Mayor launches drive for wider roads in Moreton Bay Region

Mayor Peter Flannery wants an ‘immediate review’ of Moreton Bay Regional Council’s planning scheme to start tackling the problems caused by narrow streets.

It follows visits by the Mayor and Councillors Jodie Shipway and Denise Sims to Griffin to see how reduced road widths impact residents and motorists.

Narrow roads make it difficult for motorists to manoeuvre around parked cars and some residents have to park on their lawns.

“It was immediately apparent to me that parking is already at a premium in many of these local streets,” he says.

“This is a family suburb and many families have more than one car, so logically you’d expect developers to lodge proposals that take this into account.

“I’m concerned our current planning scheme provisions are not delivering acceptable standards and outcomes for residents in this area.

“So, although there are approved developments currently under construction, we will be requesting an immediate review of the current planning scheme provisions for wider streets that allow for on street parking.”

The previous council tried to tackle this issue by requiring new approvals to increase road widths from six metres to eight metres.

This would allow two cars to pass a parked car side by side.

Some developments in Griffin are still being built under the six-metre rule, but new subdivisions have the wider eight-metre width.

Need for change

“My personal view is that car park ratios are too low and should be reviewed,” the Mayor says.

“Certainly, I wouldn’t expect to see any developer lodge an application that would put further parking pressures on Griffin’s streets.

“I’m an advocate of active transport, but given the distance of Griffin to Murrumba Downs and Mango Hill train stations I think it’s a reality that most people would drive.

“I made an election commitment to ensure Council’s plans reflect the expectations of locals and I believe that in all things common sense has to prevail. Lifestyle is paramount in our region and key to that is good design.”