The Gap has colourful new security bollards and they are a sight to behold. Some residents have said that they just woke up one morning to see that their neighbourhood has become a world of colourful “Legos!”
Around Yoorala Street Reserve, mysterious artists have turned 30 cement bollards into multi-hued works of art. This is not the first time that this has happened, though. In May, Simpson characters were scattered all over the suburb. And now in July, the theme seems to be Legos!
Photo credit: Preserve our Parks, Civic Centres for Community Groups: The Gap Qld / Facebook
All of the creations are made from paper mache. The Gap Resident’s Association member Chris Taylor said that these decorations just came out of nowhere and they have no idea who’s done it. However they came to be, the neighbourhood seems to be appreciative of the colourful displays. Families actually stop around to admire them. The Gap residents are pleased with these beautiful art creations.
This occurence seems to be part of a growing trend. Also in July, Melbourne residents also woke up to colourful bollards in their neighbourhood. Over 200 bollards were installed around the city to prevent vehicle-based attacks. Artists quickly took this an opportunity to express their creativity. They added their unique touch to Melbourne’s temporary concrete cubes. Now, they are covered in colourful materials and graffiti art.
The last day of submission of suggestions to the council has passed and a lot of residents have expressed animosity towards the plan to build a second access onto Mt Nebo Road, citing the inevitable increase of traffic in the area.
Photo credit: Google Maps
Their Issues
The draft for the neighbourhood plan only proposes emergency access onto the road. Residents are worried that over time, “emergency access” will turn into a full vehicle access road. Creating another access onto Mt Nebo Road is deemed unacceptable by the residents saying that this would worsen the existing traffic congestion along the Waterworks Road corridor.
They also think that such access can cause harm to their health due to an increase in air pollutants. Other issues include an increase on vehicle strikes on the conservation of significant fauna, compromise accessibility to residential and business areas, higher risk of injuries to leisure users since there are a lot of people who use the road especially cyclists on the weekends.
Unnecessary?
To add to that, the Western Brisbane Transport Network Strategy published by the Queensland Government’s Department of Transport and Main Roads, doesn’t see any necessary improvements to be done on the Waterworks Road corridor. This places limitations on the road’s capacity to accommodate an increase in transportation associated with the Cedar Woods development.
The council is now reviewing the submissions they have received on the draft neighborhood plan. And once everything is complete, this neighborhood plan will be a part of Brisbane’s planning scheme, Brisbane City Plan 2014.
The supermarket giant confirmed that it is implementing the phase out at its stores in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia.
The move will put the stores into line with Coles supermarkets in South Australia, the Northern Territory and ACT, which have laws banning single-use plastic bags.
Queensland has legislated a similar ban, which will take effect on 1 July 2018.
Transition
Coles Chief Customer Officer Simon McDowell said the company has been working towards the announcement for some time now as it improves environmental outcomes throughout its business.
To help customers adjust to the coming ban, Coles is making sure that the transition will be smooth.
“We know customers like the convenience of single-use bags, so we’ll make sure we have plenty of other options for them if they forget to bring their own bags from home,” said Mr McDowell.
Coles is already encouraging shoppers to bring reusable bags and is providing recycling bins for soft plastics at 630 of its stores.
As part of the phase-out, the supermarket will provide a range of reusable bags at different prices.
The fair happens every other year. The fundraising event aims to raise funds to aid the school’s needs such as upgrades and daily operations.
A line-up of food stalls and lots of treats will be available, perfect for those looking for new things to try or craving to satisfy a sweet tooth. There are also fantastic gift stalls where you can purchase stationery and other arts & crafts.
The fair will also have some great rides, raffles, and programs.
Don’t miss this fair! It’s not every year that you get to enjoy something like this right smack in the suburb.
Is there any better way to support your local economy and at the same time, ensure that you and your loved ones eat healthy? At The Gap’s local food co-op, there is a way. The LOCO Shop in the SOWN Environment Centre Shed between Yoorala Street Community Garden and the Balaangala Garden Space is The Gap’s way of supporting community nutrition and the local economy.
The LOCO Shop is a local community initiative that is managed by people with a background in organics as growers, farmers, buyer’s group managers and consumers. They highly promote certified organic food and how it is better for personal, community and environmental health. The business itself, as a co-op, is based on cooperation, community and environmental sustainability.
Photo credit: The Gap Local Organic Co-Op / Facebook
People who work for the co-op are paid a minimum wage and customers are encouraged to pre-order to help minimise waste. By doing so, customers can expect prices to be low compared to other food establishments that sell organic produce. However, the prices may fluctuate depending on the wholesale rates since they usually get their supplies from organic wholesalers and farmers. At this local co-op, people know exactly where their food is coming from as the supply chain is very transparent.
Photo credit: The Gap Local Organic Co-Op / Facebook
Interested customers can drop by the shop which is open two days a week, Mondays and Fridays, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Customers can also pre-order via email by noon on Sundays and you can pick-up your order the next day after 1:00 p.m.
To keep up-to-date with their prices and the products available, they can be reached at thegaploco@gmail.com. They also send out weekly and monthly updates to customers.
Every second Sunday of the month, The LOCO Shop operates a stall at The Gap Farmer’s Market from 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Photo credit: The Gap Local Organic Co-Op / Facebook
Mt Glorious Road has witnessed plenty of riding accidents. Popular amongst motorcycle riders, the road is perfect for adrenaline junkies with its twists and turns that motorcycle riders find thrilling.
Despite the riveting ride it gives motorcycle riders and car drivers, the road remains a hazard. The Department of Transport and Main Roads have recorded 567 injured, of which 304 are motoryclists. Of the 13 fatalities from November 2011 to October 2016, seven were motorcycle riders.
This prompted the Inner West Patrol Group along with The Gap Neighborhood Watch to start a campaign, Mt Zero, to spread awareness and road safety messages to riders. The main goal of Mt Zero is to lessen what seems to be an alarming number of accidents on the road and possibly lowering it down to zero.
Photo credit: http://mypolice.qld.gov.au/
This is not the first time that the police will educate riders in the area. They have been going to various places in Brisbane to spread road safety and awareness.
Originally just a wildlife Expo and a tea house in 1988, the Walkabout Creek in The Gap has expanded to provide better recreational facilities to visitors. Now, the centre is an ideal place to go to see and experience the native wildlife of Australia and other activities that would keep one moving.
In 2014, the centre encountered a bump in the road when a lesser number of visitors was recorded and the structure and facilities started to noticeably deteriorate.
The facilities that were added to the centre such as a cafe, function rooms for events such as weddings, and a conference centre, seemed to have also made people confused as to what the area is all about.
Photo credit: http://www.innonthepark.com.au/
Supposedly, the centre should actively promote the world’s most varied and interesting fauna, including, of course, sightings of the platypus in their natural habitat, something that people don’t get to see every day. Instead, the rich cultural features of the place remain overshadowed by the active promotion of outdoor activities and the venues located within the centre.
That very same year, there was a rumour about the government turning the centre into a theme park, which was quickly denied through a statement released by the government. The government then released a budget of $2.5 million so that Stage One work can be set in motion.
Today, the canoe launch facilities are available for use, along with new bike tracks for kids and adults, additional car parkings, activity trails, and additional picnic areas. The government also plans to build a zip line or rope courses, but only if they get a partner to fund it with them.
The Walkabout Creek today has endured the test of time and its additional facilities along with its nocturnal displays of Queensland’s fauna just proves that the centre will continue to live on.
The Gap Farmers’ Marketcontinues to enhance life in the suburbs by bringing the Sunlit Sounds Festival to Brisbane on Sunday, 25 June. Scheduled to bring an afternoon of creativity and entertainment, the event will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Hilder Road State School in The Gap to honour Brisbane’s diverse striped sunlight sounds.
The Market and the Festival
The Farmers’ Market, as an initiative of The Gap Residents Association (GAPRA), a non-profit organisation, supports a number of causes and values. Their regular markets will be paying for the performance fees for the event for three years, a value totalling $25,000. They will also contribute much-needed funds for Hilder Road State School and Micah Projects. The upcoming festival also has a line-up of professional volunteers who will serve as the media manager, graphic designer, accountant, lawyer, and music coordinator for the event.
The Sunlit Sounds Festival is also the artists’ way of bringing together inner west suburbs such as Ashgrove and The Gap. These suburbs have been growing rapidly with a growing number of creative hubs that have plenty of sound and film studios set up from home, which has caught the attention of the artists.
Ben Ely of Regurgitator lives in Ashgrove. He says that the housing affordability and the constant socio-cultural changes in these suburbs are paving the way for more creative souls to come out. This, in turn, helps The Gap evolve into a suburb brimming with creativity and culture.
Tim Steward of Screamfeeder also noticed this trend. Tim lives in The Gap. He compared the cultural undercurrents rippling out from West End to Manhattan Island in New York City.
He said that wealthy people move to artistic areas to “absorb some cool, by osmosis” but fail. Instead, the wealthy folks attract similar people into the area, eventually changing the nature of the suburb, turning it inside out and making it a wealthy suburb. This then drives the artists away due to the higher housing prices. Another cycle then begins, when these displaced artists look for other suburbs to live in, set in a new artistic feel in the suburb and so on.
Mr Steward also mentioned that The Gap is less expensive than other nearby suburbs such as Bardon and Red Hill. He wishes that it will stay this way in the suburb for a while longer.
Changes To the Market
The Gap Farmers’ Market has also made some changes. They have moved to a place with a more relaxed vibe, under the shade of trees which provides a fresh canopy for a batch of new stallholders:
The Gap’s Walton Bridge Reserve is set to see a new all-abilities playground, more shade trees and additional facilities through the upgrade project by the Brisbane City Council.
Construction has begun on the first stage of the upgrade of one of The Gap’s most popular parks in early May 2017. The project worth $1.5 million is aimed at encouraging more people to head outdoors and benefit from the public open spaces.
The all-abilities playground will be particularly beneficial as it will provide playground amenities for children of all ages and abilities. Children with disabilities are often left out of standard playgrounds, therefore missing out on the health benefits of outdoor play. This playground will be a perfect place where able-bodied kids and kids with disabilities can play together.
What to Expect
Stage 1 of the project is expected to be completed by late 2017. The first stage will include the following:
All-abilities playground added to the existing play area
New picnic shelters
New toilet facilities
Additional shade trees, garden beds and enhanced landscaping
Improvement to the existing Lions Club shelter
New wayfinding signs
Resurfaced car park areas
Development Plan for the Walton Bridge Reserve Playground:
See the video of how the community contributed to developing the plan for the park.
The council recognises the value of the Walton Bridge Reserve as a vibrant space for locals and as a natural reserve. The council is making sure that the construction will have minimal impact on the natural environment.
Part of the project involves revegetating the Fish and Enoggera Creek area. Removal or trees and trimming will also be limited. In cases where trees need to be removed, they will be replaced to maintain the density of the foliage.
During construction, the north-west part of the park will be closed to the public. The Enoggera Creek Bikeway will still be accessible throughout the construction period.
Sundays are best spent at the Gap Farmers’ Market. This family-friendly community market is held on the grounds of Hilder Road State Schoolevery Sunday from 6:30 a.m. until midday. Locals wake up early to stock up their pantry with the market’s local produce and gourmet items. Breakfast is also readily available from the various food stalls on the market grounds.
Photo credit: The Gap Farmers’ Market / Facebook
The Gap Farmer’s Market always has the freshest produce grown by local farmers. Aside from these fresh fruits and vegetables, the market has almost everything! The goods run the gamut from baked treats, a wide range of soaps, Himalayan salt lamps, fresh flowers, fresh spices and even an on-site blacksmith!
Photo credit: Facebook / The Gap Farmers’ Markets
If you get tired of walking around, you can head for the nearest hay bale and grab a cup of joe. There are also a line of marquees where you can rest your feet while enjoying the market’s live entertainment.
Photo credit: The Gap Farmers’ Markets / Facebook
The market is the perfect place to be for those weekend cheat days. Craving Asian food? Try the steamed dumplings. Fancy savoury food? Check out some delicious goat pies and German sausages. Parched? Freshly squeezed juices are the answer.
Kids will enjoy the built-in playground and the petting zoo so it’s definitely a family Sunday at the market whenever you go.
The Gap Farmers’ Market is an initiative of The Gap Residents Association (GAPRA), a non-profit organisation that is committed to promote living in the suburbs and supporting regional agriculture.
