Living in Brisbane City Council - West
DEC 2015 / JAN 2016 EDITION
Message from Lord Mayor Graham Quirk
As the year draws to a close, Brisbane will once again come alive with the Wonder of Christmas.
Please join me for the IGA Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols when they return to Brisbane Riverstage on Saturday 12 December. You can also enjoy the free Myer Christmas Parade in Queen Street Mall and Pantomime in King George Square from 11-20 December. While you’re in the CBD the Gold Lotto City Hall Light Spectacular brings a new magical light projection from 11 December until Christmas Eve. For more information on all of this year’s festive events please visit www.visitbrisbane.com.au/christmas
Dates to note over summer include New Year’s Eve with two fireworks shows at South Bank, the Brisbane International 2016 tennis tournament from 3-10 January, and the BrisAsia Festival from 5-28 February. Information about these events and more can be found in this edition.
Once again the annual Lord Mayor’s Christmas Appeal is on to help raise funds for some of our city’s most disadvantaged residents. Every dollar donated is distributed so if you would like to make a contribution, please visit www.lmct.org.au I wish you and your family a very merry Christmas, and a safe and happy New Year.
Graham Quirk
LORD MAYOR
CityCat competition – it’s a wrap!
Launch your imagination and create an eye-catching and original design for one of Council’s CityCats to show what Brisbane means to you.
To enter, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/teambne. Entries close on 15 January 2016 and the winner will be announced in February 2016. Terms and conditions apply.
Submit your design for the chance to be featured on a Brisbane CityCat!
The Wonder of Christmas
Brisbane set to sparkle
Join Santa and his reindeer for free festive family fun as the Myer Christmas Parade and Pantomime return to the CBD.
Featuring hundreds of colourful and talented performers, giant inflatable decorations, drummers, dancers, Christmas elves and nativity animals, the parade will run nightly at 6.30pm from 11-20 December starting at the Edward Street end of the Queen Street Mall.
Stay on in King George Square to watch this year’s pantomime, as two villains battle to stop Christmas by slipping Santa a sleeping potion. Help Mrs Claus save the day in this much-loved Christmas tradition for kids of all ages.
Don’t miss the Wonder of Christmas, Australia’s most extensive program of free festive events in South Bank Parklands and the CBD.
For more information, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/christmas
Christmas carols
Enjoy some of Australia’s most renowned singers and entertainers as they light up the big stage at the IGA Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols on Saturday 12 December 2015.
Join Channel Nine’s Melissa Downes from 5-9.15pm at the Riverstage for an entertainment-filled program with international singing sensation Mirusia, musical theatre star Rachael Beck and ARIA award winning songstress Christine Anu.
ABC Kids’ band for children Lah Lah will perform alongside Patrice Tipoki from the hit musical Les Misérables. International guests include Scottish classical accordionist James Crabb and New York R&B beat-boxing sensation Polo.
Queensland Ballet, Opera Queensland and acclaimed Opera Australia tenor Bradley Daley will also take to the stage for a memorable performance. For more information, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/christmas or call 3403 8888.
Lighting wonderland at City Hall
See City Hall in all its Christmas wonder as part of the Gold Lotto City Hall Light Spectacular from Friday 11 December until Christmas Eve.
This year, City Hall will light up with an all new magical light projection show featuring the final act of the Nutcracker story, ‘The Land of Sweets’. Immerse yourself in the colour and delight of Christmas as our heroine, Clara, finds herself lost in an enchanting and delicious world of all things sweet. This will be the city’s most colourful and spectacular light show yet, and one for people of all ages to enjoy.
The Gold Lotto City Hall Light Spectacular will run every 15 minutes from 7.30pm each night and the clock tower will sound nightly to signal the start of each show. For more information, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/christmas
South Bank’s treasure trove
South Bank’s Christmas Markets presented by eatSouthBank will transform Stanley Street Plaza into a treasure trove of festive stalls during December.
Experience the wonder of a traditional Christmas market with a Brisbane twist from 11-23 December as South Bank transforms into a Christmas wonderland. The markets will host Brisbane’s best artisans offering a range of traditional gifts, keepsakes, delicious fare and ornaments, accompanied by the festive sounds of live music and carollers.
The decorations, festive lighting and themed stalls that will line the plaza’s cobblestone streets is a highlight for the holiday calendar. South Bank Christmas Markets will operate daily from 11am-8pm, except for 17-21 December when they will open from 11am-9pm.
For more information, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/christmas
Did you know?
Pencil in your festive and holiday activities with What’s on Brisbane on Facebook.
Whether it’s live music, art and craft or outdoor adventures, visit www.facebook.com/bnewhatson to stay in the know.
Help spread Christmas cheer
The annual Lord Mayor’s Christmas Appeal is on again to help raise funds for charities working with people with a disability, experiencing homelessness, or suffering from mental illness, drug or alcohol addiction, trauma, abuse or neglect.
The Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust’s fundraising efforts have improved the wellbeing of some of the most marginalised and vulnerable members of the Brisbane community.
The Trust has been working to improve livability for all Brisbane residents since the 1960s.
Every dollar donated to the Trust is distributed among a wide variety of charities working hard to provide vital community services and to address pressing social needs.
The Christmas Appeal runs until 25 December. To make a donation, visit www.lmct.org.au
Suburbs to dazzle
Brighten up your night with a tour of some of the city’s best lit suburbs in the 4KQ Christmas Lights competition.
Bus tours will run from 14-18 December at 6.45pm, departing from:
Anzac Square, Ann Street, CBD – northern suburbs
Chermside Shopping Centre – northern suburbs
Carindale Shopping Centre – eastern suburbs
Garden City Shopping Centre – southern suburbs
Indooroopilly Shopping Centre – western suburbs.
Tours will run for approximately three hours, with refreshment stops included. Tickets must be purchased in advance from Ticketek and cost $50 for families, $22 for adults and $11 for concessions, plus a transaction fee.
To purchase tickets, visit www.ticketek.com.au or call 132 849.
Christmas activities in the city
There’s something for everyone in the CBD this Christmas with a range of great activities for families to enjoy.
Sample just-baked treats, sizzling goodies and freshly squeezed juices from local providores at the Brisbane Powerhouse Wonderland Food Markets each Thursday to Sunday from 6-10pm until 20 December. The markets form part of the end-of-year Wonderland festival with performances filled with comedy, theatre and dance.
Learn how to adapt a classic Christmas story, From Page to Stage: Polar Express, at Brisbane Square Library on 23 December from 12 noon-1pm. Relive a little boy’s journey on a mysterious train to the North Pole on the Polar Express with performances to warm the heart.
Get creative with a free Christmas collage workshop for kids aged 4+ at the Museum of Brisbane from 14-18 December, 10am-1pm daily. Use collage techniques to create Christmas cards and decorations to hang on the tree at home.
For more information or to book, visit www.brisbanepowerhouse.org and www.brisbane.qld.gov.au
CBD festive shopping
Buying Christmas gifts has never been more enjoyable or easy, with more than 1000 stores in the CBD now open for trading in a mix of flagship stores and unique boutiques.
Visit the Myer Centre, Wintergarden, Queens Plaza and Queen Street Mall for a mix of small retailers, major outlets and specialty stores, or head to Edward Street for high-end retailers. Many offer extended trading hours throughout December, just check online to find out more. There is also plenty for the whole family to enjoy with entertainment on offer while you shop, including nightly parades, lighting displays and special decorations to get you into the Christmas spirit.
Take advantage of great parking deals at Council’s King George Square and Wickham Terrace carparks including $5 weekend and evening specials and 15-minute free parking.
For more information, visit www.visitbrisbane.com.au or www.brisbane.qld.gov.au
Waste services this holiday season
It’s business as usual for Council’s bin collection and waste services this holiday season, as Christmas wrapping and other festive season items find a new home.
Bins will be serviced as normal on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, and should be placed out for collection by 5.30am. Transfer stations and resource recovery centres also remain open on these days from 6.30am-5.45pm, and are located at Nudgee, Ferny Grove, Willawong and Chandler.
Stay up-to-date with Council’s waste and recycling services by downloading the Brisbane Bin and Recycling App, available for iOS and Android devices. The app features a personalised collection calendar with optional reminders to put your bins out, as well as information about upcoming kerbside collections and free tipping days at transfer stations.
For more information, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au or call 3403 8888.
Get into the Christmas spirit
Westside kids can embrace the festive season this December at Council libraries with a huge range of activities on offer, including children’s story time with a Christmas twist.
Children aged 4-9 years can share in Australian Christmas story time with Christmas Wombat and create an Australian Christmas tree decoration at Mitchelton Library on Thursday 17 December from 3-4pm.
Watch out as the Frosty Fox Strikes Again at Mitchelton Library on Wednesday 23 December from 2-2.40pm, when Cheeky Monkey discovers someone is stealing his Christmas fun. Children aged six and under can help solve the tale with The Christmas Snow Angel and catch the Frosty Fox through song and dance.
For more information on Christmas activities near you or to book, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/whatson or call 3403 8888.
Cool off in a Council pool
Cool off these school holidays at one of Council’s swimming pools.
There are 20 Council pools across Brisbane offering opportunities for fun, aqua fitness and recreation. Learn to swim, improve stroke development, attend a class or simply swim.
There’s something to suit everyone, so you can make it a family day out! Choose from indoor, outdoor or heated pools, or watch from the sidelines with aquatic play grounds, water slides, play equipment and barbecues available at selected locations. Each pool also has change rooms and shower facilities.
Bracken Ridge Aquatic Centre and Parkinson Aquatic Centre will soon contribute to help people achieve an active and healthy lifestyle, both currently under construction and scheduled for completion in 2016.
For more information on pool opening hours and locations, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au or call 3403 8888.
Win parking for a day in the city!
Five one-day passes for parking at king George Square or Wickham Terrace carparks are up for grabs compliments of Council.
Take a date, be entertained with a mate or enjoy a family fun day in the city. Enjoy some a shopping in the Queen Street Mall or dine at one of the marvellous restaurants at Eagle Street Pier. Terms and conditions apply.
To enter, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au. Entries close on 21 December.
Safer crossings for pedestrians
Walking the city by foot continues to be made safer with the rollout of new pedestrian countdown timers at road crossings.
Over the past four months, pedestrian countdown timers have been installed at 49 intersections in the CBD and Fortitude Valley. Once the ‘Don’t Walk’ signal starts flashing, the timers count down in seconds, indicating how much time pedestrians have to safely finish crossing.
Since 2012 more than 203 intersections have been fitted with the timers, with 73 signalised intersections being upgraded this financial year.
LED technology is also being introduced, with 82% of traffic signals now equipped with LED lanterns to make them more visible and reduce running costs.
For more information on pedestrian countdown timers, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au or call 3403 8888.
Improving our natural areas
Council is lending a hand to individuals and groups helping restore and repair Brisbane’s bushland areas through the Community Conservation Assistance program.
The program provides on-ground assistance to support the efforts of Habitat Brisbane and catchment groups as well as private landholders registered with the Wildlife Conservation Partnership program.
In 2015-16, $504,348 worth of on-ground support was distributed among 62 successful applicants, totalling $2.3 million since the program began four years ago.
The next round of grants will open in mid-2016 to continue building on the great work being done by volunteers to manage the impact of weeds, restore degraded natural habitat and revegetate waterways to improve their health and reduce erosion.
For more information on the Community Conservation Assistance program, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au or call 3403 8888.
More free motorcycle parking
There are more than 1200 free motorcycle parking spaces available in Brisbane CBD and inner-city suburbs, with no time restrictions. An extra 600 spaces have been delivered since May 2012.
Home run for CityCats
Tugulawa is the latest CityCat to shed its old skin in favour of a decorative wrap, which celebrates the Brisbane Bandits baseball team.
The newly wrapped CityCat features the Brisbane Bandits team logo and colours on its exterior, while on the inside passengers can enjoy a timeline history of baseball in Australia since its inception in 1856.
Tugulawa is the fourth of nine CityCats to be re-skinned as part of Team Brisbane, with vessels Gilwunpa, Mirbarpa and Beenung-urrung already flying the colours of the Queensland Firebirds, Brisbane Lions and Brisbane Broncos on the river.
Keep an eye out for the next sport-themed CityCat wrap, which will serve up an ‘ace’ tribute to the Brisbane International 2016 tennis tournament!
Edward Street transforms
Edward Street is set to transform into a one-stop-shop for Brisbane’s high-end retail brands from 2016.
The Edward Street Vision will revitalise the existing precinct to become an attractive pedestrian street and green retail boulevard, connecting Spring Hill to Central Station, Queen Street Mall and the City Botanic Gardens.