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.
Photo Credit: Supplied
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.”
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.
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.
Photo Credit: MartinusRail.Com.Au
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.
Incidentally, Martinus Rail is also looking to hire a Recruitment Advisor, a Project Controls Engineer, and a Plant Accountant in its Rocklea headquarters.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.’
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.
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.
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.
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.
Photo Credit: Heart of Australia / Facebook
“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.
The Sherwood property market has had a staggering 40 per cent median house price growth in the period ending December 2021, an impressive finish amidst a slight slowdown observed in other markets.
Highlights
Sherwood’s housing market posted an astounding 38.91 per cent median growth from January 2021 to December 2021, putting the median at $1,285,000.
Its unit market, whilst significantly lower than the housing market, has also posted a 3.57 per cent median growth, putting the median at $435,000.
The Sherwood property market is expected to continue its upward trend.
Sherwood House Price Growth
Data from Property Market Updates for the period covering January to December 2021 has shown Sherwood’s extraordinary growth of 38.92 per cent. This has drawn the median house price upward from $925,000 in the previous year to $1,285,000 for this period.
The market closed 111 property sales with an average of 37 days on market. Investors bought three- and four-bedroom houses the most as interstate migration continues to drive housing demand. In spite of the increase, affordability has been a key factor in Brisbane’s property market in general compared to other locations.
Sherwood’s housing market has been steadily trending upward for a few years given its family and child-friendly appeal. With heaps of access to parkways and green spaces, this suburb favours a variety of demographics from young families setting their roots, to dynamic professionals or entrepreneurs, and retirees.
The unit market in Sherwood is slowly picking up for this period as well with a 3.57 per cent median growth from last year. Whilst not as strong as the housing market, Sherwood’s median unit price at $435,000 is perfect for first-home buyers or downsizers who do not need a spacious house to maintain.
Apartment sales for this period closed with 137 successful transactions with unit listings staying an average of 49 days on the market. Buyers were mostly keen to pick two-bedroom units which are more compact and manageable for their lifestyle.
At least 17 per cent of townhomes and 17 per cent of apartments make up Sherwood’s unit property market, providing a good alternative for those with a more conservative budget to invest in a detached house.
About Sherwood
Sherwood is found 11 kilometres southwest of the city and is popular for its stately Queenslander homes, leafy riverside location, and wholesome outdoor lifestyle. Bordered by the suburbs of Corinda, Graceville, and Tennyson, Sherwood is the home of the heritage-listed Sherwood Arboretum, a 15-hectare parkland with thousands of trees.
Far away enough from the city bustle, Sherwood has a convenient train station that takes commuters approximately 20 minutes to their work or school in the inner city. The suburb, however, is filled with heaps of quaint shops in an established business district along Sherwood Road, where residents can have all their essentials.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
Sherwood has a number of good schools, both private and public, as well. It’s not unusual to see kids cycling around or groups enjoying a picnic or barbecue at the parklands during the weekends. Its laidback lifestyle makes Sherwood such a lovely location to raise a family.
“It has SO much going for it. Not only is it great for resale value, but it’s also close to everything – city, shopping, recreation, entertainment, transport, the river. It has a great sense of community about it, with excellent schools & general facilities. It’s the kind of place we not only want to live in…but would like to invest in also.”
Trio
“There aren’t many suburbs with the old world feel and values left in Brisbane and those that have the same feelings are far and few. Most streets are tree-lined (mature trees), the classic Queenslander architecture and so many well-renovated homes on big blocks and space for kids to run around is wonderful! It’s just a wonderful place to start and bring up your family!”
Record-breaking rainfall and massive flooding have left thousands of residents without power, including households and businesses in several streets across Corinda.
As of 7:00 a.m. of 1 March 2022, around 1,212 residential areas and commercial establishments in Corinda are suffering from power outages because of the flood. Brisbane City had the highest number of outages in South East Queensland after the flooding, with over 28,900 customers affected according to Energex.
Following the torrential rain that caused Brisbane River to burst its banks, many streets have been flooded, including Pratten St, Cliveden Ave, Deniven St, Richmond St, and Oxley Tce in Corinda.
Businesses, including Coles, located on the corner of Oxley Rd and Clewley St, have also closed due to power outages, leaving some residents worried where to buy their much-needed supplies.
“This is going to be a marathon, not a sprint, ” stated Energex, describing the situation most of South East Queensland is facing as the flooding disaster grinds on.
Photo credit: Energex/Facebook
“There’s no prospect of us being able to restore power to thousands of people until the waters recede and we can assess, clean, and repair electrical equipment across the area,” Energex shared in a social media post.
The company, which distributes power to 1.5 million homes and businesses in South East Queensland, has also provided safety tips to residents including what to and what not to do during and after power outages.
Energex has already assigned hundreds of staff out in the field todayans assured they will be working around the clock to repair and restore the network wherever and whenever they can.
“We know it’s frustrating not knowing when your power will be back on, but until the water drops, we can’t see what we’re dealing with. As soon as that happens, we’ll be able to give people a better idea of timeframes, which we will update in,” Energex posted.
As per Energex’s website, the next update for their customers in Corinda will be on 4 March 2022, 7:00 p.m. You can follow Energex’s official Facebook page for updates. If you’re affected, you’ll be able to see the outage and restoration time on Outage Finder.
Volvo will be producing more EV trucks than diesel trucks at their Wacol manufacturing facility as part of their commitment to be ‘fossil-fuel-free’ by 2040, and to support Australia’s efforts to keep up with the rest of the world in truck electrification.
In the last quarter of 2021, Volvo confirmed plans of manufacturing electric vehicle (EV) trucks at their Wacol facility. Volvo Trucks Global President, Roger Alm, said that the company is looking into having half of its new-truck output to be electric models by 2030 and by 2040, all of their new Volvo trucks won’t be using fossil fuels anymore.
Although there is no definite timeline yet on when the last diesel truck will be replaced, Mr Alm is confident of the facility’s longevity and capability to produce EV trucks should the appropriate time come.
When asked about the range of the future EV trucks, Head of Product Management of Volvo Trucks Global, Jessica Sandström, said that the company is already introducing EV truck models with a 300-km range. Given the rate of technology development, vehicles with a 500-km range could be the next step.
Volvo FL Electric | Photo credit: AB Volvo / volvotrucks.com.au
Ushering Australian trucking industry into the zero-carbon emission era
The Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) and the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) are pushing for urgent reforms that will help turn Australian trucking into a more competitive and fuel secured industry in the future through electrification.
Only about a fourth of the 58 electric truck models currently available in North America, Europe, and China are available to the Australian market. This is why EVC and ATA believe that urgent reforms need to happen if Australia is to become at par with most of the world in terms of electrification of the trucking industry.
In a joint statement announcing the policy recommendations, the two organisations said that electrification would “assist trucking businesses and supply chains by ending volatile diesel costs, reducing maintenance costs, improving urban efficiency, and delivering better conditions for truck drivers”.
“Every government in Australia has committed to net-zero, but this can’t be achieved without decarbonising the transport sector,” EVC CEO, Behyad Jafari, said.
“We need the government to read these recommendations and get moving fast. If we implement them swiftly the benefits to Australian trucking, our economy, and our environment will be truly massive.
“The AdBlue shortage crisis was a potent warning about our extreme fuel insecurity. Why should Australia be dependent on China and the Middle East to keep itself moving when we could be using homegrown power? Being able to power our supply chains with local electricity is surely a national sovereignty imperative.”
For his part, Australian Trucking Association Chair, David Smith, said that electrification will be a game-changer for the trucking industry. He added that supply chains and exporters are at risk of “getting stuck with high, globally uncompetitive per km freight costs” if Australia doesn’t act swiftly in transitioning to electric and zero-emission trucks.
But barriers need to be addressed to allow trucking operators to acquire and utilise electric trucks so they could benefit from lower freight costs, reduced vehicle emissions, and better fuel security.
Developing the policy agreement was made possible through a series of workshops participated in by 50 organisations including truck manufacturers, fleet operators, and charging infrastructure and electricity providers. The workshops helped identify the various challenges that these sectors face including fuel and maintenance costs, less than desirable urban efficiency, and other conditions that weigh down the industry.
Photo credit: SEA Electric / Twitter
Australian electric truck manufacturer, SEA Electric, through its President Asia Pacific Region, Bill Gillespie, commended the organisations in developing the policy recommendations.
“Australian industry will need encouragement and leadership to create a viable pathway towards zero-emission truck acquisition, with further work required by all levels of government in showing leadership,” Mr Gillespie said.
“Given that the road freight sector accounts for 38 per cent of the country’s total transport emissions, it is SEA Electric’s view is that if Australia is planning to meet its 2050 net carbon emissions targets, then more broad-ranging government support will be required to ensure that companies can scale accordingly in an affordable manner.”
The key recommendations for the new AVC/ATA policy agreement:
Truck width should be increased to align with standards used by major supplier economies (current width standards precludes many electric truck models from being used in Australia)
One tonne concession for electric and zero-emission trucks (Australia’s steer axle mass limit, currently 6.5 tonnes, is holding back the deployment of larger electric truck models due to the weight of batteries)
Electric trucks to be exempt from urban curfews (electric trucks are much quieter and therefore do not require curfews)
Mandate Euro VI emissions standards for new heavy vehicle models from 2024 (this would bring standards into force 3.5 years earlier than proposed in the government’s draft Regulation Impact Statement)
Incentive payment to reduce the cost of installing charging infrastructure at depots
Investment in public charging infrastructure to support on route electric truck charging
Incentive payment to reduce the upfront purchase price difference between electric/zero-emission trucks and internal combustion engine trucks (In California and Germany incentives are provided to reduce or eliminate the price difference for battery, fuel cell and trolley hybrid drive systems. The upfront purchase price of an electric truck can be double its diesel equivalent)
Exempt electric and zero-emission trucks from stamp duty
Set sales targets for zero-emission trucks of 30 per cent by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2040 (this goal is to drive ambition and measure the success or failure of existing incentives).
The 57-year-old community library located at Inala Civic Centre closed in November 2021 to undergo a facelift. Although the basic structure of the library remains unchanged, residents can expect to find a complete interior remodelling.
Photo credit: Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner/Facebook
Here’s a list of what’s new:
a new meeting room with capacity for more than 40 people including a kitchenette and audio-visual facilities
vibrant new spaces for children and young adults
upgraded seating and study areas
new service and internet desks to meet current design standards
relocation of the library entry
new self-service returns shelving
new carpet, furniture, lighting and drinking fountain
upgraded ceiling in the entry corridor.
Whilst the refurbishment was underway, a temporary library facility was set up at the adjacent Inala Hall. Throughout the renovation, the temporary library continued to deliver children’s literacy programs, JP services, free public wi-fi, and collection of library holds.
Photo credit: Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner/Facebook
The Inala Library refurbishment project has been partially funded by the Australian Government under the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure grant program.
The revitalised community space is one of the 41 projects across Brisbane to benefit from a $40-million fund from the Federal Government.
Photo credit: Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner/Facebook
“No matter your age or interest, there will be something for everyone as part of the more than $1.3 million refurbishment including a new meeting room with kitchenette and audio-visual equipment, a vibrant children’s space to support early literacy development, increased seating, a reading lounge, study space and a community table,” Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said.
Inala Library is open daily except on Sundays and public holidays. Visit Brisbane City Council’s website for opening hours and more information on facilities and services.
Azure Development Group has submitted a development application to establish 91 mixed (detached and attached), three-bedroom townhouses at an 18,016-sqm site located at 153 Government Road.
Building 1 facade articulation | Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au
The units will be spread over nine two-storey buildings with a maximum height of just under 9.1 metres.
Proposed communal space | Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au
The proposal provides a large consolidated communal space with a gross floor area of 872 sqm and an expansive lawn space with a swimming pool. Each private area will be provided with a roofed alfresco outdoor space. In addition, there will be a total of 205 car parking spaces including 182 for residents and 23 for visitors.
The project will be delivered in two stages (Stage 1 – 51 units and Stage 2 – 40 units). The proposed development will also feature varying facades along each elevation, making the development more visually appealing.
Proposed deep planting | Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au
The landscaping will include deep planting covering a 1,632-sqm spread on either side, intended to give the entrance a sub-tropical ambiance.
A privately-owned real estate development and investment company, Azure Development Group was founded in 2014. The company has a portfolio of several developments across Queensland delivering more than 900 dwellings. In Richland alone, Azure has so far delivered 462 dwellings in four development projects. Some 50 three- and four-bedroom units ranging from 177sqm to 297sqm are currently being constructed at 133 Government Road and another 55 three-bedroom units between 157sqma nd 187sqm at 182 Government Road.
