Have Your Say On Grey Street's Transformation

With exciting plans to improve the South Bank’s Grey Street Bikeway and Streetscape, the Mackay community has been invited to have their say on the project.
From May 27 to June 23, Mackay locals are called to contribute their perspective and help create a plan for Australia's most vibrant and cyclist-friendly street.
South Bank Corporation Chief Executive Officer Bill Delves said the main objective of the project was to create Australia’s coolest and most vibrant sub-tropical street that is rideable, walkable and welcoming.
“The project supports the long-term vision idea from the Future South Bank Master Plan for Grey Street to slow down and calm traffic, make walking, scootering and riding a bike more attractive and safer, and create a vibrant, ‘cool’ and green street,” he said.
“The key focus of the design is a bi-directional bikeway, safe for all ages and abilities that would be protected from traffic and separated from pedestrians.
“Grey Street has a poor safety record for people riding bikes with only one per cent of trips on Grey Street by bike but 24 per cent of reported crashes involving people on bikes and 32 per cent of crashes involving pedestrians.”
Mr Delves said the design provided double the amount of space for walking and riding with increased opportunities for shade, making the street concept cool, comfortable, appealing and accessible for all.
“The initiative’s design will offer an alternative route to South Bank’s Clem Jones Promenade which will help to address the conflict between pedestrians, people riding bikes, and e-scooters, which is only expected to grow with the increasing population in the surrounding suburbs.”
Other features of the design include the introduction of parking, loading and landscaping integrated in 'flex zones' on kerbs, replacement of the Ernest Street roundabout with a raised intersection that gives priority to pedestrians, and the installation of raised zebra crossings to improve safety.
“Two-way vehicle access on the street will be maintained and access to all driveways and loading docks will also be protected.”
Mr Delves said the draft design reflects feedback and priorities gathered from targeted engagement with a diverse range of precinct stakeholders in early 2023 as well as feedback gathered from the community about Grey Street during consultation for the Future South Bank Master Plan in late 2022.
He also remarked that the design would double the amount of space on the street for people to walk, ride, dine, meet or just rest. “This will not only improve safety but also create exciting opportunities for pop ups, festivals, leisure and play.”
Information sessions will be held at South Bank Parklands in the coming weeks and the community can have their say on the draft preliminary design online from 27 May to 23 June 2024. Visit South Bank Corporation website for details.
The Grey Street Bikeway and Streetscape Preliminary Design is being delivered by South Bank Corporation and is supported by the Queensland Government’s Cycle Network Local Government Grants Program.

Shape the future of South Bank's Grey Street Bikeway and Streetscape project by providing your input from May 27 to June 23. Image supplied.

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