Living in Brisbane City Council
AUGUST EDITION 2015
A message from Lord Mayor Graham Quirk
In July, we saw the beginning of an extensive re-life program for our CityCat fleet, refurbishing the older vessels in our fleet.
Following on from the launch of the new CityCat with Firebirds livery in June, the Brisbane River is now home to a striking maroon and gold vessel, with the first generation CityCat Mirbarpa now sporting a unique decorative skin featuring the Brisbane Broncos.
In coming months we will see more refurbished CityCats being launched with the colours of your favourite sporting teams – this will add vibrancy to our striking river.
For all those attending the Ekka this year, I encourage you to visit Council’s stand in the Woolworths Pavilion. Featuring many informative and interactive activities including a fun digital game, visitors can quiz themselves on how well they know Brisbane including landmarks such as City Hall, the botanic gardens the Brisbane Powerhouse.
While you’re there you can also see the new Team Brisbane sign, which has been decorated by school children showing what they love most about our city.
To keep up-to-date with what’s happening around the city, sign up to my monthly e-newsletter at
www.grahamquirk.com.au
Graham Quirk
LORD MAYOR
Active Parks Dance – 27 July-20 August
Free Dance Classes
Rhythm Foxtrot & Tango - Mondays, 5.30–6.30pm
Latin Dancing - Tuesdays, 5.30–6.30pm
Hip Hop dance circuit - Wednesdays, 5.30–6.30pm
Cha Cha Cha & Jive - Thursdays, 5.30–6.30pm
www.visitsouthbank.com.au
The Courier-Mail Piazza – South Bank Parklands
No partner or experience required
Brisbane on show at the Ekka
If you’re going to this year’s Ekka, test your knowledge of Brisbane and discover some unique facts about our city at Council’s stand from Friday 7 to Sunday 16 August.
Visitors can take an interactive digital quiz and pit themselves against other residents to see how well they know Brisbane and the diverse range of services Council delivers.
While you’re there check out the Team Brisbane sign, which has been decorated with children’s drawings of what they love most about our city. There will also be a range of exciting performances to entertain the whole family with dance, kids’ activities and interactive displays.
Council’s stand is part of the Ekka Learning Trail, giving students the opportunity to learn more about Brisbane.
Visit the stand in the Woolworths Pavilion at the RNA Showgrounds or find out more at www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/ekka-2015
Accessible bus bonus
It’s never been easier to board public transport with Council’s bus fleet now consisting of 100% accessible low-floor vehicles.
With more than 1100 modern buses travelling over 70 million kilometres across the city each year, passengers can board and disembark any vehicle in Council’s fleet without having to negotiate steps – this is especially important for our seniors, customers using wheelchairs or walkers and parents travelling with prams and strollers.
Each bus in the fleet offers level access through the front door, a ramp for wheelchair access, kneeling front suspension which lowers the front entry height where required, as well as two dedicated wheelchair spaces.
Check out the fleet and beat the traffic by taking the bus to the Ekka.
Residents and visitors to Brisbane can visit www.translink.com.au for up-to-date timetable information.
Putt-Putt Competition
Four double passes to Victoria Park’s mini Putt-Putt course are up for grabs compliments of Council.
Take a date, play with a mate or enjoy family fun at the 18 hole mini golf course. Enjoy the magnificent view of Brisbane’s CBD skyline with challenging terrains, traps and crazy bridges to add to the fun. To enter, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/ekka-2015
Entries close midnight on 31 August Winners notified in early September.
Head along to Parks Alive
Immerse yourself in a jam-packed program of entertainment for all ages at Parks Alive this month.
Hosted at four of Brisbane’s premier parklands and gardens over two weekends, Parks Alive features themed workshops, guided walks, arts and crafts activities and much more. Listen to expert speakers, watch live music performances or just enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
The event comes to the City Botanic Gardens and Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha on 15 and 16 August and to Roma Street Parkland and South Bank Parklands on 22 and 23 August.
Roma Street Parkland hosts the main event with honey harvesting demonstrations, as well as talks and workshops from gardening personalities on subjects including edible plants, recipes for compost, the Therapeutic Garden and growing your own garden from seed.
To find out more, visit www.romastreetparkland.com or call 3403 8888.
Fly your flag
On 3 September let your flag fly high and take part in Australian National Flag Day celebrations.
National Flag Day marks the day the first Australian flag was flown, after Prime Minister Sir Edmund Barton announced the winner of a flag designing contest in 1901.
To celebrate, everyone is encouraged to fly or display the Australian flag at their home or business.
For more information, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au or call 3403 8888.
Hop onboard a sporty CityCat
The River City’s iconic CityCat fleet is bigger, bolder and better than ever, with 21 sleek catamarans now travelling the route from UQ at St Lucia through to Northshore Hamilton.
Keep an eye out for the newest vessel – the 25 metre long, 26 tonne CityCat Gilwunpa – which is decked out with a striking purple and yellow Queensland Firebirds livery. Gilwunpa was the first of nine catamarans to feature a new decorative skin as part of the Team Brisbane campaign.
Mirbarpa now sports an eye-catching maroon and yellow Brisbane Broncos skin. Another seven CityCats will also receive unique liveries, some of which will depict sporting teams such as the Queensland Bulls, Queensland Reds, Brisbane Lions, Brisbane Roar and Brisbane International Tennis.
Small space big sound
Visitors to Fortitude Valley should check out The Pod, a fantastic new entertainment venue in Brunswick Street Mall.
Exclusively for performances and events, The Pod will have mall-goers dancing to a new beat, with a program of music, local acts, interactive demonstrations and workshops set to take place over the coming year.
At the click of a button, The Pod automatically opens out into a small-scale stage for live performances and features a visitor information booth for upcoming Brisbane activities and attractions.
It’s open seven days a week, and is part of Council’s ongoing commitment to revitalising the Valley Malls by providing entertainment for Brisbane’s community to enjoy.
For more information, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au or call Council on 3403 8888.
Fun way to save on energy bills
A new digital program is helping Brisbane residents reduce their energy bills with the aid of a mobile game app, Reduce Your Juice.
With electricity prices impacting many Brisbane families, Reduce Your Juice is an exciting trial program helping young adult renters improve their knowledge of energy use to reduce their bills.
The fun initiative is open to Brisbane renters aged 18-35 who earn less than $41,500 each year and involves playing mobile games, completing ‘energy quests’ and using ‘powerhacks’ to save electricity. After successfully completing the program, randomly selected participants will win a new barbeque, replacement fridge or a washing machine.
Registrations for the program close on 21 September with a limit of 600 places available. For more information and to register, visit www.reduceyourjuice.com.au
Explore new heritage trails
Residents can now discover and enjoy the new Wynnum and Spring Hill heritage trails.
Bayside residents can explore the 4.3 kilometre Wynnum trail, taking in a history snapshot of Bay Terrace, Waterloo Bay Hotel, Wynnum Wading Pool and Shire Clerk’s Cottage. The Wynnum trail begins at the end of Glenora Street where Jetty No. 1 once stretched out into Moreton Bay and ends at the historic esplanade.
There are 21 points of interest along the Spring Hill trail which starts at the Lady Bowen Hospital and finishes at The Alliance Hotel. Stroll along the 3.2 kilometre Spring Hill trail and discover other significant sites including Spring Hill Baths and Spring Hill Quarry.
For more information, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au or call 3403 8888.
Chinese Moon Festival
Residents and visitors to Brisbane are invited to join in the celebrations at the Chinese Moon Festival, which takes place on Sunday 27 September.
The event is an important celebration in the Chinese calendar and is traditionally held when the moon is at its fullest and brightest.
Attendees to the festival can enjoy a range of exciting entertainment on the night including traditional dance and music as well as colourful performances featuring lion dancing and kung fu displays.
Bring along your family and friends for a fun filled evening out and enjoy sampling the wide range of authentic Asian cuisines on offer from local traders.
Take the time to browse the bustling market stalls and soak up the vibrant atmosphere as an array of roving performers weave their way through the crowds.
The Chinese Moon Festival will take place from 12 noon-5pm in Chinatown Mall.
For more information on the festival’s full program of activities, phone 3403 8888 or visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au
Flash young photographers in photo finish
Eight of Brisbane’s most talented student photographers have been announced winners in the 2015 Green Heart Schools Lord Mayor’s Young Environmental Photographer of the Year Awards.
Michael Cronin from St Brendan’s Catholic Primary School, Moorooka was named the overall winner of this year’s competition, while Chapel Hill State School’s Alexander Robinson took away the overall runner-up prize.
Six category winners were also selected, with Mt St Michael’s College, Ashgrove winning the schools prize with the most number of entries.
The 30 finalists’ photographs were showcased at the Queensland Museum and are now on display at the Brisbane Square Library, presenting Brisbane’s natural environment through the eyes of primary and secondary school students.
To view the winning photographs or for more information, call 3403 8888 or visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au
Ekka 2015 will be the 138th show to be held. More than 400,000 people are expected to attend, with over 10,000 animals onsite and 21,000 competition entries.
Grants for a greener Brisbane
Green thumbs are getting the chance to do even more to improve Brisbane’s natural environment thanks to the Lord Mayor’s Community Sustainability and Environmental Grants.
This year, there is $430,000 in grants available for eligible community groups, non-profit organisations and individuals to share and help support Brisbane’s dedicated volunteers. The grants support environmental projects (including on-ground bushland restoration), energy audits, community gardens and native wildlife rehabilitation.
Applications close at midnight on 31 August with applicants notified in late November.
For more information about Lord Mayor’s Community Sustainability and Environmental Grants or to apply, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/grants or call 3403 8888.
Be prepared for summer
As summer approaches, it pays to be prepared for severe weather including bushfires, storms and flooding.
To prepare for bushfires:
· organise a bushfire survival kit
· clear space around your house and buildings
· fill in gaps around windows, door frames and eaves
· rake up bark, leaves and twigs.
To prepare for storms and flooding:
· secure loose objects in your yard and on your balcony
· clean roofs and gutters
· use Council’s Interactive Flood Awareness Map to understand your flood risk
· sign up to the Early Warning Alert Service
· have an emergency kit and plan in place.
When a storm strikes, stay inside and keep away from windows. If you are outdoors, find emergency shelter and do not stand under trees, shelters in parks or bus shelters. To find out more, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au and search ‘be prepared’ or call 3403 8888.
Report maintenance issues on the go
Did you know you can report some maintenance issues to Council from a smart phone or tablet?
New simplified online forms are being piloted by Council, allowing you to report potholes or request park maintenance and tree trimming from your mobile device at anytime from anywhere.
Businesses and local organisations can also use the forms to apply for and obtain quick approval on activities ranging from small events and advertising signs to food and drink outlet permits.
As well as being optimised for use on mobile devices, the new online transaction forms meet accessibility standards, making them easy for all online users to access.
More online forms will become available as part of Council’s program of digital improvements during 2015-16.
To access the forms, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/about-council
Bridge boosts bikeway network
Residents in the eastern suburbs will see improvements to the local bikeway network with construction of the Norman Creek pedestrian and cycle bridge.
When completed, Heath Park in East Brisbane will connect to Norman Avenue in Norman Park via a 175 metre long bridge and 500 metre shared pathway.
This will provide a new connection from Norman Avenue to Lytton Road that will allow for a safe alternative to Wynnum Road, and is expected to be completed in early 2016, weather permitting. The bridge has easy access for both pedestrians and cyclists with graded approach ramps and three metre wide shared pathways.
The project is jointly funded by Council and the Queensland Government.
For more information, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au or call 3403 8888.
Active travel gets kids moving
Brisbane primary schools are invited to apply for the 2016 Active School Travel program.
The award-winning Council initiative provides free resources and tools enabling families to leave the car at home and actively travel to and from school. This reduces congestion and carbon emissions, improves kids’ road safety skills and boosts exercise levels.
By promoting sustainable and healthy travel modes such as walking, cycling, scootering, carpooling and public transport, last year’s participating schools achieved an average 18% decrease in car trips.
Local schools in their first year of the program have already reduced the number of car trips to school in 2015, with Our Lady of Mt Carmel School, Coorparoo recording a 33% drop and St Joseph’s Primary School, Kangaroo Point, recording an 18% drop on their weekly active travel days.
For more information, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au
Being good neighbours
Brisbane’s welcoming and friendly attitude together with a strong sense of community pride are a large part of what makes it an attractive place to live.