The Baden-Powell Scout Award is a major milestone in the journey of a Rover Scouts journey.
As a Scout, one of Dan’s major achievements was his leadership role in organising a program that united 400 Brisbane youth who relied solely on public transport.
His dedication to community service was highlighted when he spent time at a community garden in Mitchelton, exemplifying the Scouting spirit of giving back.
Dan’s adventurous spirit was also put to the test during an intense four-day trek through Conandale National Park, where his outdoor skills were on display.
Remarkably, Dan won the award whilst also doing his master’s thesis on microplastic pollution at QUT and working full-time.
The Enoggera Scout Group is very proud of Dan’s achievements and eagerly awaits his next endeavour.
Dan Boyd’s remarkable journey to achieving the Baden-Powell Scout Award is a testament to the enduring values of Scouting. His story inspires the people of Enoggera to embrace dedication, perseverance and personal growth. Dan’s achievement is a shining example of the positive impact of Scouting and community service in today’s world.
The incident occurred on Friday, 29 Sept 2023, at approximately 5:30 a.m. on Lochinvar Rd. The cyclist, whose identity has not been disclosed, was cruising along the road when he hit a kangaroo that darted out onto the road unexpectedly.
The force of the impact sent the cyclist tumbling, leaving him with injuries that required immediate medical attention. Emergency services were promptly dispatched to the scene, and paramedics provided vital first aid before transporting the injured cyclist to a nearby hospital. Fortunately, the victim is reported to be in stable condition and is expected to recover from his injuries.
In an unrelated incident in the early hours of the same morning, another man had a similar brush with a kangaroo, highlighting the unusual dangers faced by motorists and cyclists in some parts of Queensland.
This second incident occurred at 3:42 a.m. on Innes Park Rd in Bundaberg, located in the southern region of Queensland. The victim, riding a motorbike, collided with a kangaroo that suddenly appeared on the road. He was transported to the hospital for medical evaluation and treatment.
Authorities in Queensland have long cautioned residents and visitors about the potential risks associated with wildlife encounters on the state’s roads, particularly in areas where kangaroos and other native animals are known to be active during the night and early morning hours.
Drivers and cyclists are advised to exercise caution, particularly in areas prone to wildlife crossings.
Major changes to parking and traffic around Ferny Grove station will take effect this October as part of the ongoing Transit Oriented Development (TOD) project of Queensland Rail.
A new 905-car multi-level parking garage at the station will open to the public in October, providing free parking for QR patrons. This marks the completion of Stage One of the TOD project. Stage Two will include further underground works, plus a major retail outlet, and The Fernery .
To accommodate the progress of construction, significant alterations to traffic flow around the site will be implemented. QR stated that whilst these changes may temporarily inconvenience motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, patience and understanding is appreciated.
Photo credit: tmr.qld.gov.au
Motorists will need to access the new parking garage via the intersection at Ferny Way and Samford Road. Exiting the garage will be through a one-way egress onto Arbor Street. Some commuter parking will still be available via Archdale Road to the old parking area.
Pedestrian and bicycle access to the station will remain possible via Archdale Road, Conavalla Street, and Ferny Way.
For bus riders, stops C and D will relocate to Conavalla Street near the new kiss ‘n’ ride and taxi stand. Temporary stop B will continue operating in the tavern parking area. Some bus route redirections may happen intermittently.
Access map (Photo credit: Queensland Rail)
QR has released a map (shown above) detailing the changed traffic conditions and locations of parking, pick up/drop off zones, and bus stops. Commuters are advised to plan their travel accordingly during this transition period.
Meanwhile, Stage two will involve further underground works and construction of a major retail outlet and public space known as The Fernery.
The Fernery (Photo credit: theferneryresidences.com.au)
The Fernery retail complex will have dedicated parking bays separate from the commuter parking garage. Each apartment in the residential tower will be allocated one or two secure parking spots in an underground garage within the basement.
Completion of the mixed-use transit-oriented development at Ferny Grove Station is anticipated by late 2023, barring any major weather events or other construction delays.
Participants with disabilities are gearing up for an incredible display of strength and unity as they prepare to take on a monumental challenge in Brisbane’s second annual Brisbane’s Great Tram Pull Event.
Organized by Claire’s Cottage, a small family-owned NDIS registered organisation based in Ferny Hills, this event aims to break down stereotypes surrounding disabilities and showcase the remarkable capabilities of individuals with diverse abilities.
Last year, Claire’s Cottage made headlines when their team of disabled clients pulled a one-tonne tram up a 50-meter incline in just 23 seconds, finishing second only to a team of crossfit enthusiasts. This year, they’re back with even more determination, fielding two teams featuring participants with autism, Down syndrome, and even a woman who is legally blind.
Photo Credit: Claire’s Cottage/Facebook
At the heart of this event lies the celebration of inclusivity and empowerment. Claire’s Cottage Manager of People and Culture, Julie Gerstel, highlighted the significance of challenging stereotypes and empowering their participants. She noted that last year’s event was a remarkable moment that shattered preconceived notions about people with disabilities, showcasing their extraordinary capabilities.
Claire’s Cottage Director, Claire McCourtie shared the motivation behind starting the service provider. It began with her twin daughters, Betsy and Emma, who were diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy.
As they grew older and left school, Claire realised that there were limited opportunities for individuals with needs falling between the high and low ends of disability programs offered by larger organisations.
This led to the creation of Claire’s Cottage, which now focuses on building skills, self-esteem, and even finding employment opportunities for their clients.
Photo Credit: CrSteveToomey/Facebook
Brisbane’s Great Tram Pull Event has gained significant traction since its inception, with 16 teams signed up this year compared to just six last year. Claire’s Cottage will compete against 15 other “able-bodied” teams, including powerlifters, crossfitters, and members from various local sports clubs.
The event is not just about physical strength but about pushing boundaries and inspiring others to believe in their limitless potential.
The event is scheduled to take place at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, 24 Sept 2023, at the Brisbane Tramway Museum located at 20 Tramway Street, Ferny Grove.
This year’s event promises to be a celebration of diversity, strength, and unity, proving once again that individuals with disabilities are more than capable of taking on extraordinary challenges and leaving a lasting impact on their community.
Holly and Charli Garrity, sisters aged 12 and 14, have time and again proven that one is never too young to help protect the environment. These young eco-warriors have been bestowed the ‘Young Change Maker of the Year’ award for their Sisters 4 Wildlife project that has since snowballed into other meaningful endeavours.
Sisters 4 Wildlife began four years ago, with the modest aim of raising $1,000 for the Wildlife Hospital by collecting cans and bottles that were then turned over to Containers for Change.
Fast forward to 2023 — the Garrity sisters have collected more than 52,000 cans and bottles and have raised over $20,000 for their cause. The duo has also launched a bi-annual Great Gap Fashion Swap, an initiative aimed at reducing fast fashion and textile waste.
The duo’s long-term goal is to collect 100,000 recyclable containers and further broaden the Great Gap Fashion Swap’s local reach. The combined funding will mostly support long-term activities, such as assisting wildlife rescue organisations such as Wildcare and Australian Seabird and Turtle Rescue.
Before their Young Change Maker of the Year recognition, Holly and Charli earned honours including the 2021 Brisbane Waste Smart Champion Highly Commended award. They secured a 2022 All-Star Award nomination for their role in initiating the Great Gap Fashion Swap. The pair were also finalists in the Visionary Wildlife Warriors of the Year in 2020 and 2021.
It is easy to see how the young duo has made such an impact in their local community that many were inspired to support their projects and other initiatives. And truly, environmental stewardship knows no age limits as shown in their commitment to tree planting, waterway restoration, and environmental rehabilitation in The Gap and organising Clean Up Australia Day locally.
As for their personal goals, Holly envisions herself pursuing a career as a paramedic or veterinarian after completing her college education. On the other hand, Charli’s dreams are centred around securing a position at the renowned Australia Zoo, reflecting her profound passion for wildlife and conservation.
The $500 million development, called The Quarry, will feature 8 stages of resort-style residential housing with the first residents expected to move in early next year.
The development features a 25m lap pool, an interactive kids rock pool area with two additional pools, a barbecue pavilion, a kickaround area, and a wellness gym. In the future, there is a possibility of incorporating a neighbourhood centre and childcare facility.
Photo credit: Rothelowman
Situated amidst an iconic hillside, The Quarry offers breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding D’Aguilar Ranges, Glasshouse Mountains, and beyond. The community is expected to house approximately 1,500-1,800 people.
Photo credit: Rothelowman
Frasers Property Australia, the project’s developer, commenced sales in June 2023 for 29 lots, which form part of the initial phase of development. The first stage of the project, designed by Rothelowman includes a state-of-the-art recreational centre, valued at $5 million.
Within the Quarry masterplanned community, there will be a range of retail services available in the future. These services will include places where you can grab a coffee, shop for everyday necessities, and access childcare and other useful amenities.
Photo credit: Rothelowman
Reports indicate that land lots for Stage 1 of the development come with a price of $580,000 to $850,000. The old quarry near Brisbane, which is less than 10km away, has been made suitable for the housing project.
The land lots within the development, totaling around 237, will allow buyers to select their own builders. Additionally, Frasers Property intends to construct approximately 250 townhomes.
Photo credit: Rothelowman
Stage three landlots are already taking shape, designed with tiered levels to optimise views for each resident. Construction is also underway for the stage four landlots, which will be integrated into the hillside.
To officially launch the new masterplanned community, Frasers Property will host The Quarry Open Day on Saturday, 8 July, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The event will take place at 1004 Samford Rd, Keperra. Visit their website for event details & RSVP.
From its humble beginnings as a small breakfast cafe nearly two decades ago, Cafe Tara has transformed into more than just a place to grab a coffee in the neighborhood. The cafe has emerged as a thriving community hub that brings locals together and sparks positive change through their sustainability efforts.
Led by husband-and-wife owners Pramesh and Asha Ram, Cafe Tara prides itself on using locally-sourced ingredients and reducing waste. The cafe uses recycled milk cartons for takeaway trays, in an aim to reduce cup waste.
Photo credit: Cr Steven Toomey/Facebook
They support community groups, including ‘Boomerang Bags The Gap & Surrounds,’ which makes fabric bags to reduce the reliance on single-use plastic bags.
They also host monthly Scrabble games, which is open to all. The cosy interior and corner booth seating make it easy to settle in for hours of conversation with friends or family.
As for food, the cafe serves hearty breakfast options like eggs, pancakes, and toast along with sandwiches, burgers, and fresh salads for lunch. Vegetarians delight in the many meatless choices.
Photo credit: Nelle B/Google Maps
The cafe, which has been a local staple since 2005, has been like a second home to many residents, who count on the friendly service and community feel almost as much as the stellar brewed coffee and baked goods.
In celebrating 18 years this year, they show no signs of slowing down. Locals have depended on this neighbourhood staple since the beginning. The Rams credit their success to adapting with the neighbourhood whilst staying true to their original vision of sustainability and building connections.
Residents of The Gap are leading the charge in adopting green waste recycling bins in Brisbane, after the annual fee has been slashed to under $1 per week.
The Gap accounted for 39 of the 1,372 green bins ordered in July 2023 across Brisbane, according to Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner. This represents a threefold increase compared to the same month last year, when only 452 bins were ordered citywide.
The surge in green bin orders comes after a council decision on July 1 to permanently reduce the annual green waste recycling fee from $93 to $45, or less than $1 per week. Cr Schrinner said the fee cut is part of the council’s $80 million cost of living relief package in the 2023/24 budget.
Photo credit: Brisbane City Council/Facebook
“Rising living costs are the number one issue for Brisbane households right now and that’s why our Budget is focused on helping them,” Cr Schrinner said. “I’m pleased that our decision to cut the fee has led to over 1,300 new Brisbane households adopting a green bin.”
Photo credit: adrianschrinner.com.au
The city currently has around 138,500 households with green bins that are collected fortnightly. Mayor Schrinner hopes the reduced cost will encourage more residents to adopt green waste recycling as Brisbane gears up to expand its food organics recycling program in the future.
The council reminds residents to check if they have enough space to store a new green bin before ordering one. Households are limited to two bins maximum, but can request more if needed. Visit the council website for more information on green waste recycling bins, such as the acceptable and unacceptable bin items.
To address the escalating issue of aircraft noise, a long-abandoned flight path plan for Brisbane Airport has resurfaced with a renewed proposal for significant changes. Here’s how it will impact residents of The Gap.
The plan, dropped over two decades ago, has been revamped to include a controversial suggestion of round-the-clock simultaneous takeoffs and landings from both runways at the airport. The proposed changes were unveiled by Airservices Australia (ASA), a federal aviation agency, as part of a new Noise Action Plan.
As this will be a major change, various community consultations across Brisbane are underway until 10 September 2023. In The Gap, the consultation is scheduled for 23 August 2033 at St Marks Church Hall along Waterworks Rd.
ASA has encouraged public participation in these discussions and has assured that a range of experts will be present to address questions and concerns. The consultation process is part of ASA’s efforts to incorporate community feedback into its decision-making process.
One of the most striking alterations to the new Noise Action Plan entails permitting 24-hour simultaneous takeoffs and landings from the airport’s two runways. This adjustment, known as Simultaneous Opposite Direction Runway Operations (SODPROPS), would potentially direct more aircraft over Moreton Bay.
Since the inauguration of the second runway in July 2020, ASA had initially claimed that SODPROPS could be safely executed only during nighttime hours when flight volume was lower. However, the plan now envisions extending this practice throughout the day, contingent on wind patterns, weather conditions, and air traffic volume aligning favourably.
The resurgence of the flight path plan comes after mounting complaints from residents about increased aircraft noise, even during lockdown periods. The controversial decision to open the second runway led to noise-related grievances, prompting ASA to address the matter through community feedback and consultation.
Marcus Foth, spokesperson for the Brisbane Flight Path Community Alliance (BFPCA), expressed both appreciation and reservation regarding the proposal’s expansion. He welcomed the 24-hour implementation of SODPROPS but criticized ASA for not implementing such measures sooner.
Foth claimed that the aviation agency has complicated the issue by inundating the public with technical jargon, impeding informed public engagement.
ASA’s proposal also includes exploring alternative flight path options, to be developed over the following two years, and aimed at sharing the noise burden more evenly across the city. These options, ASA asserts, will not increase the airport’s capacity but will offer respite for affected areas.
The outcome of the consultation and the subsequent revisions to the Noise Action Plan will likely shape the future of Brisbane’s flight paths and determine whether these changes will successfully alleviate the escalating concerns of affected residents.
The opening of the highly anticipated Ferny Grove Central development has been pushed back over a year from the original expected completion date, with the new timeline looking likely to stretch into late 2024.
Developer Honeycombes Property Group has confirmed from its contractor Broad Construction that the mixed-use project is now slated for completion in the third quarter of 2024, over a year past the initial August 2023 target.
Construction on the sizable development first kicked off in June 2021, with residents and businesses eagerly awaiting the project’s completion. However, widespread industry challenges have hampered progress.
Artist’s visualisation of the mixed-use development (Photo credit: Broad Construction)
“A number of factors have come together to create a perfect storm” Honeycombes Property Group stated in a letter sent to the Ferny Grove community, citing labour and material shortages, severe weather events, and pandemic-related supply chain disruptions as the primary obstacles.
“To achieve the above timeframes, we are dependent on the builder maintaining program and we advise these dates are approximate as at April 2023,” the developer added.
Most buyers of the Fernery apartment units, which are part of the mixed-use development, were believed to have rejected refund offers despite their frustrations, as finding alternative housing solutions with builders and materials remains extremely difficult in the region.
Artist’s visualisation of The Fernery (Photo credit: The Fernery/Facebook)
Honeycombes has assured buyers that they are actively voicing concerns about construction delays to Broad Construction, who was engaged to design and construct the project. In the meantime, businesses and residents will have to continue waiting for the project to come to fruition.
About the Ferny Grove Central
Photo credit: Broad Construction
With an estimated price tag of $140 million, Ferny Grove Central stands as one of the largest and most eagerly awaited retail, cinema, and residential developments in Brisbane.
The vision for the project is to build a vibrant local village that brings together a full-size Woolworths, childcare facilities, medical offices, restaurants, and more.
Photo credit: The Fernery/Facebook
The project, located right next to the Ferny Grove train station, will also feature new transportation infrastructure, pedestrian-friendly outdoor plazas, covered parking, and enhanced vehicle and pedestrian routes.
A highlight is The Fernery, a collection of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments situated amidst landscaped grounds. With its mix of amenities, services, housing, and public spaces, Ferny Grove Central aims to become a thriving hub and community gathering spot for the neighbourhood.
