland Bay Road upgrade – has been taken off the books completely.”
Redland Bay is also set to gain a $2.4 million boat ramp at Wallaby Rd, enhancing recreational access to the bay.
Member for Oodgeroo Amanda Stoker said the Budget was delivering for the Redlands.
“We’re delivering the $150 million Redland Hospital expansion, including a mental health and allied health building,” Ms Stoker said.
The project will deliver a new 43-bed Mental Health and Allied Health facility and relocate services currently provided at the ageing Yugaipa site.
But Mr Brown said the mental health component of the expansion had been delayed and cut in scope.
“In our last budget, we allocated $11 million to get the mental health facility started,” he said.
“That’s now been slashed to just $9.4 million for this year, with the rest delayed into the future. This looks like a disappointing budget for Redlands where we’re seeing cuts and broken promises.”
Education is another major focus, with new funding allocated to complete Stage 2 of Scenic Shores State School.
Additional learning spaces will also be built at Redland District Special School as part of a broader $815 million investment in Queensland schools.
A $49.5 million housing investment will support the expansion and improvement of social and community housing in Redlands, with 143 homes already under construction or under contract.
The Budget also includes $1.2 million for new fixed and mobile CCTV cameras in Cleveland and Capalaba, aimed at deterring hooning, nuisance behaviour and property offences.
Member for Capalaba Russell Field said the Budget was delivering stronger laws and better resourced police as well as ensuring early intervention and rehabilitation.
On Russell Island, $2 million will support the development of a new Marine Centre of Excellence in partnership with TAFE Queensland and industry, with the goal of creating local jobs and training opportunities.
