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 yearly Suburban Enhancement Fund (SEF) to progress projects that matter most to our community. The proposed Main Street pedestrian crossing is one of four pedestrian improvement projects I've been working on over the past two years.
That's why I'm offering a community vote to allow the community to make the decision about whether the proposed pedestrian upgrade will go ahead. I encourage all Gabba Ward residents to vote and make a decision for the future of pedestrian safety on Main Street.
Click here to vote!
What does the proposed pedestrian upgrade at Main Street, Kangaroo Point look like?
The proposed upgrade is a zebra crossing between Baildon Street and Wharf Street on Main Street, Kangaroo Point.
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 Main Street crossing, I'm progressing pedestrian safety improvements at three other locations across the Gabba Ward:
- Dornoch Terrace, Highgate Hill
- Montague Road, West End
- Nile Street, Woolloongabba
These projects represent my commitment to making our streets safer for everyone who walks, cycles, or uses public transport in our community.
Why is pedestrian safety on Main Street important?
Kangaroo Point is now the densest suburb in Brisbane, with further growth expected in coming decades. Yet infrastructure investment has not kept pace with this increasing density. Main Street functions as a key transport corridor and neighbourhood spine, connecting residents to ferry terminals and bus services and carrying significant pedestrian traffic.
This concentration of movement places pressure on local roads and creates increasing safety risks particularly near key crossing points. Local infrastructure planning must prioritise safety, accessibility, connectivity, and community use, not just vehicle flow.
What has been done about pedestrian safety in Kangaroo Point previously?
A Council intersection upgrade at Main Street and Princess Street in 2016 demonstrated that targeted improvements deliver real results. Recorded crashes at that location dropped from 23 to 5 over a five-year post-completion period.
More recently, a raised pedestrian crossing was delivered near Scott Street in 2024 as part of the Kangaroo Point Green Bridge project, further improving pedestrian connectivity and safety in the area.
These projects demonstrate the kind of safety outcomes that targeted pedestrian infrastructure can deliver and the proposed Main Street crossing seeks to build on that same commitment to making Kangaroo Point safer for everyone on foot.
Why was this specific location chosen for the proposed pedestrian crossing?
This stretch of Main Street, between Baildon Street and Wharf Street, sits directly between a bus stop and the Holman Street ferry terminal, yet there are no nearby crossings and no safe ability for pedestrians to cross. With 20,000 patrons using the Holman Street terminal each month alone, and the crossing also serving the nearby Dockside terminal, there is significant and consistent demand for a safe crossing point at this location.
Based on Council’s survey data, high volumes of pedestrians are actively crossing Main Street here on a daily basis, with frequent bus and vehicle movements creating ongoing safety risks. The location addresses a genuine and pressing gap in pedestrian infrastructure along this busy corridor.
How was the exact location of the crossing determined?
Council undertakes comprehensive assessments to determine appropriate crossing locations, 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
Why don't you just lower the speed limit?
I wish it were that simple. And 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. As Kangaroo Point's population continues to grow, we need to make our roads safer for all modes of transport, particularly pedestrians and cyclists. Lower speed limits reduce the severity and frequency of crashes, make it easier for vehicles to pull out of side streets and driveways, and encourage more people to use active and public transport.
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), Queensland Police Service (QPS) and Brisbane City Council's transport officers. The process involves traffic studies, safety assessments, and consultation with various stakeholders.
I continue to push hard for these changes and have secured some wins by advocating for speed limit reductions in other areas of the ward. These things take time, persistence, and coordination across the different levels of government and I won't stop pushing.
How does road classification affect what safety improvements can be delivered?
Road classification has a significant impact on what types of traffic calming measures can be implemented, and it's one of the most frustrating barriers 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. Decisions about road changes such as pedestrian crossings, speed limit reductions, and traffic calming are all based on road classification.
Main Street is classified as a Neighbourhood Road, which generally allows for Local Area Traffic Management (LATM) measures such as speed humps, raised pedestrian crossings, and other interventions designed to slow traffic and prioritise safety. This classification supports delivery of the proposed crossing and makes this project viable through the SEF.
Will any trees be removed?
Yes. One tree will need to be removed to accommodate a new light pole required to satisfy lighting standards for the crossing. This tree will be replaced, with the location to be confirmed. 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 5 on-street parking spaces will be removed if this project is delivered, including a loading zone on Main Street. This removal is necessary to ensure the crossing 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 the delivery of this pedestrian refuge is estimated at $130,000. 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.
Who can participate in the vote?
All community members are encouraged to participate, whether you live directly on Main Street, in the surrounding streets, or elsewhere in the Gabba Ward. This crossing will impact the broader community, and everyone's perspective is valuable.
Will other people who did not attend the community meeting get a chance to talk to you about the proposed pedestrian upgrade?
Yes! I will be holding pop-up offices to discuss the proposed Main Street pedestrian upgrade on the following dates and locations:
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Saturday 21 March, 8:30am - 11:00am (Holman Street Ferry Terminal)
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Saturday 28 March, 8:30am - 11:00am (Holman Street Ferry Terminal)
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Thursday, 23 April, 4:00pm - 6:00pm (Kangaroo Point Green Bridge)
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 26 April.
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.
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 the next financial year (2026/27). 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, the pedestrian crossing will not go ahead. The decision rests with you, the residents of the Gabba Ward.
If the crossing does not proceed, the funding could potentially be redirected to other community priorities within the ward. Please note that suggestions for alternative locations also constitute a no vote. Brisbane City Council has only approved this specific location, and any alternative would require going back to the drawing board, meaning years of investigation with no guarantee that Council would approve another location.
How will I find out the outcome of the vote?
My office will communicate the results within two weeks of the vote closing. I will also announce the outcome in my monthly newsletter and on my social media pages so the broader community can stay informed.
If you'd like to ensure you receive updates, please 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 Main Street pedestrian crossing, please contact the Gabba Ward Office at [email protected].
This consultation reflects my commitment to transparency, community engagement, and putting pedestrian safety first in the Gabba Ward.