Community & Business
26 March, 2025
Time to speak up about ‘ugly’ bollards
LOCALS can have their say on whether they want the concrete bollards installed along Ceola Drive last year to remain.
The bollards were installed around June last year, purportedly to make pedestrians safer along the busy road, for a six-month trial and now Mareeba Shire Council is accepting feedback from road users and those who live in surrounding streets.
The residents directly affected by the bollards in front of their properties were consulted before they were installed and have since been asked their views, and a survey was put online, according to the council, which has now closed.
After The Express made inquiries last week as to how those who may have missed the survey could provide feedback, council advised anyone wishing to comment could do so by emailing to info@msc.qld.gov.au
The project was funded by State Government, as a part of their “Lighter Affordable Effective” concept which is based on “implementing community-identified, small-scale projects that test ideas and solutions”.
After the bollards were installed, residents living in the area launched a petition to raise concerns about the concrete structures.
In June last year, Ceola Drive residents Michelle, Peter and Daniel Haines said they were all shocked when came home to see the “ugly” islands near their driveway.
The family of three said their guests could no longer park outside of their home and garbage bins had to be placed on the road for collection.
“These are hazardous, unsightly, impractical, and not giving access to yards or street parking, which has always been possible,” Michelle said at the time.
“I felt for our next-door neighbours (whom I rang) with a large caravan and the school bus, which pulls up to the curve outside.
“We run a youth group program, where parents drop and pick up from outside house, safely, with little distraction - however now they can’t - they have to use the opposite side road which is completely unsafe.”
