Brisbane council elections: LNP proposes expanded 40km/h zones for 21 Brisbane schools

The Safer School Precincts would be a new initiative if Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner is re-elected, with plans to double existing funding to around $10m in the next council budget.

Brisbane school zones are set for expansion if the LNP is re-elected.

The Lord Mayor will announce newly proposed safe school precincts which he plans to establish in seven parts of Brisbane and encompass 21 schools.

Adrian Schrinner’s Safer School Precincts idea aims to promote more parents walking or scooting or bike riding with their children to school, rather than driving.

The initial stage will involve four separate areas with 12 schools and around 10,000 students. If all goes well, three more areas with nine more schools would be rolled out.

A detailed plan would be created for each proposed area.

But potential measures include new pedestrian crossings, widening footpaths, expansion of 40km/h zones, extra kerbside drop-off and pick-up zones, and the introduction of school zone gateways – pavement markings showing safe walking routes for children.

The immediate earmarked areas are:

* Mansfield – including Mansfield State School, Mansfield State High School and Brisbane Adventist College

* Kedron – encompassing Padua College, Mount Alvernia College and St Anthony’s Primary School

* Wynnum Manly – involving Manly State School and St John Vianney’s Primary School

* Indooroopilly – including Indooroopilly State High School, St Peters, Holy Family Primary School, Brigidine College

The three future areas being considered are:

* Enoggera – involving Our Lady of the Assumption Primary School, Hillbrook Anglican School, and Enoggera State School

* Bardon – including Bardon State School, St Joseph’s School, and Stuartholme School

* Forest Lake – St John’s Anglican College, Forest Lake State High School and Arethusa College.

The LNP said there would be planning and community consultation around whether current 40km/h zones were lengthened or new zones added.

But any changes to Brisbane school zones must be done in line with the Department of Transport and Main Roads guidelines.

This would be a new program and the Lord Mayor plans to double the existing Safer School’s budget to around $10m in the next council budget.

Mr Schrinner said if he is re-elected on March 16, planning and community consultation would begin this year on the first four Safer School precincts.

“Our Safer School Precincts and Active School Travel programs have proven to be really effective at making it safer and easier for parents and children to walk or ride to school, so it makes sense to expand them,” he said.

“These changes don’t just benefit students, but they will also reduce road congestion in our suburbs and keep Brisbane moving.

“By making it easier for students to walk, ride or scoot to school we’re easing congestion and

chaos on our suburban streets for those travelling but also those who live there.”

Labor lord mayoral candidate Tracey Price questioned the timing of the proposal.

“He has been Lord Mayor since 2019 – now some 20 days out for the election, he’s said that he’ll start doing the work, if he’s given the chance,” she said.

“There are many critical safety issues on our roads and around our schools, what have the LNP and Adrian Schrinner been doing for the last five years.

“That’s why I have committed and announced some weeks ago that we will spend $1 billion on suburban road projects focusing on safety at dangerous intersections, restoring the road repairs budget, and investing money across our suburbs.”