Hi everyone

Several Council grants are now open for local community groups. Up to $200,000 for community facility improvements and $10,000 for community safety improvements for community premises. I know many groups are applying but don’t miss out! Click here for more details. Please let me know if I can help with a letter of support.

There are a great range of school holiday activities on locally over the next few weeks - check out all the details below.

Finally, don’t forget that Walter Taylor Bridge will be closed between 9pm 13 September and 5am 30 September for maintenance works. I know this a nightmare for people, me included, who rely on the Bridge and I suspect it will have significant and unexpected knock-on impacts. Please allow extra travel time. I am sorry Council did not agree to keep some Bridge access or move the maintenance works to January.    

Regards, Nicole.

Ps. Don't forget there is free green waste tipping at Willawong this weekend. Head to the tip at 360 Sherbrooke Rd, Willawong. There's also great recycling options at the tip for a whole range of materials that can't go in the wheelie bin.

The full closure of the Walter Taylor Bridge commences 9pm Friday 13 September to 5am Monday 30 September. The Bridge closure is going ahead with some minor changes to the temporary arrangements for bus services.

At least now bus diversions for the 598/599, 105, 106, 108 will be diverted to Graceville Rail Station which has a lift. However, depending on the route, which is unclear, I hope the drivers don’t crash into the Long St E low rail bridge.

As you know, I wrote to the CEO of Council with my concerns around the closure and the inadequate detour, emergency and bus arrangements put in place. The CEO has responded by saying the Bridge closure will go ahead and emergency vehicles will use the Jack Pesch Bridge in addition to cyclists and pedestrians. They also feel their communication has been adequate, despite the fact that they acknowledge that they have been in planning for several months with State Government agencies.

In horrific news, the State has now announced rail shut downs during this period on the Beenleigh line (and others), and reduced timetables on the Ipswich and Springfield lines. The Gold Coast line will divert via the Ipswich line.

It is unbelievable that while Council closes the Bridge, Queensland Rail cuts and reduces the trains. That does not seem like good “planning” to me.

Over the past few weeks, I have moved two motions at Council; one, to maintain partial access to the Bridge and two, to reschedule the closure to the quieter January period. Both of these motions were voted down by the Lord Mayor and his team who control the majority at Council. I know that maintenance works to the Bridge are critical, but it is how you schedule them, how you plan for them and how you communicate them that is where Council has let our community down.

I think we should prepare for two weeks of road, rail and bus disruptions on a scale not been seen for 30 years. As a local resident, I know this is going to be massively disruptive and chaotic. Sadly, Council is not listening and has failed to engage in reasonable communication and consultation with residents.

Great news, upgrades are on the way for several local sport fields as part of Council’s Sports Field Improvement Programme. Works are scheduled to take place from September 2024 until April 2025, weather and site conditions permitting. These upgrades will make it much safer for our young people playing sport on ovals around the Ward.

The following sport fields will receive weed treatment, aeration and application of wetting agent and fertiliser to improve condition and turf coverage:

• Chelmer Recreation Reserve, Chelmer
• Dunlop Park, Corinda
• Faulkner Park, Graceville
• Fehlberg Park, Yeronga
• Goodwin Park, Cansdale
• Graceville Avenue Park, Graceville
• Graceville Memorial Park, Graceville
• Hyde Road Park, Yeronga
• J.F O’Grady Memorial Park, Fairfield
• Leyshon Park, Yeronga
• Gordon Thomson Park, Chelmer
• Yeronga Memorial Park, Yeronga

School holidays are here! Get the kids out of the house and into some fun free and low cost activities at a Council library or park near you.

*denotes booking required

 Freestyle Scooter Clinic
J.F. O'Grady Memorial Park, Fairfield
Mon 16 Sep, 10-11am
Mon 16 Sep, 11am-12pm
Learn new skills on your Scooter that will help you ride skate parks safely and have more fun! Suitable for young people 4-17 years.

Make and Create for Kids
Annerley Library
Mon 16 Sep, 11am-1pm
Tue 17 Sep, 11am-1pm
Fri 20 Sep, 11am-1pm
Mon 23 Sep, 11am-1pm
Tue 24 Sep, 11am-1pm
Fri 27 Sep, 11am-1pm
Free art and craft activities. Ideal for children aged 3-8 years.

Make and Create for Kids
Fairfield Library
Tue 17 Sep, 11am-12pm
Free art and craft activities. Ideal for children aged 4-12 years.

Introducing Osmo*
Annerley Library
Tue 17 Sep, 11am-12pm
Discover an educational gaming system that merges tactile exploration with innovative iPad technology, actively engaging children in the learning process. Ideal for children aged 5-12 years.
To book phone 3403 1735.

Fun Soccer for 5-8 Years*
Gordon Thomson Park, Chelmer
Tue 17 Sep, 2:30-3:30pm
Improve your skills and enjoy some team activities. No playing experience required. Suitable for young people 5-8 years.
To book phone 3447 6333.

Fun Soccer for 9-12 Years*
Gordon Thomson Park, Chelmer
Tue 17 Sep, 3:35-4:35pm
Improve your skills and enjoy some team activities. No playing experience required. Suitable for young people 9-12 years.
To book phone 3447 6333.

Woodworking in the Park - Mini Towns*
Ken Fletcher Park, Tennyson
Wed 18 Sep, 9:30-10:30am
Sherwood Arboretum
Tue 24 Sep, 9:30-10:30am
Build a mini wooden town complete with buildings, trees and vehicles. Kids will love this opportunity to get hands-on using real tools safely to build and then decorate their own mini wooden city-scape. Suitable for young people 4-14 years. Cost $6.
To book phone 0435110866.

GOLD'n'Kids Fun Soccer for Kids*
Yeronga Memorial Park
Thu 19 Sep, 9:30-10:30am
Watch the kids take part in fun soccer activities and games. Seniors are welcome to join in the low-impact activities if they wish or cheer from the sidelines. Suitable for seniors and children 4-7 years.
To book phone 1800 446 437.

STEAM Afternoon*
Corinda Library
Thu 19 Sep, 3:30-4:30pm
Games and activities exploring science, technology, reading and art. Ideal for children aged 7-12 years.
To book phone 3407 7701.

Make and Create for Kids
Corinda Library
Sat 21 Sep, 1-3pm
Thu 26 Sep, 1-3pm
Get creative with free art and craft activities. Ideal for children aged 4-12 years and their carers.

Simple Flower Crowns*
Fairfield Library
Sat 21 Sep, 1:30-3pm
Make your very own flower crown with Linda Brennan from Ecobotanica. Ideal for children aged 10-15 years.
To book phone 3403 8615.

Meet Intelino, the Interactive Smart Train*
Annerley Library
Tue 24 Sep, 11am-12pm
Jump onboard Intelino, our innovative smart train! Enjoy this interactive event where you can program an Intelino train to navigate fun coding challenges. Ideal for children aged 5-8 years.
To book phone 3403 1735.

Kids Book Chat: Dog Man*
Fairfield Library
Tue 24 Sep, 2-3pm
Enjoy a fun and engaging book chat looking at some of your favourite book series with activities and games. Read Dog Man by Dav Pilkey. Ideal for primary school aged children. Ideal for children aged 5-12 years.
To book phone 3403 8615.

Sensory Friendly: Junior STEAM*
Fairfield Library
Wed 25 Sep, 2:30-3:30pm
Fri 27 Sep, 2:30-3:30pm
Fun tactile and digital activities designed to relax and inspire. Ideal for children aged 5-9 years who are neurodivergent or experience sensory sensitivity or sensory overload.
To book phone 3403 8615.

GOLD'n'Kids Passport Adventure*
Graceville Riverside Parklands
Fri 27 Sep, 10am-12pm
Come and join in the fun of this adventure walk. Work together as a team to find all the special locations, then get them stamped in your passport. Siblings under 3 years of age are welcome to attend for free.
To book phone 0411 246 487.

Oxley QCWA Learn to Crochet for International Crochet Day
Sat 14 September
Oxley QCWA Hall, Cawonga Park, Oxley

Email oxleybranch@qcwa.org.au to book.

Join us to celebrate International Crochet Day and learn to crochet either:

1. Granny square for $10 - Beginners
2pm 2 spots available - 3pm sold out: or
2. Hanging 5 x hand towel places, up to 10 scrunchie or make up
remover for $15 - more experienced crocheters (Please note - you don't have to be a master- if you can do a granny square you can do this one)

All materials including wool, crochet hook included!
Devonshire afternoon tea of scones, jam and cream and tea or coffee served.

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

Council is continuing its creative partnership with the Tennis Centre throughout 2024. Don't miss the FREE concerts coming up this year:

• Saturday 21 September, 6-8pm, QLD Tennis Centre, Serving Up Some Swing UQ Big Band perform sublime jazz standards.

Entry is free, however, bookings are required via Eventbrite. Some seating provided and grassed areas available. Baseline Bar and Café is open for purchasing wine and food. No BYO.

Urban Utilities

Good news, UU is starting investigation and planning for replacement of the damaged sewer pipes in Cactoblastis Corner, Sherwood. Machinery will be onsite from Monday 30 September 2024 for up to five days for technical testing for the new pipe.  Works will take place between 6am and 6pm, Monday to Friday

Elsewhere in the Ward, recovery works for the UU pump station off Blackheath Rd, Corinda are scheduled from 13 September to 7 October, weather permitting. Works include installation of a new power pole and electrical switchboard and will improve the pump station's flood resilience.

Street Lighting Upgrades

The following Energex streetlight upgrade works have been scheduled for completion by the end of November 2024:

• 1 x new light will be attached to pole 5515, located between Collins St and Martindale St, Corinda;

• 1 x new light will be attached to pole 5026 at 79 Clara St, Corinda;

• 1 x new light will be attached to pole 7031 on the corner of Clara St and Nelson St, Corinda;

• 1 x additional floodlight will be attached to pole P42485-B immediately south of the rail bridge at Park Rd, Yeronga;

• 1 x new light will be attached to the existing pole in Cowper St, Yeronga; and

• 1 x existing light  will be upgraded to LED in Cowper St, Yeronga.

Bus Stop Upgrade Works Cornwall St, Annerley

Works are underway to upgrade the bus stop on Cornwall St, Annerley opposite Rusk St. Works include:

• extension of the bus zone line marking;
• relocation of the bus stop signage;
• installation of new concrete paths and tactile indicators; and
• removal of some motorbike parking to facilitate the extension.

Works will take place between 8pm and 5am and are scheduled for completion by mid-September, weather permitting.

Kerb and Channel Works

Kerb and channel replacement works are scheduled this week for 22-24 Fairfield St, Annerley. Works will include replacement of the existing damaged kerb and channel and replacement of turf and asphalt as required.

Works will take place between 7am and 4pm and are due for completion on Friday 13 September, weather permitting.

Tree Removals

The following tree removal works have been scheduled in the Tennyson Ward:

• 2 x Tuckeroo trees (Cupaniopsis anacardioides) will be removed from 41 Walker St, Corinda by November 2024 due to poor health.
• 4 x dead Bottlebrush trees will be removed from 15, 19, 20 and 21 Skew St, Sherwood by September 2024.
• 3 x dead Yellow Flamed trees (Peltophorum pterocarpum) will be removed from 23 Collins St, Corinda by September 2024.
• 1 x Poinciana tree  (Delonix regia) will be removed from 75 Hilda St, Corinda by September 2024 due to a large structural crack.
• 1 x Poinciana tree (Delonix regia) will be removed from 49 White St, Graceville by September 2024 due to poor health.
• 1 x Black Tea tree will be removed from George Scarlett Park, Corinda by November 2024 due to poor health.
• 1 x Bottlebrush tree will be removed from 48 Austral Ave, Graceville by October 2024 due to poor health. Note replacement planting will take place elsewhere in the Ward due to the location being unsuitable for a street tree.
• 1 x Jacaranda tree will be removed from Horace Window Reserve, Corinda by November 2024  due to excessive lateral weight.
• 1 x  dead Leopardwood tree will be removed from 103 Hyde Rd, Yeronga by November 2024.
• 4 x Spotted Gum trees will be removed from Hyde Rd Park, Yeronga by November 2024 due to two of the trees being dead and two being in poor health. Note replacement planting will take place elsewhere in the Ward due to the location being unsuitable for planting.

Replacement plantings will take place at the locations of the tree removals unless otherwise stated.

Cross River Rail Update

Track closures and timetable changes will be in place across the rail network from  Saturday 14 to Sunday 29 September to facilitate Cross River Rail works.

Visit the Translink website for further information regarding changes.