UPDATE — February 2021
Our persistence as a local community has finally resulted in a speed reduction along Ipswich Rd Annerley to improve safety for pedestrians and motorists.
Following a review by Joint (State and Council) Speed limit Review Panel the speed limit along Ipswich Rd between O’Keefe St and Cracknell Rd will be reduced from 60km to 50km permanently. The new speed limit will be installed by end March 2021, so please look out for the signage changes and slow down. This is a really good step forward given the high number of crashes, near misses and two pedestrian deaths in recent years.
For too long the LNP Council Administration has neglected road safety issues in Annerley. Their inaction has seen unnecessary deaths, significant injuries, traffic congestion and a lack of amenity for local residents who must use Ipswich Rd and its feeder streets. The lack of planning and investment for the southern suburbs transport infrastructure is wrong and must change. With Annerley being split between two wards along Ipswich Rd, Moorooka and Tennyson, both Cr Griffiths and I will work with residents over coming months to ensure pedestrian, cycling, public transport and traffic safety in Annerley is improved. Over the past five years there have been 95 recorded crashes, 9 involving pedestrians in the survey area (Ipswich Rd between Annerley Rd and Cracknell Rd) and one death on Venner Rd. Ipswich Rd is a well-known state-wide top five accident hot spot. Traffic volumes are forecast to almost double over the next 12 years to move than 100,000 vehicles per day. But yet again Council has let Annerley residents down by refusing to take action. This LNP Council has undertaken a number of reviews, including Move Safe and a Pedestrian Road Safety Review but has not acted on the recommendations. Other promised reviews are being kept secret.
Over the past decade I’ve attended numerous local meetings, spoken with the schools, residents and shop keepers, organised petitions and moved motions in Council and still, the Lord Mayor and his team have failed to act. I will not give up but I need your help to remind them how important it is to make Ipswich Rd, Annerley safer for local residents.
10 Point Plan to Improve Road Safety for Ipswich Rd, Annerley
1. Undertake a feasibility study for a tunnel bypass under Ipswich Rd to reclaim surface streets for local traffic movements, better public transport, cycling and pedestrian infrastructure;
2. Reduce the speed limit through Annerley Junction shopping precinct to 40kms;
3. Install flashing school zone signage to protect JPSS children crossing the road;
4. Upgrade the intersection of Ipswich Rd, Venner Rd and Waterton St to include proper signalised turning lanes;
5. Install a green arrow or zebra crossing at the intersection of Ekibin Rd and Ipswich Rd;
6. Undertake a Village Precinct Project in Annerley Junction to improve amenity, safety and revitalise community spaces;
7. Build new footpath, lighting and cycling infrastructure to promote active travel;
8. Deliver better local bus services through Annerley;
9. Deliver the promised Venner Rd Freight Bypass to take trucks off Venner Rd;
10. Deliver traffic calming solutions in Annerley side streets to discourage rat running.
Ipswich Rd divides our community and Council must take action before another life is lost.
More About Venner Rd Freight Study
In 2007 I campaigned to deliver a traffic study to improve safety along Venner Road, Annerley. The study was completed during my first year as your local Councillor.
In 2009 the Lord Mayor Graham Quirk and I announced the findings of the Freight Study and committed to both short term and long term improvements. Details are noted below. As part of my reelection campaign in 2012 I promised to make this make this important safety project a priority. Since then I have been campaigning to ensure the Venner Road Freight Study is added to Council’s Long-term Infrastructure Plan and Priority Infrastructure Plan. The Lord Mayor, despite supporting the project in 2009 and 2012 has now reneged.
I will not give up this important project for our district. Removing trucks from Venner Road, and relocating them to a purpose built by-pass in the Yeerongpilly industrial area, would benefit residents and business alike.
Click here to read the Lord Mayor’s response to Nicole’s representations to accelerate a safety review following the Venner Rd accident in August 2018.
Click here to read Councillor Johnston’s Priority Infrastructure Project (PIP) submission (P3).
Click here to read Councillor Johnston’s Local Government Infrastructure Plan (LGIP) submission (P3).
Click here to read Councillor Johnston’s Neighbourhood Plan submission (P6).
Click here to read Councillor Johnston’s 2018-19 Budget Submission.
Click here to read Councillor Johnston’s 2009 press release.
Click here to read the Councillor Johnston’s 2009 letter to residents.
Click here to view Councillor Johnston’s postcard supporting the Venner Road Frieght Bypass
Click here to read a letter from Council’s Transport Planning and Strategy Team regarding the possible purchase of 531 Ipswich Road, Annerley
Media
Click here to read – ‘No go Venner Road’ – City South News, February 5 2009
Click here to read – ‘Roads Need Work’ – City South News, February 9 2009
Click here to read – ‘Road Puts Lives at Risk’ City South News, March 29 2012
Click here to listen to – 512 ABC Talkback with Spencer Howson – Venner Road Freight Bypass
Save Lives Fix Ipswich Rd, Annerley
