Hi everyone

The Lord Mayor made a rather unexpected and major announcement about the Walter Taylor Bridge this week. See the story below for further details and watch this space for more.

I hope to see you at the Sherwood Arboretum Easter Movie on the Park, Peter Rabbit,  on Saturday 27 March. Music and food (Lions BBQ) from 5.30pm and Movie from 7pm.

After the success of the COVID-19 lockdown footpath colouring comp, this year I have another colouring comp on the go. You can download the picture here for colouring in or bedazzling. There are great prizes to be won including a Bim Bam Boom voucher and Lick icecream vouchers.

Finally, my staff and I made a donation to Share the Dignity, a charity that provides feminine hygiene products to local women in need. Every month, 100,000 women and girls around Australia go without due to homelessness, poverty or domestic violence. This month you can donate boxes of tampons and pads outside Coles at Fairfield Gardens.

I hope you have a wonderful Easter Break with your family and friends. Be safe on the road if you are travelling.

Regards, Nicole.

Yesterday the Lord Mayor announced that Council would be undertaking a feasibility study into duplicating the Walter Taylor Bridge. Apparently this work started last October. I read about this announcement in the media as the Lord Mayor and Council did not have the courtesy to advise me, or you, about these plans.

There is no question the Walter Taylor Bridge, and Coonan St, is a nightmare particularly during school/uni terms. However, the issue of a 2nd Bridge has been unnecessarily politicised in my view. The starting point should be do we need a second crossing, what mode is best, if so, where should it go and how does it connect to the existing road network on the southern and northern side of the river?

Council has ignored all other suggestions I've made to date such as extending City Cats up river or allowing a trial of vehicles on the Eleanor Schonnel Bridge. The University of Queensland is major trip generator and there is an underutilised bridge from Dutton Park to St Lucia built by Council at great expense.

It also seems in the political gamesmanship going on that following Mark Bailey's request for a 2nd Bridge, the Lord Mayor has asked Mark Bailey to consider moving or "realignment" of the Indooroopilly Rail Station. Politics.

Good planning should not start with a presumption about the solution, as the Lord Mayor and Mark Bailey are doing. A presumption that could see traffic numbers skyrocket up Oxley Rd and Honour Ave, if it is easier for traffic from the south-western suburbs to access the inner City and CBD via Oxley Rd than alternatives like the Centenary Motorway or Ipswich Motorway. There is also the question of where traffic would go on the Indooroopilly side of the Bridge. Member for Ryan and former Councillor, Julian Simmonds, has publicly stated that it would be fed into Coonan St. This is mindboggling given the ban on right turns at Westminister St and the dysfunction of that intersection now. In their Masterplan for the Witton Army Barracks, Council describes the Lambert Rd intersection at the Station as a slow, shared zone and Indooroopilly residents are currently fighting to stop a new school in this area. I cannot imagine they will want thousands of vehicles a day streaming up Lambert Rd and Clarence Rd. I do not want to see Oxley Rd turn into Ipswich Rd a dangerous, noisy and congested road and divides the community.

I fear this will be a divisive issue in our community. There will of course be a wide variety of views. Let's remember it's our community and be respectful as this process unfolds. It is extraordinarily complex and has long term implications for the Oxley Rd Peninsula. It's not just a simple matter of another bridge for local users; we can't stop road users from elsewhere coming into our community to access it.

Once details about the feasibility study process and how the public can be involved are made available I will let you know. It's important that you speak up. I look forward to working with you on this issue over coming years.

Lucock Park, Oxley
Work is almost complete on the new children's playground at Lucock Park, Oxley to replace the extremely old one. The $120,000 upgrade includes new swings, new fort, agility equipment, see-saw, monkey bars and interactive toys for younger children. A big thank you to all the local families who contributed to the playground design! A shade sail is on the way.

Join me, for fruit, cupcakes and cordial, to celebrate the launch of the new playground on Saturday, 10 April from 10-11am at the playground.  Please drop by to check out the new play equipment and have a chat about any Council or local issues.

Sherwood Arboretum
It's all happening at the Arboretum! Riverside rehabilitation works, including shrub understory planting, have recently been completed. Further works underway include:

• installation of 32 nesting boxes and hollow log homes;
• new playground swings;
• maintenance of the viewing platform;
• fig tree trimming near the toilet facilities and paths for safe access;
• planting of an additional 3 native trees;
• weeding of the lakes (weeding of the islands to come);
• footpath replacement and upgrades;
• upgrades to the general and recycling bins; and
• maintenance to the Kauri Pines, including trimming around the commemorative tags and mulching. 

Image Credit: Louise Johnston, Friends of Sherwood Arboretum. Approximately 36 tonne of water hyacinth has been removed from the northern lake, and work has just begun on the southern lake.

Brisbane City Council Presents Bands in Parks: Live Music at QLD Tennis Centre

Following the success of the recent Bands in the Park event, Game, Set Swing, Brisbane City Council is continuing its creative partnership with the Tennis Centre through March, April and May. Upcoming concerts include:

• Saturday 27 March, 6-8pm, Tennis Centre, Twilight Jazz by the River Liam Conor & Co quartet perform a mix of Latin, Afro and Swing classics followed by Sunny Bank Brass and Izabella Cihajic performing the smooth swing standards of Michael Bublé.
• Saturday 17 April, 6-8pm, Tennis Centre, We'll Meet Again   wartime swing of Glen Miller and Duke Ellington by Windsor Brass.
• Saturday 22 May, 6-8pm, Tennis Centre, Love, Set, Match  pop music from the decades featuring Peter Vance and Rachael Pearse accompanied by Brass Roots Live.

Register via Eventbrite to meet COVID safe requirements. Entry is free with some seating provided and grassed areas available. Baseline Bar and Café is open to purchase for wine and food.

Guided Walks at Sherwood Arboretum
Sat 27 Mar, 9:30-11am
Sherwood Arboretum

The Volunteer Guides of Brisbane Botanic Gardens will be showcasing the Arboretum's wonderful collection of more than 1100 specimen trees during this free walk of about one hour. With the Arboretum looking its very best after welcome summer rain, this is certainly an excellent time to discover the stories behind some of Australia's native trees.

Please call Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mount Coot-tha on 3403 2535 from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm weekdays as bookings are essential for this relaxing walk which starts at the Jolimont Street car park.

If you can't make this month's walk, please remember you can book ahead with Brisbane Botanic Gardens for these popular guided walks to be held monthly at Sherwood Arboretum.

QUT Pathways to Politics for Women 2021 Applications Now Open

Do you know a woman who is interested in a career in politics? Applications are now open for the 2021 QUT Pathways to Politics for Women program. The program covers skills such as:

• understanding politics;
• articulating your personal leadership vision;
• developing resilience;
• building your base;
• speech writing;
• media training;
• understanding policy making; and
• campaigning.

Applicants must have completed an undergraduate or posgraduate degree from a Queensland University. Applications must be submitted online prior to 31 March, 2021.

I hope you will be able to make it to one of the following local ANZAC Day services on April 25 to honour the courage of our service men and women:

Yeronga Memorial Park Service - Stephens RSL Sub Branch

• 6:50am - Assemble outside Yeronga State School, Park Rd, Yeronga
• 7:00am - March off to Yeronga Memorial Park
• 7:30am - Service at Yeronga Memorial Park, Honour Ave, Yeronga

Graceville Memorial Park Service - Sherwood-Indooroopilly RSL Sub Branch

• 7:00am Assemble at cnr Appel St and Verney Rd E
• 7:15am March down Verney Rd E onto Oxley Rd to Graceville Memorial Park
• 7:30am - Service at Graceville War Memorial, Graceville Memorial Park, 173 Oxley Rd, Graceville

Tennyson Service - Pamphlett Tennyson Sea Scouts

• 8.30am - Service at Myla Tce Memorial, Tennyson (with special guests)

Dutton Park Service - Yeronga-Dutton Park RSL Sub Branch

• 8:25am - Assemble at Heffernan Park, Annerley Rd, Annerley
• 8:30am - March off to Gair Park
• 8:30am - Service at Gair Park, Gladstone Rd, Dutton Park

Council is offering free immunisation clinics throughout 2021. Clinics are held at the Corinda Bowls Club, 58 Hall Avenue, Corinda from 9-11am every second Friday (excluding public holidays). The next clinic is scheduled for March 26.

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

Council is offering free immunisation clinics throughout 2021. Clinics are held at the Corinda Bowls Club, 58 Hall Avenue, Corinda from 9-11am every second Friday (excluding public holidays). The next clinic is scheduled for March 26.

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

Oxley Rd, corinda is posted as 60km/h. The sign collected data for a 14 week period from 18 September to 26 December 2020. During this time 926,955 vehicles (av. 9,269 per day) passed through the portable speed sign zone.

79,072 or 8.5% of all drivers were recorded travelling above the posted speed limit. Of the vehicles speeding, 85% were travelling at or below 65km/h. When prompted, speeding drivers reduced their speeds by an average of 1km to 64km/h within the speed camera range.

Englefield Rd, Oxley is posted as 60km/h. The sign collected data for a 14 week period from 18 September to 26 December 2020. During this time 409,227 vehicles (av. 4,092 per day) passed through the portable speed sign zone.

18,163 or 4.4% of all drivers were recorded travelling above the posted speed limit. Of the vehicles speeding, 85% were travelling at or below 67km/h. When prompted, speeding drivers reduced their speeds by an average of 3km to 64km/h within the speed camera range.

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

Fairfield Library is getting smarter with new technology being installed to provide better services to our community.

The upgrade, commencing in March, includes SmartBlades, high tech shelves that automatically check in your book upon return. The old return counter will be removed and a new wi-fi reading and work nook established in the front window.   A new adult and children's Fastback display are being established to help improve access to popular new releases and the front counter and automated check-out are being relocate to improve access and functionality.   There will also be a new lick of paint and murals for the front walls to enhance the library's atmosphere. 

Ten years on from the Library's reopening after the floods this is a welcome upgrade. However, Council is still refusing to extend the Library opening days to Sunday and Monday. A few years ago the Lord Mayor said no to opening the Library seven days a week but I believe we should continue pushing for this valuable community hub to be open at least six days per week to better serve our community. Sign the petition and send a message to the Lord Mayor and City Hall that we love our local Library and want it open longer. 

In the coming weeks, Cross River Rail are conducting construction works at Yeronga Station which will require the closure of the southbound lanes of Fairfield Rd between Kadumba and Cardross Sts, Yeronga. Southbound lane closures will be in place over the following dates and times:

• 8pm Friday March 19 to 5am Saturday March 20
• 8pm Saturday 20 March until 5am Monday 22 March
• 8pm to 5am from Wednesday 31 March to Thursday 8 April

Two-way traffic along this section of Fairfield Rd will be maintained thorugh a contraflow arrangement with the northbound lanes. Access to Cowper and Devon Sts will be via Shottery St only (off Yeronga or Kadumba Sts), and access to Nelson and Cook Sts will be via Stevens St only (also off Yeronga St).

In addition to the road closure, there will also be a temporary closure of the Yeronga station commuter carpark between 6:30pm Friday 19 March and 2am Monday 22 March, and 8pm to 5am from 31 March until 8 April. 

Please keep an eye out for signage to direct you around the work areas and follow the directions of traffic control.

Jack Pesch Bridge Maintenance Works
Investigation works on the cable stays of the Jack Pesch Bridge will take place from Sunday, 7 March until late April 2021, between 9pm to 5am, Sunday to Friday. The Jack Pesch Bridge will be closed to pedetsrians and cyclists during this time.

Council Leased Facilities Maintenance Works
Maintenance works have been scheduled as part of the Community Facilities Preventative Maintenance Program at the following Council leased facilities sites:

• Oxley Sailing Club - roof and gutter clean; replace timber boards/decking; and repair downpipes.
• Graceville Normanby United Sports Club - replace dugout sheeting and frame; remove and replace shed sheeting; repair damaged skylights; replace rotting soffit trim; repair downpipes; minor fire and safety items; and repair rusting roof beams.

Tree Removals
24 Strickland Ave, Sherwood

• One Cassia siamea (Cassia Tree) has been inspected and was found to be in poor health and continually shedding branches
• Removal will occur by 30 May, 2021
• Replacement planting of one Flindersia Australis (Crows Ash) has been scheduled

34 Appel St, Chelmer

• Two dead Callistemon salignus (Bottle Brush) trees will be removed by 30 May, 2021
• Replacement planting of two tress of the same species has been scheduled

Energex Tree Removal requests
We have been notified by Energex about the following street tree removals due to their impacts on powerlines. I have questioned such a large number of removals, and I am following up with Energex, but apparently Council can't override their decision. If you believe any of these trees should be kept, please let me know.

• 8 Mereweather St, Corinda - 1x Liquid Amber 
• 24 Glenrich St, Corinda - 1x Palm (no room to replant)
• Cliveden Ave, Oxley near corner of Blackheath Rd - 1x Torelliana (no room to replant)
• 37 Alexander Rd, Oxley - 1x Melaleuca
• 37 Lawson St, Oxley - 2x Jacaranda
• 9 Dundas St, Oxley - 2x Melaleuca
• 28 Harraden St, Oxley - 1x Jacaranda
• 1 Vesta St, Oxley 3x Leopard
• 1155 Oxley Rd, Oxley - 1x Silky Oak (no room to replant)
• 38 St Clements Rd, Oxley - 1x Jacaranda
• 37 Enright St, Oxley - 2x Jacaranda

Replacement plantings of appropriate tree species will be conducted on the same sites following the tree removals.

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.