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Dear Neighbour, Spring is truly here, and September has been absolutely packed with community, culture and some very big days out across the Gabba Ward! September brought us two wholesome local community events: the Kurilpa Derby and the Meanjin Reggae Festival. The Kurilpa Derby captures everything everyone loves about West End. It's creative, artistic, colourful, a little bit chaotic and completely community made. Bikes, floats on wheels, costumes, music, dancing, dog competitions and plenty of gloriously silly moments, all brought together by locals who volunteer their time. A huge thank you to the West End Community Association and the Kurilpa Derby organising team for another amazing day. And I want to give a huge shout out to our Gabba Ward volunteers, who spent the whole day at the Derby keeping everyone supplied with sausages and watermelon. You did an absolutely sterling job, and I’m so grateful for the time, energy and good humour you brought to the day. Then came the Meanjin Reggae Festival, bringing music, culture and community together at Musgrave Park. It's another fantastic grassroots event that exists because people put in the time, energy and hard work to make it happen. A massive thank you to Champion Sound and the whole Meanjin Reggae Festival team for such a welcoming and joyful day. What I love most about both events is that they're genuinely community driven. They aren't about profit or a glossy corporate production. They're about people getting together, sharing culture and making our neighbourhoods thriving places to live. These events don't happen without volunteers, organisers, performers, stallholders, cooks, community groups and all the people who quietly pitch in behind the scenes. So thank you to every one of you for making our community what it is. See you on the next dancefloor,
Read on to learn more about:· Sitting weeks wrap-up: Bringing your questions into the Chamber · Loading Zone Removed at 419 Montague Road · Halloween at Bunyapa Park: Free Community Movie Night · Fire Ants in the Gabba Ward: Spring/Summer Preparation · Council Grant Opportunities · Gabba Ward Community Grants Workshop
Sitting weeks wrap-up: Bringing your questions into the ChamberThe third Council sitting of the year has wrapped up, marking the end of another seven weeks of committees, general meetings, questions, motions, debates and, if I’m being honest, quite a few moments of frustration. Over the August and September sittings, I’ve continued to bring the issues residents are raising with me directly into the Chamber. That has included pedestrian safety, development and construction impacts, public land, rates increases for multiple dwellings, transport and the future of community infrastructure. I’ve pushed for action on the Dornoch Terrace, Hardgrave Road and Ganges Street intersections, questioned Council about the Dockside to Mowbray Riverwalk, and continued challenging decisions around public land and development. But sometimes the most frustrating part of being in the Chamber is seeing what the Council says it cannot afford, while finding money for other priorities. My final question of the sitting went straight to that issue: “Lord Mayor, why does your Administration have the money for a trial, but not the money or the political will to fund pedestrians crossings, traffic calming, and public transport services that would actually make our streets safer, give people alternatives to driving and reduce the number of cars on our roads?” Our ward has been left waiting on too many services, and I asked the Lord Mayor about the loss of t86 bus because it shows exactly what decisions like that cost our communities. The 86 was a free, popular local bus service connecting West End and South Brisbane. We spent years advocating for it, including securing extensions to the trial and delivering a petition with 1,179 signatures. Council ultimately cancelled the service in January 2025, despite the community campaign to keep it. The Lord Mayor spent over three minutes arguing that the 86 was never a trial, before explaining that the Gabba Ward has some of the best public transport in Brisbane, partly thanks to the Metro. I’d love for the Lord Mayor to tell that to the people who used the 86 to get to school, work and around their neighbourhood. Tell it to the residents still waiting for the second West End ferry terminal. Tell it to Kangaroo Point residents who still don't have a CityCat and rely on an infrequent 234 bus service. Tell it to Highgate Hill residents constantly waiting for the late 196 bus. Tell it to Dutton Park residents who missed out on a Metro stop. And that is why I keep asking these questions. It is not simply about one bus route or one line in the budget. It is about the choices Council makes with public money, and whether those choices reflect what our communities actually need. There were plenty of frustrations across these sittings, but there were also some really important moments of community advocacy. I’m proud that residents’ concerns are being put directly on the public record, and I’ll keep doing that. I’m now in recess, but the work in the Gabba Ward certainly doesn’t stop. My office will keep following up, pushing for answers and working with residents on the issues that matter to our communities. Pressing every lever to get outcomes.
Loading Zone Removed at 419 Montague RoadCouncil is removing the loading zone at 419 Montague Road to improve sightlines for people travelling through the Ferry Road, Drake Street and Montague Road intersection. Improving visibility is a sensible immediate step, but it is not a long term solution for this intersection. The long term solution is proper investment in the intersection, including traffic lights. While Council continues to cite financial constraints, I will keep pushing for practical improvements that make this intersection safer for everyone. In the meantime, I’d really like to hear from residents and road users about whether removing the loading zone improves visibility and safety. Please keep me informed about what you’re seeing on the ground, as I continue pushing Council to properly invest in this intersection and others across the Gabba Ward.
Halloween at Bunyapa Park: Free Community Movie NightGrab your costume and a picnic rug; my office is hosting a free Halloween Movie Night for the whole Gabba Ward community! Join us at Bunyapa Park, West End, for a family-friendly spooky night under the stars. We will be watching Hotel Transylvania, with prizes for best dressed, and free popcorn and lollies. Some outdoor mats and pillows will be provided, but feel free to bring your own blanket and settle in.
When: Saturday 31 October 2026, roll out your rug from 5:30pm for a 6pm movie start (finishing around 8pm) All are welcome. Bring the family, your favourite costume, and get ready for a fun night together as a community. I made the decision not to charge an entry fee. I believe we need more free community events, not fewer, particularly while so many households are feeling the pressure of the cost of living. So while it’s a shame we couldn’t show Coco, I’m really pleased we can still come together for a free night out in the community. I hope to see you there!
Fire Ants in the Gabba Ward: Spring/Summer PreparationMy office has received a growing number of enquiries from residents about fire ants, including reports of nests in Musgrave Park. I raised this directly in Chambers on 12 May, which led to the immediate treatment of seven nests in the park and a follow up retreatment the next week. In July, my office, local residents, and other Greens ward offices met with the National Fire Ant Eradication Program to get a clearer picture of where things stand and what we can actually do about it. A few things came out of that meeting worth sharing: Where we're at The Gabba Ward is currently in a suppression phase, not full eradication. Eradication remains the goal and is still funded, but the program works outward-in from the coast, and reporting and surveillance from residents is what makes suppression effective in the meantime. Left unmanaged, fire ants have a real impact on how we use our own backyards and parks. Fire ants prefer to forage during the day and in warmer weather, so as we head into the warmer months, expect to see more activity and more nests. It's a good time to keep an eye out. What has changed Historically, residents could only report nests and had to wait for authorities to treat them. That has shifted. Now, over 68,000 Queensland landholders are part of a self-management program, using a slow-acting product (IGR) that sterilises the queen over about three months. For active nests, a more targeted fast-acting bait is used instead. Council has also recently gained clearer authority to direct treatment in council-owned parks, which should mean faster action on public land going forward. What we can do as a community
Reporting is the single biggest thing residents can do to keep suppression working in our ward; the more accurate and timely the reports, the better the response. Our office will continue working in partnership with the National Fire Ant Eradication Program, and we'll have more updates as things progress, so stay tuned.
Council Grant OpportunitiesSome of the best things about our community happen because local groups, artists and volunteers roll up their sleeves and make them happen. Council grants can help cover the costs, and there are several opportunities open right now. Please share this with your club, group or neighbours. Seniors Celebration Donation (closes 6 October) Environment Grants (open 5 October, close 2 November) Creative Sparks Grants (close 9 November) Lord Mayor's Creative Fellowships (close 16 November) If you're thinking about a creative grant, Council is running a free information session at Garden City Library on Thursday 8 October at 6pm. Book your spot here. If you have questions or would like a hand working out which grant suits your group, get in touch with my office.
Gabba Ward Community Grants WorkshopDoes your community group need a little help to get a project off the ground? Each year, the Gabba Ward Office has an allocation of $44,000 through the Lord Mayor’s Community Fund to fund projects of community benefit. The grant is open to community groups and not-for-profit organisations that are based in the Gabba Ward (or delivering projects for Gabba Ward residents) with most grant amounts ranging from $250 to $1000. We’re holding a workshop for community group members interested in finding out more about the grants process, how to apply, and how to write a successful application. For more information about Gabba Ward grants eligibility, visit my grants webpage here. Please reach out to my team at [email protected] if you have any questions, and hope to see you there! Date: Thursday 26 November 2026 Time: 6pm – 7.30pm Location: Gabba Ward Community Meeting Room
Tree RemovalsCouncil has approved and given notice of the following tree removals across the Gabba Ward.
Community NoticesNew Community Pantry at The Gabba Ward Office! I'm excited to share that we've set up a community pantry inside the Gabba Ward office, for anyone in our community who needs a little extra support, or who would like to give back. You can drop off or collect nonperishable items e.g. canned goods with pull-tab lids, peanut and nut butters, cereals, pasta and shelf-stable sauces, granola bars, trail mix, dried fruit and veg, and hygiene products. Please don't leave glass containers, heavy cans without pull tabs, fresh or perishable food, chocolate, or anything with delicate coatings. The pantry is accessible during our office's regular hours: Whether you're going through a tough time or simply want to support a neighbour, this pantry is here for our community. Froggy Park Time Capsule: Opening Event Coming in November Many residents have reached out to my office about the time capsule buried in Froggy Park (Orleigh Park) back in 2001 by West End State School Kindy, marked to be opened in 2026. My office is working with former teachers of West End State Preschool to support a proper opening event, planned for Saturday November 21, with more details to follow in the next newsletter. We want to make sure this happens safely and with the community properly involved, rather than the capsule being dug up informally. If you'd like to be involved, or you were part of the original 2001 group who placed items inside, please email my office at [email protected] for more information. Register to Become a Master Composter! 🌱 Are you passionate about composting, reducing waste, and helping others create healthy soils and thriving gardens? Brisbane City Council's Master Composter Course is returning this October, offering Brisbane residents the opportunity to deepen their composting knowledge and become composting champions in their local communities. Participants will complete a short online component prior to attending 1.5 days of in-person learning, where they will hear from experienced guest speakers, explore a range of composting systems and techniques, and connect with like-minded people who are passionate about creating a more sustainable Brisbane. To become a certified Master Composter, participants are also required to complete 20 hours of volunteering at Brisbane community compost hubs following the course (in the next 12 months). This volunteer component provides valuable hands-on experience and helps strengthen local composting initiatives across the city. 📅 Course Dates ✅ Day 1: Saturday 10 October 2026 (9:30am to 12:00pm) 📍 Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre, Karawatha ✅ Day 2: Saturday 24 October 2026 (9:30am to 3:30pm) 📍 The Neighbourhood Farm, Corinda Places are limited, so we encourage interested community members to register their interest early! 👉 Register your interest here or email: [email protected] GOMA Teens Creativity Lounge Each session features a different hands‑on creative activity, and a chance to create something new and unexpected. Attend one session or all three. Arrive any time and stay as long as you like, up to two hours. Bookings required, but walk-ins are also welcome (space permitting). SESSIONS More Info and Bookings HERE. Headspace Woolloongabba – Supporting Youth Mental Health Headspace provides free counselling and other services for young people aged 12-25 to support their mental health. Programs on offer at the Woolloongabba centre include: 🎨 Social Space: a place to belong and connect 📆 Wednesdays 4pm-6pm Come and connect with other young people in a relaxed, supportive environment. Activities include board games, card games, arts and crafts, and movies. 🌈 Diverse City: LGBTQIA+ group program 📆 Tuesdays 4:30pm-6:30pm This program provides a welcoming space for LGBTQIA+ youth to connect and be themselves. Activities include arts and crafts, open mics, board games and discussions about identity, health, self-care and relationships. They also have their own rainbow rack with gender affirming clothing available. If you haven’t been to headspace before, please contact the office first by phoning (07) 3249 2222 or emailing [email protected]. The group space is wheelchair accessible and air-conditioned with separate gender neutral bathroom and shower access. Computers 4 Learning – Drop Your Old Devices Got an old laptop or computer gathering dust? Drop it in and we'll pass it on to Computers 4 Learning, an organisation which refurbishes donated devices and gives them to people who are disadvantaged. Every device given a second life helps tackle digital inequality and e-waste. Baby Give Back – Clothing Donations Needed Free Webinar Series: Flood Resilience for Brisbane Apartments Webinar 2: What Brisbane Apartment Renters Need to Know About Floods Webinar 3: Lessons for Success: Stories From Apartment Flood Planning Share the Dignity – Council Cares Initiative Queensland Seniors Month – Advance Care Planning October is Queensland Seniors Month. Your health can be unpredictable, but how you’re cared for doesn’t have to be. Advance care planning helps ensure that your future health care choices are known and can be respected, even if you can’t speak for yourself. Metro South Health offers free one-on-one sessions where you can learn more and get support with advance care planning. Call 1300 227 674 to book your appointment. Telehealth appointments are now available. Presented by the Metro South Health Advance Care Planning Service, Queensland Health. WasteSMART Brisbane Awards – People’s Choice Voting Open The 2026 WasteSMART Brisbane Awards showcase Brisbane's sustainability leaders and recognise outstanding efforts to reduce waste and promote resource recovery across the city. Voting for the WasteSMART People’s Choice Award is now open and we are very proud to have five finalists from the Gabba Ward announced. Explore the inspiring waste-smart initiatives from this year’s finalists, choose your favourite and cast your vote here. Voting closes Monday 12 October 2026, so don’t miss your chance to help recognise Brisbane’s waste-smart champions.
Works & Closures NoticesRoad Closure and Out of Hours Works at 105 Jane St, West End Commencing Monday 28th September for two weeks, out of hours work will occur to complete critical utility works for a development project. Works will take place from Mondays to Thursdays between 6:30pm-6:30am, and Fridays 6:30pm-10pm. Construction noise can be expected. A full closure of Jane St between Montague Rd & Buchanan St will be in place continuously from 6am Monday 28th September to 10pm Friday 2nd October. A detour will be in place and traffic controllers will be onsite to assist members of the public if required. Closure of Cultural Centre Riverwalk between Kurilpa Bridge and Victoria Bridge From Tuesday 6 October to Friday 23 October 2026, Council will carry out important maintenance works on the Riverwalk to replace deteriorated lighting pole brackets. Works will take place from 6:30am to 3:30pm, Monday to Friday. To complete the works safely, this section of the Riverwalk and the adjacent footpath will be closed during work hours. The Riverwalk will reopen after 3:30pm each day once works are complete, with no impacts expected on weekends. Riders and pedestrians will need to use an alternative route during these times. Traffic controllers and detour signage will be in place to guide users around the work area. Access to the Cultural Centre pontoon will remain available via the Cultural Centre tunnel. Night Works in West End and Highgate Hill Council will be undertaking traffic signal refurbishment works and geotechnical works at the below intersections:
These works are planned for 1 week from Monday 12 October to Friday 16 October 2026, between 6pm-5am. In the event of wet weather, works will be rescheduled to the next available night/s. While works are underway you can expect increased construction noise, dust, and vibrations, and vehicle movements with reversing alarms and flashing lights. Due to workplace health and safety requirements, reversing beepers cannot be switched off. Traffic control will be in place to guide pedestrians around the work zone. If you have any questions about these works please contact Brisbane City Council on 3403 8888 (24 hours). Extended Track Closures on Beenleigh and Gold Cost Lines Track closures are in place on the Beenleigh and Gold Coast Lines from Saturday 19 September to Sunday 11 October. Affected stations include Dutton Park and Boggo Road. Railbuses will replace trains between Boggo Rd and southern stations, so please allow extra travel time and plan your journey using the journey planner tool. Further information is available on the service updates page or by calling Translink’s 24/7 customer service line on 13 12 30. Late Night Closures on Eleanor Schonell Bridge Busway From 10pm until 5am on the following dates the Eleanor Schonell Bridge will be closed for maintenance works:
During these times UQ Lakes station and Dutton Park Place bus stops will be closed. Route M2 and 179 will use alternative stops as shown here. Services may experience minor delays from 9pm before full closures commencing at 10pm each night. Council is working with UQ and Translink to implement passenger service alerts and on platform announcements to assist customers during the closures.
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