A community campaign to improve pedestrian safety and access in Bli Bli has been launched in the wake of the latest incident, where a school student narrowly avoided serious injury after being hit by a car.   

Ninderry MP Dan Purdie said the community is calling on the State Government to urgently fund upgrades to the pedestrian access ahead of next month’s budget.    

“Bli Bli is one of the fastest growing areas on the Sunshine Coast, however infrastructure has simply not kept pace,” Mr Purdie said. 

“With thousands more families and seniors now calling the area home, there’s a real need for better pedestrian facilities, particularly in the main business area.  

“Residents shouldn’t be forced to risk their lives to simply cross the road, but that’s the reality we’re facing following years of neglect from the current Labor government.  

It shouldn’t have to take another accident or tragedy before something is done. 

It’s time the government started listening to local residents, and invested the funds to upgrade pedestrian facilities,” Mr Purdie said.  

Bli Bli resident Natalie Tattam is one of many locals supporting the campaign, after her daughter was hit by a car after getting off a bus on the way home from school earlier this year.  

“It’s not asking for a lot to provide pedestrian facilities so people can move around our community safely,” Ms Tattam said.  

“My daughter was lucky she wasn’t more seriously injured, and I hope the government listens before there’s another accident.”  

Bli Bli Community Association President Chris Baker said the community have been calling for better infrastructure for years.  

“This has been a topic of constant discussion for years as there is no safe crossing points for pedestrians and despite approaches to TMR over this time their response has been there is currently no funding allocated to progress towards further planning or construction on the road network in and around Bli Bli” 

The petition has been letterboxed dropped to all Bli Bli residents, and is also available online at Queensland.typeform.com/BliBliSafety 

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