Dear Central Ward Residents
I hope that you had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year break – we’ve been back in the office since last Wednesday getting a head start on what will be a very busy year and I thought I’d let you know about some important local work already underway.
INNER CITY BYPASS UPGRADE
I am determined that here in Central we receive the infrastructure upgrades needed to keep our city moving, that we build smoother streets, and continue to tackle traffic congestion.
As one of our most important transport routes, the Inner City Bypass is integral to the city’s economic growth.
It is a vital link in the road network with connections to Lutwyche Road, Airport Link Tunnel, Clem Jones Tunnel, Legacy Way tunnel and the soon-to-be-upgraded Kingsford Smith Drive.
The ICB is currently operating at up to 90% capacity, however with the road now carrying more than 100,000 vehicles per weekday, the ICB will exceed capacity by 2021.
So Council is fully progressing with its upgrade that will start early this year.
The ICB upgrade will:
- increase capacity for existing and future traffic demands
- improve travel times and safety for all road users, and
- improve connectivity to the wider road network.
As part of the upgrade, Council will deliver a number of bus priority measures to improve public transport options and the upgrade will include:
- widening the ICB westbound from three to four lanes between the westbound approach to the RNA tunnel and the Legacy Way portal
- widening the ICB eastbound from three to four lanes between Legacy Way portal and Herston Road exit
- construction of a new westbound ramp to the ICB from Bowen Bridge Road, allowing buses to connect directly to the ICB from the Inner Northern Busway
- new bus priority measures at the Herston Road exit off the ICB, including a new dedicated bus priority lane.
The upgrade will also improve safety on the ICB by increasing capacity and reducing congestion-related accidents.
If you would like any clarification on the ICB upgrades just let me know.
KERBSIDE COLLECTIONS THIS COMING WEEK
Brisbane City Council’s kerbside collection is a once-a-year service across our suburbs to assist you dispose of bulky items.
The collections are held on a specific week for each suburb and collections in the Central Ward area start on Monday 16 January.
For your convenience, these suburbs have a scheduled collection beginning 16 January 2017:
- Brisbane City
- Spring Hill
- New Farm
- Newstead
- Teneriffe
- Fortitude Valley
You should place items this weekend (Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 January) ready for collection on Monday and all the details about the sorts of items that are acceptable can be found here.
I would be very appreciative if you might forward this email to others in your household, or building complex, who you think may be interested in this service.
OLD CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL SITE HERSTON
You may have heard of the State Government’s announcement that they intend to redevelop the site of the old Children’s hospital.
As part of the State’s designated Priority Development Area, the State Government has proposed a mixed-use, residential and commercial precinct to support medical uses. However, the redevelopment includes a 30-storey residential apartment tower without any detail of parking requirements to be provided.
Not only is the proposed 30 storey tower in serious conflict with the Brisbane City Plan 2014, it is not consistent with the character of Herston.
Unlike Council controlled planning areas, State government planning areas dictate that residents have no way to object or comment formally before buildings are approved and constructed, and submitters have zero appeal rights.
While the State Government may not be interested in the feedback of residents on what they would like on this site, as your local Councillor I am committed to listening to you.
If you would like any further information about the State Government’s plans for Herston let me know.
COMMUNITY GRANTS OPEN
Every day we strive to help our local community groups develop and improve facilities and services in Brisbane. If you know of any local groups who might be interested in the currently open BCC Community grants, you might like to forward them this information.
Building Stronger Communities Grant Program
The Building Stronger Communities Grant Program funds community-based not-for-profit organisations to deliver projects that develop or improve their facilities, or improve their governance and long term organisational sustainability. Grants of up to $100,000 are available for projects to maintain or develop community facilities. Grants of up to $7500 are available for projects to upskill volunteers and improve organisational management capabilities.
Applications close Monday 6 February 2017.
Community Development and Capacity Building Grants
The Community Development and Capacity Building Grants encourage projects that respond to local and city-wide community issues with objectives including, increasing community identity and connections, increasing social inclusion and building the community sector to respond to community issues and needs. Funding amounts range from $2000 to $10,000.
Applications close Monday 20 February 2017.
Men’s Shed Grants Program
Council’s Men’s Shed Grants Program supports men’s shed groups in Brisbane. This program supports men’s sheds by providing funding for establishment and coordination expenses, facility improvements and equipment and material purchases. Funding ranges from $2000 to $20,000.
Applications close Monday 13 February 2017.
FIGHTING FOR FAIRER FARES UPDATE
It’s been a long hard fight, and I’m glad to let you know, that from late December 2016 TransLink public transport fares became cheaper & the number of travel zones reduced.
Brisbane City Council does not set public transport fares – they are controlled by the State Government who also collects the fare box revenue.
We’ve been pressuring the State Government for many years to reduce fare prices. Thanks to your support, we’ve convinced the State Government to take action.
You can trust the Lord Mayor and me to be out there fighting for the things that matter to residents.
More details on the reduced fares and zone changes can be found at www.translink.com.au
I hope to see you around the Ward this January – perhaps I might bump into you tomorrow (Saturday) at the Pride Business Network Summer BBQ in New Farm Park at 11.30 am or at the Brisbane Hustlers Open Day at 3.30 pm.
I’ll be then spending Sunday tidying up my apartment ready for the kerbside collections on Monday!
Don’t forget Chinese Lunar New Year is also fast approaching. Council’s events program for Chinatown here in The Valley can be found at this link www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/valleymalls
Vicki