Coolum State School kids crossing the busy Yandina-Coolum Road will be safer thanks to a Federal Government road safety funding commitment for a new pedestrian refuge.
Federal Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien MP announced that the Federal Government will provide $350,000 towards the $440,000 project to provide a new pedestrian refuge on the Yandina-Coolum Road, east of School Road.
Mr O’Brien said that the funding is subject to a ‘use it or lose it’ provision, whereby the Queensland Government would be required to provide $90,000 to deliver the pedestrian refuge on this state-controlled road.
“Congestion and road safety issues in Coolum are worsening by the day especially near the Coolum State School, and this puts the safety of school kids at risk,” said Ted O’Brien.
“This new pedestrian refuge will be located at the same location where there is currently a supervised crossing.
“Our lollipop crossing supervisors play an important role in keeping our kids safe as they cross the road, but they can’t be there all the time. This pedestrian refuge will help keep pedestrians safe when they aren’t on duty.”
The Federal Government does not usually get involved in local traffic issues, which are typically the domain of state governments and local councils, but Federal MP Ted O’Brien made the delivery of infrastructure his number one priority since entering parliament.
“The Sunshine Coast has never received so much Federal funding for infrastructure,” he said. “While we usually focus on the big stuff like the Bruce Highway, North Coast Rail line and the Airport, these local projects are also important and so I’m keen to secure funding wherever possible,” said Ted O’Brien.
“But there’s a bigger congestion problem to solve in Coolum,” said Ted O’Brien. “And that’s the Coolum Roundabout which has become a perennial issue for the local community. While it’s ultimately the responsibility of the State Government to solve the roundabout problem, I will continue working with State MP Dan Purdie who’s championing the call for action by the Queensland Government.
“Meanwhile let’s press ahead on some of these smaller, yet still vitally important, projects such as constructing a new pedestrian refuge on Yandina-Coolum Road.”
State Member for Ninderry Dan Purdie MP welcomed the Federal Government’s commitment.
“Locals would know that my top priority has been to bust congestion in Coolum, and I am pleased to see our local Federal Member contributing $350,000 to improve safety for our school kids and their families,” Mr Purdie said.
“I am calling on the state govt to contribute the remaining $90,000 to see this important safety upgrade completed by 30th June 2021.”
The new pedestrian refuge will provide safe passage for pedestrians and other vulnerable road users crossing the Yandina-Coolum Road.
A further $720,000 of Federal funding has been made available to install anti-throw protection barriers at the pedestrian bridge at Havana Rd, Peregian Springs.
Queensland unfortunately saw a 26 per cent increase in road deaths in 2020, despite falls in traffic due to the pandemic.