Development

Robinson Road West on intersection with Gympie Road in Aspley is currently testing the Hold the Red technology as part of efforts to reduce collisions caused by motorists running red lights.

The Ministry for Transport and Main Roads selected the Aspley intersection after it was identified as a potentially dangerous intersection. It is one of the busiest intersections in Queensland, with more than 68,000 vehicles passing through the intersection every day. In the past five years, there were 24 crashes and 11 serious injuries due to crashes at the intersection.

The technology uses radar to see if vehicles are about to run a red light. When this happens, the opposing traffic lights are forced to stay on red to prevent a possible collision.

Preventing Collisions

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey revealed that the technology is already being used in Florida where it has been instrumental in the significant decline of collisions at intersections.

Mr Bailey said that around 11 percent of critical road casualties in the state happened at intersections with traffic lights.

“During the past five years, 42 people have been killed and more than 3,000 hospitalised in crashes at signalised intersections in Queensland,” said Mr Bailey.

“Red light running is a complex problem. There is no single reason why drivers do it but what we do know is that resulting accidents are likely to be T-bone crashes, which have a higher potential of causing death or serious injury.

“Hold the Red lowers the risk of a crash at sites where it is installed while still allowing for offenders to be penalised.

“This will keep other drivers safe, while still acting as a deterrence to offenders.”

Queensland’s peak monitoring body RACQ lauded the introduction of the Hold the Red technology at crash prone intersections.

RACQ’s Head of Technical and Safety Policy Steve Spalding believes that the system could help prevent T-bone crashes.

“We look forward to the results of the trial and are always interested in new technologies that can reduce crashes,” Mr Spalding said.

The Aspley Memorial Bowls Club will be installing a cover for its Green 1 which should be completed by end of May 2019, but Carseldine locals have concerns about the project.

The cover, fitted with lights underneath, will provide an all-weather shelter for its Club members and casual bowlers’ use, to enjoy the facility during daytime and at night, all-year round. The Australian Government, Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities under the Community Development Grant Programme, has made the project possible through a $590,000 grant.

Video walk-through from Lightweight Structures

At 7.5 metres at its highest point, residents are concerned about the structure’s height which will effectively block the view and sunlight from the houses close to the Club. Locals are also concerned about the rainwater going straight to the creek due to the structure, as well as causing more cars parking close to the shade thus increasing traffic in the area. 

Overall, they are concerned the adverse impact could cause the values of neighbouring properties to fall. They suggest moving the structure close to the clubhouse instead and away from Nemira Street.

The Club said that the planned cover over Green 1 was voted upon with the elderly members in mind. Once the shade structure is in place, the covered green will provide a way for the members, especially the elderly, to stay active and socialise, rain or shine. In the future, its two other greens will also have their own covers installed. 

Tuesday, 23rd October 2018 – By Michael Seabrook

As the deadline draws closer for final public submissions on Stage 1 of the Carseldine Urban Village, and with Stage S already approved, a local committee has come together to put a stop on the tracks for this development which they say will have a significant impact on the local community.

Established in 2016 after the project was announced, the Save Our Carseldine group has a large Facebook and word of mouth presence. They haven’t pulled punches and have been quite vocal about getting their message across the community and up to State Government by using social media networks and by featuring in the media.

A  quick look through the ‘Save Our Carseldine’ group’s Facebook presence reveals a large number of members have shared concerns about how the development will subtract from the greenspace and native trees in the area, which has often been an active outdoors space for locals both young and old alike. Other concerns include wildlife relocation and the removal of the existing dog park.

Set to be built on the former QUT Carseldine Campus, the proposed Carseldine Urban Village will bring an additional 900 homes for an estimated 2000 people to the 46 hectare site, as well as a new retail and commercial precinct. Some Carseldine residents argue that this will cause traffic to increase in the already tight area, as well as the additional residents and workers spilling out onto roads for parking, with 120 vehicle car parks allotted for the development.

Whilst the State Government has allocated a 22 hectare parcel of land for green space which includes a brand new 5 hectare sporting and recreation precinct, members of the Save Our Carseldine group say that the environmental impact could increase already existing localised flooding events and run off from the project may further damage Cabbage Tree Creek which the site backs on to.

As the project falls under a State Government legislated Priority Development Application which allows for the project to be fast tracked for economic purposes it presently doesn’t have to comply with the current Town Planning Act. This has further incensed some locals who feel they have no right to appeal any planning decisions.

A lack of collaboration between the Queensland State Government and the Federal Government on local roads, and the Queensland State Government and Brisbane City Council regarding nearby underdeveloped infrastructure has also been highlighted as an area of concern by an anonymous community development expert.

For further information on the Save Our Carseldine group they can be contacted at https://www.facebook.com/groups/SaveOurCarseldine/ otherwise feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

Stay tuned for a follow up article with more details.Favorite

Brisbane City Council have announced the upgrades for Aspley Village Precinct, located at Gympie Road, Aspley.

A streetscape improvement project will be developed by Brisbane City Council for a number of upgrades to rejuvenate the shopping precinct to provide a more vibrant, safer and connected area. The aim of the project is to improve the aesthetics of the precinct, improving the amenity for shoppers and creating a vibrant place to visit. The project is expected to encourage local economy of the neighbourhood centre.

Brisbane City Council website outlines “Council will design and deliver public realm improvements, breathing new life into local shopping precincts with the aim of contributing to the commercial vitality of the precinct by creating:
– a beautiful precinct: high-quality, attractive public spaces that are accessible, safe and comfortable to walk through; spaces that encourage the local community to meet, linger and enjoy
– a precinct for people: streets that are inclusive and inviting places for everyone to shop, socialise and relax
– a sense of place: reinforcing the local character and pride, and creating distinctive subtropical spaces for local residents, businesses and visitors to connect with and belong to”.

The Council allowed public comment on the neighbourhood centre during September 2018 and will  create an improvement proposal based on the feedback obtained. The proposal will be on display in the Aspley shopping precinct in early 2019.

Suggested improvements
– Gympie Road pedestrian crossing upgrade
– Realigning existing pedestrian crossings
– Pedestrian footpath upgrades
– Improved accessibility and visual amenity
– Improved tactile paving to pedestrian kerb ramps
– Tree planting to improve visual and physical amenity
– Ground cover plantings to improve visual amenity
– Street furniture to improve physical amenity and accessibility
– Public artwork to enrich local identity and express local culture.

Project timing
September 2018 – Community engagement on the improvement plan.
Late 2018 – Detailed design
Early 2019 – Improvement plan displayed
Early 2019 – Construction commencing
Late 2019 – Construction completed

For more Information and References
– Upgrade Announcement
– Your Say (Aspley Village)
– Interactive Image: Google Aerial and Streetview

Source: Information, Drawings and Images
All article information is sourced and available for review from BCC online or other referenced locations.

We’d love to hear what locals think of this.  Please comment below.Favorite