Following the SMBI residents' protest at Redland City Council chambers last week over paid parking to be introduced at Weinam Creek ferry terminal, Mr Dowling said the state would do a better job.

"The council has historically taken out a lot of potential development on the islands, most notably fighting a resort proposal for the islands that would have provided 200 jobs to residents," Mr Dowling said.

"Is it discriminatory when other park and rides are free to encourage the use of public transport? Yes, park and rides are seen as an investment in a viable transport system, but not in Redlands and not at Weinam Creek.

"I ask that this government look at the issues of the Bay Islands and set in place a policy that will allow the islands to prosper.

"I ask the State Government to intervene and prevent the council from discriminating against SMBI residents by charging for parking."

Mr Dowling said if the state took over the islands, it could zone for education and health precincts, with the projected population of up to 25,000 people justifying a small hospital.

It would also need to bring in integrated, TransLink ticketing, regulate a barge run to allow residents to drive on and drive off the islands, and the ability to drive island to island for medical services.

But he acknowledged that in his time as a councillor and deputy mayor, he had no indication of a better plan from State Ministers.

"The [State] plan was no plan and still is. There is no plan to roll out TransLink for the island ferry service. There is no plan to link the islands to each other. There is no plan for parking. There is just no plan," he said.

"I appreciate what the council is trying to do with paid parking, they're trying to change long term behaviours, but they're really just using a screwdriver to perform open heart surgery."

CORRECTION

A petition presented to Redland City Council on Wednesday protesting the changes planned for parking at Weinam Creek contained 1717 signatures, not 1117 signatures as reported.