For years, residents used a pedestrian connection between Kulgan Circuit and Poinsettia Street to reach nearby schools, community organisations and public transport. The route is now blocked by fencing, removing a direct pedestrian connection through the area.
The closure has left some pedestrians taking longer, less convenient routes. It has also raised questions about who controls the accessway and whether a direct pedestrian connection can be restored.
Poinsettia Street: A Vital Community Hub
The closure has drawn attention because several schools, community organisations and public transport services are concentrated along Poinsettia Street.
Richlands East State School is at 99 Poinsettia Street, while Inala Flexible School operates from 67 Poinsettia Street. Inala Wangarra also lists its meeting place in the precinct.
The HUB Neighbourhood Centre Inala is located at 79 Poinsettia Street. In 2016, the Queensland Government allocated funding for a new community centre on what was then department-owned land at that address.
HUB provides practical services and activities including playgroups and public computer and Wi-Fi access. The Queensland Government also lists Inala among locations where Community Connect workers support individuals and families with complex needs.
Public transport forms another part of the local access picture. Translink lists stop 77/59 on Poinsettia Street at Richlands Campus.
Route 101 serves the stop on services towards Oxley station, while Route 122 timetables also show services through the stop towards Garden City.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
Broader Pedestrian Planning in Inala
The dispute sits against a background of ongoing council planning designed to improve local foot traffic. Brisbane City Council, supported by the Queensland Government’s Walking Grants program, developed the Inala Walking Network Plan. The proposed plan was intended to identify primary and secondary routes connecting everyday destinations and help guide future infrastructure investment around Inala Plaza and the bus station.
While community consultation for the plan closed in November 2024, the strategy does not take an explicit position on the Kulgan Circuit-Poinsettia Street link. Nevertheless, it highlights that direct, safe, and accessible walking connections are already a key planning priority for the broader region.
Unanswered Questions Surrounding the Fence
Despite growing local frustration, the exact reason for the blockage remains unclear. Member for Inala Margie Nightingale has attributed the decision to the State Government, calling for the route to be reopened or for a practical alternative to be established.
However, public records do not clarify which specific agency authorised the fencing, nor whether the decision was driven by safety, land management, or liability concerns.
It also remains unconfirmed whether the long-used pathway ever possessed formal public access rights. While usage data and exact detour distances have not been publicly detailed, the practical impact on foot travellers is evident.
The Search for a Solution
The concentration of education, social support, and public transport along Poinsettia Street explains why the closure of a single neighbourhood pathway has become a pressing issue.
Until the authority responsible for the barrier clarifies its position, residents who rely on the Kulgan Circuit connection are left waiting to see if their direct route will ever be restored.
Published 10-Aug-2026
