Fresh approach to placemaking takes stride in Logan

Published on 01 April 2026

Logan City Council has taken new steps towards planning and walkability in Woodridge with a series of community ‘walkshops’. 

The two walkshops, led by advocacy organisation Queensland Walks, involved members of the Logan community gathering at Croydon Road on Wednesday, April 1 to assess the walkability of the surrounding neighbourhood in daylight and twilight. 

Mayor Jon Raven said the insights would be used to advocate for more grants and funding to improve pedestrian infrastructure for comfort and accessibility. 

“Croydon Road is a great spot, right next to the train station and home to the Global Food Markets, one of Logan’s most popular destinations,” Mayor Raven said. 

“Council will be able to make better decisions for our city’s future thanks to the real-world experiences of locals. 

“We’re taking part in this opportunity as a result of community feedback we heard while participating in the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative.” 

Since 2017, Bloomberg Philanthropies has partnered with Harvard Business School and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government to deliver the initiative, which provides mayors around the world with resources, support, and expertise to help them grow as leaders, and to implement proven, innovative strategies to solve the biggest problems their cities face. 

Mayor Raven and Council have participated in the program since July 2025 with a focus on improving quality of life for residents.  

During the morning walkshop in Logan, residents, community organisations and business leaders walked the neighbourhood and stopped at four locations, where they answered survey questions about shading, road safety, street appeal and other accessibility features. 

The evening walkshop followed a similar route, but participants were asked different questions related to lighting and personal safety. 

Division 2 Councillor Teresa Lane said Woodridge was the perfect location to host the walkshops. 

“This community gets heaps of foot traffic, but we will take any opportunity to improve accessibility,” Cr Lane said. 

“Boosting the walkability of this neighbourhood will also help support our local businesses, which survive on people being able to get out and about.”  

Queensland Walks is a community-based organisation that aims to improve the conditions and profile of walking in Queensland, and to support and encourage governments, organisations and agencies to improve policy and funding priorities to enhance walking.  

The organisation has previously held walkshops in several other Queensland neighbourhoods, including in Kingaroy, Hervey Bay, Zillmere, Rockhampton and more to successfully improve safety, change speed limits, increase street lighting, and seek grant funding for upgrades. 

Queensland Walks Executive Officer Anna Campbell said improving walkability in places like Woodridge was essential. 

“Walking is the cheapest, healthiest and most sustainable form of transport, and what’s even better is that for every $1 we spend on walking, there is a $13 return to business, community and our health,” Ms Campbell said. 

"We run walkshops because they are a practical, people-first way to bring locals, business owners, planners and decision makers together to identify issues and find solutions.” 

Queensland Walks will analyse the survey answers and data compiled during the walkshops, and make low-cost and longer-term recommendations to help Council make the Woodridge neighbourhood more walkable.