Toowong Emerges as One of Brisbane’s Highest-Spending Flower-Giving Suburbs, New Data Reveals

Toowong has been identified as one of Australia’s highest-spending flower-giving suburbs, with new data showing customers in the suburb spend an average of about $174 per order. The figure places Toowong alongside South Brisbane and ahead of several well-known suburbs in Sydney and Melbourne.


Read: Toowong School and Parish Model Proves Community Connection Starts at Home


The findings came from Melbourne-based online florist Fig & Bloom, which analysed customer orders over the year to June 2026 and compared five years of purchasing patterns across Australia’s three largest capitals. While Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne spend almost exactly the same amount on flowers overall, the research found Brisbane stands out for how soon customers schedule their deliveries after placing an order.

According to the analysis, about 65.8 per cent of Brisbane orders placed between 2021 and 2025 were scheduled for delivery within a day of being ordered. That was the highest proportion among the three major capitals, ahead of Melbourne at about 63.4 per cent and Sydney at about 62.3 per cent. The figures refer to the scheduling lead time selected by customers rather than the speed of the delivery service.

Photo credit: Facebook/Fig & Bloom

Toowong also ranked among the country’s highest-spending flower-giving suburbs. Among locations with enough orders to compare, Toowong and neighbouring South Brisbane recorded Australia’s highest average spend at about $174 per order. They were followed by Melbourne’s Brighton and Toorak at about $173, while North Sydney and Sydney CBD averaged about $170.

The research also found that despite differences in buying habits, customers across Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales spend virtually the same amount on each flower order. Across the year to June 2026, the average order value sat between about $155 and $156 in all three states.

Different Cities, Different Reasons

Photo credit: Fig & Bloom

Although spending was remarkably consistent across the eastern states, Fig & Bloom found clear differences in the occasions behind flower purchases.

The company examined the messages customers included with their flower orders and identified distinct patterns across the three capitals. Sydney customers most commonly sent flowers to celebrate milestones, while Melbourne customers more frequently ordered arrangements to express sympathy or support. Brisbane customers, meanwhile, recorded the shortest scheduling lead time, with a higher proportion of orders placed for delivery within a day.

Founder Kellie Brown said the analysis revealed different gifting patterns across the three cities despite similar spending levels.

flower-giving suburbs
Photo credit: Fig & Bloom

“We took a year of flowers, plotted where they went and what was written on the card, then checked the patterns over five years,” Ms Brown said.

“The three cities spend about the same amount. What changes is why they send flowers. Sydney celebrates. Melbourne consoles. Brisbane moves fastest.”

flower-giving suburbs
Photo credit: Facebook/Fig & Bloom

The company said analysing the messages attached to orders helped identify the occasions behind each purchase, while the scheduling data highlighted Brisbane’s preference for shorter lead times.

For Toowong, the findings highlight that the suburb ranks among Australia’s highest-spending flower-giving locations, while Brisbane as a whole records the shortest scheduling lead time among the country’s three largest capitals.


Read: Australia’s Master Colourist of the Year Creates Award-Winning Work from Toowong


Although Toowong ranked among the country’s highest-spending suburbs per order, the broader data shows spending levels are remarkably similar across Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales. What distinguishes Brisbane is its shorter scheduling lead time, with a higher proportion of orders placed for delivery within a day than in Sydney or Melbourne.

Published 24-July-2026

Toowong School and Parish Model Proves Community Connection Starts at Home

A pioneering foundation laid at Toowong more than a century ago continues to drive a unique local framework where a primary school and its parish act as a single integrated support system for Brisbane families.



A Legacy Built to Endure

school
Photo Credit: Supplied

When Archbishop Robert Dunne laid the original foundation stone for a local Catholic school, he called on residents to embrace and nurture the institution as their own. Fast-forward to the present day, and that initial spark has evolved into a cornerstone of suburban stability. St Ignatius School and its partner parish maintain a tight bond that actively shapes daily routines across Toowong. 

Why has this relationship lasted so long? School Principal Benedict Campbell explained that both institutions were deliberately designed to operate as a single unit rather than isolated silos. By avoiding separate paths, the partnership offers families a steady source of practical and spiritual support that carries across generations.  

Faith and Community Beyond the Classroom

school
Photo Credit: Google Maps

This shared mission regularly reaches beyond Sunday services. To mark International Women’s Day, the school and parish jointly hosted a Fill Your Cup Breakfast for women across Toowong, Auchenflower, and surrounding western suburbs.  

Rather than focusing solely on traditional speeches, the morning encouraged participants to share practical wisdom on balancing emotional, physical, and spiritual wellbeing amid hectic modern routines. Principal Campbell noted that the gathering demonstrated how meaningful relationships flourish when faith intersects directly with local neighbourhood life. 



Daily Connections Across Suburbs

Connection here is a daily habit, not an annual photo opportunity. From Welcome Masses that bring new families into the fold to student leadership initiatives and joint prayer groups, daily life moves fluidly between the classroom and the altar. The network also maintains close ties with nearby faith centres, including Holy Spirit Church in neighbouring Auchenflower.  

School leadership believes this collaborative approach delivers something far broader than standard academic lessons. By linking education with parish care, the community creates a lasting environment where every individual feels known, valued, and supported.  

Published Date 21-July-2026

Australia’s Master Colourist of the Year Creates Award-Winning Work from Toowong

Winning one of Australia’s leading hair colour awards once is a career milestone. Winning it twice in a row is far rarer. That’s exactly what Toowong salon owner Kristie Kesic achieved after taking home the AHIA Creative Master Colourist of the Year title for a second consecutive year.



Presented at the Australian Hair Industry Awards (AHIA) Creative 2026, the title recognises excellence in professional hair colouring and creative artistry. The back-to-back wins reflect years of refining her craft, building lasting relationships with clients, and mentoring the next generation of hairdressers.

Balancing everyday salon work with creative competition

Kesic has worked in the hair industry for 18 years, including 16 years specialising in colour. While competition work has earned her national recognition, Kesic said her focus in the salon remains on her clients.

Creative projects give her the freedom to explore colour in new ways and develop ideas with personal meaning. 

“My salon work is all about my clients. I’m dedicated to making them feel good and looking like the very best version of themselves. That’s my why, that’s where the meaning is, but in my creative work, that work is purely for me.”

Master colourist Kristie Kesic prioritises her clients.
Photo Credit: Supplied

Her work has also earned recognition beyond Queensland. Aside from the AHIA Creative Master Colourist of the Year titles, she was named Schwarzkopf Professional Australia’s 2025 Colour Ambassador and won the 2024 Colour World UK International Colour Genius title. 

The award-winning collection was produced in collaboration with photographer Andrew O’Toole, makeup artist Hendra Widjaja and stylist Teagan Sewell.

The award-winning collection of the master colourist.
Photo Credit: Supplied

A salon that has grown with the community

Kesic has owned Cobelle Creative for eight years and says education and mentorship have become an important part of the business she has built. She enjoys helping members of her team develop their own careers while continuing to challenge herself creatively. 

Despite receiving national industry recognition, her business remains firmly based in Toowong. From the High Street salon, she works with local clients while also contributing to education and creative projects within the Australian hair industry.

Photo Credit: Supplied

Clients who have shared the journey

Kesic says some clients have been with her for 16 years and have seen both the setbacks and the successes throughout her career. Their support has made this year’s award especially meaningful because they have followed the journey from the beginning. 

“My clients love this journey because they are part of it. Some have been with me for 16 years so they’ve seen some of the failures, and they especially love seeing the successes.”

She also says her creative work is deeply personal, with every collection evolving through its own process before becoming a finished body of work. At the same time, she says helping clients feel good about themselves remains the purpose behind her work in the salon. 



Still focused on improving

Winning the AHIA Creative Master Colourist of the Year title twice has not changed Kesic’s outlook.

She says success comes from improving on her own previous work rather than comparing herself with others. Each new project gives her another opportunity to strengthen her skills and keep learning. 

“For me it’s always about being better than myself. If I can continually push myself and better my skills each time then that’s how I know I’m always getting better.

“I challenge myself, so even after winning last year, I was always going to want to push myself further. I always said I’d stop doing this when I stop enjoying it and right now, I still love it!”

While her latest award has brought national industry recognition to both Kesic and Cobelle Creative, she says the goal remains the same: to keep growing as a colourist while helping clients feel their best.

Published 10-July-2026

Brisbane Boys’ College Kart Racer Felix Sim Climbs Championship Standings

Brisbane Boys’ College student Felix Sim has continued his rise in Australian karting, climbing to third in the Australian Kart Championship standings after another competitive weekend in the Cadet 12 class.



The result marks another milestone for the young racer, who stepped into the higher category for the 2026 season after closing out his Cadet 9 career with strong national performances.

Strong Weekend Keeps Championship Campaign on Track

Felix produced encouraging results during Round 2 of the Australian Kart Championship at Ipswich, where he competed against a 60-driver Cadet 12 field.

The weekend started strong in qualifying, where Felix secured fourth place overall after clocking the third-fastest time in his group. He carried that momentum into the heat races, consistently running at the front of the pack to secure fifth, eighth, and sixth-place finishes, before locking in a solid fifth-place finish in the pre-final.

The final proved to be a grueling battle. Striking the right kart setup on the day proved difficult, and minor racing errors ultimately pushed Felix back to an 11th-place finish at the checkered flag.

Despite the challenging final race, Felix’s consistent front-running performances throughout the heats and pre-final earned him crucial points, officially elevating him to third place in the Australian Kart Championship standings after the round.

Photo Credit: felix.muze.sim/Instagram

Building on a Standout Cadet 9 Career

Felix entered the 2026 season after an impressive run in Cadet 9, where he finished second in his final Australian Kart Championship race before progressing to Cadet 12.

His performances over recent seasons have reflected steady improvement. After finishing 34th in the national rankings in 2023, he climbed to 10th in 2024 while collecting victories at kart circuits across Australia.

The move into Cadet 12 brought a new level of competition, with older and more experienced drivers making up the national field. Even so, Felix has remained competitive in the opening rounds of the championship.

Celebrating His Success

One year after emerging as a promising young kart racer, the Brisbane Boys’ College student is continuing to build on that momentum against a national field of junior competitors.

Felix is racing in the Cadet 12 class of the 2026 Australian Kart Championship in a Kart Republic chassis powered by a Vortex engine. His public racing updates have also acknowledged the support of Tom Williamson Motorsport, MG Engines, Jason Xin and the officials and volunteers involved in each championship round.



With the Australian Kart Championship season still underway, Felix has more opportunities to strengthen his position in the standings as he continues his first year in Cadet 12.

Published 9-July-2026

Four-Tower Toowong Central Proposal Replaces Original High-Rise Design

One of Toowong’s largest redevelopment projects has taken another step forward, with fresh plans promising lower buildings, new public spaces and improved connections through the suburb’s town centre. The updated Toowong Central proposal retains its mixed-use vision for the site bounded by Sherwood Road, High Street and Jephson Street. However, it includes several key changes from the plans first lodged last year.



Its tallest tower has been reduced from 55 storeys to 39 storeys. The previous three-tower concept has also changed to four towers, while the overall project remains centred on new housing, retail, public spaces and transport connections.

The revised proposal reflected Council and community feedback while seeking to balance new housing with improved public spaces, transport links and local services. The revision broadens the range of homes planned for the precinct.

Alongside strata-titled apartments, the development now includes build-to-rent housing and student accommodation

The development application (DA A006836692) remains under Toowong Central Investment Holding Pty Ltd and covers the same collection of properties included in the original development proposal.  

Toowong Central development has been revised
Photo Credit: CrPennyWolff/Facebook

More Public Space and Better Connections Across the Site

More than 5,300 square metres of publicly accessible open space is now proposed, representing almost 30 per cent of the site. A new lifestyle and retail precinct is planned for the corner of Sherwood Road and High Street, while upgraded pedestrian links would better connect the development with Toowong railway station and nearby bus services.

The proposal also includes widening High Street and planting additional trees. The developer has proposed dedicating land to Brisbane City Council for a future bus slip lane to improve traffic flow, while parking has been revised to better align with Council’s planning requirements.

Heritage Building Stays at the Centre of the Precinct

The former Carver & Co building on High Street remains part of the redevelopment and is planned to become a focal point of the precinct.

The Carver & Co building
Photo Credit: Google Maps screengrab

A supporting heritage report outlines methods for carefully dismantling and reconstructing parts of the building where needed to preserve its significant elements during construction.  

The revised application also includes a Biodiversity Management Plan that supports increased tree planting, locally suitable vegetation and green infrastructure designed to improve habitat and help reduce urban heat across the site.  

Toowong Central biodiversity management plan
Photo Credit: DA A006836692


Greens Say Key Planning Concerns Remain

While the revised proposal lowers building heights and changes the site’s layout still falls short on several issues raised during consultation on the original application, according to Mr Michael Berkman, Greens MP for Maiwar.

In a media statement, Mr Berkman said the project remained well above the 25-storey height limit set under the Toowong–Auchenflower Neighbourhood Plan and argued the revised plans still did not include dedicated affordable housing. He also questioned the proposal’s level of deep planting, saying it remained below Council’s 10 per cent acceptable outcome, and raised concerns about the size of the proposed public open space compared with the neighbourhood plan’s Urban Common requirement.

Mr Berkman also said the revised plans reduced bicycle parking and increased the amount of student and short-term accommodation proposed for the site. He urged Brisbane City Council to require further changes before making a decision on the application.

Amended Proposal Remains Under Council Assessment

The redevelopment site, opposite Toowong Village and Toowong railway station, has remained vacant since the former standalone Woolworths supermarket closed in 2017.

The original proposal attracted community submissions and debate over its building heights and overall scale. The revised plans lower tower heights, increase publicly accessible open space and change the site’s layout while retaining its role as a major mixed-use destination.



Brisbane City Council is continuing to assess the amended application. Cr Penny Wolff said Verso had advised construction could begin next year if the project receives approval.

Published 8-July-2026

Lived Experience the Key for Toowong Deaf Educator Jason Alford

Toowong State School is fostering a uniquely inclusive classroom with the help of Jason Alford, a Deaf teacher whose previous career as a plumber gives him a practical and powerful perspective on empowering students.

His education journey, highlighted during International Week of Deaf People in 2025, was deeply personal. After becoming heavily involved in the schooling of his three Deaf children, Mr Alford noticed gaps in the system and was inspired to step into the classroom himself. He believed his perspective as a Deaf person could offer invaluable support to students and their families.

Building Bridges in the Classroom

Now in his second year as a qualified teacher, Mr Alford works in the school’s specialist Bilingual and Bicultural (BiBi) programme. He sees his role as a vital link for the children, describing it as being a bridge that connects the worlds of language, culture, and identity for students, whether they or their families are Deaf, hard of hearing, or hearing. He explained that positive representation is crucial, and he feels proud to show his students what is possible for their future.

Working collaboratively alongside three other staff members, the team creates a dynamic and responsive learning space. He acknowledges the work can be challenging but notes that with strong planning and teamwork, they can successfully tailor lessons to meet the unique needs of every student.

Sharing Toowong’s Ideas on a Global Stage

The local programme’s success has not gone unnoticed. Earlier this year, Mr Alford and his colleague Erin Davies travelled to Rome, Italy, to present on the topic of Bilingual Education. They shared their insights at the 24th International Congress on the Education of the Deaf (ICED 2025), an event that brings together experts from around the globe.

Mr Alford found the congress inspiring, confirming that their work in Brisbane is on the right track while also providing new ideas for improvement. One of his most significant takeaways was the critical role of data. He now believes that collecting detailed information—from the individual student level right up to a statewide scale—is essential for making stronger, more informed decisions that will strengthen Deaf education across Queensland.

A Call to the Classroom

For Mr Alford, teaching is more than just a job; it is a continuous journey of personal and professional growth. He encourages anyone considering a career change into education to leap. He believes that in teaching, you never stop learning yourself, and the growth opportunities are limitless.

Originally published 17-October-2025. Updated 8-July-2026

Survey Works Kick Off on Sylvan Road as Toowong Bikeway Takes Shape

Survey and service identification works, which began along Sylvan Road in Toowong between late April and late May and site preparation from midyear 2026 onward, mark a tangible step forward in plans to deliver a long-awaited separatedbikeway connecting the Western Freeway Bikeway with the Bicentennial Bikeway.



The works will run along Sylvan Road between Milton Road and Coronation Drive, and along Land Street between Sylvan Road and Patrick Lane, on weekdays throughout that period. The findings will feed directly into the project design, with a community update to follow once that work is complete.

Residents and commuters travelling through the area can expect to see workers using survey and service detection equipment, temporary lane closures with minor traffic delays, and traffic controllers and signage managing the flow. Vehicles with reversing alarms and flashing lights will also be operating in the area during works.

A Route That Already Carries More Than 1,100 Riders a Day

Sylvan Road is no stranger to cyclists. The street has served as a key link in Brisbane’s inner-western cycling network for years, sitting on the Queensland Principal Cycle Network and recording more than 1,130 bike and e-mobility trips on a typical weekday. That level of daily use makes it one of the busiest cycling corridors in the western suburbs, and one of the most pressing cases for improved infrastructure.

Sylvan Road bikeway
Photo Credit: BCC

The road currently carries a mix of peak-hour bike lanes and lanes that run between parked cars and moving traffic, a configuration that many riders find stressful, particularly at the intersections of Sylvan Road, Croydon Street and Jephson Street, and at the Milton Road junction. The project aims to deliver separated active transport connections that physically divide walking, riding and driving spaces, making the route safer and more comfortable for everyone from confident commuter cyclists to families and newcomers to riding.

Years in the Making, Now Moving

The push for a safer Sylvan Road goes back at least to 2017, when peak-hour bike lanes were introduced as an interim safety measure. Community feedback gathered in mid-2025 through a dedicated consultation process reinforced what many locals had long been saying: the existing setup falls short of what a route this busy deserves. That feedback, combined with technical data and design guidelines, is now shaping the next stage of planning.

Photo Credit: BCC

The project’s design phase has received grant support, with construction funding now being progressed and the agreement yet to be finalised.

Next Steps for Toowong Riders and Residents

The survey and service works running through late April and May are critical investigative steps. While this stage is focused on data collection, locals can expect early works and site preparation to kick off from mid-2026. These initial activities will pave the way for major construction, with the project team currently targeting full completion of the separated bikeway by 2028.

Residents who want to stay across the project can contact the project team directly on 07 3178 5413 during business hours, or reach the general inquiry line on 07 3403 8888 at any time. Written correspondence can be sent to the Toowong Intersection Improvements and Sylvan Road Bikeway project team at GPO Box 1434, Brisbane QLD 4001. Full project information, maps and frequently asked questions are available here.



Published 17-April-2026. Updated 7-July-2026

Toowong Rowing Club Athlete Takes Next Step Towards International Rowing Success

As Brisbane continues its countdown to the 2032 Olympic Games, Toowong Rowing Club has reason to celebrate after one of its young athletes earned national selection for an international regatta.


Read: BBC Rowing Team Aims for Another Historic Henley Royal Regatta Win


Year 12 student Harriette O’Dwyer, who trains and competes with Toowong Rowing Club and Sydney University Boat Club, has been selected in Australia’s Under 19 B Team for the 2026 International Rowing Challenge in Michigan, United States. 

A milestone for a rising rowing talent

Photo credit: asf.org.au

O’Dwyer’s selection follows strong performances across school, club and representative rowing, where she has been recognised as one of Queensland’s leading young coxswains.

A coxswain is responsible for steering the boat, making tactical decisions and coordinating the crew throughout a race. The role demands leadership, composure and the ability to make quick decisions under pressure, qualities reflected in O’Dwyer’s selection to the national team.

She took up rowing at the age of 13 after transitioning from gymnastics, bringing with her skills developed through her previous sporting experience. Since then, she has represented Queensland, including helping the Women’s Youth VIII crew win a silver medal earlier this year.

Through her fundraising campaign through the Australian Sports Foundation ahead of the international tour, O’Dwyer said representing Australia in the green and gold has long been an ambition. She also described balancing school with regular travel, training and competition while working with high-performing crews along Australia’s east coast.

The International Rowing Challenge will be held in Michigan from 9 to 16 July, giving Australia’s Under 19 athletes valuable international racing experience as they continue through the national development pathway.

Queensland’s next generation

O’Dwyer is one of five Queensland athletes selected in the Australian Under 19 B Team, alongside Maddi McLaughlin, Oliver Kent, Scott McDonald, and Flynn O’Loughlin.

Rowing Queensland congratulated the group following their selection. The athletes earned their places after consistent performances throughout the domestic season.

Their selection highlights the pathway available through Queensland’s school, club and university rowing programs, with opportunities to progress to national representation.


Read: Fitstop Brings Own Brand of Fitness to Toowong


For Toowong Rowing Club, O’Dwyer’s selection marks a significant national milestone for one of its young athletes. The upcoming tour to the United States will provide international racing experience as she continues her development within Australia’s rowing pathway.

Published 3-July-2026

Toowong Cemetery and Other Queensland Sites May Run Out of Burial Space by 2035

Queensland is facing a growing challenge. By 2035, the state could run out of room to bury its dead, with Toowong Cemetery, Brisbane’s largest cemetery, one of the sites in focus. Local authorities across the state are warning that population growth, an ageing population, and rising demand are placing significant pressure on burial space.


Read: Fact and Folklore Blur as Toowong Cemetery Tales Spread Online


New research from the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) shows many Councils expect their existing cemetery land to reach capacity within the next 10 to 15 years. Unlike most other land uses, cemetery plots are treated as permanent in Queensland. Once used, they are rarely reused, and the scarcity of suitable new land means councils have limited options for expansion.

Alison Smith, CEO of the LGAQ, stated that councils have been studying these statewide challenges and are collectively urging the State to collaborate with them on planning the future of cemeteries across Queensland.

“We need a holistic, strategic and statewide approach to considering and addressing these issues,” Ms Smith said.

Toowong Cemetery, located in Brisbane’s inner west, has long served as the resting place for many families and is recognised as the city’s largest cemetery. In other parts of Queensland, local authorities are already grappling with both space and cost pressures, managing land, securing new sites, and maintaining ageing cemetery infrastructure under financial strain.

Photo credit: Ruth Mavroleon/Google Maps

The issue is not solely logistical but also cultural. Some religious communities, including Muslim, Jewish, and Eastern Orthodox groups, adhere to burial traditions that limit the wider adoption of cremation, which in turn adds to pressure on land. In other jurisdictions, grave reuse or renewable tenure systems have been introduced. In Queensland, however, perpetual burial rights remain the norm, limiting flexibility in managing space.

Strategies and Suggestions for Sustainable Cemetery Management

Photo credit: Sonia Ho/Google Maps

Industry experts and councils are advocating for a range of strategies to manage the impending space shortage. One proposed measure is the adoption of renewable tenure for burial plots, where graves are leased for a defined period and may be reused afterwards, a model already in use in parts of Australia and internationally. Such a change could significantly increase the functional life of cemetery land.

Other practical strategies include allowing multiple internments, for example, family members sharing a single plot, and deeper graves to maximise space. These approaches require careful consideration of safety and cultural comfort during burial services.

Cremation is another frequently discussed alternative. While less land intensive, its acceptability varies by community and religious tradition. Advocates are encouraging councils and the state to develop policies that make cremation a culturally sensitive and accessible choice where appropriate.

Local authorities are calling for a statewide strategy that brings together the state, local councils, cemetery operators, and community representatives. The objective is to plan for land supply, invest in infrastructure, respect cultural and religious needs, and ensure the long-term financial viability of cemetery sites.


Read: Toowong Cemetery Holds the Forgotten History of Susan McGowan


For Toowong and other Queensland cemeteries, the conversation is about more than land, it is about how communities honour their past while planning for future generations. With coordinated planning, innovative choices, and community engagement, Queensland may be positioned to balance tradition, memory, and sustainability in its cemeteries.

Updated 6-July-2026

High Street and Sylvan Road Included in Brisbane’s $110 Million Road Resurfacing Program

Two of Toowong’s busiest roads, High Street and Sylvan Road, are included in a $110 million resurfacing program covering almost a million square metres of road surface across Brisbane, with the works branded “Operation Smooth” forming part of a broader $1.9 billion transport and infrastructure package for the coming year.



For Toowong residents, the resurfacing arrives alongside separate, longer-running efforts to address some of the suburb’s more persistent road safety concerns, particularly on Sylvan Road.

High Street’s traffic bottleneck problem

High Street services a mix of commercial and residential areas in Toowong and has carried heavy traffic loads for decades, partly a legacy of the Toowong Village shopping centre’s construction history.

Photo Credit: Google Maps

The centre was built in a location Brisbane’s planning authority had originally opposed due to traffic congestion concerns in the surrounding streets, and it has since been described as a permanent traffic bottleneck between Moggill Road and Coronation Drive.

High Street sits within that same congested corridor, and resurfacing works here are expected to address surface wear that has built up under sustained traffic volumes.

Sylvan Road’s long wait for a safer design

Sylvan Road’s inclusion in the resurfacing program lands against a much longer and more complicated backdrop. The road connects the Western Freeway Bikeway and the Bicentennial Bikeway, making it the critical link in Brisbane’s western active transport corridor.

Photo Credit: BCC

It has also been one of the city’s most consistently flagged hazardous cycling routes, featuring in BikeSpot‘s 2023 rankings of dangerous Brisbane roads due to high traffic speeds, dangerous intersections and a lack of separation between bikes and vehicles.

At some sections during peak hour, cyclists make up around 40 per cent of all traffic on Sylvan Road between 7am and 8am, yet the existing bike lane often runs in the door zone of parked cars, a configuration cycling safety advocates have long identified as a serious injury risk. A 2017 safety upgrade introduced peak hour bike lanes along the road, but calls for a fully separated bikeway have continued for years since.

Photo Credit: BCC

Community engagement on a Sylvan Road bikeway and local network improvements project found strong support for a separated design. Of those who responded, 94 per cent said they would feel safe or very safe travelling the road if a separated bikeway were installed, and 93 per cent said it would have a positive effect on their travel experience overall.

Avoiding crashes with vehicles, unsafe turning movements and limited crossing options were the most commonly cited concerns.

Design work for the long-discussed separated bikeway has now been included in forward budget planning, following more than a decade of advocacy from the area’s Bike User Group and residents. The resurfacing works now underway on Sylvan Road sit alongside, though are separate from, that broader design and construction process.

What residents can expect during the works

Brisbane’s standard approach to resurfacing involves advance notice to residents before works begin, with councils typically flagging whether disruption will include night works, temporary lane closures, reduced speed limits or vehicle relocation requirements.

A detailed construction schedule for each road has not yet been released, so the exact timing and duration of works on High Street and Sylvan Road remains to be confirmed.

Once complete, the resurfacing is expected to deliver a smoother and safer driving surface on two roads that carry significant daily traffic through one of Brisbane’s busiest inner western suburbs.

For updates on roadworks and closures, residents can check QLDTraffic’s live traffic alerts or click here.



Published 17-June-2026