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Hi Everyone

Well done to everyone doing their bit to stop the spread of COVID-19. Thanks to your efforts Council is now allowed to begin reopening park and community facilities. Last week it was dog parks, and this Saturday it's playgrounds, park facilities and libraries for pick up and drop off.  Full details about what's now open are noted below. It is really important that we still maintain our 1.5m social distance while out having fun in the community and keep up hand washing. 

Over the past year there has been a serious problem with the Council mowing contractors for our areas, particularly in the riverside parks and along roadsides and drains. It is an issue I have been raising with senior Council officers for months both onsite and through repeated follow ups. The river is an asset to our community and it shocking that in most riverside parks you can barely see it over the 2m high grass. These areas require specialist mowing equipment so it can be done safely but Council has only employed contractors to do easy ride on mowing.  It's not good enough. I recently took the new Chair of City Standards, Cr Marx, around the ward to show her the problems as well.  I hope to see some action from the Administration. This is something I'm pushing with Council as, like you, I've been on foot around our community and am quite shocked to see the poor mowing and standard. If there is a problem in your street or local Park please let me know ASAP.

Regards, Nicole.

As part of the Fairfield Rail Station Upgrade Project, I made a submission and met with the team undertaking the project to raise a number of issues, particularly in relation to pedestrian and cycling access to the Station. Whilst the project is a good one, and the State Government is to be commended for providing universal access to the Station, it's not great if it's unsafe for local residents to access the station.

The Sate Government has said no to new zebra crossings on either side of the Station across Mildmay St, Fairfield to the shops and Equity St, Annerley. It is new pedestrian ramps only.  There will be a new concrete footpath along the station side of Equity St, Annerley and bike racks will now be installed on the Mildmay St side of the station as well as the Equity St side. Lighting and CCTV will be within the rail corridor and at the station entry/exit points. Landscaping will include native trees. The lack of a safe crossing point on both sides of the new station is so short-sighted in my view. I will keep pushing Council for action though once the project is completed.

Works are due to commence in June.

 

Council

There's some exciting news for the upcoming weekend. As of 16 May, Brisbane City Council is re-opening all outdoor gyms, skate parks, playgrounds, exercise equipment, basketball facilities, BMX tracks and barbecues. All  dog parks are already open.

Community halls are re-opening on 16 May with a limit of 10 people.

Council libraries will also re-open on 16 May for pick-up and drop-off only. Library members can also 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.

From 7am Monday 18 May on-street parking meters will operate as normal.

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.

The kerbside collection that was scheduled for June has been cancelled. Tips remain open.

Pedestrian 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.

State

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

QLD Health
13 43 25 84

There's some good news for those of you with little ones eager to get out of the house. Not only are playgrounds re-opening this weekend, but there are some wonderful new playground facilities in the Tennyson Ward for you to enjoy.  

The new $108,000 Turley St, Fairfield playground is complete and 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.

The $105,000 upgrade Rowlinson Park, Yeronga is also complete, and includes:

• 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.

I am so glad that you will be able to enjoy these playgrounds so soon. Please remember to keep your 1.5m and maintain safe hygiene practices.

Hefferan Park, Annerley
Stage one of the works for Hefferan Park, Annerley are due to commence mid-June and 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.

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.

Over the coming months Council will commence additional street tree plantings throughout Yeronga in the following streets:

• Astolat St, Yeronga
• Dalton St, Yeronga
• Everseley Tce, Yeronga
• Grounds St, Yeronga
• Hyde Rd, Yeronga
• Instow St, Yeronga
• Kadumba St, Yeronga
• Kingsley Pde, Yeronga
• Rhyndarra St, Yeronga
• Rome St North, Yeronga
• Seidler St, Yeronga
• Utzon St, Yeronga
• Douglas St, Yeronga
• Ellesmere St, Yeronga
• Lily Ave, Yeronga
• Violet St, Yeronga

Oncemore I would like to stress that the tree plantings are completely optional. Please contact my office if you object to a tree being planted on your street frontage.

Live Stream: Photography for Your Business Seminar
Fri 15 May 2020, 10am to 12pm
Please note that this talk will be presented live via Zoom.
Join Rachel Kimberly from BrisStyle for this opportunity to receive practical advice on how to plan and execute a product photography shoot from start to finish to create unique images that accurately represent your brand.
Book via the BrisStyle eventbrite here.

Live Stream: What To Do With Weeds (Without Poisons)
Tuesday 19 May 2020, 2pm to 2:40pm
Please note that this event will be delivered live via Zoom.
This workshop will uncover why weeds are in your garden and general weed management strategies. Bring a weed from your garden to show Kate via your webcam. This talk is hosted by Ecologist and gardener Kate Wall, who will guide you on how best to manage the problem, and provide insights into what is happening in your garden.
To book phone Nundah Library on 07 3407 8701.

Live Stream: Writers Workshop Interview With A Character with T.M. Clark
Saturday 23 May, 10:30am to 1:30pm
This event will be live streamed via the Queensland Writers Centre website.
Presented by Queensland Writers Centre, author T.M. Clark will lead you through the steps to truly flesh out your characters so that they are believable, relatable, and pull at your reader's emotions.
To book phone Brisbane Square Library on 07 3403 4166.

Live Stream: How to Create Simple Edible Abundance In Your Home Garden With Morag Gamble
Tuesday 26 May, 2pm to 3:30pm
Please note that this event will be delivered live via Zoom.
Never has there been a better time to fill your garden with beautiful edible plants of all kinds, enliven your soil while also creating a healthy habitat for your household and nature too.
Join Morag Gamble from Our Permaculture Life for this gardening seminar.
To book phone Banyo Library on 07 3403 2200.

Live Stream: Writers' Workshop Prepare for Traditional Publishing With Kristina Schulz
Saturday 30 May 2020, 10:30am to 1:30pm
This event will be live streamed via the Queensland Writers Centre website.
Join Kristina Schulz for this workshop presented by Queensland Writers Centre to learn how to navigate the complex world of publishing so you can submit your manuscript with confidence.
With over 20-year of industry experience working as an editor and publisher in Australia and overseas, Kristina Schulz will offer you professional advice, guidance, and personal stories to help navigate the complex world of publishing.
To book phone Brisbane Square Library on 07 3403 4166.

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Council is offering free immunisation clinics throughout 2020. Clinics are held at the Corinda Bowls Club, 58 Hall Avenue, Corinda from 9-11am each Wednesday (excluding public holidays).

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

Ferndale St, Annerley is posted as 40km/h. The sign collected data for a 7 week period from 9 February to 28 March, 2020. During this time 21,537 vehicles (av. 449 per day) passed through the portable speed sign zone.

6,103 or 28.3% of all drivers were recorded travelling above the posted speed limit. Of the vehicles speeding, 85% were travelling at or below 49km/h. When prompted, speeding drivers reduced their speeds by an average of 5km to 44km/h within the speed camera range.

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

Road Resurfacing Works
Council is currently undertaking road resurfacing works on the bus route along Kadumba St, Yeronga. Works are due for completion 28 May, weather permitting.

Council is also undertaking road resurfacing works on David St, Tennyson. Works are due for completion 22 May, weather conditions permitting. Works will take place between 7am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.

Over the coming weeks, resurfacing works are scheduled for the following streets:

• Lofter St, Tennyson from 25 May to 2 June, weather conditions permitting. 
• Cansdale St, Yeronga from 27 May to 2 June, weather conditions permitting.
• Herbert St, Annerley from 3 June to 8 June, weather conditions permitting.

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.

Footpath Entrance Norm Rose Park, Fairfield
Improvement works for the footpath entrance to Norm Rose Park, Fairfield are scheduled for commencement and completion by the end of this year. Works will include an upgrade and reconstruction of four kerb ramps to improve safety and accessibility.

Bus Stop Upgrades
As part of Council's Bus Stop Accessibility Improvement Program Fairfield Rd near Ashby St, Stop 19 will be upgraded in the coming weeks. Works will include an upgrade and relocation of the bus stop boarding area, bus stop shelter and rubbish bin.

Upgrade works will also take place at Ashby St at Fairfield Rd, Stop 19. These works will include an upgrade and relocation of the bus stop boarding area, rubbish bin and log barrier fence; the replacement and relocation of the bus stop shelter and seat; and the installation of line markings to formalise the bus stop zone.

Works will take place between 7am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.