Pedestrian Refuge for Dornoch Terrace
As your local Councillor, pedestrian safety is one of my top priorities. I've heard the frustration from residents across the Gabba Ward about the lack of pedestrian safety improvements being delivered by Council. That's why I've been looking for ways to deliver these improvements directly through my role as your local Councillor.
This has led me to use my annual Suburban Enhancement Fund (SEF) to progress projects that matter most to our community. The proposed Dornoch Terrace pedestrian crossing is one of four pedestrian improvement projects I've been working on over the past two years.
A community voting poll was opened from 7 February - 15 March 2026 to allow Gabba Ward residents to make the decision about whether the proposed pedestrian upgrade will go ahead.
This consultation reflects my commitment to transparency, community engagement, and putting pedestrian safety first in the Gabba Ward. Please take a look at the Frequently Asked Questions below for more information.
UPDATE 10/04/26
I want to thank everyone who engaged with the Community Poll on the proposed Pedestrian Safety Upgrade for Dornoch Terrace.
The level of engagement has been genuinely heartening; from votes cast to the thoughtful feedback shared in person at community meetings, pop-up offices, and via email.
Your responses clearly reflect how much our community values pedestrian safety. I heard from residents who are supportive of a safer pedestrian upgrade near the bus stops, as well as from others who raised concerns and shared constructive ideas particularly regarding the proposed location and the loss of some on-street parking.
All of this feedback is important, and I recognise that this proposal is not a perfect solution for everyone.
With increasing density across Highgate Hill and West End, it is becoming more important that our road planning and design improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport users. These changes also play a role in helping reduce congestion on our local streets.
Outcome of Community Poll
The results show a strong level of community support for the proposal, with 78% of respondents in favour and 22% not in support.
This indicates that a strong majority of participating residents support measures to improve pedestrian safety in the area, while also acknowledging that some concerns remain within the community. We've sent community members who wanted an update a detailed email with reflections and points of interest. If you would like a full update please contact the Gabba Ward.
While the results show strong overall support for the proposed pedestrian upgrade, I recognise that the loss of some on-street parking is a key concern for some residents. This feedback has been carefully considered alongside the broader community’s support for improved pedestrian safety. Balancing safer pedestrian upgrades with impacts on parking and local access is an important part of this process.
Ultimately, this proposal required weighing the benefits of improved pedestrian safety against the loss of some parking spaces. This is why the decision was put to a community vote in order to ensure the outcome reflects the views of local residents.
What happens next?
The community has voted for the continuation of the project, with the Brisbane City Council final design plan provided below. I will now be progressing the funding sign-off and Council's tender process, with the goal of delivering this project as soon as possible.
Other key concerns highlighted by residents
A common concern raised through street conversations and the community meeting held on 7 February was the need to lower speed limits along Dornoch Terrace. I strongly agree that in built-up areas with high pedestrian activity, 50–60 km/h speed limits aren't safe or sustainable.
There was significant support for reducing the speed limit to 40 km/h.
Speed limit changes require approval from multiple levels of government, including the Department of Transport and Main Roads and Council transport officers, and involve detailed traffic and safety assessments. While these processes take time, I will continue to advocate for a reduced speed limit on Dornoch Terrace. Please keep an eye out as I will be working on a plan on this.
Another key concern I heard from residents was the critical need to improve the Hampstead Rd/ Dornoch Tce/ Ganges St and Montague Rd/Ferry Road/ Drake St intersections. I am aware of the dangers these two intersections pose and have been advocating for several years to have them redesigned. Unfortunately, these projects are out of scope for this project.
However, I understand the gravity of these intersections and just last month, wrote to Cr Ryan Murphy, Brisbane City Council's Civic Chair for Infrastructure, requesting his support for a formal Black Spot Program funding submission for this intersection, and to Federal Member for Griffith Renee Coffey, requesting her advocacy for federal Black Spot Program funding given the intersection falls within her electorate.
POLL IS NOW CLOSED
Thank you again for your thoughtful and constructive feedback throughout this process.
I also encourage you to sign up to my mailing list to keep in the loop on similar local issues in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the proposed Dornoch Terrace pedestrian upgrade look like?
Why is pedestrian safety on Dornoch Terrace important?
Dornoch Terrace has long been a key transport route, evolving from an early Aboriginal pathway into a ridge top spine connecting Highgate Hill and West End north toward the city and south toward inner southern suburbs.
In recent years, traffic and pedestrian safety concerns, combined with increases in density in the immediately surrounding suburbs, highlight the need for continued work on Dornoch Terrace as both a transport corridor and neighbourhood spine.
What happened with the 2019 Dornoch Terrace safety improvements project?
In 2019, Brisbane City Council released a concept design for comprehensive safety improvements along Dornoch Terrace between Gladstone Road, Highgate Hill and Hardgrave Road, West End. The community was invited to provide feedback from 30 September until 25 October 2019.
The 2019 proposal included:
- Modification of 2 intersections (Hampstead Road/Dornoch Terrace and Ganges/Hardgrave/Dornoch)
- Proposed protected bikeway on both sides of Dornoch Terrace from Gladstone Road to Doris Street
- Removal of 3 bus stops and relocation of 1 bus stop
- Removal of 115 car parks
The results of the poll showed 64% of respondents disagreed with the overall proposal. However, the most supported elements of the project related to pedestrian connectivity and intersection safety improvements, particularly the concept of improving pedestrian safety through the provision of pedestrian refuges.
What about the intersections at Dornoch Terrace/Hampstead Road and Dornoch Terrace/Hardgrave Street/Ganges Street?
My office is actively working on and aware of community concerns about safety improvements needed at these intersections. These were key elements of the 2019 Dornoch Terrace safety improvements concept that received strong community support.
However, these intersection upgrades are out of scope for this particular project. The proposed pedestrian crossing between Boundary Street and Colton Street is a separate, standalone safety improvement that can be delivered through my Suburban Enhancement Fund. Intersection modifications require significantly larger budgets, more complex engineering designs, and coordination across multiple Council departments.
I am continuing to advocate for both intersections through multiple channels. Most recently, I have written to Cr Ryan Murphy, Brisbane City Council's Civic Chair for Infrastructure, requesting his support for a formal Black Spot Program funding submission on behalf of the Gabba Ward for improvements at Dornoch Terrace/ Hampstead Road, Dornoch Terrace / Hardgrave Street / Ganges Street intersection and the Ferry Road / Montague Road / Drake Street intersections. I have also written to Federal Member for Griffith Renee Coffey, requesting her support in advocating for federal funding via the Black Spot Program, given both intersections fall within her electorate. I am also pushing for these intersections to be prioritised through my annual budget submission and working with residents and community groups to gather improvement ideas to raise with Council.
If you have specific feedback or concerns about these intersections, please contact the Gabba Ward Office at [email protected] so we can include your input in our ongoing advocacy work.
Why don’t you just lower the speed limit?
I wish it were that simple! Believe me, I would lower the speed limit in a heartbeat if it were within my power to do so.
I'm a strong advocate for lower speed limits across the inner southside. There are too many near misses, too many people choose to drive because they don't feel safe riding or walking and we shouldn’t wait for something tragic to happen to make changes. As our population grows, we need to make our roads safer for all modes of transport, but particularly for pedestrians and bike users .
Lower speed limits reduce the severity and frequency of car crashes, make it easier and safer for vehicles to pull out of side-streets and driveways, and encourage more people to use active and public transport, which in turn reduces traffic congestion. They also reduce noise and air pollution, improving pedestrian comfort and helping to shift suburbs into walkable neighbourhoods with vibrant street culture.
In built-up inner city suburbs with narrow roads and high volumes of pedestrians, 50 and 60km/h speed limits simply aren't safe or sustainable.
But here's the challenge: speed limit decisions aren't made by individual councillors. These requests require approval from multiple agencies and levels of government, including the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) and Brisbane City Council's transport officers. The process involves traffic studies, safety assessments, and consultation with various stakeholders.
I'm still pushing hard for these changes and have won some small victories by advocating for speed limit reductions in other areas of the ward. But these things take time, persistence, and coordination across government.
How does the classification of a road affect what kind of traffic calming measures can be installed?
Road classification has a huge impact on what types of traffic calming measures can be implemented, and it's one of the most frustrating barriers I encounter when advocating for safer streets.
Brisbane City Council uses a road hierarchy system that classifies roads into five types: Neighbourhood, Suburban, District, Arterial, and Motorway. You can find more details in Council's Road Classification factsheet.
Here's the key issue: decisions about road changes (such as pedestrian crossings and upgrades, lowering speed limits, and traffic calming measures) are all based on the type of road involved.
Generally, Neighbourhood roads are generally the only type that will have Local Area Traffic Management (LATM), which allows Council to install traffic calming measures such as speed humps, raised pedestrian crossings, chicanes, and other interventions designed to slow traffic and prioritise safety.
Once a road is classified as Suburban, District, or Arterial, it becomes much harder to implement meaningful traffic calming. These roads are designed to move higher volumes of traffic more quickly, which often comes at the expense of pedestrian and cyclist safety, even in dense, built-up areas where people are walking and riding every day.
How is overdevelopment in Kurilpa affecting pedestrian safety, and what am I doing about it?
This is something I've been deeply concerned about and actively fighting against. The rapid, hyper density development we're seeing in Kurilpa is being approved without adequate infrastructure to support it. We're getting more residents and more traffic, but we're not getting the footpaths, crossings, or traffic calming measures needed to keep people safe.
I've been working alongside community groups like Visy Don't Sell Southbank 2.0 to push back against inappropriate development that prioritises profit over people. This campaign has been fighting to protect public land and ensure that development in our area actually benefits residents rather than just developers' bottom lines.
Overdevelopment without proper planning creates genuinely dangerous conditions for pedestrians and cyclists. I'll keep fighting for better planning controls, infrastructure-first development, and communities that are designed for people, not just cars and profits.
Why was this specific location chosen for the proposed pedestrian crossing?
This stretch of Dornoch Terrace has two bus stops but no safe ability for pedestrians to cross between Boundary Street and Colton Street. This creates a dangerous situation for residents, particularly those catching buses, visiting local businesses, or simply trying to access amenities on the opposite side of the road.
The location addresses a genuine gap in pedestrian infrastructure along this busy corridor.
How was the exact location of the crossing determined?
Council undertakes comprehensive assessments including:
- Pedestrian, bus, bicycle, and traffic counts
- Cadastral data (land ownership, boundary, and legal information)
- Aerial imagery analysis
- Compliance with existing Australian Standards
- Consideration of site-specific conditions
Will any trees be removed to build the new pedestrian crossing?
Yes. One tree at the entry of the proposed crossing on the north side will need to be removed. This tree will be replaced, and we are currently taking feedback from the community about preferred replacement locations.
If you have suggestions about where the replacement tree should be planted, please include this in your feedback when you contact the Gabba Ward Office.
Will any car parks be removed?
Yes. A total of 19 car parks will be removed if this project is delivered across both sides of the road. This removal is necessary to ensure the pedestrian refuge is compliant with line-of-sight requirements for pedestrian safety.
While I understand losing car parks is never popular, pedestrian safety must be the priority, and these sight line requirements are essential for ensuring people can cross safely.
How much will this project cost?
The cost for delivery of this pedestrian refuge is estimated at $80,000. This estimate could increase depending on site conditions discovered during construction or changes in material costs.
This crossing is deliverable via my office’s Suburban Enhancement Fund allocation.
Has Council approved this design?
Yes. The design and location have been approved by Brisbane City Council for delivery. The project meets all relevant safety standards and technical requirements.
Is community consultation required for this project?
No. Voting and community consultation are not required by Council legislation for projects delivered through the Suburban Enhancement Fund.
However, community input and transparency are core values of my office, so I want you to have a say. The community will ultimately decide whether I proceed with delivering this crossing through this consultation process.
Who can participate in the consultation?
All community members are encouraged to participate, whether you live directly on Dornoch Terrace, in the surrounding streets, or elsewhere in the Gabba Ward. This crossing will impact the broader community, and everyone's perspective is valuable.
If the community votes yes, when could construction begin?
If the community supports this project, I will allocate funding through my Suburban Enhancement Fund in this financial year (2025/26). The exact timing will depend on contractor availability and any unforeseen site complications.
I will keep the community updated on timelines as the project progresses.
What happens if the community votes no?
If the community votes no, then the pedestrian upgrade will not be delivered.
The decision rests with you, the residents of the Gabba Ward. This is your opportunity to determine whether this pedestrian safety improvement should proceed using Suburban Enhancement Fund resources.
If the crossing does not go ahead, the funding allocated for this project could potentially be redirected to other community priorities within the ward.
Will other people who haven't attended this community meeting get a chance to talk to you about the proposed pedestrian crossing?
Yes! I will be holding pop-up offices to discuss the proposed Dornoch Terrace pedestrian crossing at Highgate Hill Park on the following dates:
- Friday 20 February, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
- Friday 13 March, 7:30am - 9:30am
These sessions will give you an opportunity to ask questions, share your concerns, and discuss the proposal directly with me before the poll closes on Sunday 15 March.
I encourage anyone interested in learning more about the project or providing feedback to stop by and have a chat. You can also contact the Gabba Ward Office at [email protected] anytime with questions or feedback.
What is the Suburban Enhancement Fund (SEF)?
The Suburban Enhancement Fund is an annual allocation provided to each councillor to deliver local improvements and community projects within their ward. These funds allow me to respond directly to community needs and priorities without waiting for larger Council budget cycles.
What other pedestrian safety projects are you working on?
In addition to the Dornoch Terrace crossing, I'm progressing pedestrian safety improvements at three other locations across the Gabba Ward:
- Montague Rd, West End
- Main St, Kangaroo Point
- Nile St, Woolloongabba
These projects represent my commitment to making our streets safer for everyone who walks, cycles, or uses public transport in our community.
How will we find out the outcome of the poll results?
My office will send an email to all poll respondents who opted in with the results once the poll closes.
I will also announce the outcome in my monthly newsletter and on my social media pages, so the broader community can stay informed about the decision.
If you'd like to ensure you receive updates, please make sure to subscribe to my newsletter or follow my social media channels for the latest information on this and other Gabba Ward projects.
How do I ask additional questions?
If you have further questions about the proposed Dornoch Terrace pedestrian crossing, please contact the Gabba Ward Office at [email protected].