Speech given by Councillor Seal Chong Wah, to the Infrastructure Committee meeting, Tues 10th June 2025.

I rise to speak on Kelvin Grove Road, Lower Clifton Terrace and Musk Avenue, Red Hill intersection Upgrade, which forms the subject of this committee presentation. 

As a local to the Red Hill and Kelvin Grove side of my ward I am very familiar with this intersection. This is the entrance to the Kelvin Grove Urban Village, Kelvin Grove QUT, two schools, and the Kelvin Grove markets. It is also a passageway to Victoria Park Barrambin. 

I understand Kelvin Grove Road is a major road corridor to the inner city that carries 50,000 vehicles per day. I also understand that as a ‘congesting busting project’, this upgrade gives very little consideration to pedestrian and cyclist safety. In fact, even an intersection bike path on Musk Avenue leading into Kelvin Grove Road has been removed.

Whilst I am very grateful for the wombat pedestrian crossing on the slip lane on Musk Avenue, I do need to question how the administration prioritises where wombat crossings are constructed. There are many other areas in my ward that are desperate for safe pedestrian crossings like Lang Parade, Bowman Parade, Rosalie and Latrobe Terrace. 

I know as a local to the area that the pedestrian crossing that has been installed on the Musk Avenue slip lane has very little foot traffic, due to the direction of pedestrian flows at this intersection. Especially when it is compared to other very dangerous road crossings that my residents experience every day, whether it’s experiencing a near miss or having to make an emergency mad dash to avoid being hit by a driver. 

I did point out issues when the initial design was presented to me, about the  dangers that pedestrians and cyclists face at this intersection of  Kelvin Grove Road. Even my great grandfather when he was alive was hit by a motorcyclist while crossing Kelvin Grove Road and that was before it was a 7 lane road! So it has been ingrained in me at a very early age that this is not a safe place for pedestrians. 

Now as a Councillor, I understand full well how this LNP administration, has run our city for 20 years, prioritises congestion busting for motorists over the safety of our community and our children! 

The crossing from Musk Avenue across Kelvin Grove road, to Lower Clifton Terrace is frequently used by pedestrians. This is also where two major accidents occurred. Tragically in January 2024, 32 year old QUT PhD student, Arjun Srinivas lost his life. He was a dear friend to many students and lecturers and a local to our neighbourhood.

A month later, I saw another man laying on the road in the exact same spot that Arjun was hit. Sadly, I don’t know if this man survived or sustained life long injuries. Heartbreaking to family and friends.

We know where the Lord Mayor stands on pedestrian safety. The Lord Mayor, said, through the Chair, and I quote: “The only upgrades that the Green’s support are actually 'DOWNGRADES', things that slow traffic down, traffic lights, speed humps, pedestrian crossings, things that will make traffic go slower they are DOWNGRADES.” 

Our community deserves to feel safe when walking or cycling in our neighbourhood.

I am supporting this presentation simply because the project included a wombat pedestrian crossing on a slip lane on Musk Avenue. However this intersection upgrade has not resolved major pedestrian safety issues that will continue for the local community.