REDLAND City councillors are urging higher levels of government to support the city’s offshore island communities, warning the cost of servicing them is placing an unsustainable burden on local ratepayers.
One councillor has gone further, calling on the Queensland Government to either resume responsibility for the four Southern Moreton Bay Islands (SMBI) or transfer them back to the City of Gold Coast – which administered the islands prior to 1973.
Cr Paul Golle said Redland’s relatively small ratepayer base should not be expected to carry the disproportionately high costs of servicing some of South East Queensland’s most logistically challenging communities.
“These communities require marine-based service delivery, which drives up costs across the board – from waste and roadworks to barge terminals and emergency support,” he said.
The islands were transferred from the former Shire of Albert (now part of Gold Coast City) to Redland Shire on May 12, 1973, following a State Government boundary realignment.
But Cr Golle said the hand-over came without transitional or ongoing financial support.
“Unlike other councils, there are no bridges to the Southern Moreton Bay Islands. Every aspect of maintenance, waste, roads, and emergency support requires barge-based delivery,” he said.
Cr Golle said many island roads were built on sand or reclaimed land, making them especially vulnerable to flooding, erosion and wear – and therefore more expensive to maintain.
“On top of that, we have a high proportion of retirees and residents on fixed incomes living on the islands. That reduces the Council’s rating capacity while increasing the demand for services and support,” he said.
He said returning the SMBIs to Gold Coast City – or placing them under state management – would be a fairer approach.
“The population of the Gold Coast is over 650,000, giving them scale to absorb and manage higher-cost infrastructure, compared to Redland’s population of around 165,000,” he said.
Division 9 Councillor Jason Colley said renewed support from higher levels of government was critical for the Redlands to better service the islands.
“Regional status needs to be restored for our island communities,” he said.
“Some of these residents are amongst the most isolated in the country, but we are unable to access funding support from other levels of government to assist with the delivery of essential services for them.”
Division 5 Councillor Shane Rendalls also weighed in, saying the root of the problem lay in historical planning failures at state level.
“The cost challenges for SMBI primarily relate to inadequate or non-existent infrastructure in terms of roads, footpaths, drainage and sewerage,” he said.
“This stems from the original state-approved subdivision of the islands with lot sizes too small for effective on-site wastewater treatment and no levy or funding for critical infrastructure.
“Council is now trying to address this shortfall and will be unable to comprehensively do so if reliant on the city’s residential rate base. What is needed is state and/or federal infrastructure funding.
“SMBI has no connection to the Gold Coast – ferry and barge connections are to Redlands.”
Cr Rendalls said the situation had worsened under the current federal government, which removed the regional classification that previously made the SMBIs eligible for key funding programs.
“Gold Coast City and Noosa are regional, but SMBI is not – and we are isolated when water transport goes down, cost premiums on all goods to and from the islands, no sewerage, intermittent mobile coverage and frequent power blackouts – go figure that one out?” he said.
Federal Member for Bowman Henry Pike threw his support behind the reclassification push, saying he had been campaigning on the issue since 2023.
“I’ve been advocating to re-establish regional funding since 2023, which has been critical in securing much-needed investment in the Redlands,” he said.
He said the previous Morrison Government had maintained eligibility for regional funding following community-led efforts in 2017 – but claimed the current Albanese Government had removed access.
“I am and will continue to advocate for funding to be restored,” Mr Pike said.
In response, the Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories Kristy McBain said the Albanese Government was delivering record funding for local government.
“The Albanese Government values the critical role councils like Redland City play in providing services and infrastructure to Australians. That is why we are delivering record funding for local government,” she said.
“We have committed over $3.4 billion to local governments through the Financial Assistance Grant Program for 2025-26.
“In contrast, the Coalition froze indexation of Financial Assistance Grants when they were in government – ripping $925 million away from councils including Redland City Council.”
She said Redland City Council remained eligible to apply for support.
“All councils are eligible for funding for community infrastructure under either the urban Precincts and Partnerships Program or regional Precincts and Partnerships Programs,” she said.
“Redland City Council can apply for funding under the urban Precincts and Partnerships Program as determined by the ABS’ Greater Capital City Statistical Areas.
“We have also committed $350 million through the Thriving Suburbs Program to fund community infrastructure in every part of Australia.”
More than $14.8 million in Roads to Recovery funding is available to Redland City Council until 2028-29.
Division 4 Councillor Lance Hewlett, who represents Coochiemudlo Island, said all the islands were a valued and connected part of the Redlands.
“The Southern Moreton Bay Islands and Coochiemudlo are integral parts of the Redlands. Many island residents have established links to the Redland area for their employment, social, educational and personal needs,” he said.
State Member for Redlands Rebecca Young also defended the island communities, describing them as “a proud and unique part of our community, deeply connected to the Redlands Coast both geographically and culturally”.
“Our island residents contribute richly to the social fabric, local economy and identity of our region. They deserve support,” she said.
Mrs Young pointed to practical measures delivered under her watch, including permanent 50 cent passenger ferry fares, vehicle ferry subsidies and parking relief.
She also noted that decisions about local government boundaries ultimately rest with the independent Change Commission, which assesses proposals based on clear criteria, including the public interest.
