A SOUTHERN Moreton Bay Islands resident has called on Redland City Council to immediately suspend parking enforcement at Redland Bay Marina until long-promised parking infrastructure is delivered and ongoing overflow issues are resolved.
Macleay Island resident Les Barkla has lodged a second formal appeal against a parking infringement issued at the marina, arguing continued enforcement is unfair while parking demand far exceeds available capacity — particularly during peak travel periods.
Mr Barkla received the second infringement on January 1, 2026, after parking on a nature strip within the marina precinct during the busy Christmas–New Year period.
The notice followed an earlier fine issued on December 16.
Mr Barkla described the current enforcement regime as “unreasonable and inequitable”, arguing island residents were being penalised for circumstances beyond their control while council-approved population growth continued across the Southern Moreton Bay Islands.
Mr Barkla said the situation was particularly challenging for elderly residents, people with disabilities, families with children, and those transporting groceries and essential supplies.
Many SMBI residents are dependent on family members or carers waiting briefly in vehicles to assist them upon arrival.
He also questioned the fairness of issuing fines on public holidays and during peak travel periods, noting ferry services were often delayed by weather conditions, increasing the likelihood of infringements.
According to figures cited in his appeal, 866 parking infringement notices were issued by the council between December 16, 2025, and January 1, 2026.
At $166 per fine, this equates to more than $140,000 in revenue over a 17-day period.
Mr Barkla said continued enforcement without alternative parking arrangements risked being perceived as revenue raising rather than regulation, particularly while major infrastructure solutions remained undelivered.
As part of his appeal, Mr Barkla has requested detailed data on parking infringements issued to SMBI residents over the past five years, along with comparative figures for North Stradbroke Island residents using the Cleveland–Toondah Harbour precinct.
He has also sought information on ranger staffing costs and enforcement revenue generated at both Redland Bay Marina and Cleveland–Toondah Harbour during peak periods.
A Redland City Council spokesperson said council enforced parking regulations consistently across Redlands Coast to ensure appropriate and equitable use of parking facilities.
“More than 500 new car parking spaces were provided within the Moores Road car park in late 2020, with another 141 temporary spaces opening on Banana Street and 122 across two parking facilities accessible via Hamilton Street in late 2024,” the spokesperson said.
“Further temporary car parking options are currently being considered.”
The spokesperson said parking within the Weinam Creek Priority Development Area precinct would continue to evolve as the multi-level car park project progressed.
“As construction continues within the precinct, council encourages Southern Moreton Bay Island residents and visitors to take advantage of alternative modes of transport where possible to help alleviate parking issues,” the spokesperson said.
“This includes making use of the Queensland Government’s SMBI Parking Relief Package, which provides a 50 per cent discount on the vehicle ferry, permanent 50-cent public transport fares and discounts to a car share service.”
