tarragindi Archives - Page 7 of 10

Speed Awareness Monitor Installed Near St Elizabeth’s School in Tarragindi

Just in time for the start of another school year, a Speed Awareness Monitor (SAM) was installed near St Elizabeth’s School in Tarragindi. It’s one of 22 ‘Slow for SAM’ sites added across Brisbane to ensure the safety of children.

Brisbane City Council announced that the initial installation for the 2023 school year is up at these locations but more sites will be determined as the program rolls out:

Acacia Ridge State School
Holland Park State School
Anglican Church Grammar School, East Brisbane
Villanova College, Coorparoo
Petrie Terrace State School, Paddington
Upper Brookfield State School
Mount Gravatt State High School
Seville Road State School, Holland Park
Sunnybank State School
St Dympna’s Parish School, Aspley
St Williams Primary School, Everton Park
Yeronga State School
St Elizabeth’s School, Tarragindi
Eagle Junction State School
Windsor State School

Speed Awareness Monitors, also known as SAM, was launched in 2013 to advise motorists to slow down, especially in school zones where pedestrian activity is high.

Since the launch, more than 200 SLOW for SAM monitors are actively in place in Brisbane. Motorists have also made it a habit to reduce an average of eight kilometres across all locations.

The monitors do not issue notices but work to detect a speeding car and then display ether three messages:

a smiley face for vehicles going within the speed limit
the car’s speed with a “slow down” message for vehicles going beyond 9 kilometres per hour of the speed limit
a big “slow down” message for vehicles driving above 10 kilometres of the speed limit

The Transport Planning and Operations of Brisbane City Council determines where SLOW for SAM signs should be installed. However, locals may contact their ward office or phone Council via 07 3403 8888 if they think a location qualifies for a SLOW for SAM sign.

Survey Says Locals Have Problems with Pathways Around Popular Tarragindi Primary School

Photo credit: Department of Transport and Main Roads / tmr.qld.gov.au/

Pathways surrounding a popular primary school in Tarragindi emerged as Brisbane’s top pathway hotspot, receiving the most concerns raised by respondents in the inaugural RACQ’s Safer Pathways Survey.

RACQ Transport Planning and Infrastructure Advisor Tim Mitchell said that the pathway network surrounding Wellers Hill State School in Tarragindi received the most number of complaints from hundreds of Queenslanders in the Club’s inaugural survey.

“One of the biggest concerns identified by Tarragindi residents was a lack of footpaths to accommodate school traffic on Chamberlain Street and pedestrian crossings,” Mr Mitchell said.

“This is a popular local primary school with more than 900 students; however, our survey has revealed there is a deficiency in safe and accessible pathways which makes it difficult for parents and children to get around.”

Meanwhile, on-road bike lanes on Sylvan Road in Toowong are also a hotspot for pathway issues, added Mr Mitchell, with residents describing the location as “narrow and intimidating”.

He said that in the third-ranking Brisbane CBD, safety issues were the most common concern why locals compete for footpath space, as well as a desire for more pathway connections. Whilst in Wooloowin, the major problem was the ending of the separated cycle path along the Northern Bikeway, where it transitions to an on-road bicycle lane at Price Street.

Active infrastructure appeared to be more in demand, the survey results revealed, particularly among Queenslanders walking or using e-scooter, e-bikes, and cycling. RACQ said that this highlights the importance of having pathway networks that are safe, connected, and accessible for the whole community.

The inaugural Safer Pathways Survey which ended on 17 August 2022, allowed residents to nominate multiple locations. The results were forwarded to councils and the State Government to help the state improve its active transport networks providing vital information about how the pathway network is used and where the current gaps and faults are.

The top five southeast Queensland suburbs for Safer Pathways Survey responses are Tarragindi (80), Toowong (29), Brisbane CBD (23), Wooloowin (19), and Nerang (16).

Find the map of the full survey results here: https://www.racq.com.au/saferpathwayssurvey

Brisbane’s Bus Network Services to Change But Have Your Say First

Brisbane’s bus network services are set to evolve with the activation of Brisbane Metro in a few years and Tarragindi residents now have a chance to provide their feedback on the expected changes.

Brisbane City Council will be conducting a series of community information sessions until the 14th of December 2022 in various suburbs to gather feedback from commuters who will be affected by any changes or adoption to this transportation service.

Some of these changes include:

The introduction of two new Brisbane Metro lines
Reducing the bottlenecks and congestions with a simplified bus network
Increasing connections to other public transport modes, such as the Cross River Rail.

For Tarragindi locals, the community information sessions will be on Saturday, 10 December 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Wellers Hills Bowls Club.

Other sessions in South Brisbane will take place on these dates and locations:

Date/Time	Location
Saturday 26 November 2022 10:00 a.m to 12:00 p.m.	Coopers Plains Library 107 Orange Grove Rd Coopers Plains QLD 4108
Saturday 3 December 2022 10:00 a.m to 12:00 p.m.	Warrigal Square Shopping Centre 261 Warrigal Rd Eight Mile Plains – a Mandarin interpreter will be available

Locals may also participate by completing the online survey if they cannot go to the in-person sessions.

Civic Cabinet Chair for Transport Ryan Murphy is encouraging locals to participate in these drop-in sessions to help the Council map out a solid new bus network services plan.

“By 2041 our population will increase by almost 25 per cent and it is important the bus network evolves as our city grows,” Mr Murphy said.

“At peak times there are currently more than 385 buses jamming up the Cultural Centre Station, which is a result of our current over-reliance on direct bus journeys from the suburbs to the CBD.

“As part of the changes, a number of routes will be combined to simplify the network and some routes with extremely low patronage will be removed.

“This allows us to make better use of our resources to give high-frequency services to more streets, introduce new routes and deliver more reliable services from the suburbs to the city.

“The improvements being delivered through the Brisbane Metro will help to significantly ease bottlenecks in the current network and prevent future problems as we grow.

“Brisbane’s New Bus Network redesigns services to connect customers to the two high-frequency Metro lines between Eight Mile Plains and Roma Street and the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and the University of Queensland.

“There is also significant scope to expand the Metro further into Brisbane’s north and east through investment into the dedicated bus network.

“We want residents to join the conversation and provide their feedback to help us create the best possible transport network.”

After the community information sessions, Council will work with Translink and release the new network plan. The bus network services changes will be adopted in late 2024.

Scooter Track Opens at the Shaftesbury Street Park in Tarragindi

After more than two months of construction, a new scooter track has opened at the Shaftesbury Street Park in Tarragindi, one of four new scooter tracks in Brisbane that are expected to deliver more opportunities for play, exercise, and recreation for families.

The scooter tracks are based on the award-winning recreational facility that was opened at Kedron’s Bradbury Park in 2020. The Shaftesbury Street Park improvements include a new picnic shelter as well.

“I am told by the designers that this track is the only one of its kind in Brisbane with the slalom design,” Cr Krista Adams said following the park’s official re-opening.

Aside from Tarragindi, Wittonga Park in The Gap has commenced construction as of August 2022. Paul Conti Park in Hemmant and Kathleen Street Park in Forest Lake are also going to have their own scooter parks, according to Council.

“As Richlands, Hemmant, The Gap and surrounding areas continue to grow, it is important to ensure that our parks continue to meet the recreational needs of residents and visitors, and Council is looking to enhance and diversify the recreational opportunities in these popular green spaces to ensure they cater to a broad spectrum of the community,” the Council said.

“Long gone are the days of a few trees and an old swing set. Our parks offer options for kids of all ages from scooter tracks and ninja warrior courses to nature playgrounds and water features,” per Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner.

The Green Retirement Site Adjoining Tarragindi Bowls Club To Open in Early 2023

Construction is well underway at The Green, the new retirement community that is also expected to rejuvenate the Tarragindi Bowls Club. The site is expected to open in early 2023.

Since mid-2021, the Tarragindi Bowls Club has temporarily made the Salisbury Sports and Community Club its home following the start of the retirement village’s construction.

According to RetireAustralia, the bowls club will remain the central recreational site of the community, once it opens, and will feature a 10-rink championship-quality bowling green.

All residents of The Green will automatically get a free membership to the bowls club, where they could also invite friends to play or enjoy great food at the cafe. The redevelopment will also see additional car parking areas for the visitors.

“So whether you take bowls seriously or you just seriously want to have fun, you’ll be able to socialise over a friendly bowls match or establish your legendary status as a fierce competitor on the lawn.”

The Green provides 92 units with at least a dozen carefully considered apartment designs. Emergency support will also be available 24/7, while professional home care services can also be accessed on your terms—occasionally or daily.

Meanwhile, the Tarragindi Bowls Club has been holding regular play days at the Salisbury Bowls Club every Tuesday (9:00 a.m.), Thursday (1:00 p.m.), Saturday (1:00 p.m.). The Brekky Bowls held every second Sunday of the month has also been maintained.

Wellers Hill Bowls Club in Tarragindi Opens for Flood Victims Seeking Shelter

Editor’s Note: UPDATE (2 March 2022) – The Wellers Hill Bowls Club initiative has wound down and Council advises residents to proceed to the Chandler Arena instead.

Residents in the southside who have nowhere else to go and need a safe haven from the devastating floods are welcome to seek shelter at the Wellers Hill Bowls Club on Esher Street in Tarragindi.

The club operators announced that they will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for those who will need a dry place to enjoy some food, use the toilet facilities, and rest after the stressful weather events for the past few days. The site has accommodated more than 30 flood victims and their pets, and they are expecting more in the coming days.

“We have a big hall and plenty of tables and chairs. We are animal friendly so you can bring your pets. We have coffee and tea facilities as well as a kitchen,” Anthony Neven said. “Our address is 34 Esher St or give me a call at 0411 415 373.”

Whilst originally intended to open for overnight stays, the operators of Wellers Hill Bowls Club said that Council has asked them to direct flood victims looking for a place to sleep at the Sleeman Sports Complex in Chandler, a pet-friendly evacuation centre.

Nonetheless, the clubhouse will still welcome donations for the flood victims, such as toiletries and warm blankets for those coming in for the day.

Aside from Sleeman Sports Complex in Chandler, the Council has also turned the Kedron-Wavell Services Club into an overnight shelter/evacuation centre in the northside, which will accept only trained service animals with their families.

Evacuation Kit Must-Haves

Evacuees are advised to bring the following items to the temporary shelters:

Mobile phone and charger
Spare clothing
Toiletries
Important documents (e.g. insurance papers, passports, birth certificates, backup of computer files)
Necessary medication and prescriptions
Needs for infants such as formula or nappies
Bedding, pillow, and blankets
lead and muzzle for dogs
food for pets
litter and a litter tray for pets

Track Emergency Info and Updates

For essential trips, however, check for road conditions via the Department of Transport and Main Roads updates. Also, follow the updates for other impacted services at Council’s official site.

For flood emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500. For life-threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

Hayden Hume: Tarragindi Teen Racer Vying for the 2022 MRA State Championship

After his motorsports debut in 2021, Tarrandi teen racer Hayden Hume is vying for the top spot at the 2022 MRA State Championship in Eastern Creek in Sydney.

Happening on Saturday, 5 Feb 2022, Hayden will race in his Toyota ’86 in the first round of the SUPERTT category, a one-hour endurance race, against 39 other drivers. The 2022 MRA State Championship spans eight rounds, which are spread out every month until November 2022. Two of the races are held as a two-day weekend competition in May and August.

Motor Racing Australia was established in NSW in 2005 as the home of grassroots motorsport. Since its creation, MRA has evolved with the addition of the two-day weekend race and the Festival of Sports Car series to promote the sport.

In July 2021, Hayden marked his debut in motorsports racing at the 2021 Supercars Championship after three years of kart racing. Hayden finished in 13th place out of 21 drivers for the first race, 12th out of 26 drivers in the second race, and 18th out of 25 in the third race.

The teenager from St Laurence’s College got his start in 2016, kart racing with Auskart before moving on to race in the higher level for the Ipswich Kart Club. After achieving the third top spot in the state championships, Hayden was ready to transition into motorsports in 2020.

Hayden had immense support from Steve Owen in his very first motorsport race to prepare him for the 2022 MRA State Championship.

“If all young drivers could receive this advice, it would assist in the development of skills needed for the racetrack,” Hayden said.

“I feel more attention should be put into the media presence of the series, as the talent of the up and coming young drivers is high, there are potentially drivers in this series who will become professionals in the future.”

Follow Motor Racing Australia on Facebook for updates.

Improvements Underway at Tarragindi Reservoir and Two Salisbury Parks

Upgrades and improvements at the Tarragindi Reservoir and in two Salisbury parks will start rolling out in January and February 2022.

Tarragindi Reservoir Bay Fire Shed Construction

Construction of a bay fire shed at the Tarragindi Reservoir will start in February 2022, according to Cr Steve Griffiths. The shed will house fire suppression units, equipment, and consumables.

Prior to the construction, work will be scheduled to trim down the weeds and emergent vegetation in order to mitigate the fire risks around the reservoir’s public spaces.

The location of the fire shed was specifically chosen to minimise tree loss. Nevertheless, at least three trees will be removed to make the space for the shed. However, these trees that have been scheduled for removal were determined to have faults that could bring about long-term risks.

The construction is expected to take three months. This includes the introduction of onsite native planting to replace the other trees.

Tarragindi Reservoir is a heritage-listed site atop the Tarragindi Hill. Originally built in 1923, it is still a functioning water storage facility.

Wilcox Park Fencing & Salisbury Recreation Reserve Remediation

Over at Salisbury, work has started for the construction of a cliff-edge protection fence, spanning 380 metres. This project aims to prevent pedestrian access to the exposed cliff face found at the boundary of Wilcox Park and the Toohey Forest.

Meanwhile, remediation and repurposing of the hard courts at the Salisbury Recreation Reserve into two roller derby tracks and a lawn area have begun as well. This project is aimed at improving the sports and recreation facilities near the Rocky Waterhole, where the hard courts are in such a state of disrepair.

The project covers the following scope:

revitalising and resurfacing six of the netball courts and turning them into two roller derby tracks
removing the three netball courts closest to the creek as they are in disrepair
installing turf in the location of the three removed netball courts
installing drainage and a seating mound in the turf area

Visitors to the parks should expect some slight obstructions because of the ongoing work. There should be signs and fencing to ensure that the construction areas are safe for pedestrian access.

For concerns and questions about these upgrades, phone Council at 07 3403 8888.

Umu Kitchen in Tarragindi Shifts to Takeaway Indefinitely

Umu Kitchen will be shifting to takeaway service indefinitely, in light of the continued rise of Covid-19 cases and new guidelines affecting their Tarragindi operations.

In a statement shared on their social media pages, the owners of the Polynesian fusion-style cade, Emily and Soane Seiler, said that they will temporarily shift to takeaway service indefinitely, at both their outlets in Tarrigindi and Coorparoo, even as the Queensland Government has allowed restaurants to open for dine-in customers.

“Currently, there is very little support out there for small businesses and regulations do not favour our little café,” the statement read. “Yes, we are allowed to operate as a dine-in venue, but if a customer who dines with us tests positive to COVID, we are required by QLD Health to isolate all of our staff for a minimum of 7 days. This would mean that we would be unable to open our café.

“With growing cases, the risk to our staff and our customers is growing. Our staff depend on their jobs and their income. As a business, we rely on being able to keep our doors open in order to survive. This isn’t a risk we can take any longer.

“We understand that providing take-away only is not ideal, but it means that we can keep our doors open and our staff can continue to gain income.”

Patrons of Umu Kitchen sympathised with the owners and said that they will continue to support the cafe for their takeaway orders.

“It must be so hard as a small business to navigate these troubled times. You are making this decision in the best interest of your business and your staff, so it is totally understandable,” one commenter said.

“You guys are well practiced at changing your business model to suit the changing Covid environment. This is definitely the right decision for now – see you tomorrow for some scrambled eggs, takeaway for now,” another customer replied.

“Umu is my favourite cafe. I bring all my friends there for dates and I love the atmosphere of the dine in experience. I’m very sorry to read this but I will continue to support the cafe where I can.”

Umu Kitchen has been a local favourite since it opened in 2018. The Seiler couple serves traditional dishes culled from Soane’s Tongan roots to adapt to today’s modern trends and taste palate.

Follow Umu Kitchen on Instagram for cafe updates. Check out their online order system as well for order pick-ups.

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A post shared by Umu Kitchen (@umukitchen)

“Always a friendly greeting from the lovely staff, taking a leaf out of wonderful Emily’s book. Indoor and outdoor spaces to sit are great so I can take the pups sometimes. Delicious food – some simple stuff and also some more exciting options so there’s something for everyone. Highly recommend.”
Maddie Lucas

“I have visited a few times now, for breakfast with the family and a couple of times to meet friends for coffee, or just to take my laptop and have breakfast and a couple of great coffees while I work. Staff are always very welcoming and attentive. Service is fast and the coffee is delicious. The atmosphere is perfect – the music is at a great volume for hearing but still being able to have a conversation or concentrate on work, and the greenery around the walls is very calming. Highly recommend this cafe.”
Ornella Outen

Spotted in Tarragindi: Captain Australia for The Big Walk for Kids With Cancer

While everyone else was on the lookout for Santa Claus on Christmas day, some Tarragindi locals were able to spot a different bearded man. Captain Australia, a local legend, is on a mission to complete The Big Walk from Brisbane to Sydney and to Melbourne.

Helga Lückhoff of Tarragindi saw Captain Australia strolling in the neighbourhood in his easily-recognised costume. He was also carrying his fundraiser flag for The Big Walk, which aims to raise money for The Kids Cancer Project.

Captain Australia is dad, Simon Harvey, in his non-superhero life. He decided to embark on this challenging journey, which kicked off on 26 December 2021, after his experiences with the enemy — cancer.

In 2016, doctors told Simon that he had six months to live.

“I have three young children. My youngest son was three years old when I was diagnosed. I had to deal with the idea of ‘abandoning’ them,” he said in one interview with The Project. Simon said that more than anything in his life, being a father was his most important job and to think about leaving them broke his heart.

“I fought as hard as I could but cancer is a tricky enemy.” More than four years since his diagnosis, Simon beat the enemy but he said he is still “dealing with side effects and the threat of recurrence for the rest of your life.”

During his battle with cancer and the frequent trips to the hospital for his therapies, Simon also witnessed young kids with cancer struggling with the disease.

“No child should have to endure that,” the dad said.

Thus, he decided to mount The Big Walk for The Kids Cancer Project, an organisation devoted to improving cancer treatments for children.

“I will walk from Brisbane to Melbourne over 10 weeks, sleeping rough, no help, planes, trains, or automobiles.”

So, far he has raised $37,797 but his goal is to reach $250,000. To donate to his cause and to follow Captain America’s journey, visit the official site or follow his live stream on Facebook.

“I’m going to Forrest Gump my way through your town, and if you wanted to say G’day, part of the Quest of it… the Pilgrimage of it .. is about coming alive, meeting people, getting out into the natural world and wandering down a garden path. I’ll be doing daily live streams to share in the adventure,” the Captain shared on Reddit.

“I’d also love the chance to earn your support. Answer your questions. Show you the purity of what I’m trying to do.”

DONATE TO THE BIG WALK

Captain Australia was “borne” more than a decade ago as a vigilante who believed that doing kindness will change the world. He gave up his alter ego in 2012 when his second son became ill as his medical needs were the priority over his weekly street escapades.