Northgate Ward News

BUDGET WIN FOR NORTHGATE WARD

Northgate Ward is a big winner in the 03/04 Brisbane City Council Budget.
The active and healthy city and clean and green environment strategies of the Living in Brisbane 2010 Plan have been enhanced with record levels of funding.
With $120m being spent on sewerage plant upgrades, water quality of our local waterways and Moreton Bay will continue to improve, allowing better natural habitat and recreational activities.
Local parks and natural environment areas will benefit by $980,000 of new improvements in Northgate Ward alone.
Active and healthy
New Active and Healthy Park precincts will be created at Boyd Park (Nundah), Taylor St Park (Wavell Heights), ARC Hill Park (Virginia), along Kedron Brook from Nundah to Nudgee Beach and Magenta St Park (Wavell Heights).
Some of the improvements will include soft under-surfacing of play equipment, fitness trails, toilet upgrades, shelter upgrades, tree plantings and fencing.
Road priority
Roadworks have again been given a high priority. $923,000 will be spent on road resurfacing of local residential streets, roads and bus routes.
One new community safety initiative is for blue cat's eye reflectors to be progressively installed on streets to assist firefighters to quickly find water hydrants.
In addition to the 1km asphalt footpath currently being constructed along Nudgee Rd between Banyo and the Nudgee Waterholes, a further 1.6km of concrete footpaths will be constructed throughout the Ward at a cost of $150,000.
Traffic improvement funding is up substantially in this budget. Work to improve traffic flow and safety will be performed at the Toombul/Nudgee Rd intersection ($117,000), York St Nundah ($100,000), Banyo Shopping Centre ($40,000) and Oates Pde Northgate ($200,000).
Drainage works
$369,000 has been allocated to local drainage rehabilitation, gully reconstruction and relief drainage. This is an important area of Council infrastructure spending now that weather patterns and rainfall are returning to normal.
Clean and Green spending
Local clean and green initiatives include a $4m gas bus refuelling facility at the Virginia depot to allow the Council's increasing number of gas buses to start operating on our local routes. $1m will also go towards environmental remediation of the former Nudgee landfill site.
Bikeway spending continues to climb. A further $32,000 will be spent on the Downfall Creek bikeway in addition to the $3.2m Kedron Brook link which is currently under construction from Nundah to Nudgee Beach.
Funding for suburbs
Cr Kim Flesser (Northgate Ward) said he was pleased that the Council funding priorities had focussed more on the suburbs.
"While the Council administration's 03/04 budget is certainly no 'headline grabber', clearly, it will deliver a better quality of life for Northgate Ward residents," he said.
For specific budget funding details, contact Kim Flesser at the Northgate Ward office on 3403 2210.


DOG'S BREAKFAST AT KEDRON
Wavell Heights and Kedron residents were recently invited to a 'Dog's Breakfast' to celebrate the opening of a new 'Doggy World' facility at Murray Duus Park, Edinburgh Castle Rd.
The new $5,000 Doggy World is an off-leash area that's been constructed with challenging obstacles for dogs to have fun and for owners to practice obedience training.
A Community Tree planting in and around the Doggy World was undertaken to provide shade trees and a small habitat area.
Dog lovers
Cr Kim Flesser (Northgate Ward) said that under the Council's Living in Brisbane 2010 Plan, it was important to provide facilities for dogs and their owners to help create an 'Active and Healthy City'.
"Recent dog attacks in metropolitan areas highlight the fact that constantly confined dogs can be dangerous and aggressive," he said.
"I'm sure local dogs will reward their owners for regular visits to Doggy World, by becoming more obedient and better 'urban friendly' pets."
Residents wanting more information on the dog off leash facilities should contact Cr Kim Flesser on 34032210.


NUDGEE WATERHOLES OPEN
By Cr Kim Flesser
The Nudgee Waterholes Nar-Dha project was recently opened in the presence of thousands of local residents and Brisbane's indigenous community.
A new $2m cultural, sporting and community facility is now the home of the Banyo Rugby League Club, the Black Diamonds football program, an indigenous interpretive centre and the Banyo RSL.
The waterholes have also been rejuvenated through a two year program of removal of sediment and vegetation and the construction of walking trails and interpretive signage. Native black ducks and turtles are already present and will become friendly 'locals' at the new waterholes viewing platform.
Real challenge
The project was a real challenge that finally came together in the last few days. The needs of the football club, cultural sensitivities and the tight budgeting and construction process, placed enormous strain on all those involved.
One of the most important aspects of the project was to give proper recognition and protection to one of Brisbane's only remaining Aboriginal Bora Rings. Interpretive signage and a viewing platform assist in gaining an insight into this culturally significant artifact from Australia's history.
In 1895, the Queensland Natural History Society called for the preservation of the Nudgee Bora Ring, not only for remembrance of the former inhabitants, but for the sake of future generations. It truly is a pity that it's taken 108 years for this to take place.
Collaborative effort
Worthwhile projects that encapsulate our past, our present and our future simply don't just happen. This has been a wonderful collaborative effort between indigenous groups, the football club, community organisations, local historians and the Brisbane City Council.
The walking trail can be accessed from the park on the corner of Childs and Nudgee Roads, Nudgee.

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING IN NORTHGATE WARD
Toombul Bus Interchange
Deputy Mayor, Maureen Hayes and Melissa Cain celebrated the opening of the new bus interchange facility at Toombul Shoppingtown.
Commuters now have an undercover facility that will progressively use 'state of the art' electronic gadgetry. Closed circuit security cameras monitor the area to enhance commuter safety and 'Real-Time' electronic displays show bus timetable information.

Banyo Defence Land Sale
The Federal Department of Defence has gone ahead with the sale of the 30ha Banyo property, without gaining either Council or community support for its future use.
Cr Kim Flesser said that he was appalled at the attitude of the Department of Defence to sell the land without any agreed strategic planning for the area.
"To flog it of to the highest bidder, places the amenity of Banyo at great risk," he said.
"I'm confident the local community will support me in ensuring the future use of the land includes absolute minimal industrial use with wide green buffers and appropriate residential development."
As yet, no development applications have been lodged with the Council. Please keep in contact with Cr Kim Flesser at the Northgate Ward Office for any future developments regarding this land.

Guides Go Green at Kedron
Jenevieve and Katy Peacock of the Nundah/Wavell Heights Guides Group recently took part in the Council community tree planting and 'Dog's Breakfast' at Kedron. The guide group raised over $400 through sponsorship and a food stall.

SNIPPETS
Living in Brisbane 2010 Committee
Northgate Ward residents are reminded that they are welcome to join the local 'Northgate Ward Living in Brisbane 2010 Consultative Committee'. The '2010 Plan' is the Council's strategic vision for the Council to ensure Brisbane continues to develop as a green, accessible, active and well designed city. Please contact Cr Flesser at the Northgate Ward office for more information.
Family festival fun for all
Warm up this winter on Brisbane's northside as the 2003 Mountains to Mangroves Festival program presents over 35 exciting environmental, educational and recreational activities for everyone to enjoy. The festival celebrates the habitat corridor from Upper Kedron to Boondall Wetlands.
The main event is the festival family day to be held on Sunday July 20 from 9am to 3pm at 7th Brigade Park, Chermside. As the festival finale, the family day brings together the creative achievements of local schools, artists and the environmental and cultural heritage of community groups.
Family day activities include live performances on two stages, with headline band, 'Mental as Anything'. They'll also be kite flying, native critters and environmental speakers, kids activities, fine food and drinks and art exhibitions.
For program details visit 'www.mountainstomangroves.org'.
Next Stage for plan
The Council's 3 year Mid-North District Plan project is about to drill down to land use planning in local areas. One of the next steps is for work on a Banyo/Nudgee Local Plan.
Council officers are using the information that's already been provided by the public, during the consultation sessions to draw a strategic plan for these suburbs. The Banyo/Nudgee area is currently under great pressure in relation to land use.
The recent dramatic increase in property valuations, is an indication that the people are now realising what the area has to offer. It is now an appropriate time for the Council, in conjunction with the community, to tell future developers of our land use planning visions.
Particular areas that need consideration include the defence forces land, former Queensland Railway workshops, Nudgee State School land and some small pockets of industry.
The Council will be conducting community consultation to find out residents' views over the next few months. Anyone who has specific land use planning ideas should contact Cr Kim Flesser at the Northgate Ward Office on 34032210.