Future of Showgrounds carpark unclear

Published 2:52pm 9 March 2021

The future of a carpark built at the Redcliffe Showgrounds remains in limbo almost five months after Moreton Bay Regional Council asked the Show Society to abandon its push to have the area restored to grass.

Mayor Peter Flannery says he is frustrated by the stand-off and wants to keep the 250-space car park – which cost $400,000 when it was constructed for Redcliffe Hospital staff to use for parking while the hospital’s multi-story carpark was built.

It is believed it would cost $90,000-$100,000 to return the carpark to turf – money the Mayor says could be better spent on other infrastructure.

Show Society wants turf

The carpark sits on Council land, but Redcliffe Show Society president Brad McGowan told moretondaily.com.au in October the executive committee had voted to ask Queensland Health, which built the temporary car park, to convert the land to grass.

“It doesn’t have anything to do with them (Council),” Brad says.

“It was a contract between us and Metro North.”

Important asset

But Mayor Flannery says the 281-space carpark is an important asset which was well constructed and could better serve the community than a plot of turf.

“I think a new showgrounds carpark funded by the State Government is the perfect solution for events parking, especially events at the site.

“My strong view is that this should be retained for the benefit of the Show Society and the broader community,” Mayor Flannery says.

“Since November 2020, we handed down 373 penalty infringement notices and 13 warning tickets to vehicles parked illegally in streets surrounding the Redcliffe Hospital.

“During the same period, we received 37 complaints in relation to parking in the same area - five of these were in the past fortnight alone.

Discussions continue

“We understand parking in busy built-up areas can be difficult, and we’re currently in conversation with the Redcliffe Showground Society and Metro North Health about the future of the temporary car park at the showgrounds.”

Mayor Flannery says he is keen to hear from residents about whether the carpark should remain.

“With differing opinions about what it should and shouldn’t be, I think there’s no one better to ask than the local community.

“I lead a council that’s committed to a new era of transparency and community consultation, so I want to hear your views on what should happen with the showground carpark.”