Community consultation is underway in Gumdale to determine whether the unformed Tilley Road corridor should be developed into a 1.5-kilometre bikeway and linear park or preserved for future road use.
Background and Context
The Tilley Road corridor, located between Tilley Road at New Cleveland Road and Manly Road at the Hargreaves Road intersection, has been earmarked for infrastructure development for over a decade. Originally designated as Stage 4 of the Tilley Road Extension Project, it was intended to function as an arterial route for heavy vehicles accessing the Port of Brisbane.
Stage 1 of the project was completed in 2011. Since then, upgrades to the Gateway Motorway and the Port of Brisbane Motorway by the State have reduced the strategic need for completing the extension.
Proposed Development and Funding
Following a 2024 council election commitment by local official Ryan Murphy, $108,000 was allocated for investigation, design, and consultation to explore the repurposing of the corridor. The current proposal seeks to convert the space into a bikeway and linear park that would improve connectivity between Eastside Village in Gumdale and Mayfair Village in Manly West.
The alternative is to retain the land in its current condition as a preserved but unformed road corridor.
Environmental and Planning Considerations
Part of the corridor is recognised as a protected koala habitat and identified as a koala movement area. Any changes to land use would require environmental approvals from the federal government. A bikeway and park are considered more compatible with maintaining habitat than constructing a new road.
Community Sentiment and Feedback
Residents have been invited to participate in a survey which offers two options: transform the corridor into a bikeway and park, or retain it as future road reserve. Around 1,415 nearby properties have received direct invitations, though all Wakerley residents and other interested parties may also contribute.
The consultation is being conducted independently of the BCC website, as a local preliminary gauge of community interest.
Comments shared on social media reflect a range of views. Some residents support the enhanced cycling and walking links, while others have raised concerns about broader planning issues. One resident questioned whether pre-approval had been granted for removal of termite-infested or hazardous trees along the corridor. Local official Ryan Murphy responded by offering to lodge service requests for residents regarding such maintenance concerns.
There were also questions raised about other local road projects, such as the Meadowlands Road extension. Mr Murphy clarified that this is a separate proposal and is currently only funded for a feasibility study.
Next Steps
Pending the outcome of the consultation, BCC will assess whether to proceed with design and planning for the bikeway and linear park. If support is not evident, the area will remain a preserved road corridor for potential future use.
Published 28-May-2025
