On the Footpaths

[#Metro]

I'd like to see "something different". We already have South Bank and Roma Street.

Perhaps a Zoo, or water park.

[verbatim9]

Sounds good to do something different but you don't want to jeopardize a direct Public link (open 24/7). That's why they want to get rid of the Golf Course to provide public access.

[James]

I'd much prefer more open parkland compared to a zoo or a water park. We already have small water parks at council pools (Chermside being one) along with multiple closer to the Gold Coast (where access & parking is much easier than in the middle of Brisbane). Likewise - we already have multiple decent zoos in SEQ, why should we compete with those?

Great to hear this area is becoming parkland, especially important given all the development which has, and will continue to occur, in this area in the coming years.

[timh]

 Yeah, this is a fantastic outcome. Much better use of land. I'm really looking forward to experiencing it when it's done!

[Cazza]

I'm glad to hear that they will be keeping the driving range, function room, putt putt etc. (or at least reconstructing them in a different location). They are definitely a great asset to the city.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/team_schrinner/status/1207531683789955072

[verbatim9]

The new stickers appearing at pedestrian and cyclist lights at intersections across the city.

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> Council reveals train crossing plan, but you might not like it

A long-running saga about where to put a zebra crossing, which has become the talk of Brisbane's inner-west for years, appears to have come to a climax.

Residents and Tennyson ward Councillor Nicole Johnston have been lobbying hard for a crossing outside Graceville train station.

They say the area has become increasingly busy, and dangerous, since a station upgrade dramatically boosted the number of train commuters.

After a series of petitions, Council debates and a campaign led by Cr Johnston and residents, Council officers revealed on Monday that it favoured a crossing on Appel St, between Verney Rd East and Connors St.

But Cr Johnston and Transport Minister Mark Bailey said they were dismayed the plan would involve moving the popular station drop-off zone.

Cr Johnston, who said a crossing outside the piano shop on the northern side of Verney Rd East was more appropriate, queried whether the planners had any idea how locals moved around the area.

"I am appalled that after years of waiting, then the station upgrade when Council did not do its bit, multiple petitions, a debate in Council and multiple requests from me, that this is what you are suggesting,'' she said in a letter to a Council transport manager.

"Clearly (Council's preferred option) has been drafted by someone who is unfamiliar with the station and how people move in and around it."It's also different to what I had been verbally told that Council was looking outside the piano shop.

"Your proposal removes the extremely well-used drop-off zone completely. That is unacceptable.

"Exactly where will people drop off their children? On the zebra crossing?

"You are also proposing carparking on either side of the zebra crossing which is unsafe and the loss of parking spaces.''

But the transport manager said in her response to Cr Johnston that there were numerous problems with Cr Johnston's preferred location.

Council conducted pedestrian demand surveys on a typical weekday and weekend on Appel St, to capture actual pedestrian demand across a day between: Randolph St and Verney Rd East; Verney Rd East and Connors St; Connors and Evadne streets.

The survey data showed "generally consistent'' pedestrian demand at the first two locations but reduced demand between Connors and Evadne streets.

"As such, it was determined that a crossing between Verney Rd East and Connors St provided the best coverage for the area, being located in an area with relatively high crossing demand, as well as providing an alternative to those crossing (between Randolph and Verney and between Connors and Evadne).

"If a zebra crossing is to be provided (between Randolph and Verney Rd East), as you have suggested, it would only service the demand associated with this section of road, providing limited benefit to the majority of pedestrians who cross south of Verney Rd East.''

She also said council's design team did not consider Cr Johnston's suggested crossing location to be feasible because the footpath on the western side of Appel St at that point was too narrow for a kerb ramp.

There was also a power pole on the eastern side of Appel St at that point and overhead powerlines which would mean adequate lighting could not be installed.

An awning on the western side of Appel St might also make it difficult to build an accessible kerb ramp.

She also said Council's preferred option had adequate sight lines and the drop-off zone would be moved further south, not removed.

"While it is acknowledged that this will remove some on-street carparking, this is typically required when upgrading crossing facilities in existing road environments,'' she said.

Mr Bailey said there was "plenty of space to work with'' around the drop-off zone.

"I've seen it in action. It's a safe and protected zone,'' he said.

He said the last two years both set records for usage at the train station, but expected it would take a long time for commuter numbers to recover due to job losses and changes to the way people now worked.

At the height of the COVID-19 lockdown commuter numbers had crashed 80 per cent and were still 66 per cent of normal levels.

Cr Johnston said her suggestion would be cheaper, retain the drop-off zone and street parking and provide better connections for most pedestrians. Lighting issues would be "a simple fix''.

"I strongly urge you to revise the design, as suggested, before proceeding,'' she said.

"I can only presume that if you proceed with the design in your memo that you are deliberately trying to kill the project.''

She said safer pedestrian access to Graceville Rail Station and local schools was critically important and the promised zebra crossing on Appel St was long overdue.

"I'm calling on Council to ensure the design delivers a useful zebra crossing but does not remove the popular kiss and go (drop-off) zone,'' she said.

"Council needs to approach the design in an innovative way to boost access to public transport, not make it harder."

[Cazza]

Couriermail Quest --> Council reveals train crossing plan, but you might not like it

They say the area has become increasingly busy, and dangerous, since a station upgrade dramatically boosted the number of train commuters.

Graceville Station upgrade started in early 2016 and finished in September 2017.

2012/13 FY: 267,686 passengers.
2014/15 FY: 253,712 passengers.
2016/17 FY: 229,233 passengers.
2017/18 FY: 237,533 passengers.
(https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=13694.0#new)

I'm all for these pedestrian safety upgrades, but seriously, don't make up nonfactual claims to try and prove a point.
 

[ozbob]

Couriermail 2nd September 2020

Guidelines designed to promote walking

TREES would be planted every 15m along streets, and footpaths installed on all local roads under new planning criteria for residential developments to encourage walking across the state.

The revamped state planning regime kicks off from September 28 and requires councils to assess all new residential developments against five design elements to make neighbourhoods more walkable. They include limiting block lengths to a maximum of 250m and ensuring each block is within 400m of a park or open space, subject to physical constraints.

Ensuring footpaths are provided on at least one side of local streets and both sides of all main streets is also included in the new criteria, as well as a minimum of one tree every 15m on both sides of all roads.

While it will be mandatory for new residential developments to be assessed against the new designs, planners will also need to consider community concerns and implement the design where practical.

Treasurer and Planning Minister Cameron Dick said the reforms would mean local neighbourhoods would have the fundamentals, including footpaths, street trees and nearby parks and open space.

"Prior to the pandemic, we undertook extensive community consultation about how effective neighbourhood design could support community health and wellbeing," Mr Dick said. "The COVID-19 restrictions were put in place early to protect Queenslanders and the economy and we have all experienced how our neighbourhood design supports walkability and access to local parks and open spaces," he said. The explanatory notes for the new planning regulations say the changes aim to encourage walking for "transport, leisure, recreation and exercise".

"Physical barriers that stop Queenslanders from walking more include distances to destinations, lack of shade and shelter along routes, and lack of suitable paths to destinations," it said. "The Amendment Regulation addresses these barriers by ensuring residential neighbourhoods are planned for walking."

Mr Dick said that many established neighbourhoods were not conducive to walking and that any retrofitting would require investments from councils.

"To help councils, we have developed the Walkability Improvement Tool, which gives them a step-by-step guide to effectively and efficiently identify and prioritise walkability improvements based on the greatest return on investment," Mr Dick said.

President of Queensland Walks Michelle Wade said they supported initiatives and investments to design more "walk-friendly communities and neighbourhoods".

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/CrossRiverRail/status/1315434525040750597

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1320521300780040193

[SurfRail]

Since moving to Camp Hill and seeing the finer urban grain of Brisbane outside the CBD frame on a daily basis, I'm genuinely surprised how poor both the footpaths and roads are, for the most part - certainly compared to the parts of the Gold Coast I lived in for 30 years.  God knows where all the rates revenue goes.

[City Designer]

I have to concur with SurfRail. Whilst the Gold Coast has a severe lack of footpaths, recent retrofits are well prepared. Much of the footpath network in Brisbane is not fit for purpose.

[James]

There's probably a number of streets, particularly in inner Brisbane, where the kerb width simply isn't available to provide a footpath on both sides (or provide a footpath at all) without resuming private property or relocating power poles. To provide a footpath would require knocking out kerb, which then impacts on your drainage.

On low-volume residential streets, while it isn't ideal, there is typically enough room to walk along the side of the road. There are definitely places where paths are needed (trampled on grass is a good indicator), I would question the value for money in providing every single street with a footpath, particularly where the technical challenges are great. I can see at least one in my area where you'd probably need to build a retaining wall to make it happen.

Since moving to Camp Hill and seeing the finer urban grain of Brisbane outside the CBD frame on a daily basis, I'm genuinely surprised how poor both the footpaths and roads are, for the most part - certainly compared to the parts of the Gold Coast I lived in for 30 years.  God knows where all the rates revenue goes.

Space helps. The GC doesn't have the street geometry issues of inner Brisbane with steep hills and split level streets. Design standards also do wonders - footpath access really wasn't front of mind when these areas were first built in the car revolution of the 1950s.

[SurfRail]

^ That excuses some of the non-compliance or missing bits of footpath, but not all.  There's nothing in front of my place, which is flat as a tack, and the street has been here since at least 1946.

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2021/188-2021.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 188
Asked on 10 March 2021

DR C ROWAN ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS (HON M BAILEY)

QUESTION:

With reference to local residents' concerns about the lack of safe pedestrian access on Moggill
Road, from Col Westaway Park to the Moggill District Sports Park—

Will the Minister outline the specific steps taken by the Department of Transport and Main Roads
in collaboration with Brisbane City Council to resolve this important local safety issue?

ANSWER:
I thank the Member for Moggill for the question.

As advised in correspondence of 25 June 2019 and 24 October 2019, Brisbane City Council
constructed the Moggill District Sports Park. A footpath was not included as part of its proposed
development. In addition, as the location of the sports park is approximately 1.7 kilometres from
the nearest bus stop and footpath network, it is considered that primary access to the site would
be by vehicle along Moggill Road.

As there is high demand for pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure upgrades across Queensland, it
is essential to prioritise investment across the state to areas of greatest need where it will create
the largest positive impact. At this stage, there is no funding to provide access to the Moggill
District Sports Park by public transport or footpath. However, if Moggill Road was to be
significantly upgraded in the future, the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) would
consider including a footpath or active transport connections as part of the upgrade.

As the eastern end of Moggill Road has a much higher demand for bike riders, further
investigation is underway to improve the safety for bike riders between Rafting Ground Road and
the Centenary Motorway.

TMR is also currently undertaking community consultation to obtain feedback on a proposal to
replace the Kenmore Roundabout with a signalised intersection and provide cycle lanes through
the intersection and along Moggill Road though Kenmore village. The Australian and Queensland
governments have both committed $12.5 million to provide a total of $25 million for delivering this
project. The community's feedback will be assessed in the coming months and will be critical in
informing the delivery of the project.

[verbatim9]

https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=851.msg247655.msg#247655

[ozbob]

The Conversation --> We all have to walk across roads — why aren't pedestrians a focus of road safety?

In May 2021 a B-double truck mounted a kerb when turning a corner in Melbourne, injuring five pedestrians. In February 2020 a drunk driver drove onto a footpath in Sydney, killing four children and injuring three others as they walked to get ice-creams. These incidents are just two of many grim reminders that pedestrians are an especially vulnerable group of road users.

"Pedestrians" includes most of us as we walk along or across roads, even if it is just to get to our car. Children, young people, city residents, older people and people on low incomes are especially reliant on walking rather than driving.

Pedestrians, along with cyclists and motorcyclists, are most at risk of injury and death when involved in a collision on the roads. In a crash, pedestrians are four times more likely to be injured than those in a vehicle. ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/QueenslandWalks/status/1405102840205377540

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/TMRQld/status/1463669036726685699

[verbatim9]

https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?msg=256654

[ozbob]

https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?msg=256654

Please don't post isolated links like this.  In future they will be removed ..

Do this:

See > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?msg=256654

In regards to the city deal I did read that there is money to improve walkability around SEQ.

How that is going to be achieved is anyone's question.

They need to improve and connect the active travel paths around SEQ. Have some alternatives than having paths along flood plains, creeks and rivers.

Run shared paths along rail corridors to connect suburbs together. Rail corridors are usually higher and more flood resilient and there is space along side them to build active travel paths.

They also can be used as dual purpose when there is track work to allow access for maintenance vehicles.

Other jurisdictions in the world are and have been building active travel paths alongside rail corridors for many years.

[ozbob]

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/95194

Step by step: Walking towards an active future
19th May 2022

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

The Palaszczuk Government has bolstered its commitment to walking with the release of Queensland's second walking action plan.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey praised Queenslanders for the strong uptake of active transport for health, recreation and travel.

"More and more people are making the move to walking – whether it's to the bus stop, school, the local shops or for exercise, our new action plan contains practical actions to help make walking the easy choice," Mr Bailey said.

"This uptake is more important than ever as we battle with having one of the most sedentary generations in history.

"We need to see more walking in the lives of Queenslanders, and what better way to do that than invest in the infrastructure needed to do it.

"We want to encourage more people to walk no matter where you are in Queensland, so we will continue to build on our previous two-year plan, released in 2019.

"Our previous action plan contained 44 initiatives and build a strong foundation for future investment and initiatives.

"A further 35 practical and targeted actions are laid out in the 2022 action plan, which will outline how we invest over the next two years and help to ensure our investment return maximum benefits."

Mr Bailey praised the progress already made across government departments, local government and the community.

"Big steps have been made over the past two years in delivering more active transport projects like rail trails, footpaths, shared path infrastructure, micromobility reform and much more," he said.

"A lot of these achievements have come to life through our work with local governments in delivering the infrastructure communities need as part of our grant program."

Mr Bailey said the action plan included:

delivering new planning grants to support local governments to improve walking environments around schools, public transport stops, shops and town centres
promoting more shade for people walking
improving the interaction between people walking and those using personalised mobility devices, such as e-scooters
encouraging more people to walk to and from school through the Safe School Travel program
recognising high quality projects that support walking as part of the Minister's Award for Urban Design
planning for strong active transport outcomes from the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Queensland Walks Executive Officer, Anna Campbell, said she congratulated the Queensland Government on its continued investment in walking through the new action plan.

"We support Minister Bailey's commitment to improve walking environments in urban, regional and town centres in Queensland," she said.

"It is a clear signal of the Queensland Government's support for inclusive, equitable and sustainable transport like walking, and a solid investment for every single Queenslander."

Key achievements to date:

piloting and publishing walking network planning guidance to identify the best routes and projects around important destinations such as town centres, public transport stations and schools
assisting local governments to lower speed limits in areas where many people walk
piloting smart crossings to vary crossing times for people walking
releasing a model code for neighbourhood design to create more walkable neighbourhoods
supporting groups including 10,000 Steps to encourage walking through individual and workplace participation and community engagement
assisting to deliver the Eco Tourism Trails Program, which progresses iconic ecotourism experiences such as the Wangetti Trail and the Cooloola Great Walk
For more information, visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Travel-and-transport/Pedestrians-and-walking.

ENDS

WALKING FAST FACTS

It's estimated Queenslanders walk more than 682 million kilometres each year.
If you walk 9000 steps a day, it will equate to walking around the Earth 3.5 times in an average lifetime.
1 in 5 Queensland adults walk for recreation.
Over 83% of trips to and from public transport are made by walking.
Walking for an average of 30 minutes or more a day can lower the risk of heart disease, stroke and Type 2 diabetes.
Queensland has more than 10 Great Walks covering world heritage areas and national parks from Currumbin to Cooktown.

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament E-Petition

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Petitions/Petition-Details?id=3799

SAFE FOOTPATHS FOR MOGGILL ROAD AND MT CROSBY ROAD

TO: The Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland
Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House of the need for safe footpath infrastructure, on sections of the state-controlled Moggill Road, and Mount Crosby Road. 

This includes, but is not limited to, pedestrian access to the Bellbowrie Community Church, between the outbound Sugars Road bus stop and Bellbowrie Shopping Plaza, also along Mount Crosby Road, Anstead, enable pedestrian access to the Moggill District Sports Park, provide safe pedestrian travel between the Bolton Clarke Fairview Residential Aged Care Facility and the Pullenvale Marketplace, deliver pedestrian safety from Vyner Street to Grandview Road, Pullenvale, ensure pedestrian safety at the Sugars-Moggill-Lather Road intersection, and also deliver student and pedestrian safety along Moggill Road at both the Brisbane Independent School, Pinjarra Hills, and Our Lady of the Rosary School, Kenmore

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to ensure that the Department of Transport and Main Roads conducts full community consultation to assess and deliver safe, upgraded, and DDA-compliant pedestrian infrastructure along state-controlled Moggill and Mount Crosby roads, and in collaboration with the Brisbane City Council, according to agreed jurisdictional responsibilities.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/BIKESydney/status/1586497448457166848

[verbatim9]

There are people starting a sticker campaign highlighting the need for improvements at intersections around Brisbane to improve active transport and walkable connections around the city (Unwalkable Brisbane, Unwalkable resident).


I share their frustrations regarding inaction by the Council and State Government.

[Cazza]

That slip lane on the far side of your image is horrendous for both vehicles and pedestrians/cyclists. I recently have started riding my e-scooter via the Valley and Storey Bridge to connect between the North Brisbane Bikeway at RBWH and the Gabba bikeway near Mater and it's astounding the poor path quality, geometry and arrangements through such a high pedestrian, cyclist and scooter area.

Having a separated cycleway connecting the NBB and Gabba Bikeway/V1 near Stanley St via the Valley, Story Bridge and River Tce would be such a valuable and well patronised connection. Even the current state of the route, I see so many scooters and riders traversing the footpaths of Brunswick St, Gipps St and the Story Bridge.

As Rowan highlighted in the meeting, how this still exists at an intersection with huge volumes of pedestrian traffic transferring between services is simply insulting and inexcusable.

https://www.google.com/maps/@-27.4861677,152.9931612,3a,56.5y,342.69h,79.54t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sopNEd7OjYlgU4_UOnBtRhQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DopNEd7OjYlgU4_UOnBtRhQ%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D108.23174%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

I understand that these examples were constructed well before today's infrastructure design standards (which even these current designs have a lot to be desired from a pedestrian perspective) but it's frustrating just how low of a priority upgrading basic pedestrian infrastructure is by Council.

Heck, taking a look at the current Active Transport projects across the City and there is currently nothing proposed, being constructed or recently completed for the North and West regions. Even the only project in the South is just some speed monitors, with the East region being a new set of pedestrian lights completed on Vulture St. * yawn *
https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-and-transport/roads-infrastructure-and-bikeways/bikeway-and-pathway-projects

Compare that to the eye-watering number of road projects proposed and completed
https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-and-transport/roads-infrastructure-and-bikeways/road-and-intersection-projects

So much for "Australia's New World City" 

It's pretty frustrating just how simple, yet effective throwing up some plastic bollards to fill in 500m or so of 40kms+ of protected bikeway (I'm looking at you Dickson St), yet Council simply aren't up to the task. Pretty crazy that this is still the case considering the Teal and Green wave throughout cities across the country back in May. The status quo simply isn't working and people want change. I sense a number of Blue Wards across the City have their days numbered.

The 2024 Council election will definitely be an interesting one to watch...
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-03/queensland-greens-eye-brisbane-city-hall-for-2024/101116130

[Jonno]

There are people starting a sticker campaign highlighting the need for improvements at intersections around Brisbane to improve active transport and walkable connections around the city (Unwalkable Brisbane, Unwalkable resident).


I share their frustrations regarding inaction by the Council and State Government.

They will need a lot of stickers!!!!

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Brisbane footpath failures documented in RACQ survey, safety concerns for schoolchildren raised

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1595310923765673984

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1650218429067194369

[verbatim9]

https://youtu.be/p7c7kzNnuZY

[verbatim9]

It's good that private industry is getting involved with filling in the Active Transport Gaps.

There needs to be more input from private industry when it comes to the public transport shortfall as well. (Both services and infrastructure).

I think that more advertising should be allowed especially on the digital screens across the network. This can help provide some subsidy to improve services where needed.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1674162567072342017

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> The simple change that could slash travel times during school terms

A dwindling number of children walk or cycle to school – relying instead on the taxi of mum and dad – and stranger danger is not to blame.

The solution to getting more children out of cars could include lower speed limits and closing streets to vehicles, according to a research project involving parents and children at two Queensland schools.

And given that school commutes in Brisbane make up one in four car trips during morning peak hour, getting more children to either walk or ride could reduce congestion.

With one in five Queensland children – and two out of three adults – overweight or obese, it could provide health benefits, too. ...

No brainer stuff this. We all observe the reduction in traffic during school holiday periods ... 

[andrewr]

A few months ago I noticed a CBD pedestrian crossing that I used to frequent had disappeared.

With some investigation (i.e. Google Street View and Bing Streetside), I figured out it was taken away some time between 2021-22.

I'm not entirely sure why as it was a good one.



I've written to the local councillor and see how far I get with that - https://roffey.au/static/queen-street-zebra-web.pdf

It's hard to improve walkability when the crossings are being taken away 

[SurfRail]

Probably because 360 Queen St is a large and active construction site taking up what used to be 4 separate buildings (one of which I worked in up to late 2016), and they don't want people milling around where there are heavy vehicle movements on the reg.

The number of signalised pedestrian crossings in town has definitely increased in the last few years (Elizabeth St between Albert / Edward Sts, Adelaide St between KGS / Edward Sts).

[andrewr]

Probably because 360 Queen St is a large and active construction site

Good point, although if it's temporary it could warrant a sign.

The signalised crossings are definitely good especially considering their proximity to public transport. Adelaide and Elizabeth Streets are more on the busy side and harder to cross.

It would also be great to have some wombat crossings on quieter streets like Queen, Albert and Charlotte Streets. Once Albert Street Station opens there will be a lot more foot traffic that way.

[SurfRail]

Agreed, I would want to see the crossing come back once Hutchies  reach practical completion on their building works.

BCC is slowly getting it but of all our big CBDs and built up areas in this country I still think Brisbane has the worst footpaths in the inner city.  Basic thing like uneven surfaces, no consistent treatment for service pits etc.  I obviously spend most of my waking weekday hours here but even with that familiarity you can trip over very easily.