Sad news for the weekend regulars. After almost four years, The Gap Farmers’ Market has permanently closed.
The market organisers blame the tough economic environment, which has led them to shut down the market. The family-friendly community market is held every Sunday at Hilder Road State School.
Offering local produce from local farmers, the market really did start off well. However, the organisers had a hard time keeping it up for years due to the economic changes. They have observed that most people have been budgeting very carefully, hence affecting their sales and the market overall.
They also blame the huge supermarket chains around the area that can keep their prices low.
Still, the organisers are still determined to continue the popular Sunset Sounds music festival this year. The festival had a successful run last December.
The Gap is one of the suburbs in Brisbane recorded with multiple cases of hoarding and squalor. In the past financial year, the Brisbane City Council has gotten 6,227 complaints, which is 364 more than the complaints received last financial year.
The other eight suburbs with multiple cases are:
Brighton
Calamvale
Coorparoo
Fairfield
Graceville
Tarragindi
Tingalpa
Windsor
The council tackles this problem through their response program specifically targeted towards hoarding and squalor. The program was established in 2015 and so far has gotten over 19,000 complaints.
Compulsive hoarding
– difficulty discarding items of limited value & discarding those items causes them distress
– cluttered living environments restricting a normal life
Domestic squalor
– high volume of waste, dirt and grime
– presence of pests
– presence of rotting food
– hoarded materials
In Australia, an estimated 2.6% of people are affected by compulsive hoarding whilst a 2016 Census data, up to 30,000 people may be affected by compulsive hoarding within the Brisbane local government area.
Compulsive hoarding and severe domestic squalor are two distinct mental health issues. The council sees cases of hoarding and squalor as the most complex and challenging as there is no quick fix. Resolving issues cooperatively is what the council aims for but they also have an obligation to protect the health and safety of neighbouring residents and the community.
The Initiative
This has led the council to develop the Initiative, a two-year pilot project that ran through July 2014 to June 2017 where a Resident Liaison Officer (RLO) worked closely with affected residents and support agencies and helped address complex mental health and other personal issues. The RLO was funded for specialist decluttering and cleaning support. It was a success thus the council extended it by providing funding in the 2016-17 and 2017-18 budgets.
The Initiative provides intensive case management and collaborative support to residents who live with hoarding and squalor conditions as well as those who are affected by them. The council is now recognised as a local government leader in tackling hoarding and squalor and continues to work with the Local Government Association of Queensland to develop best practices for other local governments.
There is also a public health order under the Public Health Act 2005 issued to require the recipient of the order to take action from removing, reducing or controlling the risk to public health from a public health risk. This applies to hoarding and squalor. Failure to comply a fine up to $15,000 must be paid.
According to Cr Matthew Bourke, the council’s lifestyle chairman, the council is doing everything in their power to control hoarding and squalor in Brisbane but the owner of the property must also be responsible in keeping his or her property safe and clean at all times.
Formerly Brisbane Forest Park, D’ Aguilar National Park in The Gap is always worth the visit. If you want to see the beautiful rainforest and a magnificent view of Moreton Bay, this is the perfect spot.
The diversity of environment and plant communities that can be found here will take one’s breath away. Eucalypt woodlands, gum forests and subtropical rainforests are all yours to enjoy. A perfect place to get lost in if you are looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
There are shady picnics areas where you can relax in with your loved ones. Throw in a picnic rug, bring in a couple off sandwiches and just breathe in the fresh air, There are also barbecue spots at Jolly’s Lookout where you can grill some good meat and chicken while taking on the breathtaking views of Samford Valley.
Experienced walkers can hike the Somerset trail and take in the wonderful views of Somerset and Wivenhoe lakes. For trail adventures, you can ride a horse or a bike out for a bushland ride on the mountain bike trail network and horse riding trail network. There is also a trail-bike and 4WD adventure that you can enjoy.
Since it’s summer, why don’t you take a dip at the Rocky Hole. You can also set up your tent at Neurum Creek or if you want somewhere quieter, the Archer camping area is your best choice.
On the 23rd December, enjoy the Sunlit Sounds Festival again at the Hilder Road State School in The Gap starting at 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This is the perfect way for you to just have fun before Christmas day!
Enjoy some fresh produce whilst you enjoy good music at the festival. The produce includes fresh season fruit and vegetables, hand cured meats, free-range eggs, fresh Italian pasta and many more.
There will also be food trucks present and activities for the kids to enjoy.
Entrance for adults is $5, kids are free of charge.
A dangerous motorcycle driver has caught the attention of the police on 5th November, between 10:00 a.m. to 10:10 a.m. in The Gap.
The police found a motorcycle driver behaving erratically while riding on Waterworks Road. The rider was seen rapidly accelerating and carelessly overtaking another vehicle on the outside.
This kind of driving was observed within that 10-minute window between Pammay Street and Greenlanes Road, as the driver recklessly wove in and out of traffic.
The motorcycle is described as black in colour with black and white registration plates, whilst the rider was seen wearing a black leather jacket, green helmet and dark shorts.
As early as February of this year, eight people have already died in motorcycle accidents on state roads this year. In 2014-2016, Queensland has a recorded 12,028 registered motorcycles and in 2016, 4% of motorcycle rides take up the road in Queensland.
The locals at The Gap are very active in promoting road safety. In fact, The Gap Neighbourhood Watch is part of the Mt. Zero campaign that raises awareness of the dangers of Mt Nebo and Mt Glorious Roads whilst promoting driver safety especially on these roads.
Witnesses are encouraged to contact The Gap Police Station especially those who might have caught the incident on their dash cam. If you have any information or footage on this, you can report it here.
Brisbane City Council has released the latest draft of The Gap neighbourhood plan and should be ready to include it in the City Plan come early 2018.
The planning team has incorporated input from the community into the updated neighbourhood plan. Locals are further urged to have their say until Friday 8 December 2017.
The Gap Vision
The vision for the suburb is based on key considerations derived from initial planning studies and community feedback.
Housing for All – The plan is to ensure that there is ample housing available for people from all walks of life. To achieve this, the plan would maintain the suburban character of The Gap. At the same time, the suburb will still accommodate a range of housing options for locals.
Green and Leafy Spaces – Since The Gap is home to some of the biggest conservation parks in the city, the planning team intends to provide protection to the existing greeneries and open spaces. The plan would maintain and enhance public green spaces and provide protection against environmental hazards.
Centres for Village Life – The neighbourhood plan would reinvigorate the suburb with places for dining, shopping and relaxation. The strategy is to create spaces where locals can gather as a community. In particular, planners would revitalise The Gap Village and enhance the local shopping precincts.
Community Connections – The neighbourhood plan would seek opportunities for the community to interact and access services. To achieve this, the council would increase activities and programs at parks and community facilities.
Coverage of The Gap Neighbourhood Plan (Photo credit: Brisbane City Council)
Feedback on Neighbourhood Plan
Since the neighbourhood plan will form the basis for future developments in The Gap, residents are encouraged to have their say about the updated draft. The neighbourhood plan can alter rules on zoning and what types of development are appropriate.
What is it about the The Gap that makes its residents stay put? New data from the Domain Group reveals the 20 most tightly-held suburbs by distance to the CBD in Brisbane, The Gap comes in fourth in the range of 0-5 kms distance from the CBD. Highgate Hill, Newmarket, Wilson and Grange also made it to the 0-5 kms group from the CBD.
Other suburbs on the list:
5-10kms from the CBD:
Nathan
Carindale
Stafford Heights
Chermside West
Keperra
10-15kms from the CBD:
Robertson
Chandler
Brookfield
Durack
Middle Park
15-20kms from the CBD:
Camp Mountain
Wights Mountain
Upper Brookfield
Inala
Sandgate
According to the Real Estate Institute of Queensland Chairman Rob Honeycombe, these suburbs within 0-5 kms from the CBD are family-friendly and are perfectly situated within desirable school catchment areas, hence their high placement on the list.
The Gap also offers a wide range of recreational establishments such as The Gap Village and other cafes and restaurants such as The Lodge, the third best cafe in Australia. Every week, The Gap Farmers’ Market serves up fresh local produce, delicious food, and other great finds that make both locals and visitors wake up early to catch.
Walkabout Creek and the beach sitting on the edge of the Ennogera Reservoir only add to The Gap’s unique attractions.
Photo credit: Must Do Brisbane
Andrew Wilson, the Domain Group’s chief economist, says that if homebuyers find a suburb that ticked all the right boxes, they would most likely stay long-term.
“Everyone wants to live in the suburb that has the most liveability, the most amenity, and the most infrastructure and facilities close to everything — and has a quality profile in terms of the types of houses in the area,” he said.
Indeed, The Gap is ticking all the right boxes, as their data shows.
Editor’s Note: The categories reported in this article are based on the Domain study and not classifications made by West Brisbane News. While it is true that The Gap should be in the “5-10km from CBD” category, being listed in the other category in no way diminishes the fact that it has ranked as a tightly held suburb.
Brothers Tudor and Wesley Vasile, both residents of The Gap, suffered a traumatic loss when two of their friends committed suicide. In 2011, while Wesley was in Mexico, his brother told him the tragic news that Christian, their close friend, had committed suicide.
Shortly after that, another friend of theirs, David, also killed himself. Wesley, in particular, seriously thought about why their closest friends seemed to have the need to take their own lives. To Wesley, the grief was very real, so much that a group of people closest to him saw the effects of the deaths on him. To help him cope, they put him in touch with a group of individuals who have had their fair share of experience with suicide.
The Beginning
Photo credit: Walk For Awareness / Facebook
Wesley knew that he had to do something to help people in the same situation deal with it. Along with his brother and the group, they came up with an annual event, the Walk for Awareness, in cooperation with the Mental Awareness Foundation. The idea is that once a year, people can get together to discuss the issues of mental health openly. This was all based on their belief that suicide should be talked about openly, and not whispered about in the shadows or behind closed doors.
This walk is the largest walk that is dedicated to mental health in Australia. Aside from having people come together to spread mental health awareness, it also raises funds for charities working that are working on the front line of mental health issues.
The 2017 Event
Photo credit: Walk For Awareness / Facebook
On the 8th of October at 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Brisbane’s Walk For Awareness will once again take place at Captain Burke Park in Kangaroo Point. This is a chance for the entire community to come together for support and break the silence on mental illness.
Now on its seventh year, over 5,000 participants across the country this year are expected to come together.
Sad Statistics about Suicide
Recent reports have revealed that people using mental health services in the country has become twice as high as the general population. Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed 11.4 deaths per 1000 people, compared to 6.1 per 1000 among the general population. It also showed that between August 2011 and September 2012, 153,451 deaths happened in Australia with 49.4% of those people who have sought mental health treatment.
This report has renewed calls from mental health experts to put equal focus on mental and physical wellbeing. This 8km walk around Brisbane aims to help drive home this need for equal focus.
Even working professionals who lead busy lives can fall victim to depression and mental health issues. In the news recently, five public hospital clinicians working in Brisbane hospitals have reportedly attempted to commit suicide. A survey of 324 doctors at hospitals such as Princess Alexandra, Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee, Logan and Redland has revealed a culture of bullying by senior medical officers that has contributed to mental health issues and stress among these doctors.
Indeed,providing support to anyone suffering from a mental disorder is very important and A Walk for Awareness is ensuring that everyone takes steps in the right direction to do just that.
At this time of year, carpet snakes are very rampant in the Western suburbs especially in The Gap. Snake Catchers Brisbane has been tirelessly working to remove these reptiles from properties.
One resident in The Gap found a snake in an underwear drawer. The snake was first seen on a window sill and was quickly disregarded thinking that it was just a common tree snake. It turns out, it was an Eastern Brown snake — one of the deadliest species of venomous snakes.
Snakes are very common at this time of the year as the temperatures grow warmer during early spring. During this time of the year, The Gap and Chapel Hill are the suburbs with the most snake sightings. They can just be found anywhere — cars, washing machines, and fridges. In fact, Snake Catchers Brisbane has been getting about 30 inquiries per day about snakes that are sighted.
Snake catcher Lana Field has warned residents who don’t want snakes coming into their homes to make sure that their yards are clean. Also, pet enclosures should be snake proof. Pets cats should be kept inside because there are times that they bring snakes inside, venomous or otherwise.
On Waterworks Road, just across Walton Bridge Reserve in The Gap lies one of the popular cafes in the suburb, The Lodge, Just last year, Beanhunter rated The Lodge as the third best cafe in Australia.
The place is known for their great coffee, not surprisingly because the cafe is owned by the husband-and-wife team of Srle and Paula Manson Bogisevic, Paula is the former manager of the now-defunct Grindhouse Specialty Coffee.
Aside from their delicious coffee, Ms Manson has also made it her business to promote healthy eating. Their delicious treats may look sinful but you will be surprised to know that they are all healthy and handmade by Ms Manson herself.
Don’t miss out on their delicious protein balls called Lodge Balls, which you are surely going to love. Their peanut butter jelly donut balls are perfect for those craving for something nutty.
Photo credit: The Lodge / Facebook
The place also serves all-day breakfast that perfectly combines guilt-free and delicious. A must-try is their new Super Charged Scrambled Eggs with chia seeds, turmeric, flaxseeds, pesto and spinach, served on organic sourdough with feta and roasted tomatoes. Talk about a meal to power you through the day — this is it.
Photo credit: The Lodge / Facebook
You will also love their hearty bagels that are filled with so much goodness such as Swiss cheese, coleslaw and pickle or haloumi, tomato bruschetta and avo.
Photo credit: The Lodge / Facebook
When it comes to their coffee, you simply can’t go wrong. They offer a huge selection of coffees from Proud Mary, a specialty coffee brand that’s based in Melbourne.
Photo credit: The Lodge / Facebook
You will also love their latte rainbows that are not just cute and fun to look at, but are also delicious from Simara Blends.
