It's wonderful that so many events are back on both locally and around Brisbane. It's Fete season and most schools are having an event this year, so check out your local school. Significantly, it is Yeronga State School's 150th anniversary this year. That's three schools in the ward (Sherwood, 153 and Oxley, 151) that are some of the oldest in the State. I hope you can get along to Yeronga State School's Fete on 22 May from 10am or purchase a commemorative book which is a wonderful reflection of the people who have helped build and educate Yeronga. The special assembly, speeches by distinguished past students and teachers and dedicated tree planting by the oldest former and current youngest students of the School earlier this year, pictured, was a marvellous glimpse of the School's contribution to education and achievement in the district. 

If you are looking for something new to do this weekend, Botanica, a creative contemporary art exhibition in the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens is now on from 7-16 May between 5-10pm daily. The exhibition features large-scale lighting and projections, installations and interactive artworks for adults and children. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings during the event you can also enjoy music, food trucks and an outdoor bar.

Regards, Nicole.

I am pleased to say our persistence as a local community has finally resulted in a speed reduction along Ipswich Rd, Annerley, to improve safety for pedestrians and motorists. Thank you to everyone who signed the petition to support this important safety change.
Following a review by the Joint (State and Council) Speed limit Review Panel the speed limit along Ipswich Rd between O'Keefe St and Cracknell Rd was reduced from 60km to 50km permanently. The new speed limit was installed in March, so please look out for the signage changes and slow down. This is a really good step forward given the high number of crashes, near misses and two pedestrian deaths in recent years.

However, the speed limit reduction does not extend south as far as Longueval St, with many children from Yeronga SS, Yeronga SHS and Yeronga Kindy crossing at either School Rd or Longueval St. You can help keep our community safe by signing the e-petition created by Yeronga SS parents. Hard copies of the petition are available from my office.

I am still pushing for Council to take action on other items in my 10 point plan for road safety along Ipswich Rd. This includes a major intersection upgrade with fully signalised turning lanes at the intersection of Venner Rd, Waterton St and Ipswich Rd.

Yeronga Memorial Park Dog Park

Lighting upgrades have now been completed in the small and large dog parks at Yeronga Memorial Park. This is great news for dog owners coming into winter with shorter days ahead. Work is due to commence this month on the new small dog park and lighting upgrade at Hyde Rd Puppy Park, Yeronga.

Brisbane Bridge Club Shed Upgrade, Yeronga Memorial Park

Council has secured a $200,000 Federal grant to upgrade the heritage listed Brisbane Bridge Centre shed in Yeronga Memorial Park. Works will include roof, door and window upgrades; slab repairs; a new power supply and the installation of a termite management system.

I have received a number of requests for a half basketball court in Yeronga West. The closest basketball courts are located at Norm Rose Park, Fairfield and Yeronga Memorial Park, and both are full-sized courts.

Given the demand for a half basketball court in West Yeronga, I am seeking feedback on preferred locations. I am taking into consideration the noise impacts that a basketball court can have on nearby residents. Options I am considering include Orient Rd Park, Brisbane Corso Reserve, Goodwin Park and Hyde Rd Park.

Complete the online survey and have your say. Alternatively, you can contact my office on 3403 8605 or email tennyson.ward@bcc.qld.gov.au to submit your feedback.

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 April and May. Upcoming concerts include:

• 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.

Kurilpa Joey Scouts is back!

We are very excited to advise that Kurilpa's Joey Scout section is operating again, with two leaders and space for up to 7 boys and girls aged between 5 and 7 years old.
Our Joeys meet on Wednesday evenings at 5:30pm before Cub Scouts.
If you know of anyone interested in joining, they can get in touch by emailing joinus@kurilpa.scoutsqld.com.au

Our Lady's College, Annerley Open Day

Our Lady's College in Annerley is holding their Open Day on Saturday May 15, 10am-1pm. Enjoy student-led tours, fun activities, a free sausage sizzle and more. They look forward to welcoming you! Book here: https://bit.ly/3qAfOd0

Probus Club of Yeronga

Probus Club of Yeronga invite you to visit us at Yeronga Service & Community Club Inc,
Cnr Fairfield Rd., & Kadumba St., Yeronga. Qld. 4104. Australia.

Our Probus Club is for active members of the community who are retired or no longer working full time. Its purpose is to advance intellectual and cultural interests among adults, to provide regular opportunities to progress healthy minds and active bodies through social interaction and activities.

The Yeronga Club is a combined club which meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 10am (until approximately 12pm) at the Yeronga Service & Community Club Inc (RSL). It is conveniently situated and has ample free off street car parking.

Apart from the monthly meeting a variety of outings, trips, lunches and activities are available. These are popular and well attended and offer the opportunity to mingle with club members while enjoying these activities.
         
For information ring Maureen on 3848 8321 or 0419 150 568.

Anywhere Festival 2021

Anywhere Festival is back in 2021 with a huge program of 600 performances over 80 productions in Brisbane in nooks and crannies from suburban warehouses, heritage homes, backyards, reservoirs, gyms and much more.

Music, circus, cabaret, theatre, comedy, magic, dance, art installations, virtual reality, immersive shows. All performances anywhere but where you expect to find them from 6-23 May.

There are a number of performances within the Tennyson Ward. Visit the Anywhere Festival website to view the full programme and book your tickets.

Council are collecting donations of non-perishable food items and toiletries such as face washers, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo and deodorant for those who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, in our community. You can drop off donations to my office at Fairfield Gardens until Friday, 14 May.

The 2021 Homeless Connect will be held on 20 May, 2021 at the Brisbane Showgrounds. The event provides free services to people experiencing homelessness, or those at risk of homelessness, and has helped more than 17,920 people since it began in 2006. 

Kadumba St, Yeronga is posted as 50km/h. The sign collected data for a 14 week period from 17 September to 25 December 2020. During this time 312,836 vehicles (av. 3,128 per day) passed through the portable speed sign zone.

101,755 or 32.5% 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 2km to 56km/h within the speed camera range.

Villa St, Yeronga is posted as 40km/h. The sign collected data for 2 week period from 8 to 24 December 2020. During this time 20,372 vehicles (av. 1,198 per day) passed through the portable speed sign zone.

14,778 or 72.5% 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 4km to 53km/h within the speed camera range.

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

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 May 21.

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

Bus Stop Accessibility Improvement Programme Upgrades
Council will be upgrading bus stop 29, Green St at Biarra St, Yeerongpilly over the coming months. Works include:

• upgrading bus stop boarding area;
• constructing new concrete slab;
• relocating j-pole;
• installing new tactile ground surface indicators;
• installing new bus zone signs; and
• trimming surrounding vegetation.

Works will take place from 7am-5pm, Monday to Saturday.

Road Resurfacing Varley St, Yeerongpilly
Road resurfacing works in Varley St, Yeerongpilly from Tennyson Memroial Ave to Palomar Rd are due to commence on 20 May. Works are scheduled for completion by 30 May, weather permitting.

Footpath Reconstruction Cornwall St, Annerley
Footpath reconstruction works are due to commence on 17 May in Cornwall St, Annerley. Works are scheduled for completion by 31 May, weather permitting.

Tree Trimming Yeronga Memorial Park
Council are undertaking tree trimming works in Yeronga Memorial Park as part of tree risk management. Trees with a blue dot will be trimmed and works will be completed by 30 June 2021.

Cross River Rail
A single lane closure on Mildmay St, Fairfield between Southall St and Ashby St will be in place from 2am Sat 29 May until 2am Monday 31 May to facilitate works at Fairfield Station. Traffic control will be in place. 

Intermittent single lane closures will be in place on Fairfield Rd southbound at Yeerongpilly from Monday to Saturday, 7pm to 5am for the duration of May. Intermittent closures will also be in place Monday to Saturday, 5am to 6:30am to facilitate deliveries of building materials to the work site at Moorooka station and Clapham Yard.

A temporary scaffold pedestrian overpass will be installed this month at Yeronga station and the existing overpass will be closed to pedestrians.

Yeronga Station is closed until late November 2021 to facilitate station upgrade works. A new bus route (109 StationLink) is replacing the train during this time. Five temporary bus stops have been installed between Moorooka and Boggo Rd Stations, including one at Fairfield Rd, Yeerongpilly; one on Wilkie St, Yeerongpilly; and two on Fairfield Rd, Yeronga.