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14/01/25: New Year, New Updates! Community meetings, Back to School Buses and more

Dear Residents, 

Happy New Year! I hope the summer break has treated you well, and I wish you and your loved ones happiness and health in all realms. For those within the community who are key workers across the Christmas and New Year period, thank you for your work!

I step into the New Year, continuing my commitment to represent all residents to the best of my ability and to actively work for a more sustainable, fair and just 2025. 

In this newsletter you’ll find:

  • Snap Community Meeting: 86 Loop
  • Be Prepared - Heatwaves and Storms
  • Back to School: Changes to Bus Routes
  • Hampstead Rd Consultation: Part 2
  • Community Petitions
  • Tree Removals
  • Community Events

Community Meeting - 86 Kurilpa Loop 

As many of you know, the LNP administration has dismissed the calls from both Kurilpa and wider Brisbane residents to make the 86 Kurilpa Loop a permanent bus route.

The decision, which relied on information lacking transparency, disregarded years of advocacy and rejected a petition with 1179 signatures (thank you again for your incredible support), continues to be a source of frustration and disbelief.

Thank you to everyone who has contacted the Lord Mayor directly since the announcement that the Service would be stopped. Many residents have contacted me asking if there’s anything more we can do. In response, I’ve called a snap Community Meeting to discuss potential actions before the route ends on Monday, January 27, 2025.

I encourage all community members to attend and share their ideas as we continue working together to Save the 86 Kurilpa Loop.

Date: Saturday 18 January 2025
Time: 12:30pm - 2pm
Location: Come to Daddy 208 Montague Rd, West End QLD 4101

Be Prepared and Be Informed!!

2024 was the warmest year on record at about 1.55°C above pre-industrial level. The effects of Climate Change are already present in our lives today. What this means is that we are experiencing more severe storms, increased heat waves, extremes and volatility in weather.  Brisbane and the Gabba Ward are particularly vulnerable to clear, tangible effects during the Summer.

The Summer isn’t over, and with alerts out for heat waves and flooding, it’s essential to be prepared and informed. 

Have you explored the following resources:


Back To School - Changes in School Bus Routes

With the commencement of Metro 2 (previously known as Route 66) from UQ Lakes to the Royal Brisbane and Women's hospital - it’s important to note changes to district (school) services. 

For Dutton Park residents it's important to note that M2 services will not stop at Dutton Park Place. People wishing to travel to Dutton Park Place will need to transfer.

Some important bus stop information

  • Routes 425, P426, 430, 431, 435, P443, and 446 will be permanently moved from CBD busway stations to street level to accommodate the longer metro vehicles on the M2 route
  • Route 444 will move back to stop 1A (from 1C) in City Hall / King George Square station
  • Routes 139 and Route 169 will be relocated from Stop B and Stop D at UQ Lakes station to provide capacity for metro services.

Some important new route information 

  • Route 844: due to overcrowding on the popular 180 BUZ service the 844 will be introduced to provide a direct connection from Brisbane South State Secondary College to Mount Gravatt Central. This Route will run in the PM hours. 
  • Route 860: This route has been created to maintain district service connections for students who may be impacted with changes to the new Route 202. This Route will maintain direct connection with Carindale interchange to Somerville College, St Laurence’s College and Brisbane South State Secondary College. This Route will run both in the AM and PM.

There are other changes to the ‘new bus network’ that will be introduced with the Metro on 28 January, but nothing significant for the Ward in terms of two of the clear top priorities residents speak to me about: increasing the frequency of the 234 and extending the hours of the 192.

I’m determined to keep fighting for these services and free, frequent and reliable public transport more broadly. 

If you have any questions about the new network and bus routes in the Gabba Ward, please reach out.

 

Group of people at the Hampstead Rd Workshop in Feb 2024

Hampstead Road Consultation: Part 2

Hampstead Road is a key connecting road and an opportunity to create a more climate-responsive streetscape in Highgate Hill. An extensive local street that could be redesigned to create more green space and improve active travel connections without impacting traffic flow. 

In February 2024, we ran our first workshop, which involved working with residents, community groups, and businesses. With the concept designs finally available, we are holding the second part of the consultation to go through the designs and the next steps forward. 

This was a project I funded through my Suburban Enhancement Fund to deliver protected bike lanes and more tree coverage on this extensive road. I’m hoping you can join us and share your input. 

Date: Saturday, 15 February 2025

Time: 10:30 am - 12pm

Location: Lithuanian Hall, 49 Gladstone Rd, Highgate Hill

 

Community Petitions

Below are some petitions I've been asked to share.

  • Bike Lanes for Venner RoadResidents draw attention to Venner Road being an unsafe designated cycle route that is planned to be resurfaced in 2025. Petitioners request that Council implement the concept proposed by the Transport department, with inclusion of separated cycle lanes on both sides of Venner Rd between Ipswich Rd and Clara St. 
  • Howard Smith Wharves must deliver World Class Riverwalk Bikeway -Petitioners request Council, require Howard Smith Wharves to provide a world class bikeway facility as part of their development application (A006618899) that is segregated and compliant with TMR & Austroads guidelines for active transport corridors similar to the existing New Farm Riverwalk, Bicentennial Bikeway or Kingsford Smith Bikeway.
  • Freedom, dignity and safety for trans women in detention - Dignity and safety for transgender people in immigration detention. Implement best standard health care protocols for trans people in detention, training for staff, fair access to hormones and other essential medical care, independent and transparent complaints process, and introduce routine external audits of detention conditions.

Tree Removals

  • 22 Ridge Street Highgate Hill - One Cupaniopsis anacardioides will be removed due to poor health and structure. A replacement Buckinghamia celsissima will be planted at this location within 90 days after removal date. 
  • Raymond Park, Kangaroo Point - One Melaleuca Bracteata tree will be removed from this location due to poor health and structure. A replacement Lophostemon Confertus tree is scheduled to be planted at the location within 90 days after the removal date.
  • 9 Bright Street Kangaroo Point - Four dying trees have been removed, the replacement of four Callistemon Salignus will be planted within 90 days of removal. 
  • 47 Peel Street, South Brisbane - One Harpullia Pendula tree has been removed due to poor health and structure. A replacement of a Tulipwood tree will be planted at this location within 90 days of removal. 
  • 381 Gladstone Road, Dutton Park - One Grevillea Robusta tree will be removed due to poor health and structure. A replacement Eucalyptus Propinqua will be planted within 90 days of removal. 

 

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