Susan Dewar

SUSAN DEWAR QUESTION 1 Three years ago I first raised concerns about the lack of lighting on the pathway connecting Yellowood Close and the Tewantin Sports Complex. Given this pathway is regularly used by families, children and sporting groups, will Council investigate and apply for available Queensland Government Grant funding to install lighting at this location? RESPONSE PROVIDED BY SHAUN WALSH DIRECTOR INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES Thank you for the question. Council does directly own and manage public lighting in commonly used public areas such as Noosaville Foreshore. Other street and pathway lighting is owned by Energex, though Council does pay the electricity bills. Unfortunately, there is no budget allocation in the 26/27 budget to expand Council's public lighting program. In addition, there is currently no grant program offered by Energex to expand public lighting. Council will continue to monitor grant programs for available funding. QUESTION 2 Council has advised that an alternative route exists via McKinnon Drive. However many residents continue to use the access pathway from Yellowood Close, because it provides direct access to the sporting precinct. What assessment has Council undertaken of the pathway's usage and safety risks, and what criteria would need to be met before lighting is considered? RESPONSE PROVIDED BY SHAUN WALSH DIRECTOR INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES Council has not undertaken any further assessment of the pathway usage to inform future lighting. The appropriate standard for assessment would be "AS/NZS 1158.3.1:2020 Lighting for Roads and Public Spaces". Other criteria would include pedestrian usage data and requests from the local residents seeking improvement to inform budget allocation. The meeting adjourned at 10.34am. The meeting resumed at 10.52am.