Residents of a Caloundra suburb fear it’s “only a matter of time” before a pedestrian is seriously injured or killed in an accident at a busy intersection near the local school.
Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Member for Kawana Jarrod Bleijie and Meridan State College P&C president Vicky Gilkes-Cox this week launched a petition to Sunshine Coast Council to extend the current school zone another 100m east.
They seek the proposed extension, which would then include the intersection of Sunset Drive and Parklands Boulevard, Little Mountain, as a matter of urgency to improve pedestrian safety.
Mr Bleijie said the community had been calling on the council for some time to make the 40km/h school zone 100m wider to cover what he called a dangerous intersection on the council-controlled roads.
The intersection also attracts traffic for the Parklands Tavern, Parklands Marketplace and the 7-Eleven service station.
“Our calls have fallen on deaf ears in council,” Mr Bleijie said at the media call to launch the petition.
“They say it’s not a safety issue. That’s despite the fact that a couple of years ago, a young girl was hit at this intersection.
“It’s not going to dramatically impact on people’s lives going to work or from work in terms of the time it takes, but what it will mean is that as people are approaching the intersection in the school zone, in the morning and afternoon, they just slow to 40km/h.
“We don’t think it is an unreasonable request to make to council. If it’s going to save a life or save a serious accident happening to a student or a pedestrian just going to this area, then it’s worth it.
“We do want Parklands Boulevard to be safe for all pedestrians – not just students, but all pedestrians who use it – and we feel that council have just let bureaucracy get in the way of this.”
But a Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson disagreed, saying the intersection of Parklands Boulevard and Sunset Drive already provided pedestrians with a high level of safety through signalised pedestrian crossings and that extending the school zone would not improve safety.
“The safety of pedestrians and motorists in and around schools is of the highest importance to Sunshine Coast Council,” the spokesperson said.
“Two reviews were undertaken. The first was a comprehensive review of the school zone on Parklands Boulevard, Little Mountain, and its associated signage by council’s Traffic Engineering team in March 2021. Another review was undertaken in January 2022.
“In accordance with guidelines set by the Queensland Government Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), both reviews concluded that there was not sufficient school-related activity occurring east of the intersection of Parklands Boulevard and Sunset Drive to warrant extending the school zone.
“This was tabled and endorsed unanimously by the Speed Management Committee which has representatives from Queensland Police Service, TMR and council.
“Council will continue to monitor the safety and performance of this intersection as part of routine operations and will implement changes where required.”
Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor with your name and suburb at Sunshine Coast News via: news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au
Ms Gilkes-Cox, who used to live nearby, said hundreds of children walked and cycled in that area, heading to and from school within about a 3-4km radius. Near-misses involving pedestrians or cyclists and vehicles occurred “every week”.
She said she had been surprised at the council’s knockback of the request to extend the school zone, given that the girl who was injured previously had been heading home from the state college and had sustained significant injuries after being hit by a car.
“She has had several operations and she has been left with ongoing issues because of that,” the P&C president said.
“I am aware that prior to this, we have had another child who was actually hit here or came off their bike … just because it is so busy and wobbled and panicked.
“I used to walk to school and there would be so many of us teetering on the edge of the kerb, trying to cross over. I counted at one point about 28 – that’s including parents, children and other residents who are trying to use the area.
“So, it’s a really, really busy spot and we just need to make sure that everybody is slowing down.
“Every parent sends their child to and from school hoping that they’ll be safe there and back and we need to ensure that happens.”
Ms Gilkes-Cox said her biggest fear was another serious accident involving a child outside the current school zone.
“My fear is – and I don’t want to say it – but what will the results of that accident be?
“This pathway is full of children coming to and from school. I dread to think what might happen.
“Unfortunately, I think it’s only a matter of time.”
SUBSCRIBE here now for our FREE news feed, direct to your inbox daily!
