Budget delivers SCIP for Nundah

THE commercial shopping centre at Nundah is in for a major refurbishment, with the announcement in the recent Brisbane City Council Budget of a $1.47m Suburban Centre Improvement Project (SCIP).
 Lord Mayor Cr Jim Soorley has made good his long standing promise of funding a SCIP at Nundah, once the traffic problems have been solved. 
The Sandgate Road bypass is expected to be finished in December.

Community facility

SCIPs are an integral part of the Council's strategic plans for better community shopping facilities.  They include paving, landscaping, community meeting places, public art, footpath dining and contemporary designs for bins, seats and streetlights. 
Councillor Kim Flesser (Northgate

Ward) was thrilled that the funding came through in the budget. 
"I've been asking for a Nundah SCIP since 1997," he said.  "While a Suburban Centre Improvement Project doesn't in itself ensure a viable future, with strong business and community support, I'm sure the once vibrant village shopping atmosphere will return, and so will the customers".
Nundah Chamber of Commerce President, Gary Coates, believes that the Council SCIP is just the start of a renewal process for Nundah.  "It's important that businesses collectively plan for the future, to establish the centre as both a retail and service provision hub".
 Detailed design of the SCIP has commenced, with consultation between the property owners, businesses and  community groups. For further details  contact Cr Flesser at the Northgate Ward Office.

Local kids love new skate bowl

THE Council's new skate bowl in Banyo Memorial Park is proving to be a huge hit with local kids.
 The smaller design has proved to be perfectly appropriate within this park in the middle of suburbia.

First skinned knee

Cr Kim Flesser said that he went down to the bowl to watch the action on the first afternoon of operation.  "At 3 o'clock, ½ dozen kids arrived with their skateboards and BMX bikes.  The first skinned knee occurred at 5 minutes past 3, and by 4 o'clock at least 50 excited youngsters were taking turns at showing off their skills", he said.
The considerable support for the construction of the bowl by the Banyo High School community and the local RSL has proved to be well founded.

Changing public opinion

In response to some concerns regarding the construction of the bowl, Cr Flesser said, "As a community, we

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Local kids enjoyed the opening day celebrations at the Banyo Skate Bowl.  The sausage sizzle and formalities were also used to officially welcome the new Banyo Police Beat's permanent officer, Senior Constable Brad Gough.