Student speaks up for streetside safety

Cedar Grove student Sonny Barker, 12, hasn’t started high school yet, but he’s already made his mark on his local community.

The Woodhill State School student has secured a new footpath for Irwin Road in Cedar Grove, after surviving a frightening roadside accident earlier this year.

Sonny and a group of friends were riding bikes to their local playground after school, when he was struck by an oncoming car.

The group was travelling on the road, as there is currently no footpath for pedestrians or cyclists moving through the area.

Sonny’s mum Sam says unfortunately, he could not move off the road in time.

She says the driver stopped immediately to assist.

Sonny suffered a concussion and was taken to the Queensland Children’s Hospital.

When he got home, he decided to take matters into his own hands.

He emailed Division 9 Councillor Scott Bannan to request a footpath, so local families and children could get to the playground safely.

‘I got Sonny’s email and thought, what a legend,’ Cr Bannan says.

‘He’s had a rough trot but didn’t lie down, he stood up for his mates and the whole community.

‘It’s a great outcome for everyone.’

The footpath will be funded through the Division 9 Local Instructure Program.

The project is out to tender, with construction expected to begin in the new year.