Dear Neighbour, 

As we step into a new year, I want to wish you and your loved ones a safe, hopeful, and fulfilling start to 2026. The new year provides an opportunity to pause, reflect, and recommit, and I am grateful to move forward alongside a strong, diverse, and compassionate community.

After a short break, I have been straight back to work and hitting the ground running. January has already been filled with moments that reflect the values that make our community special.

I was proud to join our community at the LGBTIQA+ Love & Joy picnic hosted by the Uniting Church West End, Magandjin People’s Pride, and Trans Justice Meanjin. At a time when LGBTIQA+ communities are facing increasing hostility and attempts to roll back hard won rights, events like this that centre visibility, connection, and joy are more important now than ever.

It was also a pleasure to be back at West End State School, where my office delivered a back‑to‑school breakfast, welcoming teachers and new families for the year ahead. I’ll continue advocating for local infrastructure improvements around schools across the ward to ensure safety and accessibility for students, families and staff.  I’m looking forward to continuing my work with local schools throughout the year!

On 26 January, many in our community observe Invasion Day / A Day of Mourning. For First Nations people, this date marks the beginning of dispossession, cultural violence, and discriminatory policies following the arrival of the First Fleet.

The Day of Mourning was first held on 26 January 1938, when Aboriginal activists from across Australia gathered at Australian Hall in Sydney to protest systemic injustices, demand equal rights, and call for the end of discriminatory treatment. Organised by the Aborigines Progressive Association and supported by the Australian Aborigines League, the 1938 Day of Mourning was a milestone in the fight for Indigenous civil rights and laid the groundwork for decades of activism that continues today. 

Recognising this day is about more than acknowledgement. It’s about listening, reflecting, and the ongoing impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures, and committing to meaningful action towards justice and sovereignty.

Locally, there will be a Flag Raising at Jagera Hall at 8am and a rally from Queens Garden starting at 10am. I hope to see you there. 

Earlier this week, I joined community members locally and across the country observed a National Day of Mourning for the 15 people killed in the Bondi Beach terror attack. Flags were flown at half‑mast, memorials and moments of silence were held, and many came together to honour the lives lost and show solidarity with those grieving.

I also want to extend my sincere condolences to the friends, family, and wider community of Velvet. Their loss has been deeply felt. All who knew Velvet were touched by her light, care, and talent. Thank you to community members and Mirrorball Ministries who created a space for grief and shared stories and songs together. My thoughts are with all those in mourning. May you feel surrounded by care and solidarity.

Thank you for the many ways you continue to show up for one another. Whether it’s celebrating love and joy, mourning loss, demanding justice or simply caring for our neighbours, these moments of shared care are what community looks like in action. I look forward to working with you throughout the year ahead.

In solidarity, 

Trina

Read on to learn more about: 

• Missed Bin Collections in Multi-dwelling Apartments
• Parmalat Factory Closure: Another Missed Opportunity for Kurilpa 
• Dog Park Updates: Orleigh Park Reopening & Riverside Drive Progress
• Pedestrian Safety Wins: Come See What We've Secured for Our Community
• Save our 86 Campaign: Share your Story  
• New Bench Seat and Dog Friendly Tap at Highgate Hill Park Community Garden
• New Dedicated Bus Route Launches for BSSSC Students 

Missed Bin Collections in Multi-Dwelling Apartments

Body corporates and residents across the ward have contacted my office regarding multiple missed bin collections. I have been escalating these cases directly to the General Manager of Waste, who has requested the contractor provide both action and a response.

If you have been affected by missed bin collections, please get in touch with my office so I can escalate your case. While the immediate priority is clearing the backlog, I am also pushing for a clear understanding of what's causing these issues and a long term solution to prevent ongoing problems.

Parmalat Factory Closure: Another Missed Opportunity for Kurilpa 

After almost 90 years, the South Brisbane Pauls Milk Factory (Parmalat) will close on 10 July and more than 200 workers are set to lose their jobs.

The Lord Mayor has called the site a "rare opportunity" for high-density housing. However, these so-called "rare opportunities" keep appearing across our ward, yet they never deliver affordable housing or the community facilities residents actually need, such as parks, schools, pools, and public transport.

This is exactly what happened with the Visy site just down Montague Road.

In October last year, plans for South Bank 2.0 were scrapped in favour of high-density housing. Once again, we're seeing industrial land in Kurilpa gifted to developers without a comprehensive plan for the infrastructure our growing community desperately needs.

I've been working alongside the Don't Sell South Bank 2.0 campaign to fight for a better outcome at the Visy site, and The Gabba Ward office will be closely monitoring what happens with Parmalat.

On land already vulnerable to flooding, the priority should be climate resilience and community infrastructure, not just developer-led outcomes. With the state government's Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct encouraging higher-density housing, we need to ensure that growth actually benefits the community.

Strong communities need more than just apartment towers. They need green space, recreational facilities, schools that can accommodate growing populations, and public transport that actually works. Last year's cancellation of the 86 bus shows how our infrastructure is going backwards, not forwards, even as density increases.

The Parmalat site represents another missed opportunity for South Brisbane. We should be demanding better outcomes: affordable housing, climate-resilient design, and the community facilities that make neighbourhoods liveable, not just profitable for developers.

More information to come as we continue to advocate for the community infrastructure South Brisbane deserves.

Take Action on Visy: We've extended the petition to keep the 7.1-hectare Visy site public. If you haven't already signed, please add your voice: https://www.trinamassey.com/protect_our_riverfront. Stay tuned for next steps in our fight for both sites.

Dog Park Updates: Orleigh Park Reopening & Riverside Drive Progress

Orleigh Park Dog Off-Leash Area Update

My office has also received questions from residents about the Orleigh Park Dog Off-Leash area. Council has advised that the dog park will re-open to the public by mid-February.

It's important to note that there are two separate projects happening at the site: the land remediation next to the dog park, and the dog park refurbishment itself. The land remediation area will remain fenced off until mid year, but the dog park will be accessible much sooner.

I'll continue to keep you posted on progress and any changes should they occur.

Please don't hesitate to reach out to me or my team if you have any questions about either of these projects.

Riverside Drive (near Beesley St) Dog Park Progress

Following the community vote last year, I'm continuing to progress this project and I'm excited to share more details soon.

Keep an eye out for a community meeting in the coming months, where I'll present the design (informed by your feedback), answer your questions, and outline the timeline for delivering this much needed second dog park for Kurilpa.

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 council approval and designs for pedestrian improvements at both sites through the 2024 Gabba Ward Suburban Enhancement Fund.

Thank you to the dozens of residents who have already RSVP'd! Your enthusiasm shows how much these improvements matter to our community.

If you haven't yet registered, I encourage you to join me on Saturday 7 February 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. These are your streets, and I want to hear your feedback on the designs. 

More updates on Nile Street, Woolloongabba and Main Street, Kangaroo Point projects coming early this year!

Save our 86 Campaign: Share your Story 

Despite vocal opposition and a 1,179-signature petition, the LNP Council cancelled the 86 Kurilpa bus loop on 27 January 2025.

Thank you to the dozens of residents who have already shared their stories about how this removal has impacted their lives. Your contributions are invaluable for our ongoing advocacy to restore this essential service.

If you haven't yet had the chance, I still want to hear from you. Whether it's added travel time, difficulty getting to work or school, or losing access to essential services, your experience matters. Please share your story here.

New Bench Seat and Dog Friendly Tap at Highgate Hill Park Community Garden

I'm excited to share some wonderful news about Highgate Hill Park! Using my 2025 Suburban Enhancement Fund, Council have installed a new bench seat and tap with doggy bowl at the Highgate Hill Park Community Garden.

I'm passionate about making public spaces more accessible and enjoyable for our community, and it gives me great joy to work with community groups to make improvements like these come to life.

Highgate Hill Park is a stunning space nestled in the heart of our city, well loved by residents across the city, especially for its amazing views. Whether you're visiting the community garden, walking your dog, or simply taking in the scenery, these small additions help make the park more welcoming for everyone.

I'm so happy to see this project completed and thankful to the Highgate Hill Community Garden for working alongside my office to make this happen. It's collaborations like these that help strengthen our community and ensure our public spaces work for everyone.

If you haven't visited Highgate Hill Park recently, I encourage you to check out the new facilities  and enjoy one of the best views Brisbane has to offer!

New Dedicated Bus Route Launches for BSSSC Students 

A new morning bus service will begin operating to Brisbane State South Secondary College (BSSSC) located in Dutton Park, from the start of Term 1 2026, addressing overcrowding concerns and improving student safety.

Route 822 will commence on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, departing from Prior Street, Stop 44/48 at 7:50am and arriving directly outside BSSSC on Annerley Road at 8:11am. The new service has been introduced in response to overcrowding on the existing 7:33am Route 112, which has been operating at capacity during peak school travel times.

A key safety feature is that students will be dropped off directly in front of the school entrance, eliminating the need to cross Annerley Road during peak hour traffic.

Parents and students are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the new timetable using Translink's Journey Planner and School Service Finder tools.

Community Notices

Montague Road Night Works
Montague Rd (between Gray Rd and Raven St) is scheduled for road resurfacing works from 19 Jan to 29 Jan, 7pm to 5am Mon-Thurs nights. Works are subject to suitable weather conditions. Council will be locating and marking underground services, profiling the road, applying a bitumen seal and carrying out final asphalt resurfacing at the above location to help make the road smoother and safer. Please assist by not parking within the work zone during this time. 

Clean Up Australia Day 2026
Every year thousands of Australians take part in Clean Up Australia Day, helping to clean up our local parks, streets, beaches and bushland, and conserve our beautiful environment. You’re invited to join an upcoming clean-up event here or register your own clean-up site here.

Tuesday 24th February - Business Clean Up Day
Friday 27th February - Schools Clean Up Day
Sunday 1st March - Community Clean Up Day

Change the Date Petition
Every year, celebrating ‘Australia Day’ on January 26 divides the nation rather than unites it. Clothing The Gaps is calling for the creation of an Australian Long Weekend by moving the Australia Day public holiday to the second-last Monday in January each year, creating a three-day national event. You can read more about the proposal and sign the petition here. 

Probus Celebrates 50th Anniversary 
Throughout 2026, Probus Australia will be celebrating 50 years of helping retirees stay engaged and connected in their local communities. Clubs across the country will be marking this incredible milestone in a variety of ways, including special lunches, picnics, trips and joint gatherings. Find your local Probus Club here or call 1300 630 488 for more information. 

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

Metro South Health Advance Care Planning Service
Learn how to plan for your future health care. Join a free monthly information session on advance care planning or book a one-on-one Telehealth session for support in completing Advance Health Directives, Enduring Powers of Attorney and Statement of Choices documents. Find more information here and call 1300 227 674 to book your place.

Tree Removals

• 306 Vulture St, Kangaroo Point: One Peltophorum pterocarpum (Yellow Poinciana) tree will be removed for the installation of a driveway. Works are scheduled to be completed within the month. Council will plant 10 replacement trees within the Ward upon completion of works with 12 months aftercare to offset the canopy loss. My office has specifically requested that tree replacements be prioritised along Vulture Street to continue essential tree canopy in this high pedestrian area that is currently lacking trees and other greenspace.

• 68 Hill End Terrace, West End (South Brisbane Sailing Club/Orleigh Park): One Ficus benjamina (Weeping Fig) tree will be removed due to lack of remaining supporting wood and damage at the root flare. The tree poses a safety risk and removal is scheduled to be completed within 30 days. This tree is highly likely to have been one of the 24 original weeping figs planted as WWI memorial trees, and the site is located within a Local Heritage Area. Due to the historical significance of this tree, Council will replace it with a significant Ficus benjamina, subject to availability and visual inspection at the nursery before planting. The replacement is anticipated to take up to 90 days following completion of the tree removal, though delays are possible given the requirement for pre-approval of planting stock and the specialised nature of this replanting.