Council says it’s listening to concerns
By Sonia Isaacs
SUNSHINE Coast Council has responded to mounting community concerns over pedestrian safety in Beerwah’s town centre, with an investigation into new crossings on Turner Street and Peachester Road to improve access to Beerwah Village Shopping Centre.
Local residents have voiced frustration over the lack of adequate pedestrian infrastructure, particularly in high-traffic areas near shopping precincts, public amenities, and health services.
Beerwah resident Lottie Nisbett said the absence of a designated pedestrian crossing directly outside Aldi was a significant issue.
“We’ve seen so many people struggling—especially older people—who have to cross Simpson Street to either get to the carpark or access the public amenities,” she said.
“Often they just have to wait for a break in traffic or for a car to stop.”
It’s quite dangerous because they can’t move fast and often have difficulty crossing safely – and it’s the same at Turner Street.”
Sue Johnstone, another local resident, echoed these concerns, highlighting the challenges elderly pedestrians face near medical facilities. She also raised the issue of heat stress for people having to walk additional distances to access pedestrian crossings during warmer weather.
“I personally haven’t had an incident, but I’ve watched elderly residents struggling to cross Simpson Street near the doctors and hearing clinic,” she told GC&M News.
“On Turner Street, it’s difficult to see cars coming off Peachester Road due to angle parking, so a crossing would certainly improve safety. As for Peachester Road, there’s an island outside the Coffee Club, but no zebra crossing. We used to have a pedestrian crossing there.”
Beerwah senior Wilma Morrison described crossing busy Peachester Road as “running the gauntlet” and agreed that it was currently “quite difficult” to access key community facilities safely.
“You feel like you have to take your life in your hands,” she said. “With all the traffic, it’s a constant challenge. I don’t understand why we don’t have more safe crossings.”
A Council spokesperson confirmed ongoing efforts to address pedestrian safety and said Council continued to advocate for walking and cycling improvements in the area.
“Council acknowledges the community’s concerns and is currently working with DTMR to explore opportunities to improve safety around the Beerwah Train Station and town centre,” the spokesperson said.
“We have proposed crossings for Turner Street and Peachester Road, which would improve pedestrian access to the Beerwah Village Shopping Centre.”
Division 1 Councillor Jenny Broderick thanked residents for raising the issue and reaffirmed Council’s commitment to addressing pedestrian safety. “Safety is absolutely our priority,” she said.
“I have been working closely with Council officers since being elected to ensure we get the priorities and locations correct.
“As some of the crossings being investigated include state roads, I have been speaking with our state members to ensure we prioritise these locations together; including potential crossing solutions from Roberts Road and Peachester Road, Beerwah, and Maleny Street, Landsborough.”
