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Hi everyone

After three long weeks the Electoral Commission of Queensland finally declared the Brisbane City Council election on Friday night.  I was strongly returned with 73.44% of the two-party preferred vote (no.1 in Brisbane) and I want to thank you for putting your trust in me again as the Councillor for Tennyson Ward. I look forward to working with you over the next four years to support community life in our district and progress an important range of Council issues.

The city-wide result also saw a status quo result with the Lord Mayor and his team elected with the same number of seats, albeit quite a few of them are now very marginal.

Swearing in is being held by ZOOM on Wednesday at 10am, you can watch it online here  and whilst we have not been told yet, ordinary Council meetings will most likely commence the following Tuesday. They will be live streamed as usual, but the Committee and Council meetings will be held via ZOOM. I think it will be a bit unwieldly for such a large group but we've been told, not consulted, about what is happening.

I know it troubled a lot of people to have to vote and there were some significant shortcomings with the ECQ process. In the end though there hasn't been a spike in COVID-19, the participation rate was about 80% (it's usually about 85-90%) and there was a clear result. Our democracy is pretty robust it seems.

As you know community life has been extensively disrupted by COVID-19 and hearing the Premier's announcement yesterday of zero new cases on Sunday we are clearly heading in the right direction. I've included both a Council COVID-19 post and a post supporting our local businesses. Over the past few weeks many businesses have found innovative ways to keep going and many are doing it very tough or have closed. They really need our help so I look forward to your feedback, as outlined below. 

Regards, Nicole

P.S. Check out the fabulous winners of the #tennysonwardeasterart footpath chalk competition. WOW to everyone who participated and thank you for your creative and joyous contributions.

Due to the ban on large gatherings in response to COVID-19, all ANZAC Day services and marches across the city have been cancelled.

RSL Queensland have suggested the following as a means of honouring our Defence force at home this ANZAC Day:

"Instead of attending a large gathering, we are calling on all Australians to honour the service of our Defence forces, past and present, by standing at the end of their driveways or on a balcony for a minute's silence at 6am this ANZAC Day."

I encourage everyone to take this opportunity to recognise and honour our current and ex servicemen and women.

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I don't normally publish any religious material, as I know many people are not religious while many others come from different faiths. I hope you will indulge me for publishing this prayer from the long-standing chaplain of one of our local RSLs for ANZAC Day.

Father Bernard Thomas, Chaplain for the Yeronga/ Dutton Park RSL, has asked me to share the following message for ANZAC Day 2020:

"This day is being observed by the faithful in the unprecedented horror of
the pan-plague.
Sorrow, loss, fear, pain, caution and creative hope all mingle in our thoughts,
and in our prayers, too.. 
We commend  the sick, relatives, victims and the dying  to the One who
understands and who has suffered so that the candle of hope may remain
shining

As chaplain of the branch
I send my love, care and thoughts for you all.

God bless you, and keep you; may He make his face to shine upon you and
be gracious unto you, lift up the light of his countenance upon you, and grant you his peace.
And the Blessing of God Almighty,  +the Father, +the Son, +and the Holy Spirit,
be upon you, now and for ever. Amen."

COVID-19 Update

Council
Council libraries are closed until further notice. Library members can access resources online, including E-books and audiobooks. Membership is free. You can apply via Council's website.
Council's Active and Healthy programs are suspended.

Bus passengers (except those requiring assistance) must board from the rear door. Ferry and bus services are only accepting Go Cards no cash ticket sales.
Council pools are closed until further notice.

All kerbside collections have been cancelled. Tips remain open.

Council's outdoor gyms, skate parks, playgrounds, exercise equipment, basketball facilities, BMX tracks, dog parks and barbecues are closed until further notice. Parks remain open for those wishing to exercise, but please adhere to social distancing rules .

Pedestrain traffic signals in high demand areas are now automatically triggered. This means you do not have to press the button when wanting to cross the road.

Community
Vinnies Annerley Vice-president, Jim Lucey, wants to let people know that his group is still operating through the COVID-19 restrictions. "People in need can still ring the call centre on 1800 846 643 and we'll respond."
Food vouchers will be provided, but the clothing and furniture assistance is unavailable at this time.
If you would like to know more about the Annerley Vinnies Conference please ring:
Janet 0412634314 or Ian 0411179743

Southside Community Craft Circle  will not be meeting while Fairfield Library is closed, but if anyone would like to knit, crochet or sort out their stash at home they need vests, rugs, toys and 8 ply acrylic yarn. They will return once the Library re-opens.

State
QLD Care Army Hotline
1800 173 349
If you need help at home or want to volunteer.

QLD Health
13 43 25 84

With the election out of the way, my focus returns to pushing Council for safer solutions for local residents who use Ipswich Rd. Council has been too slow to act following recent deaths and I hope you will sign the e-petition below to help put pressure on Council to act. The lack of planning and investment for the southern suburbs transport infrastructure is wrong and must change.

Over the past five years there have been 95 recorded crashes, nine involving pedestrians in the survey area (Ipswich Rd between Annerley Rd and Cracknell Rd). Ipswich Rd is a well-known state-wide top five accident hot spot. Traffic volumes are forecast to almost double over the next 12 years. Still no action.

Council has undertaken a number of reviews, including Move Safe and a Pedestrian Road Safety Review but has not acted on the recommendations. Other promised reviews are being kept secret.

Sign the petition here  and help me force Council to work with our community to fix Ipswich Rd, Venner Rd and revitalise Annerley by:

• reducing the speed limit through Annerley Junction shopping precinct to 40kms;
• installing flashing school zone signage to protect JPSS children crossing the road;
• upgrading the intersection of Ipswich Rd, Venner Rd and Waterton St to include proper signalised turning lanes;
• undertaking a feasibility study for a tunnel bypass under Ipswich Rd to reclaim surface streets for local traffic movements, better public transport, cycling and pedestrian infrastructure;
• installing a green arrow or zebra crossing at the intersection of Ekibin Rd and Ipswich Rd;
• undertaking a Village Precinct Project in Annerley Junction to improve amenity, safety and build revitalise community spaces;
• building new footpath, lighting and cycling infrastructure to promote active travel;
• delivering better local bus services through Annerley;
• delivering the promised Venner Rd Freight Bypass to take trucks off Venner Rd; and
• delivering traffic calming solutions in Annerley side streets to discourage rat running.

Ipswich Rd divides our community and Council must take action before another life is lost.

Work on the new $108,000 Turley St, Fairfield playground is nearly completed, with just some finishing touches left. The new playground includes:

• a net fort with climbing and monkey bars;
• a little slide and a big enclosed slide;
• interactive panels for little people underneath;
• swings (baby, children's and basket); and
• shade sail and seating.

• a new agility fort;
• toddler play treehouse fort with multiple slides and interactive panels;
• baby, child and basket swings; and
• reuse of existing shade sail and play footprint.

Thank you for your feedback on Hefferan Park, Annerley. Community suggestions have been forwarded to Council and stage one of the works will commence in coming weeks. This will include new pathways and seating. Due to the cost of the project, stage two will commence after July in the new financial year. To see the concept plan, click here.

I know that a lot of local businesses are struggling at the moment, and so I will be publicising local businesses who have altered their operations in response to COVID-19 on my website and via this e-newsletter. I need to your help to compile a list of businesses located within Tennyson Ward so I can share their contact details and services. I know there are a lot at the moment. 

Please email my office at tennyson.ward@bcc.qld.gov.au and include your business name, phone number, a link to a website or facebook page and a description of the services you offer (no more than 25 words).

Council is offering free immunisation clinics throughout the first half of 2020. Clinics will be held at the Corinda Bowls Club, 58 Hall Avenue, Corinda from 9-11am each Wednesday with the final clinic on 24 June.

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

Late last year a development application was lodged for 776 Ipswich Rd, Annerley (A005376233) for a large supermarket and office. This is a site next to the leadlight shop across from Yeronga Memorial Park. At this early stage I have good news. Council has been very clear that it "does not support the proposal due to significant non-compliance with the strategic framework and the assessment benchmarks of Brisbane City Plan 2014". Their advice to the developer is that "the proposed uses, scale and nature of the development is inconsistent with the desired outcomes" for the site. 

Council has encouraged the developer to withdraw the application. It is currently on hold and hopefully the developer will comply. For more information about the DA, visit Council's PD online site here  and follow the prompts by entering either the application number or street address above.

QUU Watermain Replacement Works Annerley
QUU are carrying out works to replace sections of water mains along Young St, Annerley starting Monday 27 April, 2020. Works are scheduled Monday to Friday, 6am to 6pm and should take approximately three weeks, weather permitting. Occassional night works may be required.

Works may cause temporary water outages, and residents will be notified at least three days prior to any planned temporary disruption to water supply. Please check you letterbox daily if you live in this area. Works may also cause restrictions to on-street parking. QUU will have traffic management in place to ensure pedestrian and driver safety.

To facilitate these works, nine street trees from 30 to 46 Young St will be removed and replaced by QUU once the new water main has been installed. 

Road Resurfacing Works David St, Tennyson
Council is undertaking road resurfacing works on David St, Tennyson from 23 to 29 April, weather conditions permitting. Works will take place between 7am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. 

Council requests that residents do not park their vehicles within the work zone during construction hours. Any vehicles parked on the road when works are scheduled to occur will be relocated to facilitate the works.

Road Resurfacing Works Kadumba St, Yeronga
Council is undertaking road resurfacing works on the bus route along Kadumba St, Yeronga from 1 to 26 May, weather permitting.