The Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) is asking for community feedback on proposed pedestrian safety improvements on Beaudesert-Nerang Road (Christie Street) in Canungra.
The improvements include zebra crossings and street lighting as well as town entry statements designed to slow traffic entering the town.
Cr Virginia West, State Member for Scenic Rim Jon Krause and Canungra Chamber of Commerce have been lobbying for changes to the existing traffic arrangements for several years.
Cr Virginia West said she welcomes a number of the proposed safety measures but has concerns regarding the loss of six parking spaces and the possible traffic congestion near the intersection of Kidston and Christie Streets.
“I encourage residents to share their views with DTMR and myself during the submission period which ends on 6th December,” she said.
State Member for Scenic Rim, Jon Krause said the proposal is, overall, a positive step.
“Main Roads’ announcement, earlier this year, that it would look at a town entry treatment for Canungra was a good first step,” he said.
“The town entry treatment, basically encouraging motorists to slow down and look out, is being added to by Main Roads’ proposal for two raised pedestrian crossings.”
“These raised crossings – much like speed humps, near the Ambulance Station and D J Smith Memorial Park, will no doubt slow passing traffic and improve overall safety.
“On the whole, I have received positive feedback about these proposals, especially from the Canungra State School community.”
The Canungra Chamber of Commerce said the loss of car parking spaces will place further pressure on businesses and expressed concerned about the effect on traffic flow through Christie Street.
Long term Canungra residents, Bev Nichols and Vicki Rayner expressed concern that a bypass no longer appears to be under consideration.
“The growth in the nearby Yarrabilba community with high density housing has added to the main road congestion through Canungra,” said Bev, “I believe that is the way many of those residents would travel to and from the Gold Coast on a regular basis.”
“There are so many heavy vehicles that travel straight through town each day, and also so much construction happening, I would be concerned a fully laden truck, coming from either way, may not be able to stop in time, if a pedestrian stepped out on a zebra crossing,” said Vicki.
“I believe that there should be a heavy vehicle bypass solution before the issue of the safe passage of pedestrians can be solved. By getting these heavy vehicles off the main street, only then will there be a safer option for pedestrians,” she said.
Vicki is also concerned about the impact of a pedestrian crossing near the intersection of Christie and Kidston Streets.
“To put a raised zebra crossing will only add to the congestion on the intersection, with vehicles pulled up to a stop for pedestrians and queued across the intersection , leaving vehicles with absolutely no where to go!” she said.
Feedback on the proposed changes should be sent no later than 6th December to DTMR by emailing southcoast@tmr.qld.gov.au.
Work on the proposed changes has been programmed to commence in the first half of 2020.
