Safety run off Priestdale/Rochedale Rd after car hits child

A primary school student has been hit by a car at a dangerous intersection, raising the stakes in a funding standoff between two local councils.

Warren Craze is angry about the lack of safe pedestrian options at Rochedale Rd, after a child was hit by a car.

A CAMPAIGN to improve safety on roads bordering both Brisbane and Logan city councils was ramped up again last week after a primary school student was hit by a car.

Queensland Ambulance Service said the child suffered injuries to his leg and was taken to Queensland Children’s Hospital in a stable condition after being hit at the controversial Rochedale and Priestdale roads at Rochedale.

Boy hit at controversial intersection

Morning traffic on Priestdale Road, Rochedale. (AAP Image/Renae Droop)

The roundabout and intersection are at the centre of a funding stand-off between the two councils.

In February, a war between Logan City Council and neighbouring Brisbane City over funding to widen and upgrade congested Rochedale Rd deteriorated into a Mexican standoff.

Logan wrote to Brisbane asking it when it would commit funding to widening the road to four lanes and installing traffic lights at Priestdale Rd roundabout, dubbed “The Death Trap”.

The Logan letter, called for by Division 1 councillor Lisa Bradley, informed Brisbane that Logan would prioritise the road works and allocate a budget for them once Brisbane had calculated the total cost.

The letter was penned after tensions rose in 2017 when Brisbane council said no upgrade works on Rochedale Rd could start until a joint agreement with Logan.

Warren Craze on the corner of Rochedale Rd and Priestdale Rd, Rochedale. (AAP Image/Renae Droop)

The injured child and the lack of action angered Rochedale Rd lobbyist Warren Craze.

“I was told that due to meetings held with Brisbane City Council, Logan has moved the priority of this intersection up to number seven from number 24 on its list of border infrastructure priorities,” Mr Craze said.

“Brisbane has also agreed and moved it into the current five-year plan rather than leaving it until the 2027 plan. They now hope to have it upgraded by 2021.

“However, schoolchildren continue to face danger every day, and the 2021 date won’t be met unless the councils continue to treat this intersection as the danger that it is.

“No progress has been made due to $150,000 being the difference between Logan refusing to pay 40 per cent of the initial cost instead of 25 per cent.”

Brisbane City Council transport committee chairman Adrian Schrinner said council would like to draft the final design and plans, but was being hindered because Logan was unable to commit to a budget.

Cr Schrinner said the works would require a budget of $1 million and the sticking point was who would pay. Brisbane has offered to pay 60 per cent.

Logan has countered and argued it should only pay 25 per cent of cost of drafting and designing plans as Logan only had 25 per cent, or one corner, of the intersection.

Cr Schrinner said most of the traffic came from Logan which is why Logan should pay 40 per cent.