SHARING OF SPACE MAY 2019 - Sandy Bolton MP

The sharing of public space is one of the greatest increasing difficulties to resolve, and possibly one of the most expensive too. When you think back through time, would anyone have conceived it would become the most contentious and at times, life threatening issues between residents, whether it be our roads, waterways, pathways, or parks?

With a focus on a ‘modal’ shift away from cars, to alleviate our communities’ congestion and parking issues, we are also seeking to become ‘aged’ and dementia friendly with good, safe walking and riding options, as well encourage and accommodate our next generation, including our youngsters on their ‘trikes’. Discussions regarding our waterways include the use of rivers and oceans, the debate over shark drum lines, and in our natural parks with our wildlife. Sharing space is not easy, and with it comes responsibilities, for all of us.

Across the world we are seeing amicable sharing, cyclists and pedestrians on pathways; drivers and horse riders on roads, along with dogs and play-grounders in parks. And yet here at home, the conflicts continue. We hope that this discussion through the information provided, initiates thought on how we as individuals are contributing to the increasing legislation, aka ‘red tape’ which residents are fundamentally against, and potential solutions that bring both greater safety and harmony to areas that we share, with each other, and with our wildlife.

To start the conversation, we have included State and Council domain links to current legislation, by laws and initiatives which has developed over time to decrease conflicts. There are numerous others, and we will add as you find, or request, as we did not want to overload to start! We have also researched what is currently being done in this space including available funding for infrastructure – for example think of linking parkways to encourage more bike riders?

So, why are we having such conflict given so many efforts? Have we become less tolerant, less mindful and responsible, and even less respectful as a result of an increase in ‘me’ versus ‘we’ society? Or in the frenzy of the rush, and the stressors of life and the obsession with a faster world, have we forgotten about our sense of community? Or have we absolved ourselves of any responsibility towards each other and ourselves, through reliance on government rules and regulations to keep us safe, deal with our conflict or even communicate with our neighbour?

This is an important and vital topic, and one I trust you will ponder, independently research and share, as well discuss with each other amiably with a focus to come to a resolution, or solution. Increasing legislation, police presence, local laws officers, litigation and mediation is expensive for ratepayers and taxpayers; yes we all pay the bills, and how effective are they? Drones, CCTV cameras and other emerging (and generally more economical) technology are available to monitor, identify offenders, and charge accordingly yet previously this has been negated as an invasion of privacy. What is the answer? Over to you.

TRANSPORT AND MOTORING LEGISLATION, RULES AND INFORMATION

Pedestrians
A pedestrian is someone who is walking or running, or using a:
• wheeled recreational device – rollerblades, skateboards, roller skates and foot scooters
• personal mobility device – a rideable
• motorised mobility device – wheelchairs, motorised mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs

When driving or riding in Queensland, you must:
• give way to pedestrians on or entering children’s, pedestrian or marked foot crossings
• give way to pedestrians on or entering a road you’re turning into
• give way to pedestrians in a shared zone or slip lane
• travel at a speed allowing you to stop safely at a crossing if needed
• prepare to stop if you see another vehicle or bicycle stop, or slow down near a crossing

Mobility wheelchairs and scooters
A person with a mobility impairment who uses a wheelchair or mobility scooter is considered to be a pedestrian under the Queensland road rules. By law, wheelchairs or mobility scooters used by people with a mobility impairment can go anywhere a pedestrian can go, such as footpaths, shopping centres and nature strips.

Bicycles
Bicycles are a type of vehicle and bicycle riders and motorists have the same rights and responsibilities when using the road. Motorists and bicycle riders must obey the same general road rules as well as the bicycle road rules. Both are subject to the same fines. Learners and P Platers have some extra rules “Importantly, PrepL does not only test knowledge of the road rules, but also focuses on safe driving attitudes and sharing the road with others.”

Horseriders
Whether you’re riding your horse, or driving past a horse rider you need to follow certain road rules. Rules also apply to drivers of animal-drawn vehicles, and when you lead an animal when walking.

Skateboards, Rollerblades/skates, Foot Scooters & Electric Foot Scooters
Rules apply for wheeled recreational devices include rollerblades, roller skates and skateboards, foot scooters and motorised/electric foot scooters. New rules also came into effect in December 2018 to support the expanding range of ‘rideable’ devices being used by Queenslanders. Changes in road rules have been made in response to the growing popularity and use of electric-scooters, electric bikes and other forms of personal transport.

Emergency vehicles
Police, fire and ambulance vehicles are emergency vehicles. If an emergency vehicle is coming towards you and is sounding an alarm or showing flashing red or blue lights, you must move out its path as soon as you can do so safely. The law allows you to drive onto the wrong side of the road or drive through a red traffic light to get out of the way of an emergency vehicle if it is safe to do so. However giving way to emergency vehicles should always be done with the utmost care and with the safety of yourself and all other road users as a priority.

Boats
Boat owners are responsible for their boat from purchase to disposal. Boat owners are responsible for ensuring their vessel remains seaworthy, is not a hazard to navigation, and is not a marine pollution risk. All boats fitted with a propulsion motor of 3kW or more require registration when on the water in Queensland.

Personal watercraft
Cruising, wave jumping, surf-riding and skiing are just a few fun ways to enjoy your personal watercraft (PWC). Whatever the activity you choose, the smart way to enjoy your sport is safely. Whether you own or just borrow a PWC, you must know your responsibilities.

What defines a PWC:
personal watercraft means a powered ship that—
(a) has a fully enclosed hull that does not take on water if capsized; and
(b) is designed to be operated by a person standing, crouching or kneeling on it or sitting astride it.

CURRENT INITIATIVES AND PROGRAMS FOR IMPROVED SAFETY IN SHARING ROAD AND PATHWAYS

Queensland State Government
The State Government has recently committed to an ambitious goal to reduce road fatalities and serious injuries to zero. As part of the State Government’s Road Safety Action plan for 2017-2019, Transport and Main Roads will be undertaking a number of projects to improve road safety for road users and pedestrians.

Project 1: Will involve road works aspiring towards a 2022 target of achieving 90% of travel on the national network in Queensland on three star or better roads (as defined by AusRAP).

Project 2: Will involve the completion of planning and commencement of construction on our highest risk road sections on the state controlled road network and deliver road safety improvements. Township Entry Treatments will be given prioritisation in this project, providing much needed physical measures at transition points from a high speed rural environment to a lower speed environment coinciding with entering a township all across Queensland. The State Government has also released a Cycling Strategy spanning 2017-2027. This includes strategies for protecting and providing for cyclists, and also on sharing public spaces.

Project 3: Transport and Main Roads have outlined a plan to create a connected cycling network to connect 10,000 kilometres of network and 98.9 per cent of Queenslanders. This will include an increase in physically separated cycleways that are better integrated into the transport network.

NOOSA COUNCIL

• Currently applying for funding to the State Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) for cycle grants, and has been successfully delivering cycling projects on its highest priority routes (HPR) over the past 10 years with the assistance of TMR’s Cycle Network Local Government Grants (CNLG)and will continue to do so.

• Currently applying for funding for 3 planning projects around connectivity in the shire. Two projects are being rolled into one to make it a total of 2 projects which are funded on a 50/50 basis as part of the ‘Cycle network Local Gov’t Grants’. Planning will usually be a 12-18 mth process. The projects relate to the Tewantin to Noosa Heads corridor (East West HPR) and Coastal Pathway from Peregian Beach to Sunrise Beach (North South HPR) there are some key missing links that result in reduced connectivity and safety within the network and an options assessment is required. Note: Subject to grant funding.

Project 1 – Options analysis/Master Planning and concept design to deliver a completed corridor for the key priority corridor from Tewantin to Noosa Heads (East/West HPR)

Project 2 – Options analysis/Master Planning and concept design to deliver completed corridors for the key priority corridor from Noosa Heads to Peregian Beach (North/South HPR)

• The current Transport Strategy has expressed a priority and need to provide better cycle/pedestrian access between Noosa Junction and Noosa Heads, with two transport strategy planning projects being considered as part of the 2019/2020 budget process which will look at the improved connectivity between Noosa Junction and the Noosa Heads precinct. Note: Subject to Council budget process.
• Submissions in Noosa Council’s draft budget (2019/20) for funding to redesign Noosa Parade around improved cycle and pedestrian access, and are finalising the design for the Noosa Parade corridor upgrade for final submission to TMR and Council’s DRAFT 5 year capital works program includes funding for the Noosa Parade corridor upgrade. Note: Subject to Council budget process and CNLG grant funding.
• Considering in the current draft budget (2019/20) a shire-wide walking & cycling strategy to be funded. The updating of the Noosa Cycling and Walking Strategy (NCWS) will form a key component of the Noosa Transport Strategy 2017 – 2027. The purpose of this Strategy (NCWS) is to put into place a strategic direction for the future planning and facilitation of cycling and pedestrian activity in Noosa from both a transport and recreational perspective. Note: Subject to Council budget process