To Gladstone Regional Council,

We, the undersigned, call on Gladstone Regional Council to urgently work with the 1770 Marina owners, businesses, and the wider community to halt the forced conversion of the marina pedestrian precinct into a car park and vehicle access area.

An outdated plan approved in 2007 is now being enforced, requiring the marina owners to install 31 car parks, including 13 car parks in the heart of what is now a thriving pedestrian precinct.

This space has naturally evolved into one of the most vibrant and cherished waterfront hubs in our region. Day and night, it is a place where families picnic, locals and tourists dine at two beloved food vendors, and people gather to watch the sunset over the water. It is the heart of our community—where local markets are held, live music is played, and Reef, LARC, and sunset cruise passengers safely gather for briefings and tours.

Introducing moving vehicles and car parking into this area would:

• create serious safety risks for pedestrians, families, and tour groups
• destroy the atmosphere with fumes and noise, while removing outdoor dining spaces that make this precinct so special
• harm local businesses that rely on pedestrian foot traffic and outdoor seating. Four retail stores have already shut their doors due to uncertainty and compliance impacts, and we cannot afford to lose more. We have already lost an iconic sunset bar due to Council decisions, and our community is hurting
• permanently damage one of the region’s key tourism drawcards

With a court deadline looming on 30 June, businesses operating in the marina face imminent closure—either through disruption caused by these works or through enforcement action if compliance is not met.

Many locals feel that the current push lacks transparency and common sense. Marina owners have lodged applications suggesting other parking areas they have available and there is already  substantial Council parking located just across the road. By implementing pedestrian safety improvements—such as a zebra crossing and reduced speed limits—Council could provide a far safer alternative than forcing vehicles into a pedestrian zone.

The community supports safe and compliant marina operations, but we believe there are far better solutions available. 

This is about the future of our town and what the community wants it to be. Marina owners and Council resources should be directed toward long-term precinct upgrades, not spending money to build unnecessary car parks in the exact place people come to sit and enjoy.

We respectfully call on Gladstone Regional Council to:

1.  Support urgent discussions to allow time for proper, transparent consultation and planning with locals and owners.
2.  Work with all stakeholders to develop a modern, safe parking solution away from the pedestrian precinct.
3.  Protect the marina’s pedestrian waterfront character, local business viability, and our tourism future.

Please don’t pave our iconic sunset paradise to put in a parking lot.