Action at last on one of Brisbane’s worst roundabouts
Plans have been released for a “fix’’ at one of Brisbane’s most notorious traffic bottlenecks. But not everyone is happy.
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The long-awaited upgrade of the Kenmore roundabout is only “half of the solution’’, critics claim.
Public consultation on the $25 million project, which will turn the roundabout into a signalised intersection, starts next week.
It comes after years of lobbying to fix the chokepoint, which can back up for a kilometre in peak times.
A map distributed to residents on Monday (March 1) did not show an extra lane outside Our Lady of the Rosary primary school, at the intersection of Moggill and Kenmore roads.
Although a few hundred metres from the roundabout, local state MP Christian Rowan said it had previously been considered as part of an overall fix for the area’s traffic woes.
However he and federal LNP MP for the area, Julian Simmonds, who lobbied to get $12.5 million in federal funding, said they were pleased action was now happening.
“The most important thing is to make the roundabout safer and reduce congestion,’’ Mr Simmonds said.
“I have sought extra information from the Department of Transport and Main Roads on how much of a reduction in congestion it will achieve and what the cost of extending works to (OLR) would be.
“But overall, my view is if it reduced congestion and improves safety, then I will support it.’’
Dr Rowan said it was critical residents had their say and encouraged them to email, call or turn up in person to information sessions.
“Residents are able to provide feedback via a number of mechanisms and I urge them, business owners and other stakeholders to have their say,’’ he said.
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As well as the lack of an extra lane at the Kenmore Rd intersection, Dr Rowan said he had some concerns about an apparent reduction in short term car parking along Moggill Rd where elderly residents are dropped off for medical appointments.
Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said replacing the roundabout with traffic lights at the intersection of Moggill Rd and Brookfield Rd would relieve congestion and improve safety.
“The Kenmore roundabout is a high-traffic roundabout at key connection point used by western suburb residents heading to Brookfield or out to Pullenvale and beyond,” Mr Bailey said.
“It’s also a key access point to Kenmore Village and the local retail precinct in that area, as well as Kenmore State School nearby.
“Installing traffic lights will better control traffic flow through the intersection, and we’re also providing new on-road bike lanes and dedicated crossing facilities.”
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Mr Bailey said the local community had called for improved bike facilities in the area and the Kenmore roundabout upgrade had provided an ideal opportunity to do that.
Under the project’s concept designs, some on-street parking is proposed to be removed.
Dr Rowan said the State Government had been “nothing but a roadblock when it comes to comprehensively busting traffic congestion in the electorate of Moggill and across the western suburbs of Brisbane’’.
“It was only due to my consistent advocacy in 2019, and that of Julian Simmonds, that federal funding of $12.5 million was secured for the upgrade of the Kenmore roundabout, which the state Labor government belatedly matched with an additional $12.5 million following my relentless advocacy on this issue,’’ he said.
“Despite Labor promising my local community that they would be consulted on this upgrade before Christmas last year, it was only last week that I was formally briefed on the Government’s draft design for upgrading the roundabout and the associated section of Moggill Rd.
“Labor’s draft design has significant impacts for local businesses, key stakeholders and all
residents and I certainly have a number of serious concerns about Labor’s draft design.
“What is more, I am also very concerned at the significantly tight schedule of community consultation that the Government is allowing for feedback and input, especially as it is scheduled to take place in part over the forthcoming Easter break.
“The Government must get this right.’’
HOW TO HAVE YOUR SAY
Community consultation starts on March 8 and closes on April 6.
Community information sessions will be held at:
Saturday, March 13: 9am-1pm at Kenmore Village shopping centre
Saturday, March 20: 6.30am-11am at Brookfield Market community display
Thursday, March 25: 3pm-7pm at Kenmore Village shopping centre
Tuesday, March 30: 8.30am-1.30pm at Kenmore Village shopping centre
Feedback can also be provided via an online survey, email and phone to help inform the design and delivery of the project.
For more information or to provide your feedback: www.tmr.qld.gov.au (search for ‘Kenmore roundabout’)
Visit the online interactive consultation page at www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au
Email: metropolitanregion@tmr.qld.gov.au
Call 3066 4338 during business hours.
The Australian Government and the Queensland Government have each committed $12.5 million to the $25 million project.
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