Safety upgrades set to begin on busy corridor

Pedestrians and cyclists are set to benefit from an upgrade to the Station Road corridor at Burpengary, which will provide better accessibility and safety.

Council has awarded a tender for construction to Auzcon Pty Ltd, with the new works to include half a kilometre of new footpaths footpaths running between Rowley and O’Brien Roads, plus another 900 metres connecting Progress Road and Burpengary Library.

The new works will also include more than half a kilometre of new retaining walls and fencing, highly visible and specially surfaced sections of path, improved kerb ramps and landscaping.

Work is set to begin in February and will take approximately 18 weeks to complete, weather permitting.

Mayor Peter Flannery said the $1.22M investment from Council, coupled with $400,000 from the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program, would open the precinct like never before.

“Upgrading pathways might sound basic, but safe surfaces for everyone are top priority, especially as we work to make Moreton Bay the most accessible community in South-East Queensland,” Mayor Flannery said.

“Having better-connected pathways in the heart of Burpengary will also encourage people to get out of their cars and walk, wheel or cycle to school, the local shops and the library, which are all located in this hub, helping boost local business and bringing the community together.”

The Station Road precinct forms part of Council’s primary active transport network, and is a key link between Burpengary Railway Station, Burpengary Plaza and surrounds.

Increase in growth rate 

Mr Flannery describe Burpengary as a “boom area”.

“Our region’s got one of the fastest growth rates in the country, especially for southerners looking for a tree or sea change since COVID hit,” he said.

“Burpengary is one of our ‘boom’ areas - and the stats tell the story. The population grew by 3.79 per cent in the year to June 2020, outstripping the jump in not only the rest of our region, but also southeast Queensland.

“That’s why it’s so important we’ve got the infrastructure to cope with demand. This investment will boost safety as our roads get busier and train stations are used more frequently.”

Works outlined in budget 

Division 2 Councillor Mark Booth said he was pleased to see a timeframe for the project.

“Local residents have been coming to me with their concerns around this precinct for a long time, so it’s wonderful to see this project progressing,” Cr Booth said.

“We’re investing $10 million into roads and intersections across Division Two this financial year to ease traffic congestion, improve safety - and quite simply, to make it easier for people to get around.”

“The upgrade to the pathways, signage, kerbs and ramps will expand the existing transport network, helping support a healthy and active lifestyle for residents.

“This is part of Council’s record $245 million capital works program delivered through the 2021/22 budget.

“Council has also allocated $200,000 to fund a traffic management study to help shape future congestion-busting measures around Station Road, underpinning this key project.”

Bouncing back from COVID

The Australian Government’s $2.5 billion Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program supports local councils to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects across Australia, supporting jobs and the resilience of local economies to help communities bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Federal Member for Longman, Mr Terry Young MP said Moreton Bay Regional Council has been allocated a total of $30,685,307 across the three phases of the program.

“It’s vital that local government continues to build safer and stronger communities - and funding from the LRCI Program for key projects in my electorate helps Council do just that,” Mr Young said.

“Investing in community hubs like Burpengary helps bring people together, boost local businesses, and creates jobs through an extended pipeline of work - all important things as we continue to recover from the impacts of the pandemic.

“We need to stay focused on keeping local economies strong as we work to secure Australia’s world-leading economic recovery.”

Auzcon Pty Ltd has delivered a wide range of projects for Council including Redcliffe’s Sutton Street pedestrian crossing, and the seawall and boardwalk on Margate Parade, Margate.