Hi everyone

Due to some behind the scenes Council IT issues, you will notice that my monthly e-newsletter is coming to you from a new email address. The reply comes directly to me at my office and is only used by my office. It doesn't go anywhere else.

With that out of the way, we'll be back to our usual monthly update going forward. If you want more frequent updates on local matters I do post regularly on my facebook page as well.

COVID-19 has been a massive disruption to our normal community life this year but it is wonderful to see that our community remains healthy. Everyday I think how lucky we are to have QLD Chief Medical Officer, Dr Jeanette Young, and her team running things. We have all found new ways of working and going online to attend events and activities as well as remembering how great our local parks and cafes are.

A lot of our community, school and Christmas events are in limbo at the moment but I hope we will be able to hold some of the usual end of year celebrations. I will keep you updated.

Regards, Nicole.

P.S. The Lord Mayor's City Hall concerts have commenced again on Tuesdays at 12 noon. Every Tuesday it's a new hour-long concert of fabulous music and fun. Visit Eventbrite to view the full program and book your free ticket.

Over the past year planning has been underway for a series of projects to enhance the existing environment and facilities within the general park area in the lead up to the Park's centenary in November 2020.

Prior to Remembrance Day, Council will be delivering the following works (weather permitting):

• replacement of park name signage and installation of new banner poles on Oxley Rd, and a new Honour Avenue directional sign at the Oxley Rd entrance;
• eight new interpretive signs around the Fig, behind the grandstand near the war memorial, outlining the history of the Park and war memorial. This project has been undertaken in consultation with the Oxley-Chelmer History Group and Sherwood Indooroopilly RSL and is funded from the Tennyson Ward Parks (SEF) Fund as our community's gift for the Park's centenary;
• replacement and relocation of bollards around the carpark and the avenue to the war memorial. Please note on the Park side of the avenue this will include the bollards being located closer to the bitumen to preserve the new plantings (there will be no parking on this shoulder); and
• 19 new Bauhinias and cabbage palms inc. tree guards (removal of one small palm) to re-establish the original Honour Avenue (see slide 8 within the green dotted section in the link below). Plantings and removals in the blue, orange and red sections will be later in the year/next year and are not part of the works planned over the next two months. However, there will be mulching in these areas similar to that recently undertaken along Plumridge and Appel Sts.          

You can view the detailed Tree Management Plan on my website.

293 Honour Ave, Graceville (Former Nanette Lilly Site)

A development application has been lodged for a childcare centre, office and shops at 293 Honour Ave/4 Mortlake Rd and 92-98 Verney Rd W Graceville. This is the former Nanette Lilley site and three surrounding residential house blocks.

Whilst renewal of the defunct Nanette Lilley office is welcome, encroachment of the commercial footprint into the adjoining character residential area, including three house blocks in Mortlake Rd and Verney Rd W, is very concerning.

You can view the plans via Council's new online development website called Development.i here.

Once you have entered this link, you can access the development application by clicking on the details button. The plans are also available for viewing in my office.

This application is classified as Impact Assessable, as it has some potential adverse impacts and is subject to public notification. A large black and white sign will be erected on the site in coming weeks with the date submissions are due. If you would like assistance with your submission, once public notification commences, please contact my office on 3403 8605.

Sherwood Arboretum

Sherwood Arboretum restoration works have commenced and are due for completion by mid-October (weather permitting). These will include weed removal and spraying, mulching and native shrub and ground cover plantings. The Arboretum will remain open for the duration of the works for you to enjoy.

Cawonga Park, Oxley

Council are installating a new picnic shelter in Cawonga Park, Oxley.  A red bnech has been painted and a plaque will soon follow to help raise awareness about domestic violence prevention. 

Lucock Park, Oxley

Thank you to those who came along to the community consultation for the new Lucock Park playground earlier in the year. I am currently in the process of liaising with Council's Parks team to finalise the design.

Corinda Dog Park Upgrade, George Scarlett Park

$100,000 of upgrade works are due to commence in the coming months at the Corinda dog park in George Scarlett Park. Works will include:

• A new small dog park;
• new lighting;
• a bubbler in the large dog area; and
• bench seats in the  large dog area.

I will let you know when there is a set start date for works.

Chelmer BMX Track

During August the Chelmer BMX pump track underwent an upgrade that consisted of maintenance work, new bumps added and a new bench seat. A big thank you to Lewis for advocating and advising on the scope of works for the project.

Rikki Bailey Bushcare Group

Rikki Bailey Bushcare Group is back up and running with onsite sanitiser and handwashing facilities available. To stay up to date with their events, visit their Facebook page.

Brisbane Biodiversity Seminar (Online Event)
Tue 13 Oct, 6:30-9pm
The Brisbane Biodiversity Seminars present guest speakers on the city's unique plant and animal species and other environmental topics.
Bookings via Eventbrite.

Nominations are now open for the 2021 Lord Mayor's Australia Day Awards. Award categories include:

• Citizen of the Year
• Senior Citizen of the Year
• Young Citizen of the Year
• Community Event of the Year
• Australia Day Cultural/Arts Award
• Australia Day Sports Award
• Australia Day Achievement Award
• Green Heart Award

If you feel that someone you know has helped to make Brisbane an even better place, nominate them by 5pm, Monday 4 November, 2019. You can complete the nomination form online or download a hardcopy from Council's website.

Council is offering free immunisation clinics throughout 2020. Clinics are held at the Corinda Bowls Club, 58 Hall Avenue, Corinda from 9-11am each Wednesday (excluding public holidays).

For more information, including immunisation fact sheets, visit the Council website here.

Chelmer St East, Chelmer is posted as 50km/h. The sign collected data for a 12 week period from 8 April to 27 June 2020. During this time 77,449 vehicles (av. 956 per day) passed through the portable speed sign zone.

13,131 or 17% of all drivers were recorded travelling above the posted speed limit. Of the vehicles speeding, 85% were travelling at or below 58km/h. When prompted, speeding drivers reduced their speeds by an average of 5km to 53km/h within the speed camera range.

Quarry Rd, Corinda is posted as 50km/h. The sign collected data for a 12 week period from 7 April to 27 June 2020. During this time 77,449 vehicles (av. 1,442 per day) passed through the portable speed sign zone.

7,608 or 6% of all drivers were recorded travelling above the posted speed limit. Of the vehicles speeding, 85% were travelling at or below 57km/h. When prompted, speeding drivers reduced their speeds by an average of 5km to 52km/h within the speed camera range.

Please slow down around the busy school and pedestrian hot spots!

Walter Taylor Bridge Works
Council is currently undertaking major maintenance works to the Walter Taylor Bridge which include replacement of bearings. Gaining access to the bearings will involve slightly lifting and lowering the bridge, and as such will require the bridge to be closed to traffic at these times.

The Bridge will be closed 4 and 5 November from 9pm to 5am.

Price St, Oxley Footpath Construction
A footpath on Price St requested by the school a few years ago has budget funding and construction will begin in the next few weeks.

Tree Works Laurel Ave, Chelmer
Preservation works for the heritage camphor laurel trees in Laurel Ave, Chelmer are due to begin on Monday 12 October with completion in December 2020. Works will take place between 7am and 5pm, Monday to Saturday.

Indooroopilly Riverwalk Works
Construction of the Indooroopilly Riverwalk has commenced, with works taking place Monday to Saturday, 7am to 5pm. Two barges have been installed along the river to support a large crane and drill rig for piling works. Residents and businesses may experience an increase in noise and low-level vibration during piling works, but Council will monitor noise and vibration levels to ensure they do not exceed reasonable limits. A temporary jetty has been built to offer access to the barges, and I am still pressuring Council to convert the temporary works pontoon into a permanent public pontoon at the end of construction.

As part of the Indooroopilly Riverwalk project, Council will upgrade the intersection at Foxton St and Radnor St, Indooroopilly. There is currently no access into Foxton St for traffic travelling westbound on Radnor St and vice versa. Alternative access is via Station Rd and Riverview Tce.

Centenary Bridge Maintenance Works
The State Government are due to commence joint replacement works on the Centenary Bridge from Monday 12 to Thursday 22 October. Works will take place from 7pm to 5am. Road users may experience minor delays due to single lane closures and pedestrian and bicycle access will be limited to one side of the bridge.