HOME

One of the greatest problems with accessing the internet, is finding local information, services and interesting issues and places. Surfing the net is a world wide event; with many millions of web sites to negotiate. Local news seems almost hidden in a huge mass of ‘information overload’.

To overcome this problem, residents in Northgate Ward now have the ability to find out about their ‘own backyard’, through the newly redesigned, Northgate Ward web site.

Northgate Ward Councillor, Kim Flesser has been busy redeveloping the site to provide as much local information as possible. Community contacts, places of interest, Council issues, historical facts and a heritage trail feature on the site. The web pages are constantly being upgraded so residents can keep coming back to find something new.

Quirky pieces of information such as the origins of suburb names, the history of local parks, community statistics and ‘things to do’, can be found.

Keen Nundah web surfer, Greg Ferrington said, "I enjoy visiting Kim’s web site. As a community activist, I’ve found valuable information about the local area". Greg also said the heritage trail section of the site was very informative.

Cr Flesser is keen to receive feedback on the site from Northgate Ward residents. "I hope people see this facility as their own local resource, and that they don’t hesitate to tell me what they think about it. I’m always on the lookout for new ideas and information to add to the site", he said.

A Northgate Ward internet site feedback competition is running until the end of February. To enter, web surfers need to visit the site and e-mail their views to Cr Flesser. The names of all people who do so will be entered in a draw to win great book prizes. Sets of books including Brisbane 101 Stories, Wildlife of Greater Brisbane and Down Amongst the Mangroves, are up for grabs. The site can be found at ‘www.northgateward.org’.

By Cr Kim Flesser

Council has installed a new picnic table and chairs adjacent to the Nudgee Beach Boat Ramp on Kedron Brook.

A group of senior ‘fishing experts’ have been regularly meeting at the ramp, passing judgement on catches of the day, the weather, trailer backing skills and particular anglers’ ability. Apparently, horse racing tips have also become one of their specialties (no guarantees of course!).

The group has affectionately become known as the Nudgee Beach ‘Ramp Rats’.

Members of the group came to me requesting a table and chairs for their informal meeting place, so they can continue to provide free advice to the world.

As the Ramp Rats have become legendary experts in the Nudgee Beach area, I was happy to ask Council to provide a seat and table for them. To help maintain their place in history, Council has also placed a plaque on the table in recognition of their service.

Mr Jimmy Pritchard of Nudgee Beach said, "Lies are forbidden at Ramp Rats’ meetings, but there is a fair amount of stretching the truth, fabrication and exaggeration".

This facility will allow the Ramp Rats to continue their good work of keeping an eye on the boat ramp and maintaining their status as an expert advisory group on all matters.

As previously announced in this year’s budget, Council is funding minor skate facilities within Northgate Ward. Two sites have been identified; Banyo Memorial Park and Murray Duus Park at Kedron.

Preliminary designs are for small facilities that can be extended if necessary. Ross Park at Toombul, across Sandgate Rd from Toombul Shoppingtown, will continue to be the regional youth space.

These smaller designs, while offering some degree of challenge, are expected to be more popular with younger teenagers.

Cr Flesser is well aware of the sometimes negative aspect of providing teenage facilities in parks. "Not all teenagers are pot smoking, bag snatching, graffiti vandals, and we have a responsibility to the 99% of responsible kids to provide facilities to encourage them away from their computer games", he said.

Support for the Banyo site has come from a petition signed by over 300 local teenagers and their parents, organised by the Banyo Interact Club. President Samantha Carvolth said, "We can’t wait for this skate bowl to be built. Banyo High community is fully in favour".

Support has also come from the Banyo/Northgate Branch of the RSL, who are keen for the ‘Memorial Park’ to be better used for younger people.

The location proposed at Kedron is adjacent to the popular ‘off leash’ dog enclosure. The Council considered Bennelong Park as a site, but was swayed by the Bennelong Park Community Group’s view that Murray Duus Park was more appropriate.

Designs and quotes from building contractors is currently being evaluated. Completion is expected early next year.

By Cr Kim Flesser

Many Northgate Ward residents would have fond memories of the former suburb of Cribb Island. The Bangee Festival Committee has produced a Banyo/Nudgee Heritage Trail publication for the Northgate East, Virginia, Banyo, Nudgee and Nudgee Beach areas.

A description of the old bayside suburb features in the heritage trail book. Cribb Island bordered Moreton Bay, south of what is now the Kedron Brook Floodway between Nudgee Beach and the mouth of the Brisbane River. In the 1970s the land was resumed to make way for the new Brisbane Airport.

Cribb Island was about 5 kilometres in length, with an average width of about 400 metres. The area was originally used as a food gathering place by members of the Turrbul and Oondumbi Aboriginal groups, amongst others. In 1884, approximately 50 Aborigines were camped in the area. They bartered crab and fish with the early settlers in return for bread and potatoes.

During the 1920s, Cribb Island became a flourishing resort area, being the closest accessible beach to the growing city of Brisbane. Well-off Brisbane families owned holiday homes on the beach front and local residents did well by providing services to day-trippers and holiday makers. Regular activities included dances, cricket matches, sand garden competitions and outings sponsored by church groups.

All residents were forced to leave the suburb when the Commonwealth Government began the resumption of the whole area for the redevelopment of the Brisbane Airport.

In the 1971 census, the Cribb Island population numbered 870. The last resident reluctantly left her home in April 1980.

23 other locations and numerous historic photos are featured in the heritage trail book. These include Warburton Park Virginia, Banyo RSL Memorial, Golden Circle, and the Nudgee Bora Ring. Copies are available from the Bangee Festival Committee.

The Nudgee School of Arts has been buzzing with seniors dancing to a low impact gymnastics program run by the Nundah and Districts Youth Club.

The club was successful in its application to the Brisbane City Council for an on-going seniors program and a junior school holiday camp "Gymboree".

President of the Youth Club, Kathy Batibasaga, said, "We’re just so excited about this funding to extend gymnastics education to juniors and seniors alike. This has been the first time we’ve been able to cover potential gymnasts from two years of age to one hundred and two".

Councillor Kim Flesser said, "I was very pleased that the Council could help the club provide a wider range of services to the community. Seniors who exercise their joints through gymnastics, feel younger and healthier. I’d encourage any seniors or parents whose children have even the slightest interest in gymnastics, to contact Kathy".

The Nundah and Districts Youth Club can be contacted on 32678328.

The two year Northgate Treescapes project has now been completed. Remarkably, over 4,000 trees have been planted in the suburb of Northgate and part of Virginia.

Not only have 23 km of streets been given an uplift with footpath trees, but 38 Northgate Industrial businesses have taken up the challenge and planted another 600 trees. It’s only a matter of time for the original aim of the project "to green up and cool down Northgate", to come to fruition.

The project involved the planting of entire streets with new trees and providing trees and shrubs to businesses and residents to shade and beautify the area. Local wildlife habitat will also be enhanced.

Mrs Marie Booth of Northgate attended every one of the 10 community tree plantings. "Northgate is definitely a better place with the extra trees. I’m sure that younger residents will come to appreciate this area as it becomes a leafy green suburb when all our trees mature", she said.

Cr Kim Flesser said he was pleased that the community had really claimed ownership of this Council project. "The 320 tree planting volunteers, Neighbourhood Watch Groups, local businesses and Council officers should be congratulated for their efforts", he said. "Special recognition should be given to the Council’s Project Officer, Maureen See, the Austcast Foundry and Golden Circle for their support throughout the whole project."

Cr Flesser said that he would continue to pursue funding for more Treescape Projects within Northgate Ward.

The ‘mountain’ being built at the edge of the Boondall Wetlands bikeway on the Nudgee Landfill Site is nearing completion. Cr Flesser is seeking funding to construct a viewing platform with appropriate directional and environmental signage at the top of the lookout. It will provide panoramic views of the wetlands, Moreton Bay and the bay islands.

The fishing platform and off leash dog swimming area at Tuckeroo Park are proving very popular. A new table, seats and fire pit have recently been installed and further landscaping will soon be carried out. The carpark at the Nudgee Beach Recreation Reserve has also been sealed, at a cost of $60,000.

The planned Council Suburban Centre Improvement Project (SCIP) will provide a catalyst for the rejuvenation of the Nundah Shopping Centre. However, it will be up to businesses, property owners and developers to take up initiatives that will transform the area into a prosperous economic hub.

The new City Plan developed by the Council, contains a special Toombul/Nundah Major Centre Local Plan to guide responsible, community sensitive development in the area.

Cr Flesser is organising an urban planning seminar specifically to explain the changes for Nundah/Toombul stakeholders. The seminar will be in late February 2001. Either keep an eye on the local media or contact the Northgate Ward office in January for full details (ph 34032210).

As a result of the community’s views identified in the Nundah District Local Plan, the Council is addressing the confusing situation of having a Kinmond Lane and adjacent Kinmond Ave at Wavell Heights. Kinmond Lane will be renamed Eliza Lane; Eliza being the Christian name of Mrs Kinmond, one of the original land holders in the area. Additionally, following a recommendation by the Nundah and Districts Historical Society, the new thoroughfare behind the Nundah Library has been named Primrose Lane in memory of the first Police Officer stationed in the area.

The Toombul Bowls Club will be holding an even bigger and brighter Australia Day breakfast celebration this year. The free breakfast is a must for those local residents who love to get into the spirit of "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie – Oy, Oy, Oy". Contact Keith Gardner on 38842362 for details.

The Lilley Australia Day Awards will again be held at the Kedron Wavell Services Club from 1pm. Applications to nominate local community workers for these prestigious annual awards, can be obtained from Federal Member, Wayne Swan (ph 32668244) or at the Northgate Ward office.

The Minister for Emergency Services, Hon Steven Robertson MLA, has officially opened the new Northgate Ambulance Station. It is located in Fraser Road Northgate, replacing the smaller and aging facility at Nundah.

This location is better suited to reduce noise for nearby residents, as it is closer to the feeder routes of the Gateway Arterial and Nudgee and Toombul Roads. The service has also been expanded, which should produce faster response times for local emergencies.

HOME