Council supports Curzon Street traffic mitigation measures

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) has resolved to support a range of traffic mitigation measures in Curzon Street as recommended in a recent traffic study and in response to significant community feedback.

At this week’s Ordinary Meeting of Council, Councillors endorsed resolutions to support measures which will aim to make it less desirable for motorists to use Curzon Street as an alternative north/south route in the eastern part of Toowoomba City.

As well as the measures in Curzon Street, Council also resolved to investigate different options for the operation of the Margaret and McKenzie Street intersection lights which were commissioned as an Australian Government Black Spot funded project earlier this year.

TRC Transport and Drainage Planning (ISG) portfolio spokesperson Councillor Trevor Manteufel thanked the community for its feedback which has resulted in Council taking action.

“The Margaret and McKenzie Street intersection was completed earlier this year under the Australian Government’s Black Spot Funding Program because of the crash history of that intersection including eight reported crashes, three hospitalisations, two of those involving cyclists, in the 5-year period to 30 June, 2020,” Cr Manteufel said.

“An unintended consequence of that upgrade has been the change and significant increase to traffic movements and driver behaviour along Curzon Street. The localised traffic study commissioned by TRC has shown an increase in motorists using the street as an alternative north/south route.

“Council thanks the community in that area for its feedback. We are listening to those concerns and have responded by resolving to support a range of traffic mitigation measures designed to make it less desirable for drivers to use Curzon Street as an alternative route,” he said.

“Council also supported $160,000 in capital funding as part of the separate Budget Review 1 report to the Ordinary Meeting which will see the first recommended stages of the Curzon Street traffic mitigation measures implemented as a matter of priority.

“The staged approach to implementing the traffic mitigation measures will allow for further monitoring and investigative work to be carried out to see if traffic volumes improve and driver behaviour changes along Curzon Street because of the measures.

“Separately, Council officers will investigate possible alternative options for the operation of the Margaret and McKenzie Street intersection lights,” Cr Manteufel said.

Council resolved the following:

1. Council note the Curzon Street Traffic Study;

2. Council support the implementation of traffic mitigation measures in Curzon Street as noted in this report;

3. That all information is received including all confidential information and reports of the Black Spot funding submission and design on the intersection of Margaret Street and McKenzie Street by the Infrastructure Services Group Committee Meeting of 11 February, 2025; and

4. Council investigate alternate options for the operation of the lights at Margaret and McKenzie Street intersection including to operate only during school zone hours during the Queensland School Terms as an option by the Infrastructure Services Group Committee Meeting of 11 February, 2025.