Light pole concreted into middle of Yeronga footpath sparks jokes but council digs in

It’s the street “improvement’’ that’s left southsiders scratching their heads. A Brisbane councillor has questioned how a light pole was installed smack bang in the middle of a footpath. But Council says a photo she posted is outdated and not all it seems.

The light pole in the middle of the footpath in Yeronga, which a Council committee heard at May 28's meeting was "not finished yet''. Picture: Facebook/Nicole Johnston

A southside councillor moved an urgency motion at today’s weekly meeting in a bid to move a light pole bizarrely installed in the middle of a narrow Yeronga footpath.

The Kadumba St works, which were not in the position marked on plans sent out to residents, sparked a string of jokes on Cr Nicole Johnston’s Facebook page.

But Council says a photo she posted was now out of date and — when finished — a new footpath would go around the light pole which was needed for a safety upgrade.

“The chair of the Infrastructure Committee, Cr Andrew Wines, and the head of Council’s transport team confirmed today (May 28) that the street light was deliberately built in this location at Kadumba St, Yeronga,’’ Cr Johnston said.

“It has not been built in the location on the plan, but they see no problem at all.

“I think most people would understand that I think this Council is incompetent — I’m being very polite here — but really this says it all about how the LNP run the city.’’

The light pole in the middle of the footpath in Yeronga, which a Council committee heard at May 28's meeting was "not finished yet''. Picture: Facebook/Nicole Johnston

However, Council Andrew Wines accused his Tennyson ward dounterpart of “cheap politics’’.

“The new streetlight has been relocated in line with available underground services as part of a significant intersection upgrade,’’ he said.

“As part of this upgrade, the footpath is being realigned to allow for pedestrians to move safely through this area

“Cr Johnston has been made aware of all these details but is choosing to misrepresent the issue to play cheap politics.

“These improvement works are currently being delivered in accordance with the final design and I thank residents for their patience while we deliver this upgrade.’’

One cheeky local posted “they had one job’’ while another joked about taping foam padding around the pole.

But others also pointed out that works on the busy intersection were yet to be finished and queried if political games were being played.

A Yeronga local said light pole placement was a precise art which had to meet national standards. Poles could not simply be moved, as some had suggested.

Council information provided for residents about the project said the Kadumba St works would “enhance visibility, access and safety at the intersection by providing dedicated pedestrian crossing points around the intersection’’.

They would also improve safety and sightlines for all road users and encourage slower and safer vehicle movements.

There would be new road line marking around the new crossing points, yellow No Stopping lines where required, kerb ramps, turfing and some new sections of footpath.

The work began earlier this month and was originally due for completion in mid-June.

Councillor Nicole Johnston Picture: Elise Searson

Michael Howcroft posted on Cr Johnston’s Facebook page: “This is not new for Brisbane City Council. They often forget the ageing population, but more so people with impaired vision or mobility.’’

Amanda Bird quipped: “Quite literally a blind person can see (or walk into) what the problem is with this.’’

Myles Calliope wrote: “Its inconceivable to me how this could not be seen by anyone as a colossal stuff-up. And it wasn’t even on the design plans.’’

Another resident posted: “Perhaps thick foam padding taped around the pole to cushion the blow when someone walking on the path collides with it in the dark?’’

But Hamish Bowden was not convinced the concerns were valid.

“Not clear how this can be called incompetence, or how it’s a political issue?’’ he posted.

Councillor Andrew Wines

Micky Salter pointed out that street light positioning was complex.

“Street lights are designed to provide a specific spread of illumination,’’ he posted.

“Their position determines the interaction with other lights and how bright parts of the street become.

“There is a long and complex specification and (there are) computer models that determine the position, so as not to blind drivers and cause negative effects to drivers’ vision.

“This is built off of international data on driver safety and written into Australian standards.

“So, it’s generally not as easy as just moving it a few metres.

“There still should be a solution so as to not negatively impact the footpath.’’