Dear neighbour, 

I write to you as severe storm warnings are in place for today and tomorrow. Our community has already experienced extreme weather this week, and I know many of you are feeling anxious about what’s ahead. Please take care, stay indoors where possible, and keep up to date with the latest alerts from the Bureau of Meteorology, sign up for Brisbane Severe Weather Alerts  and keep an eye on the Emergency Dashboard.

We'll be monitoring conditions closely and sharing updates as needed. To help you prepare, please see my article below. 

It’s been wonderful to see so many of you out and about across the community this month. From the Dutton Park Community Movie Night, to performances at Melt Festival at Metro Arts and Queensland Theatre, the Vocal Jazz Festival in Kangaroo Point, and Oktoberfest in Woolloongabba. These events showcase the connection and creativity that make Gabba Ward such a vibrant place to live.

At the same time, there have been concerning developments, including the sell-off of the Visy Glass site, the secret extension of the Kurilpa TLPI, and the amended Woolloongabba PDA. I will continue to stand with community to fight for the infrastructure our ward needs, including more greenspace, community facilities, affordable housing, and genuine consultation. Residents deserve a real voice in the decisions that shape our neighbourhoods.

Thank you for staying engaged and involved. 

Warmest Regards, 

Trina

Read on to learn more about: 

• Be Prepared
• Standing Up for Our Community: The Fight for the Visy Site
• Making Our Streets Safer: Pedestrian Improvements Coming to the Gabba Ward
• Riverside Dog Park: Poll Results and What Happens Next
• Update on Orleigh Park DOLA Works 
• Supporting Public EV Charging Stations Across Brisbane

Be Prepared 

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has forecast a heightened risk of severe storm activity this weekend, with Saturday, 1 November, identified as the peak risk period.

Photo credit: Jason Isbester Photography

This afternoon, BoM has advised that for Brisbane:

• Severe thunderstorms are possible from Friday (today) to Sunday.

• Saturday presents the highest risk, with severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall expected from early afternoon into the evening.

• If severe storms occur, they could include heavy rainfall, large hail, and damaging winds.

• Storms on Saturday are likely to develop quickly in the early afternoon, bringing a risk of hail and damaging winds.

• After the early afternoon risk of hail and damaging winds, the threat will shift to heavy rainfall in the evening and early night. Conditions are not expected to continue overnight or into Sunday morning.

For more information about preparing for severe weather, visit the following link: Be prepared

Important contacts to consider:

• Brisbane City Council's Emergency Dashboard 
• To report any Council related impacts and maintenance issues from the weather event (e.g. trees down, flooded roads or blocked storm water drains), contact Council’s Contact Centre on 07 3403 8888.
• For non-life-threatening flood and storm emergency assistance, contact SES on 132 500 or log a job on the SES Assistance Qld app.
• In a life-threatening situation, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.   

Sandbags are fully stocked and available at the following collection locations: 

• Darra - South Depot, 38 Shamrock Road
• Lota Depot, 58 Herbert Street
• Morningside - Balmoral Depot, 9 Redfern Street
• Newmarket - SES Depot, 66 Wilston Road
• Zillmere - North Depot, 33 Jennings Street

With strong winds expected over the weekend, please take precautions to stay safe:

• Bring in or secure outdoor furniture, bins, and other loose items.

• Stay indoors where possible and avoid tall trees or powerlines.

• Close and lock all windows and doors.

• Park away from trees, signs, and flood-prone areas.

• Keep emergency supplies handy, including torches, batteries, and phone chargers.

• Stay updated with the latest warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology and local authorities.

 Please take care and check on neighbours if it is safe to do so.

Standing Up for Our Community: The Fight for the Visy Site

In 2022, the State Government secured the 7.1-hectare Visy site in South Brisbane for $165 million. Visy is the last major publicly-owned site in South Brisbane and West End (Kurilpa), and it represents an incredible opportunity for our community. With thoughtful, flood-resistant planning and a focus on community needs, this site could become South Bank 2.0. A vibrant space delivering lasting benefits for generations. It could provide public parkland, community facilities, a local school, or much-needed social housing. Queensland currently has 77,000 social houses with 55,000 people on the public housing waitlist, highlighting just how critical social housing build is.

But in October, the State Government announced plans to sell the site to private developers, without consulting residents. No discussions, no transparency, and no respect for those of us who live here. Our neighbourhood’s future should not be decided behind closed doors. This land is not just dirt; it carries deep responsibilities to our community, to Country, and to future generations.

That is why I have launched a campaign to protect the Visy site for public use. We must show the State Government and the Lord Mayor that our community will not be ignored. This land should remain in public hands for the good of all.

Making Our Streets Safer: Pedestrian Improvements Coming to the Gabba Ward

When I talk to residents across our ward, pedestrian safety consistently comes up as a top priority. You've told me you want safer crossings around our schools, safer access to local shops, and safer streets for everyone who walks, wheels, or cycles in our community. I hear you, and I've been working hard to make it happen.

In 2024, I worked with Council to secure approval and used the Gabba Ward Suburban Enhancement Fund to kickstart investigations and designs for pedestrian improvements at several key locations across our ward.

I'm really pleased to share that two of these sites now have final concept designs ready, and I want you share these with you.

I'm inviting you to join me at community meetings where you can:

• Learn more about the proposed upgrades
• Ask questions about the design process
• Share your feedback on the next steps
  

Community Meeting: Pedestrian Safety Dornoch Terrace, Highgate Hill 

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

Community Meeting: Pedestrian Safety Montague Road, West End

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

These workshops are your chance to see and learn about the designs, locations and ask questions about improvements that will make a real difference in our community.

Keep an eye out for more updates on pedestrian safety projects at Nile Street, Woolloongabba and Main Street, Kangaroo Point in 2026!

Riverside Dog Park: Poll Results and What Happens Next

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Community Poll on the proposed Dog Park near Beesley Street. The response was incredible – 882 residents from across the Gabba Ward shared their views.

After verifying responses and excluding votes from outside the ward, 59% of respondents supported the proposal. 

"Yes, I strongly support this project" being the top response.

Notably, half of respondents were non-dog owners, showing this is about creating accessible community spaces in the area.

 

Many shared that while Davies Park is popular, it lacks secure fencing and clear signage, and other parks require travel. There's real demand for a safe, purpose-built dog park within walking distance.

We'll share the timeline once the project enters the design phase. My team will continue advocating for shade, water, and safe, inclusive features. For more information and detailed FAQ, visit my website.

Update on Orleigh Park DOLA Works

The current DOLA areas (Lower and Upper) have been confirmed as contamination-free, and upgrade works are set to resume soon. Planned improvements include:

• Agility play equipment
  
• New turf
  
• Revegetation and rock drain protection
  
• Low shrubs at the entrance
  
• Shaded seating
  
• Footpath connection to the DOLA
  
  

However, the planned expansion area has been found to be heavily contaminated and will need to be fenced off for safety while remediation is prepared. I am working closely with Council officers to secure funding for the clean-up, which may take until the next financial year. Please help keep everyone safe by avoiding the fenced area.

I will continue to provide updates on timelines for both the upgrades and remediation. Thank you for your understanding and patience.

Supporting Public EV Charging Stations Across Brisbane

As Brisbane moves towards a more sustainable future, access to electric vehicle (EV) charging is becoming increasingly important, especially for residents in apartments or townhouses without off-street parking. Many have shared with my office the challenges they face, including unsafe practices like running extension leads across footpaths.

Public EV charging stations deliver real benefits beyond just convenience – they support local businesses, help reduce transport emissions, and provide equitable access for all residents to participate in the transition to zero-emissions transport, not just those with driveways or garages.

I recently wrote to the Lord Mayor proposing a pilot program to convert selected street parking spaces into EV charging stations. I've now received a response from the Chair for Infrastructure. While Council is monitoring EV charging trials in other states and exploring ways to improve access to communal EV infrastructure, they've noted that power poles in Brisbane are owned by Energex, not Council, which presents additional considerations for on-street charging solutions.

I remain committed to finding practical solutions that make EV ownership safer and more accessible for all Brisbane residents. There are proven models, including partnerships with charge point operators that deliver infrastructure at zero cost to councils, that could help accelerate this transition.

I'd like to hear from you. What are your thoughts on public EV charging in our community? Do you face challenges accessing charging infrastructure? Email my office at [email protected] to share your experience.

Community Notices

• 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.
• Share the Dignity – Council Cares Initiative
  The Gabba Ward Office has partnered with Share the Dignity as part of their new Council Cares initiative. The program aims to increase awareness and understanding of menstruation and help break down barriers. Check out the resources and tools available on the menstruation education hub today: Share the Dignity Education Hub

Tree Removals

• A tree (species unknown) on Morris Street, Highgate Hill has been removed following vehicle impact. Council has confirmed that a replacement tree will be planted at the same location, with timing dependent on conditions and plant availability.
• A Bottlebrush (Callistemon viminalis) on Gloucester Street, South Brisbane will be removed by the end of December 2025 due to declining health. Council has confirmed that the location is unsuitable for replanting, and an alternative location is being investigated nearby to maintain canopy coverage.