Childcare centre plan for ‘crazy dangerous’ westside road
A proposed childcare centre near a road in Brisbane’s west that gets so crazy in peak times locals liken it to the Bathurst car race has infuriated residents.
South West
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Almost 100 public submissions have poured in to Council after a developer lodged plans to build a childcare centre on a congested Bardon road near three primary schools.
The project, at 56-60 Chiswick Rd, would provide for up to 106 places and is diagonally opposite Cecil Rd, which is clogged with cars during morning and afternoon school pick-ups.
Hilly Cecil Rd, in Brisbane’s inner west, has multiple chicanes designed to slow cars.
But so many people speed through it, often mounting the raised concrete chicanes, some locals liken it to the famous Bathurst racing car course.
The chicanes encourage some drivers to swerve so much that residents call Cecil Rd “Bardon’s premier driving challenge’’.
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Developer Corella Property Investment Trust has proposed a left-in, left-out vehicle access from Chiswick Rd, with on-site parking for 22 vehicles, which it said would be as far as possible from the intersection.
However, a traffic report lodged on October 6 conceded the driveway would be near a pedestrian refuge island.
“In our view, the proximity of the access to the pedestrian refuge island is not expected to result in significant adverse safety or operational impacts, because the access has been limited to a left-in, left-out crossover,’’ the report stated.
It also stated that the sight distance on Chiswick Rd met Australian standards and the proposed 6.5m width of the driveway, while less than Council requirements, was still safe.
But most of the public submissions raised fears about safety.
“The adjacent intersection is already too busy and it would become even more dangerous than it already is,’’ Chiswick Rd resident Gerard Martin said.
“The intersection is used by a lot of children due to the amount of schools in the immediate vicinity and it is challenging as it is a “T” crossing.
“This project would effectively make it a four-way intersection and even more dangerous.’’
Local Greens MP, Michael Berkman, said while it was good to have more childcare options, residents had contacted him with concerns about safety impacts for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists, particularly children travelling to Bardon and Rainworth state schools and to St Joseph’s primary school.
“The Chiswick/Cecil Road intersection is already unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists. There is a pedestrian refuge along Chiswick Rd, but it doesn’t encourage cars to slow down for pedestrians,’’ Mr Berkman said.
“We would like to see significant safety upgrades, especially to make sure parents can safely walk with their kids for drop-off and pick-up.
“Both sides of Chiswick Rd are part of the local cycle network and the new driveway would have cars turning across the cycling route.
“Unfortunately, the plans don’t include any improvements to the cycling and walking network, like wider footpaths or protected bike lanes.’’
Mr Berkman said a childcare centre was inconsistent with the zoning in the area, character residential.
“The two houses onsite were built pre-1946, so they have higher protections from Council against demolitions,’’ he said.
“This development plans to raise the front facade of the two houses and build a carpark underneath.’’
Mr Berkman said he would make a formal submission to Council and asked residents to raise their concerns with him so they could be included in his submission.
More details at Council’s online planning portal. Search for application A005563407