Partnership for improved parking and safety at Yeppoon State High School

Back
Published
6th March 2025

A collaboration between the Queensland Government, Livingstone Shire Council and Yeppoon State High School has resulted in the completion of a vital infrastructure project aimed at improving parking availability and pedestrian safety for students, staff, and parents.

This important project was made possible through full funding from the Queensland State Government, with a total investment of $704,500 under the School Transport Infrastructure Program. The funding was provided in two tranches to support both the design and construction phases.

Keppel MP Nigel Hutton said he is excited to see this critical project come to fruition to provide a greater level of safety and accessibility for the school community and visitors alike.

“As the population of the school has continued to grow, it has been vital to identify and act on potential hazards due to increased traffic in and around the school precinct,” Mr Hutton said.

“This an investment in infrastructure to address congestion to ensure all road users and pedestrians along with nearby residents are safe.”

Mayor Adam Belot said growing enrolments at Yeppoon State High School, have significantly increased the demand for parking resulting in congestion and overflow into nearby residential streets.

“This joint initiative provides a long-term solution to these challenges, ensuring a safer and more accessible environment for the school and surrounding community,” Mayor Belot said.

“This is an investment in both safety and liveability for our growing community. With better parking, safer pathways, and improved road infrastructure, we’re making it easier for people to move around while ensuring a safer environment for pedestrians and drivers.”

Yeppoon State High School Principal James O’Neil said the school community are thrilled to see these much-needed upgrades completed, significantly enhancing safety and accessibility for our students, staff, and families.

“The additional parking and improved pedestrian infrastructure will greatly reduce congestion and ensure a safer environment for everyone accessing the school,’ Principal O’Neil said.

“We sincerely appreciate the collaboration between Livingstone Shire Council and the Queensland Government in delivering this vital project for our growing school community.”

Infrastructure Committee Co-Chair Glenda Mather said the project is a fantastic step forward in improving accessibility and safety for our community.

“By increasing parking capacity and enhancing pedestrian access, we're ensuring that families, students and staff benefit from a more efficient and user-friendly space,” Cr Mather said.

“We’ve listened to community concerns about congestion and safety, and these upgrades will make a real difference. The new pedestrian crossing and structured vehicle flow will improve safety for everyone, particularly students and families accessing the school.

Key Features of the project:

  • 60 new sealed car parks to alleviate congestion and provide safe parking options.
  • New footpath connections, improving both accessibility and aesthetics.
  • A raised pedestrian crossing on Tabone Street to protect students and other pedestrians.
  • Fencing and kerbing to define safe vehicle entry and exit points.
  • Drainage upgrades to prevent sediment runoff into Fig Tree Creek, reducing dust and mud issues.

The State Government and Livingstone Shire Council are committed to working with local schools and the community to create safer, more accessible spaces. This project is a testament to the success of collaboration and proactive planning to address critical community needs.