Dear Neighbour, 

The horrific antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi must be unequivocally condemned. No one should ever have to live in fear. I continue to condemn all forms of racism, including antisemitism, Islamophobia, and xenophobia, without hesitation or qualification.

In moments like this, we must resist vilification, collective blame, and speculation. Hate thrives on fear, conflation and misinformation. Community care and truth must guide our response, particularly at a time when antisemitism, islamophobia, and xenophobia are all on the rise.

Our city is at its strongest when it embraces diversity, creates space for difficult and uncomfortable conversations, and commits to deep reflection grounded in care for one another and our shared humanity.

This is a care I have seen demonstrated time and again at a local level this year. From neighbours helping one another in the lead up to Ex TC Alfred and filling sandbags at the West End pop-up depot, to our collective resistance to the sell-off of public land at both the Visy site and the Woolloongabba PDA.

Together, we are working to make our streets and public spaces safer for everyone. This year, we’ve progressed on pedestrian safety across the ward, including LED lighting improvements around schools, signalised timing changes, and other pedestrian upgrades, which we’ll share at community meetings early next year.

The community has also chosen to progress a new location for a dog park, helping to keep dogs, kids, and residents safe. We’ve shown that investment in Green Bridges benefits the whole community, as does frequent, affordable public transport and the shift to the cross river ferries at Dockside, Holman St and at the Maritime Museum. 

We have celebrated our community through local events like the Kurilpa Derby, the 150th anniversary of West End State School and countless local and multicultural festivals. 

We have also shared deep moments of sadness and grief, standing alongside and supporting the most marginalised in our community including people sleeping rough.

The Gabba Ward is brimming with people who care, from individual residents, to local community organisations, gardening groups, P&Cs, active travel advocates, and grassroots organisations. I thank each of you for your advocacy, your passion, and your refusal to stay silent.

The Gabba Ward Office will be closed from Friday 19 December 2025 - Tuesday 6 January 2026. If you need assistance during this time, please contact:

• Brisbane City Council Call Centre (24/7): 07 3403 8888
• Energex (power outages): 13 62 62
• Urban Utilities (emergency): 13 23 64

I know this isn't a joyous time for everyone. If you need support over the holidays, please don't face it alone:

• Need someone to talk to? Lifeline: 13 11 14 or text 0477 131 114 (24/7)
• Sleeping rough or insecure housing? Emmanuel City Mission in South Brisbane remains open
• Experiencing violence? 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 or text 0458 737 732 (24/7)

I take my role in service as your elected representative with deep gratitude. I remain committed to serving our community guided by values of care, compassion, and a belief that everyone deserves safety, dignity, and a place to call home.

I wish you, your family, loved ones and friends a safe, joyful and restful holiday season.

Trina

Read on to learn more about: 

• Make Your Voice Count: Key Consultations and Petitions Closing Soon

• Pedestrian Safety Wins: Come See What We've Secured for Our Community

• Summer in the Gabba Ward: Activities, Support and Community Christmas

• Make This Christmas Brighter: Community Friends Needs Your Help on Christmas Day 

Make Your Voice Count: Key Consultations and Petitions Closing Soon

There are some really important consultations and petitions happening right now that will shape the future of our community, and I want to make sure you know about them. Your opinions matter, and these are your opportunities to have your say. How we use public land, how we regulate short-term rentals, and how we plan for growth in our inner city are all deeply connected to the housing future of our city. Each one will shape whether Brisbane becomes more affordable, liveable and equitable for everyone, or whether we continue down a path that prioritises private profit over community benefit.

Visy Site Public Letter: Last Chance to Sign! (Closes 31 December 2025)

Since October, when the State Government announced plans to sell the 7.1-hectare Visy site to private developers without consulting residents, our community has been fighting to keep this land public. This is the last major publicly-owned site in South Brisbane and West End, and it could become South Bank 2.0 with public parkland, community facilities, a local school, or social housing. If you haven't already, please sign the public letter: https://www.trinamassey.com/protect_our_riverfront

The public letter closes 31 December 2025. It only takes 1 minute to add your voice to hundreds of residents standing up for transparency and public land.

Thank you to everyone who has already engaged and stay tuned to the newsletter in the new year for the next steps in our fight for the Visy site.

Save our 86 Campaign: Share your Story

Despite the vocal opposition and a 1,179-signature petition, the LNP Council cancelled the 86 Kurilpa bus loop on 27 January 2025. I wa to hear your stories about how this removal has impacted your life, whether it's added travel time, difficulty getting to work or school, or losing access to essential services. Your stories will be invaluable for our ongoing advocacy to restore this essential service.

Short Stay Accommodation (Airbnb) Local Law Consultation (Open until 16 February 2026)

Council is finally consulting on a proposed Short Stay Accommodation Local Law 2025, which would introduce a permit to regulate Airbnb and other short term rentals in Brisbane. This is a significant step forward that I have been advocating for—unregulated short term accommodation has been eroding our housing supply and impacting the amenity of residential neighbourhoods for too long. You may recall that this was one of the policies we announced back in September 2023.

Now you have the opportunity to have your say. This is your chance to provide feedback on how short term accommodation is affecting your neighbourhood and to help shape a system that balances housing supply, community amenity, and responsible tourism.

You can download the proposed local law and make a written submission until Monday 16 February 2026 here.

Help Shape Fortitude Valley's Future (Open until 15 February 2026)

Council is preparing the Fortitude Valley Sustainable Growth Precinct Plan to guide the long term future of this iconic entertainment and cultural precinct ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Fortitude Valley deserves thoughtful planning that celebrates its heritage, supports its creative community, and ensures growth benefits everyone, not just developers.

Have your say on the Your City Your Say portal where you can complete a survey and add your ideas to an interactive map. Consultation closes Sunday 15 February 2026.

This is your chance to influence decisions that will shape our community for years to come. Please take a few minutes to participate.

As always, reach out to my office if you have any questions or need help making a submission.

Pedestrian Safety Wins: Come See What We've Secured for Our Community

Pedestrian safety remains one of my top priorities. After hearing your concerns about Dornoch Terrace in Highgate Hill and Montague Road in West End, I've secured final concept designs for pedestrian improvements at both sites through the 2024 Gabba Ward Suburban Enhancement Fund.

Join me to see the designs and have your say:

Dornoch Terrace, Highgate Hill St Francis Hall, 47 Dornoch Terrace 10:30AM - 11:30AM

Montague Road, West End Come to Daddy, 208 Montague Road 12:30PM - 1:30PM 

Whether you walk, wheel, or cycle through these areas - your voice matters. More updates on Nile Street, Woolloongabba and Main Street, Kangaroo Point projects coming in 2026!

Summer in the Gabba Ward: Activities, Support and Community Christmas

The school holidays are finally here! Whether you're looking for fun ways to keep the kids entertained or need some extra support this festive season, our community has so much to offer and I'm excited to share these wonderful opportunities with you.

Free and Low-Cost Holiday Activities for Families

$2 Summer Dips Are Back! Get active, cool down and enjoy Council pools for less this summer! From 1 December 2025 to 28 February 2026, general entry fees to Council pools are discounted to just $2 per entry. 

Outdoor Adventures at Kangaroo Point Cliffs It's never too late to try a new hobby! Head out to Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park and experience the thrills of rock climbing and abseiling with Pinnacle Sports. Suitable for ages 10+. Sessions cost $6 and bookings are essential.  

Get back to nature at one of Brisbane’s beautiful environment centres — with bush kindy, crafting sessions, wildlife sessions, and so much more. It's a great way to connect with our natural spaces. 

Christmas at Southbank is all about sand, sunshine, and serious festive fun! Discover markets, giant elves, craft workshops, Santa photos and film screenings these holidays. 

Get creative at the Museum of Brisbane Check out their inspiring and interactive summer school holiday program, with daily free or lowcost activities and exhibitions for all ages, there’s something for everyone! 

Summer Reading Program Returns Council's Summer Reading program is back from 1 December 2025 to 31 January 2026 at Brisbane libraries! Track your reading, complete challenges, and attend library events to earn points for weekly $50 book voucher draws. It's a wonderful way to keep kids engaged over the holidays. For more info, visit brisbane.qld.gov.au/libraries or call 3403 8888.

Holiday fun at the State Library of Queensland Celebrate creativity and culture with a range of hands-on workshops and family-friendly activities designed to inspire all ages. Explore the library through daily scavenger hunts, enjoy a free film screening, discover vibrant artwork, and make your own mini car! Full program online or call 3840 7666 for more details. 

Make This Christmas Brighter: Community Friends Needs Your Help on Christmas Day 

I know this time of year can be challenging for many families, and I want to make sure you know about the incredible support available right here in our community.

Community Friends warmly invites you to celebrate Christmas Day with them at Bunyapa Park in West End, sharing a free breakfast and lunch with those who might otherwise spend the day alone.

When and Where:

• Date: Christmas Day – Thursday 25 December 2025
• Location: 68 Vulture Street, West End, QLD 4101 (Bunyapa Park, corner of Thomas & Vulture Streets)
• No Need to Book – Breakfast 7:30am, Lunch 11:30am – just turn up!
• Contact: Jimmy (0418 452 067) or Mark (0418 754 900)

Stay as long as you want. Whether you can spare an hour or the whole day, your presence makes a real difference.

You can help by serving meals, chatting with guests, helping with set up and clean up or donating food.

If you know someone who might otherwise be alone on Christmas Day, please invite them along. Let's come together to create a memorable Christmas for everyone.

Please don't hesitate to contact my office if you need help connecting with these services. We're all in this together, and I'm so proud of the caring, supportive community we have here in the Gabba Ward.

Community Notices

Road Closure – Jane Street, West End Due to staging of a mobile crane for development construction activities, a full road closure will occur on Jane Street, West End between Montague Rd and Buchanan St. The closure will be in place Monday 15 December to Friday 19 December, for approximately 12 hours per day from 6 am - 6 pm. Traffic controllers will be onsite to assist members of the public if required. Please look out for detour/road closure signage or avoid the area if you can.  

Extended Rail Closures From Saturday 20 December 2025 to Monday 26 January 2026 there will be track closures and travel changes across all lines for critical Cross River Rail works and essential maintenance. We encourage you to consider your travel options, plan ahead and allow extra travel time. Please plan your journey in advance by downloading the Translink app, visiting translink.com.au or calling 13 12 30. All services will return to a regular timetable from first service on Tuesday 27 January for the start of the new school year. 

Baby Give Back – Clothing Donations Needed Baby Give Back is critically low on preloved clothing in sizes 0000, 000, 3, 4, and 5 (Boys and Girls). Since January, they have issued over 6,000 clothing boxes, more than the total given out in 2024. Donations of clothes can be dropped at the Gabba Ward Office to help families in need.

Romero Centre Festive Food Drive The Romero Centre is seeking donations of rice, canned food, noodles, cooking oil, flour, tea & coffee, and supermarket vouchers. Your support keeps the weekly pantry open for people seeking asylum who cannot access social welfare. Every contribution helps provide essential groceries and a place where dignity and belonging are restored for families over the holiday season. The Gabba Ward Office will be a donation collection point until 18 December. 

The Amazing Race Brisbane: You Are Not Alone Rise Which Way Inc is a community organisation passionate about removing barriers faced by ex-prisoners and supporting successful reintegration into the community through connection, collaboration, and choice. They're hosting an incredible family-friendly event on 10 January 2026 at Musgrave Park, South Brisbane—join teams of 2-4 for the Amazing Race Brisbane, solving clues and completing challenges, alongside live performances, kids' entertainment, food trucks, and market stalls. Team entry is $75, and this is a wonderful opportunity to have fun while supporting an important cause in our community. Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-amazing-race-brisbane-you-are-not-alone-tickets-1861671011109

Tree Removals

• 197 Shafston Ave, Kangaroo Point: One Mangifera indica (Mango) tree will be removed. Council has advised it is not a suitable species for street planting and lacks adequate space for its mature size. A Cupaniopsis anacardioides (Tuckeroo) replacement will be planted at the location within 90 days.

• 21 Lambert St, Kangaroo Point: One dead unidentified tree will be removed and seven nearby street trees will be trimmed. A Cupaniopsis anacardioides (Tuckeroo) replacement will be planted at the location within 90 days.

• 28 Waterview Terrace, Dutton Park: One dead Eucalyptus sideroxylon adjacent to 'The Bower' will be removed. Multiple Elaeocarpus obovatus trees will be planted along Waterview Terrace within the parklands to compensate for canopy loss, scheduled within 90 days (subject to supplier availability).

• 117 Victoria St, West End: One semi-mature Jacaranda Mimosifolia will be removed within 1 day due to structural failure creating a critical safety concern. Multiple replacement trees will be planted within West End Riverside parklands to compensate for canopy loss.

• 399 Montague Rd, West End: One Paperbark tree was removed after sustaining severe storm damage and exhibiting advanced decay at its base. My office pushed for its replacement, and after inspection, Council has confirmed that three Broad-leaved Paperbark trees will be planted as replacements within 90 days. The trees will be staked, tied for stability, and provided with 12 months of aftercare to maintain optimal shade coverage along the footpath.