Brisbane City Council has released the findings of its Kedron Safer School Precinct consultation, revealing strong community concern about congestion, safety, and the daily challenges of moving around one of the city’s busiest school zones.
The precinct, which includes Padua College, St Anthony’s Primary School, and Mount Alvernia College, sits at the heart of Brisbane’s inner north and is bordered by major roads such as Gympie and Stafford. More than 11,800 pieces of feedback were collected through surveys, mapping tools, and face to face engagement with locals.
How the Community Rates the Precinct
42.7% of respondents rated their overall experience moving around the precinct as poor or very poor.
More than *80% said traffic congestion was poor or very poor.
Nearly *half (47.6%) rated road safety as poor or very poor.
Only 28.3% rated their experience as good or very good, and most of these were people who live within the precinct, suggesting it’s easier to get around when schools, shops, and homes are close together.
Key Concerns Raised
- Congestion at school times – Parents reported unsafe driver behaviour, long queues at drop‑off and pick‑up, and limited access in and out of the area.
- Non‑local traffic – Many residents said drivers were using local streets as shortcuts to avoid Gympie and Stafford Roads, adding to congestion and speeding.
- Walking and riding barriers – Families said they wanted to walk or cycle more, but were put off by speeding cars, unsafe crossings, and a lack of shade.
- Public transport gaps – While buses were valued, residents noted unreliable timetables and limited routes.
- Driving frustrations – Congestion, too many cars, and limited parking made driving stressful, particularly for school communities.
- Curiously, the survey suggested that respondents had said too much congestion was an issue, and low congestion was a benefit.
- Similarly, respondents said buses get them where they need to go, but also, they don’t use buses because they don’t go where they need to go.
What the Community Wants
Residents and school communities called for:
- More pedestrian crossings in key locations.
- Traffic calming measures such as speed bumps, extended school zones, and speed awareness signs.
- Better footpaths that are wide, smooth, and connected.
- Improved bus services and safer, more accessible stops.
- Measures to discourage nonlocal traffic from cutting through residential streets.
Next Steps
The Kedron project is the first under Council’s new Safer School Precincts program, which combines infrastructure upgrades with behaviour change initiatives.
The process will now move into the planning phase, where Council will use community insights and technical data to design a precinct plan. Delivery of new infrastructure will follow, subject to funding.
Council says the goal is to create safer, more convenient ways for people to move around Kedron’s schools and suburbs, while easing congestion for residents and families.
Read the full report yourself via this link.
