A BOLD plan to convert busy Wynnum CBD streets into one-way thoroughfares is being hailed as a saviour for businesses.
The plan, put forward by Wynnum Manly Councillor Alex Givney, went out to the public for comment a week ago and has already received more than 150 submissions.
Under the plan, Florence and Edith streets would be converted to one-way to add angled parking – dozens of extra parks close to shops.
Cr Givney said the proposal would complement the CBD Renewal Project.
“When the Urban Renewal Precinct Plan came to light, we decided that this might be a good time to see if there was appetite to consider this as part of that plan,” Cr Givney said.
“The community has come to me, especially community members who have mobility issues – they often say we can’t get a park near the doctors or the chemist, we are doing the block several times to look for a park, so we thought we would go out and see if it was something that people supported. A lot of the intersections are quite slow. We have crosswalks near intersections.”
She said that as part of the Urban Renewal Precinct Plan, this was one element to be considered.
“Is it that we slow it right down to shared pedestrian zones, do we put wider footpaths in, do we do more planting, do we look at angled parking like we see in places like Cleveland?”
Cr Givney said the community’s early response to the changes was mixed.
“There are quite a few people that are supportive of some changes but there are some questions around accessibility, footpaths and intersection upgrades which we would also consider as part of the Urban Renewal Precinct Plan,” she said.
“Quite a lot of the survey results that are coming through, people are showing that they are open to change to see that we do get some more parking in Wynnum.
“There are obviously some that don’t want it as well so we will take all of that onboard as we get all of the results in.”
Wynnum barber Brendan Gabbett from Chinwags Barber Shop raised the issue with Cr Givney during the local government elections.
He said the lack of street parking in Wynnum CBD was the main ongoing complaint he heard from customers in the barber’s chair.
“I’ve been a local since 1980 and it has always been an issue, not having enough parking around here,” he said.
“Angled parking has to improve the situation because it is going to create more spots.
“We’ve got to bring more people back down to Wynnum so that we are not losing them to Carindale. We need to keep this a local community for locals, keep it accessible and inviting, and just keep expanding on that.”
Wynnum Real Estate Agent Kevin Stewart from Lamonds Estate Agents said the shortage of parking was costing local businesses customers, and any discussions to improve the situation was welcome.
“There’s not enough two-hour parks,” he said.
“Everyone I’m talking to is not happy, they are getting fined or having to walk too far to get to the shops.”
Survey forms are available at Cr Givney’s office and the survey will run until September 30.
