Russell Island News

Stradbroke Ferries to offer Island residents cheaper weekend trips to the mainland - The cost to take your car to the mainland will be reduced to $60 return provided that the booking is confirmed and paid for by 5pm Friday for a Saturday afternoon depart and a Sunday afternoon return. To view the flyer for more details click on the link below.

MBCIA proposes a new barge route - The MBCIA has proposed to Council that a new barge route from Rocky Point Russell Island to the mainland and a new barge route from north Macleay Island to Victoria Point be considered. To compliment the fast barges, we also propose an inter-island bus service that also uses the barges for mainland connections..

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Official launch of Q150 Project "QUANDAMOOKA COUNTRY" - 150 years in 150 minutes. An audio/visual collage from the land and waters of Moreton Bay.

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Adopted master plan sets scene for the future. Council has assured the Southern Moreton Bay Island communities there will be no change to pricing structure at the Weinam Creek passenger terminal at Redland Bay until at least 2011.

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Redland Bay Foreshore Master Plan. Redland City Council Land Use Planning has developed a draft master plan for the Redland Bay centre
and foreshore..

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Council says SEQ Regional Plan changes ‘bittersweet’. Redland City Council has welcomed the protection of koala habitat in the new SEQ Regional Plan, with southern Redland Bay no longer identified as a future growth area.

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State Government Underestimate Bay Islands Population Growth. The increase in population on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands is almost twice that what the Queensland Government has been projecting.

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First SMBI Communities Advisory Committee meeting: 13 July. The newly created Southern Moreton Bay Islands (SMBI) Communities Advisory Committee will hold its first official meeting on 13 July, 6pm, at the Council Chambers in Cleveland.

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Council announced in todays budget that they will be completing several infrastructure projects durng 2009-2010. These projects will total 4.6 Million dollars over the Bay Islands and will include a $180,000 bike path on High St, Russell Island, developing welcome information signage for each island, and creating a community and sporting precinct – including a community garden, sports fields, courts and a community facility – at Kennedy’s Farm on Russell Island.

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Budget 2009-10: Park upgrades and more sealed roads for Southern Moreton Bay Islands. A wide range of infrastructure projects will be delivered on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands (SMBI) through the 2009-10 budget, including $4.3m worth of infrastructure projects.

For an average increase of $12.60 a year in the SMBI differential rate, the communities of Karragarra, Lamb, Macleay and Russell Islands will see a host of improvements to community facilities, marine infrastructure and roads.

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Redlands site chosen for carbon offset tree planting trial. Council-owned land in Victoria Point has been chosen as one of the key sites to trial the south-east Queensland (SEQ) trial carbon offset project. It’s part of Redland City Council’s broader climate change strategy, through which the organisation is looking to minimise its carbon footprint and encourage the community to do the same. More...

SMBI Communities Advisory Committee appointed. Ten Southern Moreton Bay Islands (SMBI) residents with a broad range of skills and experience have been appointed to the inaugural SMBI Communities Advisory Committee. More...

SMBI transport discussed with new Translink CEO. Integrated transport for the Southern Moreton Bay Islands was among key topics discussed when Redlands Mayor Melva Hobson and CEO Gary Stevenson met with new Translink CEO Peter Strachan earlier this month. More...

Council Plea For State Government Assistance. As part of Redland City Council's campaign to secure commitments to infrastructure funding on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands from the state government, the attached publication has been circulated to major parties and key candidates in the 21 March state government election. More...
Media Release PDF (1 MB large file)

Russell Island Pool To Get Solar Heating - Council is investing in solar heating for the pool, but this is to maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the swimming season (September to April) and counteract the effects of cooler weather during that time.

The solar heating will be installed during the closed period, and be available in time for the new swimming season in September.

Redland City Council is calling on all major parties in the forthcoming state government election to commit to partnering Council and the community to meet future needs of the Southern Moreton Bay Islands (SMBI).

The new Weinam Creek terminal ticket office and amenity block at Redland Bay. Last week work commenced on the new toilet block and ticketing office for the Weinam Creek ferry terminal with contractors temporarily moving the existing facilities.

The Black Swan Cabins are now under new management. As part of the new drive to encourage tourism to the islands the cabins have been given a facelift and are now available for medium to long term accommodation. The owners have renamed the holiday destination site to Dugong Cove. Further redevelopment plans are on the way.

Concept plan for Jock Kennedy Park. Jock Kennedy Park is located on the northern end of Russell Island and is accessed from Douglas Street. The park consists of a large, grassed area facing the waterfront and mangrove habitat....

Russell Island Eco Resort Approved For Development. The Moreton Bay Eco Resort has now been granted a full development permit. The new Moreton Bay Eco Resort to be located at Kibbinkibbinwa Point on Russell Island will include 84 units, swimming pool, boardwalks, restaurant and shop. The developers have 4 years to build the resort but they hope to have it finished within a year and a half.

Federal funding to be spent on Islands - The Commonwealth Government is providing funding for the new $300m Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program. Cr Hobson believes the Redlands will receive $842,000 and that local infrastructure needs were well documented, particularly on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands. “We’ll now consider the most appropriate projects to submit from the Redlands for funding from this allocation,” Cr Hobson said.

Saltwater Festival 09 - Russell Island (Change of date) - On the 6th and 7th of June 2009 (Queens birthday weekend) the picturesque Moreton Bay area and its friendly locals will play host to The Saltwater Festival. This is the inaugural event in an innovative new series that celebrates our recreational love of the Worlds Oceans and waterways.

Islanders will benefit from $1 Million injection into Bus services for the Eastern Region. With the changes will come improved connections between trains, buses and ferries as well as a more frequent and reliable service to shopping centres and the Brisbane CBD.

Minister for Transport John Mickel said "The improvements will see commuters able to catch a bus every 15 minutes between Capalaba and the centre of Brisbane during the morning and afternoon peak periods."

Inter-Island Car Ferry Deal. Bring your car shopping at the new IGA store on Russell Island for just $15 return! (Deal no longer on offer) The "Hop-A-Shopper" inter-island car ferry deal is open to residents of Macleay, Karragarra and Lamb Island. There's no need to carry all those shopping bags by hand anymore. Car pool with your neighbor and save even more.

Shopping Centre and Supa IGA Opening Day. The official opening of the new Shopping Centre on Saturday, 2 August 2008, was a sight long awaited by the residents of Russell Island and the surrounding Bay Islands.

New Island infrastructure! As promised, here is a selection of photos taken at the official opening of the Supa IGA. I have also included photos of other newly completed island projects. You will see by the photos that the IGA is quite impressive in its size, providing a range of products never seen before on Russell Island.. Photo Gallery

Cornett's Supa IGA has now opened its doors on Russell Island. The official opening will be on Saturday 2nd August.. Photo 1

The Shopping centre opening date has been put back by a week. It is now set to open on the 28th July and the official opening date will be the 2nd August. For photos of the new shopping centre click the following links.
Photo 1 | Photo 2

The Bay Islands will receive $3.7 Million worth of infrastructure projects over the next year. $2 Million of this will be funded by the SMBI differential rates. Some of the planned projects include developing parks and open spaces and sealing roads on the islands.

Shopping Centre Opening Date Set - The countdown is on for the opening of the Cornetts Supa IGA on Russell Island, with work having started on the fit-out for the new supermarket.

The Supa IGA will open the doors to its 1490sqm store on July 21. When the store is opened it will boast grocery ranges and prices that compete with mainland shopping centres’. “Russell Island is becoming more popular each day, and we need infrastructure such as the shopping centre to support this growth,” said Canaipa Developments managing director Mr Larkman. Photo

RP Data Analysis - An RP Data analysis has revealed that Russell Island has made it into the top 50 list for best performing suburbs for price growth in Queensland during the last 12 months. It came in at number 34 with price growth of 29.5 percent. This brings the median house price on Russell Island to $226,000.

Russell Island police station now open - The new police station, located at 28 High Street on Russell Island is currently being run by officers from Redland Bay Police Station. The permanent officer will live in the residence next to the station and be on call 24 hours a day. The station was expected to open last year, but had to be delayed due to rain.

Plan for ferry link from Bay Islands to Brisbane City - The Bayside Bulletin reports: TOURISM chiefs are hoping to boost visitor numbers in Moreton Bay by pushing for a high-quality ferry service to link Brisbane City with island communities.

Eco Resort for Russell Island is coming closer to being approved - According to the Bayside Bulletin the first approvals of an eco-tourist resort have been given by Redland Council. The 4.8 hectare site at Kibbinbikkinwa Point on Russell Island will comprise of 89 units. The village will incorporate a general store, a restaurant or cafe, a gymnasium, a swimming pool and a day spa.

New house and land packages to be sold on the island - Chris Brereton, the island real estate agent, has unveiled plans to sell new house and land packages on Russell Island priced for the first home buyer or investor. "I am expecting the homes to be an enormous hit with first home buyers because they will be terrific homes at prices far cheaper than the mainland," Mr Brereton told the Courier Mail.

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has approved plans to build the $185 million Canaipa resort on Russell Island - The application for the 245 apartment luxury resort was submitted in February last year. The proposal is yet to receive Redland Shire Council approval.

Progress on island developements:

1. Swimming Pool - Construction is almost complete. Redland Shire Council expect the pool to be completed by the last week of January 2008 (weather permitting)
2. Shopping Centre - Foundation work is currently underway. The centre is expected to be complete and fitted out before Easter 2008.
3. Police Station - The Police station is almost complete and work on the police residence is also almost complete. The station is expected to open early 2008.
4. The application for the proposed $150 million Canaipa Resort is still with council and awaiting final approval. The outcome will be posted here when it is known.

Russell Island Scoot and Car Hire - Is now up and running. These cute little two seat scoots are an ideal way to check out the island's many sites, and the car is perfect for the family. In the new year we will be boosting to 3 more scoots and 3 more cars. Available from Aunty Alices Cafe only 100mtr walk from the ferry terminal.

Shopping Centre work underway - The Bay Journal reports that work has started on the $4 million shopping centre in the business heart of Russell Island after Redland Shire Council gave the green light to the project on last Tuesday.
The 5955sqm site will be transformed into a commercial centre featuring a supermarket, six specialty stores and 90 car parking spaces. The development is scheduled for completion by Easter next year. Ian Larkman of Canaipa Developments said "We now have the police station, the pool is underway and the concrete plant is now open... Russell Island is really taking off."

Bay islands bridge is inevitable - The Sunday Mail reports that the mayor responsible for the Southern Moreton Bay Islands says that the bridge from the mainland is "inevitable". View full report here.

Kit Homes Nation-wide - Second Hand On-line - Redcliffe Accommodation

Channel Sevens Today Tonight Report - Today Tonight spent the day filming for a story about real estate prices on Russell Island. The story is expected to air across the country at 6:30pm this Monday.

The Australian newspaper report - Look out for a report in the "Weekend Australian" tomorrow about Russell Island land prices.

Sunday Mail Report - A report on the proposed $150 Million dollar Russell Island Canaipa Resort is in today's Sunday Mail. This is expected to increase the Island's popularity and again drive up property prices. The approval for the resort is in its final stages. Once approved, construction will commence and is expected to be completed within three years.

Construction of the new Russell Island police station is underway - The police station will include a three-bedroom home to accommodate a full time police officer on the island.

Russell Island Pool - Ozcrete Pools have confirmed that construction of the new Russell Island swimming pool is to start next week.

Update 30/07/07: Construction has started. View picture here.

CityCat boost for bay islands - The Sunday Mail has reported that there is plans to build a new Moreton Bay terminal linked to the CityCat system to boost Brisbane's tourism infrastructure.

The Sunday Mail has reported on the land frenzy on Russell Island. View report here.

A Gym is opening on Russell Island on Saturday 14th July 2007 - Following the successful Stretch-Fit and Tone-Up classes at the Jackson Rd Community Centre (on Tuesday and Friday mornings at 9am), ‘Play On Oz’ has deemed there is enough community support to open a Gym! The Gym will be located in the Service Station building. For more information you can contact Jane Kugelman via email at: jane@play-on.net.au

Russell Island Pool - Construction of the new Russell Island swimming pool is to start in July.

Demand for real estate on Russell Island has sky rocketed since Thursday when both Channel 7 and Channel 9 aired a story about Russell Island's cheap properties - The real estate agent on Russell Island has been flooded with calls and people wishing to come over to the island in coming days and weeks to view the cheap land.

Channel Seven News are filming on Russell Island today to do a story about the cheap land prices - This story will go to air at 6:00pm tonight.

Channel Nine's Brisbane Extra has spent the day filming a story about Russell Island property prices - The story is due to go to air on Thursday 21st June at 5:30pm. View report here.

The Russell Island Shopping Center has been approved and construction is to commence in two weeks - The center will include a Super IGA convenience store and several other specialty stores. Completion is expected before Christmas.

The Sunday Mail 27th May 2007 - "Tide turns for investers"
"The tide has finally turned for the island, which has shed it's subdivision land scam image to become a rental hotspot". "Having an island community just off the shore of the capital city of Queensland is unique. Buying into the market at such a low price can't last forever."

New ferry to service Bay Islands - The MV Canaipa is the latest addition to the Bay Island Transit Systems fleet to service the Bay Islands. Costing almost 2 million dollars, the new ferry is designed to cater for the dramatic increase in passenger numbers that has been occuring and is predicted to continue into the future. During April BITS carried 93,742 passenger trips up from 43,514 in April 2001--over twice as many people and an increase of about 22% per year.

Cineplex opens - The new Victoria Point 9 screen Cinema complex has opened. Movie tickets are $7.90 for adults, $5.70 students and $4 for children. Daytime and tuesday night screenings are $6, $5 and $4. Sunday screenings are $6.80, $5 and $4.

Petition for a bridge to Russell Island tabled in the Legislative Assembly of Queensland Today.