Cr Nicole Johnston

Catching up with Cr Nicole Johnston (Independent candidate for Tennyson Ward) for a coffee opposite Yeronga State School. Rachel (Better Streets Yeronga), Gabby and Kurt (South Brisbane BUG and Pedal Party Meanjin) were grateful for the opportunity to talk about how the neighbourhood can welcome those who want to roll through it. The meeting was timed around school drop off and it was great seeing bike users big and small going about their daily business.

Similar to other Councillors, Cr Johnston is ready for 40km/h but is also interested in implementing some shared zones/high pedestrian areas. We encouraged an even more progressive approach, if committing to 40km/h residential streets, pair it with 30km/h speed school zones as it would be a great way to help people adjust to the calmer pace.

Friendly streets was the focus for discussion and Cr Johnston was very aware that if we could give kids safe and accessible routes through the ward, the reduction in school traffic would make a material difference to the congestion that occurs in the area. We discussed how hostile Fairfield Road is to go past (let alone along), even for grown ups, and talked about how dangerous the Venner/Fairfield roundabout is. When potential closure of a street was mentioned Cr Johnston said there’d likely be a substituted alternative for cars to use, and Rachel reaffirmed that if we continue to reinforce car use everywhere, the result would simply be more cars.

Cr Johnston is quite familiar with how traversing the suburb feels from the outside of a car, as an inveterate walker, she’s traversed her Ward every which way and has been quick to flag in Council chambers when things need attention. Anyone familiar with the ePetitions page for Brisbane City Council, will likely also be familiar with the name Nicole Johnston popping up as Principal Petitioner. Even though present in Council Chambers, the Councillor has found petitions the best way to get community issues the attention they require, as it forces the Administration to respond (on the public record) to issues that might otherwise be left in a state of perpetual limbo.

Cr Johnston is very supportive of schools within the ward doing, and continuing on in the Council’s active travel program. Something we’ve noted and will continue advocating for, is to have streets design that reinforce these initiatives, so the environment supports the people using it. We’re hoping that whatever the composition of the Council Chambers after the election, the result will be a renewed focus on streets that work well for everyone.