Request for Council to Reconsider Concrete Path in Luke Street Thornlands Cul-De-Sac
Principal Petitioner: Susanne Nelles
Closing Date: 4.30pm, Tuesday 7 October 2025
At 10 signatures, this petition will be considered properly made.
Petition Request:
Request RCC not to put a 2.5 metre concrete path parallel to Luke St Thornlands cul de sac where bridge is to be built.
Building this wide, 2.5 m path will endanger the roots and health of a number of old, tall trees, unnecessarily. There is access to the proposed bridge. Koalas, birds etc. use these trees, damaging them, will mean eventual destruction and removal of these magnificent old timers. Please protect the integrity of this area, and these trees.
Petition Response:
I wish to advise that your petition received 19 August 2025 titled ‘Request RCC not to put a 2.5 metre concrete path parallel to Luke St Thornlands cul de sac where bridge is to be built’ was presented at the General Meeting on 15 October 2025. The petition was considered to be operational in nature and referred to the Chief Executive Officer for consideration.
We appreciate your interest in this matter and have considered the concerns you have raised regarding the need for a 2.5m wide path to be constructed along Luke Street, potential damage to root systems of existing trees and impact on wildlife.
The 2.5m wide pathway forms part of a project involving a new pedestrian and cycling connection across Eprapah Creek, consisting of a bridge, boardwalk and connecting pathway network. These works are currently being constructed by a developer, in accordance with an existing Infrastructure Agreement with Council which requires the developer to contribute these assets as part of its Affinity Estate (development permit ROL005869). The pathway will provide an accessible connection between the existing pathway network and the proposed Eprapah Creek bridge and boardwalk, and will provide significant benefits for walking and cycling opportunities between the new communities in SE Thornlands and Victoria Point’s commercial precinct, transport hub and the natural environment of the creek corridor.
The preferred pathway options and bridge location were the subject of a Council Resolution on 15 December 2021, generally in accordance with the SE Thornlands Structure Plan adopted in 2010.
The developer undertaking the project has advised that the mature trees adjoining Luke Street will remain, and there will be no further clearing of significant mature native trees in the Luke Street construction alignment. In addition, it is noted that:
- there are also tree protection zones in place to ensure there is no compaction of the roots;
- Koala, Tree Protection and Rehabilitation Management Plans were included in the tender;
and - Council’s Environmental Management Team were on-site and provided input to the contractor regarding minimisation of vegetation disturbance and extent of root protection zones.
The proposed dedicated pathway will also provide a safer route for cyclists and pedestrians to access the proposed bridge connection through Eprapah Creek, rather than sharing Luke Street with vehicles.
Council assures that your submission will be taken into consideration as the works required to complete the Eprapah Creek Bridge progress in accordance with the relevant Infrastructure Agreement and previous decisions made by Council.