2016-03-12
12/03/2016
Senator Waters joined Gabba Ward Candidate Jonathan Sri today to launch the Greens’ makeover plan for Montague Rd ahead of party’s biggest door knock in Queensland to date.
Qld Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens Deputy Leader, said:
“We’ve enjoyed widespread, dedicated and passionate volunteer support throughout our Brisbane City Council campaign, especially for our inspirational Gabba Ward Candidate, Jonathan Sri, whom we hope will be our first Greens Brisbane City Councillor.
“There’s an exciting buzz surrounding Jono’s grassroots campaign. About 50 supporters are giving up their Saturday afternoon to explain to members of their community why they’re volunteering for Jonathan and the difference he can make as Brisbane’s first Green Councillor.
“With bright ideas like the Montague Rd Makeover plan we’re announcing today, we Greens are standing up for a cleaner, greener and fairer Brisbane City Council that is built for everyday people and the environment, not for big developers,” Senator Waters said.
Greens Gabba Ward Candidate Jonathan Sri said:
"I'm passionate about planning for the long-term, and not just the next election cycle. The great cities of the world create vibrant, cosmopolitan neighbourhoods by making walking and cycling safer.
“We all know about the traffic congestion and parking problems around Montague Road in West End and they will continue to intensify as more people move into the area.
"Residents shouldn't have to play chicken with semi-trailers just to get to the local shops and children should be able to walk to school safely without parents having to work as unpaid taxi drivers.
“The Montague Rd area just has to become a walkable neighbourhood, so that existing and new residents don't need to rely on cars and clog up West End further.
“Our plan will encourage more residents to travel by foot, bike and public transport, thereby reducing traffic congestion and parking problems on the Kurilpa peninsula.
"This plan is costed at $6 million, including extensive public consultation, and will save money on road maintenance in the long-term."
“Brisbane's current car-centric approach to traffic planning definitely isn't sustainable, but positive cultural change is possible,” Mr Sri said.
Contacts – Senator Waters (Monique Vandeleur) 0419 626 725
Jonathan Sri 0432 184 942
Background:
Subject to further consultation with residents and local businesses, The Greens support:
- Reducing the speed limit on Montague Road to 40km/h, 30km/hr on smaller residential side-streets
- Redesigning the Vulture Street intersection to make it safer and more efficient – both a roundabout and light need to be on the table
- Installing pedestrian islands along the middle of Montague Road, with right-turn lanes and U-turn lanes at some key intersections
- Safe pedestrian crossings near Raven, Victoria, Vulture and Anthony Streets
- Installing a dual-carriageway, barrier-separated bike lane along one side of Montague Road from Orleigh Park to the Kurilpa Bridge
- Floating bus stops so cyclists and buses don't need to cross paths
- Insisting that property developers provide on-site parking for all their construction workers
- Higher permit fees and stronger regulations to discourage private construction companies from blocking footpaths
Your Green Team has detailed plans to extend the CityGlider over 2 different Green Bridges, connecting people around Montague Rd with new destinations:
- Extending the CityGlider over a Green Bridge to Toowong and the Centenary Suburbs will connect residents with a shopping centre, the train line and bus connections to the inner-West and UQ
- Extending the CityGlider over a Green Bridge from Teneriffe to Bulimba and Morningside connects residents to the Eastern Suburbs
- Connecting people to new places in a great high-frequency service means they don’t need to drive and clog local streets. With the Greens you get smog and noise-free CityGlider buses too!