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Oxley’s Abandoned School Might Be Turned Into An Aged Care Facility, Locals Encouraged To Attend Information Sessions This Month

Earlier this year, the site of the abandoned Oxley Secondary College caught fire in an accident that later on triggered fears of asbestos inhalation around the neighbourhood. The building has been abandoned for years and locals fear the possibility of asbestos infiltration.

Even before the fire, the building had been under an ongoing debate about what to do with it and now, there finally seems to be some clarity on the fate of the derelict building.

Also read: Fire Broke Out At An Abandoned School In Oxley, Residents Warned Of Asbestos Exposure

Ongoing Work

Currently, rectification works are ongoing to resolve critical issues on the site. A huge percentage of the locals want the area to be transformed into an area for public use.

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick is psyched about planning and implementing something for the benefit of the locals at the building site.

Previous Plans

In 2016, a panel of eight residents talked to Economic Development Queensland about the best approach for the disposition of the building. The main concern of the residents was that the area is not suitable for a residential property as the site is prone to flooding and landslides. However, they are not entirely averse to the idea of residential development. Should a residential development ensue, they would like to see the land developed safely.

The site was acquired from Education Queensland by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines in 2002. At the time, it was used as a police dog training facility. In 2001, it was declared surplus to government needs. Currently, the site occupies 19.28 hectares of land but the average lot size proposed for the site should the aged care facility pushes through is 800 square metres.

Current Plans

Plans for turning the building into an aged care facility is currently on the discussion table. It will be pitched to the community at various information sessions at the end of May. The information sessions will tackle a combination of residential and community outcomes with the intent to preserve open spaces.

The plans will also involve the relocation of an existing C&K child care centre to the site. Also, 60% of the site will be for public use.

Have your say on 31 May at 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on 2 June at 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Oxley Bowls Club. Register here.

Oxley Creek to be Turned into World-Class Open Space under Draft Plan, Local Feedback Sought

Brisbane City Council has unveiled the draft master plan that will transform Oxley Creek into a world-class green, lifestyle and leisure open space.

The council has earmarked $100 million for the project, which is expected to bring about environmental, social and economic benefits to the community.

Managing the ambitious project is Oxley Creek Transformation Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary company of the BCC formed specifically to realise the vision for the waterway. For a long time, Oxley Creek has suffered from industrial pollution and contamination. Through the project, the council will revitalise the waterway and resolve existing issues.

The Plan

Under the draft master plan, the Oxley Creek corridor will be turned into a massive parkland complete with leisure and recreational facilities. More importantly, the plan would address environmental issues around the waterway extending from the Brisbane River at Tennyson up to Larapinta.

Photo credit: www.oxleycreek.com.au

The future Oxley Creek parkland will run through the suburbs of Graceville, Sherwood, Rocklea, Corinda, Oxley, Archerfield, Willawong, Acacia Ridge, Pallara and Heathwood.

Several opportunities will be explored under the draft master plan. These include:

  • improving flood resilience and water quality;
  • restoring wildlife habitats;
  • reuse of stormwater and other measures that allow the natural environment to thrive;
  • creating new open spaces for people to gather, relax, play and connect with others;
  • improving north-south and cross-corridor pedestrian and cycle connectivity along the creek and its open spaces, and;
  • supporting and enhancing the local economy through commercial opportunities, new facilities and activation.

View the full draft master plan.

Public consultation for the Oxley Creek Transformation draft master plan is currently open and will run until Sunday, 27 May 2018.

Have your say by:

After the public consultation period, community feedback will be reviewed and considered for inclusion in the final master plan.

The final master plan is expected to be completed in late 2018.

Graceville Croquet Club Gets $98k Council Grant

As part of the Building Stronger Communities Grants Program  of the Brisbane City Council, Graceville Croquet Club has received $98,065 to help improve its facilities.

Graceville Croquet Club is one of the Building Stronger Communities Grants 2017-18 grant recipients who received funding to help in developing their facilities and improving their governance and long-term organisational sustainability. A total of 69 organisations were granted a total funding of $2,509,597.66.

The Council’s Building Stronger Communities Grants Program focuses on helping community-based, not-for-profit organisations in linking residents to recreation and promoting their wellbeing.

It supports community facilities that promote community sport, recreational, cultural and social activities that help in strengthening the physical, cultural, mental, and social well-being of the community.

Photo credit: www.croquetqld.org

The program has three categories comprised of Community Facility Maintenance, Community Facility Development, and Organisational Development.

The funding granted to Graceville Croquet Club will be used to improve their facilities. Specifically, it will help in replacing the flooring and facilities in the kitchen, toilet, and storage area of the clubhouse to improve safety and accessibility of their facilities. This will also help in increasing the use of the facility at Graceville Memorial Park.

The program is part of the Council’s efforts to achieve Brisbane Vision 2031. Organisations that qualified as recipients under the Building Stronger Communities Grants Program help in creating an active, healthy, safe, and friendly community.

Bushcare Group Calls For Proper Shelter Shed At Cliveden Avenue Park In Oxley

Volunteer groups are calling on the Brisbane City Council to replace the shelter at the Cliveden Avenue Park in Oxley. The groups are the ones maintaining local parks and waterways. However, most of the time, they are left under the rain whilst doing their work at the park.

The park used to have a shelter until it burned down. The council hasn’t replaced it and there is only a new picnic table at the site. Now, the volunteers are demanding for a new shelter that they could use when doing work at the park.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk responded that the groups would have to make do with a portable shelter provided by the council. The council thinks that the portable shelter is more fitting since the area isn’t frequently used.

Oxley Creek Catchment Association said that it is not only them who go to the area. There are also many groups from the church, the community, as well as schools who go there and would benefit from a proper shelter.

Tennyson councillor Cr Nicole Johnston launched a petition addressed to the council to replace the shelter shed urgently to provide volunteers and other people shade and shelter. Ms Johnston also said that the bush care group deserves this as they are working hard to maintain and enhance the local environment on behalf of the council.

Cr Steve Griffiths (Moorooka Ward) also supports the need for a proper shelter shed at the park.

Read Cr Johnson’s petition.

Sherwood State School Continues To Skip For A Healthy Heart

The Heart Foundation’s Jump Rope for Heart was established in 1983 and has been Australia’s most popular physical activity and fund-raising program in schools. The Sherwood State School was one of the first schools to sign up for this program, leading to the founding of the Sherwood Arrows Skipping Team.

To commemorate the 35th year of Jump Rope for Heart, a Jump Off Day was held at the school on 28 March 2018. During the event, the kids showed off the skills and knowledge they have learned through the program. Prizes were handed out to participants, with the top fundraisers rewarded with GoPro cameras and Oingo Boingos.

The skipping team is made up of members from the school. For years, they have done numerous demonstrations all around the Brisbane area and beyond. Aside from Brisbane, they have also toured places such as New Zealand and Tasmania.

This year, the members have raised nearly $18,000. The top fundraiser this year is Chelsea with $1,302. You can view the leaderboard here.

About the Program

Any school can participate in the Jump Rope for Heart program. Upon registration, they are given a resource kit explaining how to conduct the program. It runs over a three- to nine-week period, during which, students will collect donations and participate in various activities organised by the school.

The Heart Foundation is dedicated to spread awareness and keep everyone active for heart health. The leading cause of death in the country is heart disease and a major cause is inactivity.

Starting children with physical activity and instilling knowledge about heart health at this age is essential.

Another One Bites The Dust: Bowerbird In Oxley Is Closing

Another beloved Oxley shop will be closing in April. In the southwest suburbs, this makes it the third store to close in recent months.

Opened in 2014, Bowerbird is a popular boutique in the suburb. It offers an eclectic mix of handmade and indie designer gifts. The store also has items from well-known Brisbane designers such as Core Jewellery and Each to Own.

The shop is that place where locals go to if they are looking for unique finds.

Sadly, the store announced its closure on its Facebook page. The owner, Jenn Shell, cited health reasons and personal circumstances as the reason behind the decision to close the store. As of now, she chooses to spend more time with her children.

Still, she reminds her loyal customers to continue supporting local goods. Currently, the shop is selling its items at huge discounts until 14 April.

Many are saddened by the news as her post got flooded with comments.

This is the second beloved Oxley store that will be closing. Oxley’s Network Video, Brisbane’s last walk-in video store has also closed its doors earlier this month.

Related Article: Oxley’s Network Video To Close In March

Hunt For The Best Hot Cross Bun Happening In Oxley

The Great O-Town Hot Cross Bun Bake Off is happening on 25 March at the QCWA in Oxley from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Last year, Lou Bromley held a tasting campaign all on her own. This time around, she has the support of the Oxley Country Women’s Association (CWA).

Judges include Ms Bromley, MP Jessica Pugh, MP Milton Dick, Lyn Lincoln and Ms Pugh’s father, David

If you want to be a part of the competition, register your name by sending a Facebook message here. You will also be required to bring six hot cross buns to share during the community morning tea after the judging.

Get a chance to win a gold coin entry and generous prizes sponsored by Mr Dick.

The QCWA is the largest women’s organisation in Queensland. It’s an organisation that allows the meeting of women from all over the state to make new friends, learn new skills, and get involved in the community.

Address: QCWA Oxley Hall, 76 Lincoln Street

Chelmer & Graceville Residents Discuss Burglary Cases with Police

A series of burglaries in Chelmer has alarmed the police, leading them to urge residents to keep their doors locked at all times.

Break-Ins

The police has confirmed Chelmer and Graceville as hotspots for property theft in recent weeks. Several residents took to social media to divulge information about the crimes.

According to police reports, most were victims of break-ins due to unlocked doors and windows.

While a number of arrests have been made, police still insist that residents should ensure that their properties are properly locked. Items that can attract the attention of thieves should also be kept away from the windows, where they can easily be seen by prying eyes.

Sit Down With a Cop

Last weekend, the Sherwood Police invited residents invited to talk about these recent crimes. Residents also had the chance to book their free home security audits after the meeting.

The meetings were held at three different venues:

  • 15 March – Graceville Railway Station
  • 15 March – Coffee with a Cop at Honour Espresso in Graceville
  • 17 March – Western Districts Netball Association in Faulkner Park

The Centenary Crime Prevention Unit was there to offer advice and information on home and vehicle security, personal safety and other security strategies.

They have also released a guideline to help residents secure their property here.

Get to Know Your Neighbours in Oxley on Neighbour Day 2018

On 25 March, celebrate Neighbour Day in Oxley with the Oxley Ridge Neighbourhood Watch at Weston Place Park from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

The annual Australian Neighbour Day is held every last week of March. It is managed by Relationships Australia. The event is a great way to meet your neighbours and to strengthen community spirit.

The theme for this year’s Neighbour Day is: The importance of a supportive neighbourhood for children and young people.

Whether you’re an old or a new resident, this is the best time for you to meet your neighbours. All you have to do is say hello or you can also invite them to your home for a cup of tea.

Here in Oxley, there will be a local social gathering for the whole neighbourhood to come together. You can also get free sausage sizzle and even get your dog’s tags engraved for free!

With this event, you get to know your neighbours whilst bringing in plenty of benefits such as:

  • Meeting like-minded people
  • Establishing new friendships
  • A boost in your sense of security
  • Getting to ask your neighbours to keep an eye out for your home, collect your mail, or even feed your pet whilst you’re away

Take this opportunity to get friendly around and reap long-lasting benefits!

Ed Kuepper Park Opens in Oxley

Brisbane music legend The Saints continues to receive honour in Brisbane. In Oxley, a local park was renamed in honour of the band’s former member Ed Kuepper.

Oxley local Maurice Murphy petitioned for the park to be named after Kuepper. He made a petition that quickly garnered over 800 signatures. Thus, the Brisbane City Council approved the park’s name change.

Kuepper took to Twitter to thank Murphy and everyone who made the park renaming possible.

Punk Legacy

After migrating from Germany at the age of four, Kuepper lived in Oxley and co-founded The Saints with singer Chris Bailey and drummer Ivor Hay in 1973. Their single (I’m) Stranded, along with the album of the same name in 1976, was recognised as a cornerstone of the punk movement. The band split in 1978 and Kuepper continued as a solo performer. He is currently touring under the name The Aints.

This wasn’t the only move made to honour The Saints. Back in 2017, John Willsteed, best known for his stint as bassist of The Go-Betweens, sought state government funding to mark the band’s second rehearsal place.

A similar honour had been made for The Go-Betweens via the Go Between Bridge linking South Brisbane and Milton. Willsteed believed it was time for The Saints to receive the same honour.

Willsteed succeeded in seeking to honour The Saints and a mural was unveiled along Upper Roma Street in December 2017 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the band’s iconic debut album, (I’m) Stranded.

Ed Kuepper at The Saints mural unveiling on Roma Street, Brisbane. (Photo credit: QUT Creative Industries/Facebook)

Keupper was at the unveiling of the mural to witness the impact of his band’s music 40 years later.