Speech to BCC Chambers 20th June 2024, Infrastructure for Brisbane (Program 2) - Budget Debate

I will speak on Strategy 2.1.2 Local Area Traffic Management – Traffic Calming.

Since I have been Councillor for the Paddington Ward, for only just over two months, I have already held two street meetings with residents who are desperate for street calming.  These residents have come to me asking for meetings. One of those meetings involved more than 30 local residents of Mackay Tce & Angus St in Bardon.

We know from the experience of Greens Councillors over the last 8 years, that in every Ward, that every Councillor, probably has 10, 20 or 30 streets or more where the majority of residents are asking, in fact pleading, for street calming.  

There are probably hundreds of streets, thousands of residents throughout Brisbane pleading for safer streets. Local neighbourhood streets where their children can cross the road, or ride a bike to a local park, without fear of speeding, rat running commuters.

This Schrinner Council does not care about these residents. They have absolutely demonstrated that they do not care.  

What I have to tell my residents is that this LNP administration will gladly spend hundreds of millions of dollars on trying to increase traffic speed and widening roads, but they will only provide enough budget for traffic calming in ONE NEW street in this next financial year. 

One new street in all of Brisbane. 

When I tell my residents this, they are shocked and actually struggle to believe it’s possible.  I can see in their eyes, their hope for traffic calming in their street fading away.  Their hope for a safe street for their children, for their community quietly dies.

Residents across this city are demanding that they reclaim their streets. We call it ‘Streets for People’. That may seem like a radical idea. But for Greens Councillors it is not.  We actually believe in the power of communities. Community starts with neighbourhoods. If Neighbourhoods cannot reclaim their local streets, then they will struggle to build community. 

Reducing speeds in local neighbourhood streets, actually creates more community. Making local streets safer - brings more people outside to connect with neighbours, it allows children to comfortably walk or cycle down their street, possibly to a local park, without their parents being in fear.

The budget priorities of this Schrinner council are destroying communities. These priorities of this Schrinner Council are making our local streets, our local neighbourhoods less safe for families and communities.  

For that reason alone, I cannot support this Infrastructure for Brisbane Program Budget.