Dear neighbours,

Last month we marked the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC, a movement born from the fierce fight for Indigenous rights, recognition, and justice.

The 2025 theme, “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy,” honoured First Nations Peoples' ancestors' enduring legacy while centring the power and leadership of young First Nations people shaping the future.

NAIDOC isn’t just a celebration, it’s a movement grounded  in self-determination, sovereignty, and Land Back. I'm proud to stand with First Nations communities and back their call for Indigenous-led futures, where First Nations voices lead with strength, vision, and integrity.

NAIDOC may be one week, but living on stolen Indigenous land means we all have a responsibility, when we can amidst our busy lives, to work toward truth and justice year-round. That could mean:

• Showing up to rallies like Invasion Day or when police murder someone in custody
• Speaking up against both explicit and subtle racism even when no Indigenous People or other People of Colour are in the room
• Personalising what you say when doing an Acknowledgement of Country
• Reading Indigenous authors like Ellen Van Neerven, Melissa Lucashenko, Mykaela Saunders, Chelsea Watego, Fiona Foley, Evelyn Araluen
• Reading Indigenous authors to your children like I Am Me by Sharron mirii Bell, The Coloured Echidna by Eunice Day, My People by Billie-Jean Taylor and Black Cockatoo by Carl Merrison
• Going out to see Indigenous musicians like Kaylah Truth, Sachém, Solchild, Ethan Enoch, Dancingwater, dameeeela, GLVES
• Supporting Indigenous artists like Rachael Sarra, Dylan Mooney, Yessie Mosby, Megan Cope, Lyndon Davis, Dylan Sarra
• Visit Indigenous galleries like Birrunga Gallery, Aboriginal Art Co, Dreamtime Kullilla-Art, Red Sand Art Gallery
• Donating to Indigenous organisations like Yarns Heal, Black People’s Union, Sisters Inside, Yumba Hostel, Triple A Murri Radio
• Buying from Blak owned businesses like Little Butten, Haus of Dizzy, Aji Spice House, Binda Botanicals, Delvene Cockatoo-Collins, Gammin Threads, Magpie Goose, Lox & Co ( Loxtique)

Hopefully you were able to get down to Musgrave Park for the annual NAIDOC Day Family Fun Day. We’re so lucky to live in a part of Brisbane that is home to such a strong Blak sovereignty movement and within our ward having such a significant sacred site as Musgrave Park.

Hopefully you got the chance to head down to Musgrave Park for the annual NAIDOC Day Family Fun Day.

We are so lucky to live in a part of Brisbane with such a strong, proud Blak sovereignty movement and to have Musgrave Park, a sacred site, right here in our ward. It’s a reminder that this has always been, and always will be, Aboriginal land.

In solidarity,
Trina

Read on to learn more about:

• Community Vision for the Visy Site – Have Your Say!
• 92 Ryan Street Parklet: Community Feedback & Next Steps
• Hampstead Road Consultation: Community Feedback and Next Steps
• Orleigh Park Dog Park Getting a Much-Needed Upgrade!
• Update: New Riverside Drive Dog Park (near Beesley Street)
• Gold Star and Little Stars Reading Club 
• New Bike Parking at Davies Park Now Open
• Vulture Street Pedestrian Safety Improvements
• Community Notices
• Tree Removals
• Upcoming Events

Community Vision for the Visy Site – Have Your Say!

Thank you to the 318 people who’ve already filled out our Visy Site community survey, what an incredible response! It’s clear our community deeply cares about this once-in-a-generation opportunity and wants to see something truly people-centred take shape on Montague Road.

The preliminary results are exciting and affirm the strong desire for public use and community activation of the site:

• 92.7% of respondents want to see parkland
  
  
• 39.9% want community facilities
  
  
• 38.2% support creative spaces
  
  
• 34.4% are calling for outdoor sporting fields
  

There’s also strong consensus that the 1 hectare of parkland currently proposed by Council is nowhere near enough. The community wants more and I totally agree with you. The population of 4101 has roughly doubled over the past decade and Bunyapa Park is the only new parkland Council has delivered.

If you haven’t yet, please take a few minutes to add your voice to this important conversation:

With both the LNP Council and State Government in power, there's a real risk that much of the Visy site could be handed over to private developers rather than being protected for community use. If we want to see a people-centred vision realised, we need to make it undeniably clear what the community wants.

That starts with strong numbers. A huge response to this survey will help set the foundation for any future advocacy. It shows decision-makers that residents are paying attention and expect to be heard. Filling out the survey is a small but powerful step in shaping what could become one of the most important public space decisions in our area’s future.

92 Ryan Street Parklet: Community Feedback & Next Steps

Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts on the future of 92 Ryan Street – we had over 60 people fill out the survey, which is a fantastic response.

The results were clear: the top priority is to create a native garden that supports local wildlife, with a looping path that allows people to walk through and enjoy the space. There was strong support for reducing hard surfaces, so we’re exploring natural options like a gravel path. Other popular ideas included adding benches, a picnic table, and a water bubbler with a dog bowl.

We’ve submitted community feedback and a concept sketch to Council for consideration. Once we get approval, we’ll begin obtaining cost estimates. I plan to fund this project through my Suburban Enhancement Fund this financial year.

Hampstead Road Consultation: Community Feedback and Next Steps

Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts on the two concept plans for Hampstead Road. We received thoughtful and constructive feedback, and it's clear there’s strong community support for Concept Plan 2, which proposes safer pedestrian infrastructure, expanded green space, and separated bike lanes. You can read a full summary of the consultation results here.

We’re now moving into the next stage of community input, focusing on how best to design the bike lanes. I’ve launched a follow-up survey to explore options that balance safety, accessibility, and usability for everyone on the road. If you walk, ride or drive along Hampstead Road, I encourage you to share your views.

Let’s keep shaping a street that works better for all of us.

Orleigh Park Dog Park Getting a Much-Needed Upgrade!

I'm excited to share that Brisbane City Council will soon begin long-overdue works to upgrade and expand the Dog Off-Leash Area (DOLA) at Orleigh Park. This project was funded through my Suburban Enhancement Fund in response to feedback from many of you.

The works will include:

• A new fenced dog park area
• Upgrades to existing fencing
• Fresh turf and garden beds
• A new shelter with picnic seating
• A new drinking fountain with tap access
• Dog agility equipment
• Drainage improvements
• Some concrete improvements
  

These changes will make Orleigh Park a much more enjoyable and functional space for dogs and their humans.

Works start Monday 18 August and are expected to finish by 29 September. Work will occur Monday-Friday between 7am and 5pm. While the picnic area will be temporarily fenced off, the rest of the park remains open for use. I would also like to note that removal of the old playground that is no longer in use will be included in the works, however, I am looking at future sites across the ward for more playgrounds for families. Minimal disruption is expected during construction.

Thanks to everyone who has shared their thoughts and pushed for better green space for our furry friends. This win belongs to the community!

Update: New Riverside Drive Dog Park (near Beesley Street)

Thank you to everyone who dropped by my pop-up offices over the past month. It was great to hear your thoughts and feedback in person. These conversations made it clear that there’s still some confusion about why the old Riverside Drive dog park couldn’t be reopened, and what I’ve been doing behind the scenes to secure a new space.

To help answer those questions, I’ve put together a short FAQ.

I’ve also opened a follow-up community vote to confirm support for the project. This is your chance to have your say. It’s important to note that there is no other viable location for a dog park in 4101. So if the vote doesn’t support the proposal, there won’t be another dog park in the area.

Your voice is crucial to ensure this project meets the community’s needs. So if you weren’t able to make one of my pop up offices but have thoughts to share, please send me an email at [email protected].

Gold Star and Little Stars Reading Club 

Children aged 0-12 years are invited to join the Gold Star and Little Stars Reading Club. The program encouraged children to read more and by tracking their daily reading they earn gold stars.

At the end of the program, kids are invited to attend an award ceremony to collect a medallion, certificate and cake. 

Register online or at your local library, then pick up a reading tracker to get started.

New Bike Parking at Davies Park Now Open

I’m excited to share that the new bike parking station at Davies Park is officially open. It’s already proving popular, with bikes filling the racks on Saturday mornings in particular!

Despite Council’s ongoing budget constraints, I pushed to include greenery as part of the project. I’m proud that we were able to deliver not just secure bike parking, but also three new trees and native understory plantings. It's a small win, but one that adds real value to our shared public space.

Vulture Street Pedestrian Safety Improvements

Last financial year I funded new LED Slow Down Signs around the Vulture Street zebra crossing through my Suburban Enhancement Fund. I’m delighted to see that these signs are now operational.

The signs are set to activate at the speed limit and will automatically change to activate at 40 km/hr during school zone times. I have requested for the signs to be activated by vehicles travelling in the top 15% of speed, even if that is below the speed limit. This change will be made in the coming weeks, once enough data has been collected from the sign.

Community Notices

• Dutton Park State School is looking for a new School Crossing Supervisor (lollipop person) to help children get safely to and from school on weekday mornings and afternoons. This is a casual position with training provided, and applicants must be at least 18 years of age. If you’re interested, please send your full name and contact details to [email protected] to seek further information and begin the application process. 
• Baby Give Back are critically low on preloved clothing in the following sizes: 0000, 000, 3, 4, and 5 (Boys and Girls). These are some of the most frequently requested sizes, and they’re struggling to keep up with demand. Since January, they have issued 6,081 clothing boxes. This is more than the total number given out in 2024. Donations of clothes can be dropped at the Gabba Ward Office.
• My joint petition calling on Council to upgrade Dutton Park Place station to accommodate the new Metro vehicles is still open.
• Expressions of Interest are still open to paint a mural on the People’s Park Kiosk.
• Council is rolling out a new Community Facilities Register of Interest which NFP community organisations can use to register interest for a facility lease, short-term hire, or another type of arrangement. Groups who register will automatically be notified if a suitable opportunity arises. Of course the bigger problem here is the current administration has not sufficiently invested in community facilities to meet demand. What we really need is Council to build more community facilities to make available to lease.
• The Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) is hosting a 2-day Youth Climate Training Weekend in Brisbane/Magan-djin on 2-3 August. This transformative event is run by young people, for young people, and offers workshops, inspiration, and skills to take meaningful climate action.Scholarships are available for two young people from The Gabba to attend, and ticket costs operate on a sliding scale ($0–$80). Meals are included! Interested or know someone who might be? Learn more and sign up: www.aycc.org.au 
• Kurilpa Derby is now calling for Expressions of Interest for its 2025 entertainment lineup! If you're a musician, street performer, children's entertainer, or have a unique act, this is your chance to be art of one of West End's most iconic community events. Submit your EOI before Friday 1 August
• Sign the petition to prevent the closure of Fleur St Social Exchange. This special volunteer-run community space in Annerley/Moorooka is a lifeline for many in our community! 
• Griffith University researchers are conducting research to understand how we should address homelessness in West End. If you are 18 years or older and live within 2km of Musgrave Park, you can take this online survey to share your thoughts. 

Tree Removals

Last month almost all tree removals listed were determined “not to be suitable for replanting”. Upon further investigation, I have discovered that the reasons given were all some combination of the tree blocking sight lines or interfering with electricity poles/street lamps.

Having reviewed the locations, I am concerned that Council has exaggerated the risk these trees posed. In all instances, there were clear sight lines to intersections and pedestrian crossings.

Council has also not considered the risk removing the trees will create by reducing shading and sun protection and our cities resilience for climate change. Trees also help remove air pollution, reduce noise pollution, provide habitat for local wildlife, and help create a beautiful city to live in.

Due to the Lord Mayor’s budget cuts, even when trees are to be replaced, it will be at least 12 months and possibly even longer before this happens.

• 793B Stanley Street, Woolloongabba: Two QLD Kauri trees were removed due to the trees suffering root plate upheaval during recent storm events. Replacement planting is possible at this location, but Council can’t advise when it will occur.
• 28 Prospect Terrace, Highgate Hill: One Slash Pine tree is going to be removed due to the tree structure becoming unstable after a large branch failure. Replacement planting is possible at this location, but Council can’t advise when it will occur.
• 30 Sexton Street, Highgate Hill: One Lillypilly tree is going to be removed due to being damaged in the recent strong wind weather event. Replacement planting is possible at this location, but Council can’t advise when it will occur.
• 109 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane: Two Magnolia sp. are programmed for removal due to poor health. Replacement planting is possible at this location, but Council can’t advise when it will occur.
• 98 Montague Road, South Brisbane: One Syzygium is to be removed due to poor health and structure. It’s scheduled to be completed by the end of October 2025. Replacement planting is possible at this location, but Council can’t advise when it will occur.
• 104 Linton Street, Kangaroo Point: One small street tree is to be removed due to the tree being dead. Replacement planting is possible at this location, but Council can’t advise when it will occur.

Upcoming Events