Should Coochie Be Part of the Conversation?

A proposed new mainland ferry connection for the Southern Moreton Bay Islands could change how residents travel. But where does that leave Coochie, and could we benefit too?

There's a new ferry proposal on the horizon, and although Coochie isn't currently part of the conversation, perhaps we should be.

Redland City Council is scheduled to consider a recommendation on Wednesday 18 November calling for the Queensland Government to investigate a direct passenger ferry service between the Southern Moreton Bay Islands (SMBI) and Raby Bay Harbour at Cleveland.

SeaLink has already conducted a demonstration service, and Redlands MP Rebecca Young has argued that the focus should be on getting a trial underway rather than commissioning another feasibility study.

For SMBI residents, the attraction is obvious.

A second mainland gateway could provide easier access to Cleveland's railway station, employment, education and health services, reducing reliance on Weinam Creek.

But what about Coochie?

What if we could catch a ferry straight to Cleveland?

Imagine heading to Brisbane without first catching the ferry to Victoria Point, collecting your car and driving to Cleveland railway station.

Or travelling to Cleveland for an appointment without needing your car at all.

For some residents, that could be a genuine improvement.

For others, particularly those who need their cars for shopping, multiple appointments or work, it might make little difference.

And there's a practical question. Would a stop at Coochie add too much time to a service designed primarily for SMBI commuters?

We don't know. That's precisely why it's worth investigating.

Could it ease the Victoria Point parking squeeze?

Here's where things get interesting.

A direct Cleveland ferry could mean fewer Coochie residents leaving cars at Victoria Point.

But would it?

If residents still need their vehicles, the parking problem might simply move from Victoria Point to Cleveland.

And what if easier access attracts more visitors to Coochie? That could be good news for local businesses, but potentially increase pressure on our beaches, facilities and natural environment.

A new ferry doesn't automatically mean less congestion. It depends on how people actually use it.

There's more than one way to connect an island

Perhaps Coochie could become an additional stop on an SMBI-to-Cleveland route.

Perhaps a separate service would make more sense.

Or perhaps better connections between our existing ferry, mainland buses and trains could deliver similar benefits without another ferry route.

We also need to consider the existing Victoria Point service, jetty infrastructure, operating costs, timetables, accessibility and environmental impacts.

And we shouldn't overlook the needs of SMBI residents. A Coochie stop would only make sense if the benefits justified any additional journey time and costs.

So, should Coochie put its hand up?

At Coochie Community Online, we're not campaigning for a new ferry service. Not yet, anyway.

First, we want to understand whether a Cleveland connection would genuinely benefit Coochie residents, what the trade-offs might be and whether there's a practical case for including our island.

If the evidence suggests there is, we'll take those findings to SeaLink and the relevant authorities and advocate for Coochie to be included in the investigation.

And if the evidence points in another direction? We'll report that too.

Because the goal isn't simply to get another ferry. It's to get better transport outcomes for our island.

Now we'd like to hear from you.

Would you use a ferry from Coochie to Cleveland? Would it change where you park your car? What concerns would you want addressed?

Join the discussion and vote in our Facebook group poll. Your answers will help us decide whether to take this further.

Source: Redland Bayside News report on the proposed SMBI-to-Cleveland passenger ferry service and Council's scheduled 18 November consideration.