SOUTHERN Moreton Bay Island residents have formally petitioned Redland City Council to publish a clear and comprehensive report outlining the true costs and revenues associated with servicing the city’s water-bound communities.
Division 5 Councillor Shane Rendalls tabled the petition, saying island residents were seeking greater transparency and accountability from Council.
The petition calls for a report detailing the costs incurred by Council in maintaining and supporting Russell, Macleay, Lamb and Karragarra Islands, along with Coochiemudlo and North Stradbroke (Minjerribah).
It also seeks a comparative analysis of servicing costs for islands and mainland areas across infrastructure, waste, transport, community services and other core functions of government.
Residents are further requesting a breakdown of general rates revenue and expenditure by division for the 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 budgets, along with any other matters identified during the process.
The islands make up a significant part of the Redlands community, with more than 10,000 people living permanently across the Southern Moreton Bay Islands alone.
Unlike mainland suburbs, these residents face unique challenges due to their reliance on ferries and barges for transport, and higher costs of delivering services such as waste collection, road maintenance and emergency response.
For years, debate has simmered about whether islanders contribute enough in rates to cover these additional costs, with some mainland residents arguing they are subsidised, while islanders maintain they pay their fair share.
Petition organisers say publishing detailed financial information would help provide clarity on these long-standing questions.
The petition argues the information would promote reliable and credible public debate, help dispel misconceptions about over or under-servicing across the city, and identify efficiencies and opportunities in the way Council delivers services.
Cr Rendalls said the request was lodged “in the spirit of open governance” and moved that it be received and referred to the Chief Executive Officer for consideration.
“I think that generally, it would be good to have this for all divisions,” he later said.
