In November the Queensland State Government Coordinator General signed off changes to the Cross River Rail project allowing 24 truck movements through Annerley and Fairfield. While this is an important project for the City, the changes will adversely impact on Annerley residents when the existing truck movement routes were working well. Previously all truck movements were via Ipswich Rd/O'Keefe St and the Busway. Under the project variation now all truck will entre via the intersection of Annerley Rd/Cornwall St/Kent St which has not safe crossing point for pedestrian, many children or cyclist. 

The Coordinator General has conditioned that Construction Management Plan to be signed off by Brisbane City Council, so it's more important than ever that you sign the petition here urging Council to ensure there is a safe crossing point between the Park and Rail Station. It's open until 24 December so please speak up to help make our community safer.

You can read more about the changes, Project Change 8 and a new variation to come Project Change 9 here. In addition to cut and cover tunnelling, rather than a tunnel boring machine (TBM) which will be noisy and dusty, the biggest problem is the proposal to allow trucks to enter Peter Doherty St rather than the current entrance via Boggo Rd, at Dutton Police Station. The State Government has already changed the road alignment for the High School works, and trucks queuing on the limited right turn lane from Annerley Rd into Peter Doherty St is unsafe and may cause further congestion. You can make a submission via the above link at any time prior to 5pm on 24 December, 2020. Please contact your Sate members Amy MacMahon  South.Brisbane@parliament.qld.gov.au and Mark Bailey miller@parliament.qld.gov.au to let them know about your concerns.

Festive decorations from yarn and fibre (Zoom)*
Wed 9 Dec, 6-6:45pm
Craft-along live with BrisStyle and Kate from My Aunty Anna, to learn how to create different types of pom-poms and tassels. From these we'll create soft sculptures that can decorate your home, your gifts and maybe even yourself!

Tea and Trivia (Zoom)*
Thu 10 Dec, 10:30-11:15am
Enjoy a morning of fun, making friends and testing your general knowledge.

Festive papercraft ornaments and holiday decorations (Zoom)*
Thu 10 Dec, 6-6:45pm
Craft-along live with BrisStyle and Kate from My Aunty Anna, who will show you some simple techniques to turn strips of upcycled paper into beautiful festive decorations!

Food for Summer Celebrations (Zoom)*
Fri 11 Dec, 11am-12:30pm
ABC Radio food presenter Alison Alexander will guide you through fresh ideas for gift giving, including pre-prepared dishes inspired by our sub-tropical climate that will impress family and friends, featuring some sweet treats. Participants will receive a collection of great recipes to try at home.

Morag Gamble - Organising a permaculture eco-Christmas (Zoom)*
Sun 13 Dec, 11am-12pm
Join Morag Gamble from Our Permaculture Life to explore ways to create your beautifully simple, home-grown, low-waste celebration this Festive season that contributes to the regeneration of the planet and supports communities in need.

Online Event: Craft for the Holidays*
Wed 16 Dec, 1-2pm
Make a wreath using your handprint with two tone colours. Call Fairfield Library on 3403 8615 for more details.

Christmas Tea and Trivia (Zoom)*
Fri 18 Dec, 10-10:40am
Enjoy a morning of fun and test your Christmas knowledge with trivia questions.

Family and Kids Online Library Events

Dance with JD Humanoid Robot (Zoom)*
Sat 12 Dec, 2-2:30pm
Mon 14 Dec, 10:30-11am
Be amazed as JD shares life-like gestures, cool dance moves and fun robot jokes. Ideal for all children aged up to 12 years.

Street Science: Kitchen chemistry - Colour (Zoom)*
Fri 11 Dec, 10-11am
Investigate colour as you explore the science of chromatography, and use the colours contained in some of your favourite sweets to create a mesmerising rainbow. Along the way, you will create not one, but two beautiful artworks.  Ideal for children aged 5-12 years.

Koala haiku writing and drawing workshop (Zoom)*
Fri 11 Dec, 2-3pm
Children will learn all about cute and cuddly koalas in this wonderful session with award-winning author, Aleesah Darlison. Participants will be able to share their knowledge and experiences with koalas, discuss the threats facing koalas, and learn how we can help preserve their habitats. Aleesah will then read her stunning and informative picture book, Mama & Hug, before teaching participants how to write a Koala haiku. Children will also draw a koala then present their work to the group. Ideal for children aged 7-12 years.

Poetry Gifts (Zoom)*
Mon 14 Dec, 2-3pm
Wed 23 Dec, 10-11am
Join in and create a gift or two using poetry with author and poet Michelle Taylor. You will have the chance to choose some poems, create some of your own then transfer these to stencilled outlines to decorate. Your poetry gifts will be ready to give to someone special or to display in your home! Ideal for children aged 8-12 years.

Living things - seeds (Zoom)*
Wed 16 Dec, 2-3pm
Investigate the needs of living things as you investigate features of plants and seeds and explore the changes they undertake as they grow. Along the way you will create your very own grass head and discover the best way to keep your new little pal healthy and growing well. You will also combine materials to form seed bombs this might be the beginning of your very own garden. A list of common household materials will be sent to you a week prior to the online event so you can be prepared and organised ahead of time. Ideal for children aged 5-12 years.

Christmas in Literature (Zoom)*
Thu 17 Dec, 11am-12pm
Celebrate the season with this literary event. Explore the origins of Christmas traditions from Yule Logs to Christmas carols and look at how many cultures and Literary works have shaped how we celebrate today. Then take part in a light-hearted quiz to kick off the holiday season.

Kids creative writing workshop with Lucy Nelson (Zoom)*
Fri 18 Dec, 10-11am
Fri 18 Dec, 12-1pm
Fri 18 Dec, 2-3pm
During this fun and interactive online workshop, children will take part in a series of short writing activities using observation, imagination and description. Designed to build creativity and confidence, this workshop is a safe and respectful space where self-expression is encouraged. Ideal for children aged 9-12 years.

Author Talk: Maxi Lifeguard (Zoom)*
Mon 21 Dec, 10-11am
Join lifeguard and author Trent "Maxi" Maxwell as he discusses how his own story has influenced his Maxi the Lifeguard series as well as sharing some important tips on water safety, the importance of setting goals and being persistent when things don't go to plan. Ideal for children aged 6-12 years.

Where's Spot? storytime (Zoom)*
Mon 21 Dec, 11-11:30am
Join us for stories and craft as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Eric Hill's Where's Spot?, featuring everyone's favourite puppy, the lovable Spot. Ideal for children aged one year and older.

Christmas storytime and maker space (Zoom)*
Tue 22 Dec, 12-1pm
Thu 24 Dec, 10:30-11:15am
Join us online for a special Christmas storytime. Ideal for children 4-11 years.

Christmas storytime with JD Humanoid Robot (Zoom)*
Thu 17 Dec, 11-11:30am
Tue 22 Dec, 2-2:30pm
Thu 24 Dec, 11:30am-12pm

Community Connection and Belonging Project

The Community Connection & Belonging Project is a new initiative in Annerley and surrounding suburbs, which aims to link community members through social connection. You are invited to make a difference in your community, by volunteering to connect with people experiencing housing insecurity, homelessness and social isolation. 

You can help by:

• Attending a Community Meal or helping to make the meal.
• Offering companionship & share common interests with other community members. 
• Offering to assist people fill out forms & make phone calls/emails.
• Connecting us with others who may be interested in getting involved. 

The project will offer ongoing training & support and you can offer as little as 2 hours of your time per month or you can make a larger commitment depending on your availability.

If you would like to discuss how you can get involved, or learn more about the Community Connection and Belonging Project please email communityconnection@annerleybaptist.org.au or call 0428 960 676.

The Community Connection and Belonging Project is a partnership between Annerley Baptist Church and Community Plus+ and is proudly supported by Brisbane City Council.

Villa St, Yeronga is posted as 40km/h. The sign collected data for an 8 week period from 2 July 2020 to 30 August 2020. During this time 75,040 vehicles (av. 1,250 per day) passed through the portable speed sign zone.

42,074 or 56.1% of all drivers were recorded travelling above the posted speed limit. Of the vehicles speeding, 85% were travelling at or below 54km/h. When prompted, speeding drivers reduced their speeds by an average of 7km to 47km/h within the speed camera range.

Quarry Rd, Corinda is posted as 50km/h. The sign collected data for an 8 week period from 2 July 2020 to 30 August 2020. During this time 108,123 vehicles (av. 1,802 per day) passed through the portable speed sign zone.

7,430 or 6.9% 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 6km to 51km/h within the speed camera range.

Walter Taylor Bridge Works
Council is currently undertaking major maintenance works to the Walter Taylor Bridge which include replacement of bearings. 

Ponsonby St, Annerley Nightworks
Council are undertaking nightworks as part of the Ipswich Rd and Ponsonby St Black Spot Project. Works are scheduled from Sunday to Thursday, 7pm to 5am.

Upcoming asphalt and line marking nightworks between Monday 14 Dec and Friday 19 Dec will involve increased lighting and noise from machinery, low levels of vibration and odour and temporary lane closures with traffic control in place. Impacted residents have been notified.

Footpath Works
Footpath replacement works on Bannerman and Colwel Sts, Oxley are scheduled to commence on Monday 14 December. Work will take place Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm, and will be completed mid-January, weather permitting.

Council ask that you please do not park your vehicle in the work zone during construction hours.  

Road Resurfacing Works
Last week Council completed road resurfacing works in Erinvale St, Corinda.

Tree Plantings and Removals
Council removed a Flame tree from outside the PUMA Service Station on Oxley Rd, Graceville after it was hit by a vehicle. Replacement planting into the ward will be completed in the coming weeks.

Cross River Rail
Cross River Rail construction work continues at Fairfield and Yeronga stations. Works are scheduled in the following locations throughout December:

• Fairfield Rd and Dublin St, Yeronga - 8pm to 5am, Monday 7 Dec to Thursday 17 Dec. This will involve temporary closure of the southbound slow lane on Fairfield Rd, Yeronga;
• Dublin St, Yeronga - 6:30am to 6:30pm, Monday 7 Dec to Thursday 17 Dec;
• Yeronga Station - between 2am, Saturday 19 Dec and 2am Monday 21 Dec; and
• Fairfield Station - 5am to 6pm, Saturday 19 Dec to Sunday 20 Dec. This will involve a single lane closure on Equity St, Fairfield, but traffic control will be in place.