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Black Spot Program Sets Safety Upgrades for Rosemary and Biota Streets in Inala

Did you know that the intersection of Rosemary and Biota Streets in Inala has had nine crashes and hospitalisations between 2015 to 2021? Under the Black Spot Program, plans are now in place to upgrade this location with better safety features to help reduce the risk of further accidents occurring.

The project has been included in the Black Spot Program under the Federal National Road Safety Strategy. It’s one of four intersections earmarked for improvements, alongside Adelaide and Creek Streets in the CBD, Hamilton and Bilsen Roads in Hamilton, and Forest Lake Boulevard and Rudyard Street in Forest Lake.

Construction is expected to start by late August 2022 and will be completed before the year ends. Work will entail the following:

extending the right-turn pocket on Rosemary Street
installing an additional mast arm to improve signal visibility
upgrading signals at the intersection to provide a fully controlled right-turn from Rosemary Street into Biota Street
upgrading drainage and lighting throughout the intersection
trimming trees
completing new road resurfacing, landscaping and line marking

Rosemary and Biota Streets Black Spot Program — Photo Credit: BCC

“Our improvements will make it easier and safer for you to travel, with upgrades including red arrow traffic lights and crossing upgrades to better protect all road users,” Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said.

“Thank you to the Federal Government for partnering with us to deliver these important upgrades.”

Questions about the project may be directed via the Project Team at 1800 669 416 or the Council at 07 3403 8888 or by emailing cityprojects@brisbane.qld.gov.au.

Western Districts Netball Association Club, Other Flood-Impacted Sporting Clubs to Receive Flood Recovery Funding

Photo Credit: Western Districts Netball Association / Facebook

More than $500 million will be spent on the restoration and improvement of sporting clubs, including Graceville’s Western Districts Netball Association Club, and other Council assets as part of the 2022-23 Budget.

Western Districts Netball Association Club is among the eight Brisbane sporting clubs that are set to receive funding to assist in the recovery efforts from the impact of the February 2022 floods. Council has set aside a budget of $167,000 to go towards the rehabilitation of the club, particularly the installation of lighting replacement and resurfacing of its netball courts

Other clubs to receive support under the program include Valley Hockey Club, Sandgate Hawks Football Club and the Carrington Boating Club. A total of 106 sports fields have been assessed to have been damaged and impacted by the flood.

The 2022-23 Budget allocated $505 million to the impacted facilities and assets which also include 198 buildings; 285 kilometres of roads; 74 car parks; 292 playgrounds; 863 parks; three major bikeways; 42 public barbecues; some 4,200 streets, park and bikeway lights; 25 park toilets and four public pools.

About $180 million will be spent on these flood-damaged clubs and sporting fields whilst nearly $60 million will be spent for the repair of impacted bikeways and $53 for parks and playgrounds. Moreover, Brisbane’s ferry infrastructure will get repair funding of $27.6 million and almost $40 million will be allocated for road repairs.

Council will also continue to invest around $3 million a year towards the improvement of club facilities under the Better Suburbs Grants. This includes the $200,000 grant awarded last year to Algester Sports Club that went towards the club’s kitchen upgrade as well as the $150,000 funding received by the Bulimba Community Club for the improvement of their toilet facilities.

flood-impacted Western Districts Netball Association Club — Photo Credit: Western Districts Netball Association / Facebook

Council will also invest a record $131 million in drainage projects to further boost the city’s flood resilience.

Flood recovery funds will also be allocated for the following Council assets:

$166.2 million for community clubs
$12 million for pools
$1.4 million other community venues
$12.2 million for other river assets such as wharves, jetties and pontoons
$54.7 million for sea and river walls

“This is not just a record spend but almost double our normal budget because we are determined to do what we can to limit the impact of flooding,” Cr Schrinner said.

“Brisbane is built on a flood plain so we are never going to be able to flood-proof our city but the prospect of more frequent flooding as a result of climate change means we must act.”

Issues Raised On Reopening Graceville Playgrounds Without Adequate Cleaning, Fall Measures

Several playgrounds across Tennyson ward, including four in Graceville, have reportedly reopened after the city’s major flood events without adequate cleaning and without a soft fall surface in place.

Read: Flood-Hit Bunnings in Oxley Remains Closed as Rocklea Outlet Reopens with Revamped Format

Soft fall is an impact-absorbing layer that is laid beneath the finished surface of an indoor/outdoor area and can be in the form of rubber, synthetic grass, shock absorbing pads and even wood chips.

Around 12 playgrounds closed in Tennyson Ward after flood waters inundated the locality’s low-lying areas. In Graceville, these are Faulkner Park, Giraween Park, John Walker Park and Fehlberg St Park. Other playgrounds which were affected by flood include Robinson St Park and Norm Rose Park in Fairfield.

Faulkner Park — Photo credit: Daniel Hunter/Google Maps

During a Council meeting in June 2022, Councillor for Tennyson Ward Nicole Johnston complained over playgrounds reopening with those issues.

Cr Johnston claimed Brisbane City Council reopened them without de-compacting and removing the sewage-contaminated base and soft fall under the play equipment.

reopening playgrounds — Photo credit: Cr Nicole Johnston/Facebook

The Councillor highlighted that these playgrounds, along with some others in the locality, could still be contaminated by floodwater.

Meanwhile, Council assured that they are completing assessments of all city assets, following the flood in February 2022. Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner revealed that the major flood event affected over 300 playgrounds across the city.

Cr Schrinner said they are also working as quickly as they can to get the soft fall replaced.

He said officers inspected to determine whether soft fall loss, debris or the presence of other materials, such as mud, warranted the closure of the playground until rectification works were complete, after the playgrounds were inundated by flood.

The Lord Mayor asserted that they will not open a playground that they thought would be a safety risk.

Flood-Hit Bunnings in Oxley Remains Closed as Rocklea Outlet Reopens with Revamped Format

Photo Credit: Kos and Co/Facebook

After incurring major damage during the February floods, Bunnings in Oxley seems nowhere near reopening but the Rocklea outlet less than six kilometres away is back in operation with a new format.

Whilst workers at Bunnings Oxley have been reassigned, the Rocklea location has been revamped with a new cafe, new kitchen design area, new bathroom displays, a Trade Desk section and LED lights around the playground for kids.

Jon Fenton, the manager for Bunnings Rocklea, said that the revamping should provide loyal customers with a better shopping experience. He is thankful for the community’s patience as the outlet had to shut down for more than three months so they could make the changes and improvements.

Bunnings Rocklea had two short and simple events for the public last 18 and 19 June 2022 to mark the reopening.

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Meanwhile, the future of the Oxley outlet’s reopening is still in the cards but there were projections that it could take a full year to revamp the site. Jason Doyle, the regional manager for Bunnings, said that their utmost priority is the safety and well-being of the workers. Thus, the Oxley store’s revamping will include flood-proofing and other considerations.

Bunnings in Rocklea and Oxley were also impacted by the 2011 flooding and closed for two months. In 2017, the Oxley site also temporarily shut down after the minor flooding.

Team Australia Nabs Bronze Medal in Sweden, Competes in Tasmania

The Australian Tenpin Bowling team, with Oxley talent Jamie Robinson, competes in Tasmania after winning the bronze medal at the men’s event of the International Bowling Federation (IBF) Under 21 World Championships in Helsingborg, Sweden in June 2022.

Robinson will be heading to Tasmania with team Australia for the Australian Open. The Oxley lad will also bowl at the South Australia and then Toowoomba for the East Coast Challenge Cup (ECCC) in September.

In the semi-finals, Team Australia gave Team USA some competition but it was the latter who ranked second after the Czech Republic. Nonetheless, Australia’s bronze medal win is still a major feat considering 46 countries competed for the top prize.

The team from down under is made up of Robinson, Bernie Grueso Jr (Victoria), Cameron Stein (Queensland), and Nixon Chan (New South Wales).

“I am very honoured to represent Australia in my first international tournament. The team of Australia did amazing and fought some tough games but we did it and came home with bronze,” Robinson said.

“I would like to thank Geoff Bowness, our team coach, for all his hard work, Peter and Rosalee also, for all their hard work, and to my boss, Sue Long, at Zone Bowling for her support on and off the lanes.”

“To my parents, thanks for everything they do but also my community who helped with fundraising and awesome support,” Robinson said.

The IBF Under 21 World Championships was the first international bowling sports event since 2019. At the start of the game, Team Australia qualified at the 13th spot among the competing nations but the men’s team progressed all the way to the semi-finals.

Jamie Robinson: Oxley Talent Wins Sydney Youth Cup, Prepares for World Championships in Sweden

Oxley talent Jamie Robinson, 20, nabs his first major victory in a top TBA event, the 2022 Sydney Youth Cup, and will soon head to Sweden to compete in the World Championships.

Jamie’s win to represent Queensland was a nail-biter as he was in the third or fourth position before overtaking the lead in the finals.

“I am very happy at winning the Sydney Youth Cup, it was a tough weekend for everyone bowling, I’m so glad I was able to come home to Queensland with the win,” Jamie said.

Jamie Robinson Sydney Youth Cup — Photo Credit: Supplied

Following his stunning performance, Jamie has also earned a spot in the National Training Squash and will be part of TBA’s Team Australia as they will compete in the World Championships in Sweden in June 2022.

“I’m so proud to be able to wear the green and gold of Australia for the first time in Sweden at the under 21 world championships, I’m practicing nearly every day, working on my spares, and different shots.

“I’m thrilled to be able to represent my country at this amazing sport.”

TBA Team Australia — Photo Credit: Tenpin Bowling Australia

NTS 21 head coach Geoff Bowness said that Jamie is part of a very eager team, some of whom will be playing for the first time internationally. There hasn’t been an international Tenpin Bowling competition for two years thus this trip will also be an unforgettable experience.

When he returns home from Sweden, Jamie will head to the south next for the South Australian Classic, to potentially claim another milestone.

Jamie started bowling at the tender age of eight, after his mother, Sheena, took him to Zone Bowling in Richlands. He has been a part of the facility from the beginning of his competitive career as a bowler.

Hiring Continues at Martinus Rail in Rocklea for Large-Scale Inland Rail System

Martinus Rail, a Rocklea-based family business, has a massive, ongoing hiring program for the large-scale Inland Rail System from New South Wales to Queensland.

In February 2022, the Federal Government confirmed that Martinus Rail will take charge of the $300-million Rail Corridor Program, which will approximately track 570 kilometers.

Following the announcement, the company opened an initial 600 job vacancies and 60 apprentices from TAFE to ensure the timely delivery of the project. The new hires will add to the over 1,000 staff already working in two states.

The hired teams are expected to lay 1.7 million tonnes of ballast and 80,000 tonnes of steel rail, and install nearly 950,000 Australian-made concrete sleepers.

The tracks will cover Narromine to Narrabri in NSW, Narrabri to North Star in NSW (Phase 2), North Star to Border in NSW, and Border NSW to Gowrie in QLD.

“We have a long history of local spending – last year 84 per cent of our spend was with small Australian-owned businesses. We have seen firsthand the benefits of working with local suppliers and manufacturers…and our approach remains the same here,” Martinus Chief Executive and Founder, Treaven Martinus, said.

At its peak of construction, the Inland Rail System is expected to create more than 21,500 jobs. Findings from the 2021 Infrastructure Market Capacity Report cite that major public infrastructure activity will double in 2023 and grow from 183,000 people to 288,000.

Check for Job Vacancies

Incidentally, Martinus Rail is also looking to hire a Recruitment Advisor, a Project Controls Engineer, and a Plant Accountant in its Rocklea headquarters.

Look: Finalised Plans For Graceville Riverside Parklands Unveiled

Graceville Riverside Parklands will be enhanced with upgrades to sports fields, a new playground, a new water activity hub, a larger pontoon, and improvements to picnic areas.

Read: Graceville Home Values Pass the Million-Dollar Mark; Chelmer Shows Double-Digit Growth

Brisbane City Council unveiled the Final Precinct Plan for Graceville Riverside Parklands after taking into consideration some of the feedback received from the community during the engagement period.

Based on the feedback, residents would want to see spaces to play, exercise, and relax. These will be executed through improved picnic facilities, lawn space and accessibility for all.

graceville parklands — Photo credit: https://www.sustainablebrisbane.com.au

A community green in the centre of the parklands will provide the setting for local community and cultural celebrations and will double as a large open space for informal play and relaxation.

The new pontoon will allow tour boats to drop off and pick up visitors to the Oxley Creek corridor. Opportunities will be investigated to provide hire facilities within the parklands to supply visitors with bikes, canoes and kayaks so they can sample The Greenway and Oxley Creek Paddle Trail experiences.

oxley creek masterplan — Photo credit: https://www.sustainablebrisbane.com.au

Another key element of the project is the Water Activity Hub, which will provide a multi-purpose water activity hub, watercraft storage and rigging space. Visitors will be given an opportunity to take in views of the river whilst relaxing at the covered seating area and amenities.

Photo credit: https://www.sustainablebrisbane.com.au

The upgrades at the parklands is part of the Oxley Creek Transformation project, which aims to provide new leisure and lifestyle opportunities in the city, including facilities for kayaking, boating, sports and bike riding.

“The Graceville Riverside Parklands is the third of several precinct upgrades in our plan and will become a major destination for families from across Brisbane to enjoy our outdoor lifestyle,” said Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner.

Meanwhile, the overflow car park has been removed from the Concept Plan after the community reinforced their preference to use active transport options to access the parklands, thereby further reducing the likelihood for the need for a short-term, temporary, overflow car park for community events and activities.

The community has also suggested the provision of a CityCat terminal within the parklands.

However, Council said it’s not likely to extend services beyond UQ as previous investigations found it was not feasible because of the potential riverbank erosion impact of CityCat operations.

Popular Smash Room Moves To New Venue Following Complaints From Corinda Locals

Popular Brisbane smash room Rage Cage has moved to a new location in Queensland after receiving complaints from locals in Corinda.

Read: Volvo Wacol: ‘Hello, EV Trucks’ and ‘Goodbye, Diesel Trucks’ by 2040!

The business now operates in Hillcrest, which is right beside the Greenbank RSL, after getting complaints from Corinda residents who compared the place to a ‘war zone.’

rage cage hillcrest — Photo credit: Rage Cage Smash Rooms Brisbane & Gold Coast/Facebook

The smash room has been advertised as the only place in Brisbane where people can go and release all their frustrations by ‘smashing up microwaves, TVs, glassware and printers.’

“People come to the Rage Cage to have fun, de-stress, and break things! Whether it be for a stressful week aty work, a celebration, or even a first date, you’re always going to have an amazing experience here,” the ad on the website reads.

During a session, a guest is provided with full personal protective gear including coveralls, face shield, gloves, and boots, as well as weapons and tools such as bats and sledgehammers.

rage cage brisbane — Photo credit: Rage Cage Smash Rooms Brisbane & Gold Coast/Facebook

Responding to the concerns of residents living near the former venue, Brisbane’s City Standards has worked with the owners to ensure that they are working to make the business compliant and that it has the necessary permits.

Council has reviewed the owner’s application for a venue permit, which addressed any noise and environmental impacts.

With regard to the group of residents complaining the smash room, the owner explained that he’s legally running the business in the correct zone, adding that the noise coming from trains at Corinda station were much louder.

The owner also explained that the yard was kept neat and that the smashed goods, which usually include piles of microwaves and other electrical goiods were taken regularly for recycling. Patrons were allowed to bring their own items to smash, except for light bulbs or anything toxic.

Rage Cage, which has a second venue at Southport in Gold Coast, has not received complaints since opening in August 2021.

‘HEART 5’: World’s First Mobile Respiratory Health Screening Service Hits the Road

Photo Credit: Heart of Australia / Facebook

‘HEART 5’, the world’s first mobile health unit to aid in the early detection of mine dust lung disease in regional QLD workers, has hit the road.

Developed by Chelmer-based Heart of Australia, HEART 5 launched their fifth truck at a February event held in the RNA Showgrounds. The project was made possible through the partnership with the Queensland Government and Resources Safety and Health Queensland which contributed $2 million towards the build and operation of the mobile unit.

‘HEART 5’: World’s First Mobile Respiratory Health Screening Service Hits the Road — Photo Credit: Heart of Australia / Facebook

The project will see the state-of-the-art mobile unit bringing “high-quality respiratory health screenings to mine and quarry workers in regional and remote parts of the state.”

“This means workers won’t have to travel as far to access highly specialised services, ensuring earlier detection and intervention in cases of mine dust lung diseases like black lung and silicosis,” Resources Minister Scott Stewart said.

HEART 5 is loaded with an x-ray machine and a world-first battery-powered, high-resolution computerised tomography (CT) scanner. Philips and I-MED designed and built the battery technology that will power the CT scanner and will allow HEART 5 to do a CT whilst parked on a mine site.

“HEART 5 breaks down the tyranny of distance, so if you do have a lung disease, we can find it early and quickly,” Heart of Australia founder Dr Rolf Gomes said.

“We have implemented the toughest mine safety laws in the world, lowered allowable levels of dust exposure, prescribed requirements for monitoring and reporting, and enhanced health surveillance across the mining sector,” Mr Stewart said.

“We’re proud to have HEART 5 on the road helping to uphold our high standards for health and safety in the resources sector, and our government will continue to support workers, on and off the job site.”

“With the launch of HEART 5, our CT truck, we will be finding more, treating more, and saving more lives,” Dr Gomes said.

Heart of Australia has been delivering specialist medical services to regional, rural and remote area communities across Queensland since 2014. The clinic-on-wheels has so far seen more than 12,000 patients, saved more than 500 lives and served more than 30 communities.