Lord Mayor Tim Quinn recently opened the new Nudgee recycling plant, which will recycle over 100,000 tonnes of concrete and other waste building products each year.
Concrete recycling began as a trial on the old Nudgee Rd landfill site in 1995.  At that time the Council was phasing out dredging of the river and saw the need to replace that source of gravel. 
The new plant will ensure concrete recycling will be both economically and environmentally sustainable for the benefit of Brisbane.
Lord Mayor Tim Quinn said the Council has a vision for a clean and green city and that it's important for us to recycle concrete for new building and road construction products, to help reduce the need for quarrying.

Why do these Nudgee Beach pelicans look concerned?  See airport story on back page for details…

What else is inside?...
Boyd Park Nundah   -   New Boating Pontoon
Dog's Breakfasts   -   Kedron Brook
Safer school crossing   -   2010 Report

The 'Doggy World' facilities at Kedron and Nudgee Beach are proving to be Brisbane's most popular dog off-leash areas.
The popular Murray Duus Park (Kedron) recently had an extension, with a new dog training obstacle course.  Similar equipment is also soon to be installed in Albert Bishop Park, Nundah.
The Tuckeroo Park Doggy World has had a new water tap, seat, fence and soil top-dressing.  This location is very popular thanks to the off-leash swimming area.   Cr Kim Flesser said that the swimming area remains the Council's only official facility of its type.  "At a recent 'Dog's Breakfast' to get local dogs together for a bit of fun, even the dogs' owners got in the act by having a swim in Kedron Brook," he said.
Anyone who has suggestions for improving Northgate Ward's seven off-leash areas should contact Cr Flesser at the Ward office.

Northgate Ward Snippets

* An engraver is now available for free use by Northgate Ward residents to personally mark household possessions.
  A constant message at local Neighbourhood Watch meetings is that the chances of theft is reduced if valuable items have been permanently engraved with the owner's details.   Please phone the Ward Office on 34032210 to book the engraver.
* A Council heritage sign providing a pictorial history of the former suburb of Cribb Island is being developed for construction. 
If you have any quality photos of the suburb or information that might be suitable for inclusion, please contact Cr Kim Flesser.
*  The Ward Office has brochures and lots of information about keeping animals,  green guides,  recreation around Brisbane,  water tank rebates,  pool fencing and

As part of the Council's Nundah District Local Plan recommendations, Boyd Park is being upgraded to become a regional facility.
To kick-off the upgrade, Cr Kim Flesser arranged a community tree planting in a small section of the park which was well attended by local residents.   
Other improvements so far have included an 'Active and Healthy' fitness trail, concrete pathways and a $20,000 refurbishment of the toilet block.   Future works include installation of softfall under the play equipment and further tree plantings. 
Other Active and Healthy Fitness trails are being constructed across the Ward.  ARC Hill Park (Virginia) and  Magenta St Park (Wavell Heights) have also had trails installed. 
To celebrate the installation of the first Northgate Ward fitness trail at Maggs St Park (Wavell Heights), an official opening celebration is being held on Saturday 7th February (postponed from the December 'wash-out').  Planned activities include a chin-up competition, sausage sizzle, Tai-Chi demonstration and a community tree planting.
Please contact the Northgate Ward office for details or if you have any ideas or suggestions for equipment to be installed your local park.

Banyo, Northgate, Nudgee, Nundah, Nudgee Beach, Wavell Heights, Virginia and Kedron (part).

The reserves along Kedron Brook are unmistakably the most well used recreational areas for Kedron and Wavell Heights residents. 
Early European settlers described the brook as 'a fairy-like stream, its banks lined with wattle, tea-tree and flowers'.  It is one of our best recreational areas, a major habitat corridor and an important stormwater run-off creek for the city.
The brook holds a rich indigenous history; the area being the home to the Undumbi people.  The health and stature of this group was exceptionally good, which contributes to the belief that the region was a major source of indigenous food. 
European occupation along Kedron Brook followed the 1838 opening of Nundah as the State's first non-penal, free settlement.  Timber cutting and farming quickly became the main industries.  Increased occupation brought more diverse development.  Products included red cedar, vegetables, pineapples, gold and wine.  A coal mine was even in operating on the bank of the brook at what is now Kalinga Park (remnants are still visible).
The Brisbane City Council's latest recreational development on Kedron Brook is the bikeway criss-crossing from Enoggera to Nudgee Beach.  Since the opening of the new Nundah/Nudgee Beach section, the bikeway has created new ways for Kedron and Wavell Heights residents to enjoy the sights of the brook and to become more involved in the Council's Living in Brisbane 2010 goals of 'an active and healthy' and a 'clean and green city'.