The Brisbane City Council is dedicated to helping residents turn their kitchen scraps into nutrients for soil for more sustainable communities. They have partnered with several community gardens and have been giving free workshops.
In The Gap and elsewhere, sustainable gardening is rapidly gaining a foothold in many home gardens as residents join the community’s efforts to reduce waste, improve one’s carbon footprint, and lead a green lifestyle.
Photo credit: G-Store
At the Yoorala Street Community Garden on 20 May from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., join like-minded locals use recycled pallets to make vertical gardens as taught by Vertical Garden specialist, Shane Sadkowsky. He will teach simple design techniques and principles so you can easily do it at home.
Event goers are instructed to bring their own PET bottle for use in the workshop.
Photo credit: Live for Less Brisbane
On 27 May, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., head on over to the Paten Park Native Nursery for the council’s compost and worm farming workshop. Immerse yourself in the beauty of turning your garden waste into rich nutrients for your soil to feed your plants.
Bookings are essential for both events. You can call 3403 8888.
In Brisbane, there are many heritage-listed homes, some used by the government, whilst others are sold to ordinary residents. Living in homes like these spark curiosity amongst Brisbanites.
One example is Killarney, a heritage-listed detached house in Enoggera.
Photo credit: realestateVIEW
The popular Killarney house on Laurel Street was built in the 1860s and was home to several families.The home is one of the earliest surviving residences in the Kedron Brook district. It is also one of the earliest homes in the whole state with a rare early brick construction.
Killarney house was said to be built for Timothy Corbett in the 1860s. The house was passed on to generations of the Corbett family until 1895, when it became a rental property.
Renovation and Restoration
In April 2004, the Rui family bought the home and restored it to its perpetual beauty. Ms Sabina Rui grew up in the suburb but she never knew the home existed back then. When she learned about its history, she and her husband John decided to renovate it. Thus, their shared passion for protecting heritage houses was born.
When the couple moved in, the house was in shambles. There was termite damage, asbestos issues, and the bricks were also falling apart. The couple renovated the home and made the heritage home liveable.
Their renovation involved demolishing the back rooms and building an extension on that. They maintained the original cedar work on the door frames and the floorboards. The couple also created a music room at the front of the five-bedroom home. It also boasts of a well-kept vast lawn.
The neighbours were very happy with their couple’s efforts of restoring and protecting the home’s historical background.
However, last year the couple had to let go of the home after their two children moved to Melbourne to study.
Today, the house stands more beautiful than ever in the hands of its new owners.
The Gap is widely considered as one of the most family-friendly and small business-friendly suburbs of Brisbane. Locals enjoy a laid-back, suburban lifestyle that they would hardly trade for anything else. However, there are always some tweaks that can make things better.
The Brisbane City Council is currently preparing a new neighbourhood plan for the suburb which will become part of the Brisbane City Plan 2014.
Community feedback for the plan was released from October to December 2017. The council received 47 physical submissions from various sources whilst 150 people submitted their feedback online through an interactive online map and feedback form.
The feedback from the locals highlight their preferences for the following:
Maintain the traditional suburban character of The Gap
More green spaces and vegetation in the area that includes the nomination of specific trees and plants that should be protected in the future
More housing options such as homes for the elderly, smaller households, etc.
All of the feedback has been incorporated in the report that will is part of the neighbourhood draft plan.
More Housing Options
Most of the residents’ main concern is the housing in the area. 71% of the respondents are keen to preserve their low-density residential area. When it comes to housing diversity, the council received mixed responses.
More Local Businesses
The local community is also very particular about the small businesses in the area. Most feedback prefers to support small existing businesses in the area instead of new developments of large retail franchises. In fact, most of the residents support the redevelopment of Payne Rd Centre to pave the way for more local shops.
Preservation Of Green Spaces
As for the leafy vibe of the suburb, the council will preserve the green and leafy character to give locals more ways to enjoy nature. In light of this, the local community also seeks the reduction of bushfire in the area due to the increasing density in the area.
Locals are also calling for the maintenance of the bank of Enoggera Creek facing Paten Rd, walking tracks around the Enoggera Reservoir and Walkabout Creek facilities. There are also calls for extra bushwalking tracks as well as extensions to existing ones.
More Local Activities & Facilities
The community also seeks more activities that will give them opportunities to come together. One of the most popular activities are fitness and strength events. The residents have also put up suggestions for new facilities such as a community hall.
The plan is now with the Queensland Government for further review.
Rheinmetall Defence Australia’s BOXER 8×8 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle for the LAND 400 Phase 2 Credit: boxercrv.com.au
Opportunities are expected to grow in Queensland after Rheinmetall Australia’s big win in the hotly-contested LAND 400 Phase 2 program. The first 25 military vehicles will be built in Germany. Australians will be put into teams to learn the necessary skills in Germany before coming back to Australia to build the remaining 200 CRVs. Most of the military vehicles will be built in Queensland.
Photo credit: boxercrv.com.au
In a statement, Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said, “The LAND 400 Phase 2 contract to deliver the next generation of combat reconnaissance vehicles to the Australian Army is a catalytic project, and attracting a global defence giant like Rheinmetall to Queensland will create opportunities for local industry for decades to come.”
The project is expected to be an economic game-changer since it will create 450 advanced manufacturing and engineering jobs for Queenslanders. It is expected to contribute $1 billion into the state’s economy in the first 10 years.
Photo credit: www.rheinmetall-defence.com
Three Brisbane businesses that had teamed up with Rheinmetall will particularly benefit from this project. These are NIOA based at Brisbane airport, G & O Kert at Acacia Ridge, and Hilton Manufacturing at Wacol. These companies will hugely benefit from the transfer of technologies and skills, making them even more competitive. This opportunity also opens up more work for locals in Brisbane and nearby suburbs, and provides more highly-skilled jobs in the local community.
It has only been a year since the ALDI store development application at The Gap Village Shopping Centre was fully approved. The DA, which was submitted to the council in 2015, includes extensions for ALDI, mall area, and shops. With the construction currently underway, many are wondering when it will open.
ALDI confirmed that construction work is on schedule and that they will be opening their 1,760- square-metre store in the middle of the year. However, a definite date has yet to be set.
New Stores, New Store Format
The German retailer is also set to open and refurbish a number of stores across the country this year due to the intensifying competition brought about by the entry of Schwarz Group into the country’s grocery sector.
There will be 32 additional stores this year in the country and plans of a new store format will be introduced to 40 stores. This new format will bring more focus to fresh produce, healthy food, organic products, and meat.
With the new strategy, other supermarket giants such as Coles and Woolworths are feeling the challenge to step up their efforts as well. ALDI isn’t known for focusing on fresh food but with this new perspective and with more people demanding organic and fresh food, ALDI has definitely taken their standards up a notch.
They aim to accomplish the roll-out of their new store format in all of their Australian stores by 2020.
The Gap State High School is set to open a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) building that will enhance the skills of its students.
The building is set to open in 2019, a perfect time as the new Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) system will be launched that same year.
Students will be given better resources and materials to investigate on real-world issues and challenges that surround them. With a building dedicated to STEM itself, The Gap SHS will see better-equipped students with the knowledge and skills that will shape a bright future.
The $10-million building will have seven classrooms, four science laboratories, and three learning areas. School principal, Anne McLaughlan is very happy with the news. Ms McLaughlan is thrilled that they will be able to accommodate more students and help with the growing community.
The building will also provide access to world-class science and robotic labs, giving students more chance to dive deeper into the mysteries of the sciences. Senior students will greatly benefit from these new facilities.
STEM lets students make a positive impact in the world through innovation and creativity. Many of the faster growing jobs and industries today need STEM expertise. This field utilises and develops critical thinking and reasoning to solve problems.
The course is offered to Years 9 and 10 students at the school and they can choose the course as a specialist elective.
Following the controversy in The Gap State High School’s Uniform Policy, a motion was passed to form a Uniform Working Group during the P&C meeting held last 12 February. The working group, which will consist of teachers, students, parents and community members, will be tasked to review the school’s uniform policy.
After 103 students from The Gap State High School were given detention for breaching uniform rules, the Minister of Education stood by the decision of the school principal and stated that such concern can be resolved by common sense.
Photo credit: Facebook/Grace Grace MP
In her statement, Education Minister Grace Grace said, “I support The Gap State High School principal and the school community’s actions in enforcing the uniform policy and urge all parties to take a common sense approach and work together to resolve this issue at the school level.”
“The Gap State High School is not the only high school that enforces a uniform policy. It is common practice across Queensland state schools and uniform policies are always determined through consultation with the local school community,” she added.
With this, The Gap State High School urged parents to voice their concerns on the P&C meeting.
Around 80 parents reportedly attended the P&C meeting held in the school library. Most of them were upset that their children were sent to detention for not complying with the uniform policy.
One parent claimed that her child was stressed and scared about receiving detention over their uniform.
Another one said that her son finds the regulation shoes uncomfortable and didn’t want to play soccer while wearing them.
One mother said she didn’t know she bought non-compliant shoes until she was told to get new ones within 24 hours.
Photo credit: Mathers
There’s also a parent who said that the school gave her a pair of shoes that doesn’t conform to the uniform policy.
“I bought the shoes and I don’t think my child should be punished for that,” she added.
While some parents find the policy a waste of money, other parents support the school’s tough stance on their policy.
Parents who support the strict enforcement of the uniform policy said that they understand and respect the rules. One mother is even thankful for the uniform policy since according to her, her son’s behaviour had improved in proper uniform.
The meeting determined the need for establishing a Uniform Working Group that will be responsible for reviewing the Uniform Policy and Dress Standards which was last revised in 2004.
Photo credit: The Gap State High School
The working group will be meeting monthly not only to discuss the shoe policy but also to consider shorts for girls after several parents asked for such option for their daughters.
Principal Anne McLauchlan said the school will temporarily stop giving detentions for Term One provided that students wear black leather shoes.
Ms McLauchlan also said that feedback from the staff has been positive since there has been an improvement in the students’ behaviour after the revived focus on the uniform.
Mrs Karen Bishop, the parent who expressed her frustration on social media after her purchase of a new pair of non-compliant Vans for her daughter, said that the school’s response on the matter was positive and she was optimistic about the outcome of the Uniform Working Group’s sessions.
As part of the ATS program, PRSS held an assembly at the school on 28 February to give the children an overview of the program. The school also launched a “Golden Boot” event, which will happen on 9 March, to make the ATS a fun activity for everyone.
On the day, students will be wearing their coloured house shirts and meet at their designated House Park at 7:45 a.m. From there, they will walk, ride or scoot to school with their designated House groups or even with their family and friends.
Upon reaching the school, they will get their Passport stamped. After all these, students can enjoy free pancakes, toasted sandwiches, and orange quarters for breakfast before the first bell.
The ATS provides Brisbane primary schools with free resources, tools, and incentives to let students, parents, and teachers leave their vehicles at home and actively travel to school.
The program’s aim is to create healthier and more active students and parents. This also promotes better road safety awareness among students and families. In the process, it helps create safer streets and reduce traffic congestion at the school gate.
The report showed how kids and young people are not getting the proper amount of physical activity. The research also recommended forming active environments that will prioritise pedestrians and cyclists.
There have been many cases of speeding in school zones around Brisbane, causing parents to worry about the safety of their children. Through the ATS program, the council and participating schools would come up with initiatives to promote safety on the roads, particularly in school areas.
Also earlier this month, the Ferny Grove State School took the crazy sock approach to launch their attempt at the golden boot this year. The students wore “crazy” and colourful socks to school to show their support for the ATS program.
The Gap State High School students and parents are in an uproar over uniform policy issues as a growing number of students were given detention for not complying with the rules on wearing the proper uniform, specifically footwear.
Photo credit: The Educator / Twitter
Recently, a student, who was suspended for three days, posted a short video on Facebook, which was taken down, showing students getting uniform passes. The uniform passes are issued by the school to students who are not wearing the proper uniform. Another post on The Gap Grapevine showed that 80 students received detention that day, a figure which was later updated to 460 children. It has turned out that 460 is an exaggeration and the Queensland Teachers Union has confirmed that the actual number is 103.
One of the details being discussed is the heel requirement of the students’ shoes, which must be black leather lace up school shoes, with a heel that is not greater than 20 millimetres and not lower than 5 millimetres. The school also released photos of the type of shoes along with a retailer that sells that particular footwear.
Photo credit: The Gap State High School
Parents have expressed mixed reactions to the uniform policy. In general, the concern expressed by most parents is that their children have “acceptable footwear” from previous years, or some that had just been bought, and many would rather not go through the expense of buying another pair based on the recently released guidelines.
While initially, the school refused to comment, Education Minister Grace Grace said that the school has offered to help families in financial difficulty so they can comply with the shoes rule. “It’s up to the principal with the school community to set the school uniform policy and to implement it and I support them 100%,” Grace said.
Also, an Education Queensland spokesperson said that the uniform policy of the school has been there since 2004. The policy was formulated by the school community and was approved by the Parents and Citizens’ Association and is supported by the P&C and the community of The Gap SHS.
“Student dress codes reflect community standards and balance the rights of individual students with the best interests of the whole school community,” a Department of Education spokesman said.
There will be a P&C meeting on 12 February and parents are advised to attend to voice their concerns regarding the uniform policy.
Goldie St. in The Gap is facing challenging times as residents come together to rally against a childcare centre development in the area.
Specifically located at 81-85 Payne Rd, a proposed childcare facility called the C&K centre aims to cater to 114 children in a 2-storey building.
Photo credit: Your Neighbourhood
Residents are apprehensive as the development could create congestion on the busy road and a safety hazard in their neighbourhood. The road is home to pensioners, young families and people with disability and mobility issues.
The residents said that they are not totally against childcare facilities in their suburb. However, they hope that the developers as well as the Brisbane City Councilwill find spaces that are more apt for such developments, and not locations that will disrupt residential living.
They also want the development to be aligned with the new The Gap Neighbourhood Plan.
The new neighbourhood plan states that the population only expects to see 700-900 new residents over the next ten years. This contradicts the current approvals for five other childcare centre applications in the suburb.
Same Issue On the Same Road
One childcare centre application at 10-14 Payne Road has been lodged last year, with plans to develop what once was a three-storey brick office building into a childcare centre with an established commercial district centre. The centre can accommodate 117 children.
Photo credit: BCC
The site where the old office lies hasn’t been used for over 20 years. Some residents are very eager to finally see some development in the area. Others don’t think that a childcare centre is appropriate for the area due to the lack of green space. Others are getting concerned over the traffic that it may cause.
The Council Speaks Up
Cr Steve Toomey has already met with the residents to listen to their concerns and the council has responded urging the developer to respond to the council’s concerns and to seek community feedback. The residents, on the other hand, are encouraged to voice out their concerns when the opportunity arises.
