A community effort to install traffic lights at one of Queensland’s most dangerous intersections will not come into fruition until 2027.
Forest Lake councillor Charles Strunk, Member for Inala Margie Nightingale and local residents attended the Brisbane City Council last month to present the council with a petition, signed by 1500 people, to install traffic lights at the intersection of the Archfield Road, Azalea Street, and Pine Road in Richlands.
“This intersection is a known black spot where accidents occur regularly,” Ms Nightingale said.
“It is a serious safety risk for drivers, workers, and families, and it affects the daily lives of people travelling through Richlands.
“TMR data shows it is one of the most dangerous intersections in Queensland, ranked third highest for serious crashes and fifth highest for serious casualties.”
In his re-election campaign as Brisbane’s lord mayor last year, Cr Adrian Schinner promised to allocate funds to make the intersection safer, Ms Nightingale said.
Funds had been allocated to the intersection in previous council budgets, yet no significant action has been taken.
“My concern is that without continued community pressure, this issue will be pushed to the bottom of the pile again, something we have seen happen before,” Ms Nightingale said.
“Every delay means more accidents and potential tragedies.
“The cost of emergency services responding to incidents here is significant, with many patients requiring transport by QAS and hospitalisation, alongside valuable police time and fire service callouts.”
Ms Nightingale said she had personally responded to traffic accidents at the intersection, one of which involved five people and three cars.
“I have personally responded to an accident here that involved five casualties, including a newborn baby, all of whom were taken to hospital,” she said.
“The danger at this intersection is something residents see and experience firsthand.”
At least 38 accidents were recorded at the intersection in the last 5 years, according to Cr Strunk. Accidents where police or paramedics were not called have not been recorded in this figure.
There have been no updates since Cr Strunk tabled the petition at a council meeting on 5 August, but Ms Nightingale said they would continue to push for safety upgrades and urged the community to report any accidents or near misses to the council.
