• Redland Community Billboard

• Redland Links

• NUP Community Webpages

• Disclaimer

Russell Island is one of the unique Southern Bay Islands Group. The others are Karragarra, Lamb, and Macleay.

Readers may have heard of the "infamous" Russell Island" or, the "Land Scam" reputation. You may have had your interest aroused by advertisements for affordable property, even marketing of a tropical Island Paradise or media reports on TV of a "land grab" by Council.

Well what is Russell Island really like? 

Hhhmmmmm Big Question.  …….. Ask the hundreds of residents and you may get hundreds of different answers but the majority may agree that it is the "life style" that attracts them or makes them happy to live here. It is mostly a quiet laid back style of living, close to the facilities of a major city and suburban area but separated from it by a barrier of water. There are no plans by present authorities to allow the construction of a bridge to any of the Islands. The bridge issue is as old as the land scam and the subject is raised regularly but no body seems to have the money or ability to actually construct it. The Bay Islands access is serviced from Redland Bay by vehicle barge, about $50 return for a car and, passenger ferry about $11 return for an adult. Barges run at various times and need to be booked well in advance. Passenger ferries run from about 5am until 10 p.m. and are of the 100 seat catamaran style. Travel times are about 30 minutes one way for the ferry and about1 hour for the barge.

Yes the land scam of the 1970's did occur and in some instances seems to continue to this day.  Contrary to some opinions that the Bay Islands are a parasite on the Redland Shire they have it seems, contributed up to 20% of Redland Shires Revenue. As the Shire has grown and more farms have been subdivided for residential developments the proportion of the Bay Islands contribution may have dropped slightly. The reality is that the Islands original 20,000 plus properties did not materialize into 20,000 homes and 60,000 residents. Privately owned properties have reduced to about 15,000 as many owners have forfeited their "valueless" land back to the Council.

I have heard Russell Island described as a rural 'village type' locality that happens to be surrounded by water! I am inclined to agree with the description. Homes seem to be established in pockets of waterfront land, in areas with views or, close to the jetty and shops. Other areas have the occasional home or homes in streets. The population of Russell is said to be up to 3000 people, but maybe less than a 1000 homes are occupied here. We have a mini supermarket, post office, garage, grocery/take away food, bottle shop, part time doctor, chemist and hairdresser. Other shops and services seem to come and go like, hardware, bakery and of course we have our real estate agents. There are electricians, builders and plumbers resident on the Island. Our services include Power, Phone, Water and Garbage Collection but we do not have Sewerage connected. All homes have a septic or on site waste disposal system. Recent council changes regarding development of small lots have meant that restrictions may apply to the size of home that can now be built. Many of the Island blocks are under 600sm. Owners may find that to build the home they want they have to purchase an adjoining property for amalgamation.

Russell Island is not really the sea side verity like Coochiemudlo or a Tourist destination like Stradbroke. Russell Islands foreshore is mostly mud and mangrove, there is little public land along the foreshore. We have the Lions Park at the Southern end of the Island and the small park and tidal swimming enclosure close to the barge ramp and jetty at the Northern end, both have bar b q and toilet facilities close by. We have council and privately owned wet land areas but there are no established walking tracks or nature trails. There is a recreation Oval and a few Council owned blocks of land that are parks.

If you are considering a home on the Islands or purchasing as an investment please be cautious. It is advisable to visit the Island and have a good look around first, talk to local residents. It is a great home for some people but sometimes it’s the little unforeseen things that make Island living unacceptable for other people ……. Like the mozzies, midges and sand flies! But they were here first.