Council “executes’’ dozens of trees to make room for cyclists

RESIDENTS looked on in horror as workers woodchipped about 40 large trees from along the Brisbane River this week so a controversial bikeway route could be widened.

Part of the site after treeloppers moved in.

RESIDENTS looked on in horror as workers woodchipped about 40 large trees from along the Brisbane River this week so a controversial bikeway route could be widened.

Yesterday, excavators were working immediately around Jessica Watson’s Ella’s Pink Lady on Lower River Tce, the little yacht she sailed solo around the world, but it was unclear if it would be moved as part of the project.

Dave Russell said it was an appalling waste because cyclists had indicated they would not use the section of bikeway, which was being widened only by 1.5m.

The route is the end point of the State Government’s Veloway cycleway from Eight Mile Plains to the CBD.

BEFORE

Part of the area early this week before the trees were chopped down.

AFTER

A stump of one of the “executed’’ trees.

It was originally supposed to go over the Captain Cook Bridge, but Mr Russell said an impasse between the two levels of government meant the route was diverted to Lower River Tce, from where cyclists would cross the river at the Goodwill Bridge.

“About 70 per cent of the canopy around the Maritime Museum has gone,’’ Mr Russell said.

All they’re doing is widening an already existing bike path by 1.5m, taking it to 4m — the widest in Queensland. It’s really sad.

“Their (the felled trees) long and valuable shade and air pollution fighting lives were dismissively snuffed out by Council, without notice.

“The trees deserve some sort of eulogy. They served the community uncomplainingly and so well, for so long, but never had a voice of their own to protest their summary execution.

“The pseudo consultation on this was simply a farce.’’

about 800 residents in five riverfront unit complexes along the route have united to oppose the project, which they also say will remove scarce on-street car parking.

Brisbane bikeway one of the world’s most popular according to electronic counters

Mr Russell said a pathway was being built through the Maritime Museum by the State Government, work on which also started this week, as part of an upgrade of the museum.

He said the pathway could have been designed to take the cyclists, avoiding the need to widen the existing bike path and clear the trees along it.

Nearly $7 million has been budgeted for the upgrade.

Brisbane City Council debated designs for Stages 1a, Lower River Tce, and 1c, the intersection of Vulture St and Dock St, in March following community consultation.

Lower River Tce, between the Veloway and Dock St, near the Maritime Museum, will have a net loss of 20 car spaces to make way for the two-way bikeway.

There was great community concern during community consultation on stages 1a and 1c.

In response, it was reconfigured to improve sight lines for cyclists and a speed bump moved to slow down motorists further away from the intersection.

The intersection of Dock St and Vulture St will be upgraded to connect the Woolloongabba Bikeway, which is under design, and the upgraded KPB.

Deputy Mayor Adrian Schrinner.

Public and Active Transport chairman Adrian Schrinner also unveiled the plans for Little Dock St, dubbed stage 1B, after extensive work with land owner South Bank Corporation.

Under those designs, Little Dock St at South Bank would be a shared road for cars and bikes and the speed limit dropped to 30km/h.

“The project will also include the installation of specialised markings along Dock St to raise awareness of cyclists and encourage other road users to slow down,” he said.

South Bank CEO Bill Delves said: (We) haven’t yet endorsed the plans as they must adequately consider the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles and meet our high standards.’’