Grunge bullet for Brunswick Street West

NEWS

Tacky Brunswick Street West has been singled out for special criticism in an ongoing campaign by local councillor David Hinchliffe (Central Ward) for a cleaner Fortitude Valley.

Cr Hinchliffe, convenor of the Greener, Cleaner, Prouder Valley campaign being run through the pages of The Independent, implored Brunswick Street West property owners in an open letter to “please do the right thing – by the community of the Valley and by yourselves!”.
Cr Hinchliffe wrote: “The Valley has so much potential, but it is often badly let down by the poor state of buildings in private ownership. ”As owners of property in this area, you must realise that for the thousands of people who enter the Valley every day via the Valley train station, this is their introduction to the Valley. ”It’s time to lift your game. We want people to be proud of our Valley. We want a greener, cleaner, prouder future for the area.
“If civic pride isn't a major motivation for you, then at least take account of the improved value of your property asset. A green, cleaner, prouder Valley will also be a more prosperous and profitable Valley.”

Meter spread will ‘hit people hard’

NEWS

A large planned increase in the number of parking meters in the Fortitude valley area will hit some businesses and residents hard, local councillor David Hinchliffe (Central Ward) believes.

“Wherever they go in they cause grief,” he told The Independent.
In a letter to local residents last Friday week, Cr Hinchliffe wrote: “At my briefing by council traffic officers this morning, I was told there will be an increase of metered parking spaces in part of the Valley area (bounded by Wickham Street, Commercial Roadd, Arthur Street and Brunswick Street from 418 car spaces to 707 metered car spaces – an increase of 289 spaces.
“I understand that this increase is not subject to negotiation. The officers have apparently made an assessment on how many additional parking meters can be installed and the Deputy Mayor Cr Graham Quirk, who is responsible for parking, has approved this increase. As well, all the current “Pay and Display” meters and current single meters in that part of the Valley would be replaced by “Pay by Plate” meters which require number plates to be keyed in and do not require display of receipts.
“For residents in this area there will be a total of 140 of the 707 metered car spaces signed to exempt residents with valid Resident Parking Permits from paying,” Cr Hinchliffe said.
The number of metered spaces which would allow residents with permits to be exempted were:
• Arthur St (between James St and Brunswick St) - 24 spaces
• Arthur St (between James St and Commercial Rd) - 21 spaces
• Malt St and Upper Bowen Tce - 13 spaces
• Robertson St - 17 spaces • Doggett St (between James St and Commercial Rd) - 23 spaces
• Wandoo St (10 spaces)
• Chester St (between Doggett St and Ann St) - 8 spaces
• Church St - 6 spaces
• Ella St - 6 spaces • Morse St - 5 spaces
• Proe St - 4 spaces
• Leopold St - 3 spaces

Teneriffe shines on its special day

NEWS

The proud folk of Teneriffe pulled the wool over all our eyes in the nicest possible way last Saturday, when many thousands of visitors came along to the inaugural Teneriffe Festival celebrating the area’s recent elevation as a suburb in its own right.

The wool industry dominated the suburb for a century or so, and sheep in one form or another dominated the day’s fun. Festival organiser Nicole Ogilvie told The Independent: “The Teneriffe Festival was a resounding success with over 25,000 people enjoying the sunshine, the lovely Teneriffe river side setting and the entertainment.
“The Teneriffe Festival Committee is ecstatic with the outcomes, and judging by the glowing feedback from local residents and businesses, the Teneriffe Festival looks like it will become an annual event.
“The Teneriffe Festival committee should be congratulated for all of their hard work and helping to pull off one of the best festivals that Brisbane has seen in some time.
“The vital ingredient was the attachment to locality and our intention to keep the focus on local history and chiefly wool.”
Local councillor David Hinchliffe endorsed those comments: “Teneriffe Festival is well on the way to becoming Brisbane’s best local festival and that’s because we emphasise the local.
“This isn’t like every other commercial festival. Its focus is on history and locality and I think that’s what will continue to make it special.”

Building approvals continue to slide

PROPERTY NEWS

The latest building approvals figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show a continued decline in construction activity in Queensland, according to Master Builders, Queensland’s peak body for housing and construction.

Master Builders’ Director of Housing Policy, Paul Bidwell said the latest figures suggests the fall in building approvals is gathering pace, rather than moderating, with Queensland faring worse than other states. The seasonally adjusted number of dwelling commencements has fallen by 2.6 per cent for private houses and 1.7 per cent for all dwellings for the month of May, compared to falls of 1.5 per cent and 0.1 per cent in April.
“The fall in building approvals is another disappointing development for the industry as it struggles to recover from the economic crisis. This highlights the fragile state of the Queensland building industry,” said Mr Bidwell.
“The results are not surprising given the sharp fall in finance commitments during the first half of this year; building approvals generally follow finance approvals by about three months.
“On the upside, the fall in finance commitments appears to be moderating, which gives some hope that approvals may start to recover in the latter part of the year. “However, this is very dependent on what happens with interest rates, and ultimately consumer confidence, over the coming months.
“We have grave concerns about what might happen if the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) decides to raise interest rates when it meets next week. Any rise in interest rates will further compound the problems faced by the building industry.
“Master Builders encourages the RBA to keep interest rates on hold this month, especially while the Queensland economy is underperforming compared to much of the rest of Australia.”


GOVT ‘MUST DO MORE’

Family First leader Senator Steve Fielding says Bankwest’s latest report into housing proves that the Federal Government needs to do more to ease our housing affordability crisis.
Senator Fielding said that the report’s findings, which show that it is taking almost a year longer to save for a deposit, mean that people are being forced to flush dead money down the rental drain.
“The latest figures make it clear that housing affordability is a real issue for thousands of Australians and it’s time the government got serious about doing something to ease the pressure of escalating property prices. “Owning your home is the great Australian dream and the government should be doing all that they can to keep that dream alive.
Senator Fielding wants the government to set up an Accessing Super Scheme, like the Canadian Home Buyers’ Plan, which would allow first home buyers to access $15,000 of their superannuation so they can use it for part of a deposit on a house.

Artist chosen for ZZZ’s big facelift

PROPERTY NEWS



After a worldwide search lasting six months, Brisbane radio station 4ZZZ, has finally picked the artist who will unleash their creative juices on the biggest blank canvas they’ll ever have – the front of Zed Towers!

As part of 4ZZZ’s 35th birthday celebrations this year, the station wanted its Fortitude Valley building to reflect everything that Zed is about and the person they believe can achieve that is Beastman, pictured above.
Sydney-based artist Beastman is said to be influenced by the beauty and symbolism behind nature’s repetitive geometric patterns and its eternal struggle against man-made adversities. Beastman’s tightly detailed, symmetrical paintings depict a parallel world of hope and survival inhabited by his scaly-skinned, beastlike yet beautiful and emotive characters. Years of skateboarding has strongly influenced Beastman’s characters, concepts and unique style.
Said to be one of the most distinctive and prolific emerging artists in Australia and founder and editor of the online art publication [weAREtheIMAGEmakers], Beastman has exhibited extensively throughout Australia, as well as London, Berlin and New Zealand. He has curated and organised numerous art exhibitions and events, and has designed skateboards and graphics for various brands including Element, Folklore and Mingo Lamberti.
Beastman was recently profiled on ABC's Rush TV and has been featured in publications such as Empty, Tees, Deadbeat, Oyster, Spitpress, Australian Creative and more. Check out his artwork. www.beastman.com.au
Anyway, enough about the Beastman! The station will probably just be hoping he completes his artwork without the mask.

Where am I?

Nice couple of facades, right? Be even nicer if you know where they are, because you’ll then have the chance to win a $60 prize voucher to enjoy some tucker and a drink at the Brunswick Hotel in New Farm. Email your answer to editor@theindependent.com.au to reach us no later than 5pm on Friday week, 16 July 2010. Or drop us the answer in the post by the same deadline to PO Box 476 Valley Q 4006. One lucky winner will be off to the Brunnie on us. Bon appetit!

***
From our last issue, Josephine Leigh of the Valley correctly identified the facade of the famous Empire Hotel in Brunswick Street. Josephine is off to the Brunnie for some tucker on us!

Mick and the boys bring heat

MUSIC


Who: Mick Hadley & The Atomic Boogie Band
• What: Free Sunday Sessions
• Where: The Tempo Hotel - 388 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley
• When: Sunday, July 11 & 25 from 2pm
• Cost: Free admission

• Who: Asa & Friends
• What: Asa Broomhall Band and special musical guests
• Where: Stage Door @ The Tempo Hotel (formerly Dooley’s Hotel)
• When: Saturday July 3, 10, 24 & 31 from 8PM
• Admission: $10

Throughout Mick Hadley’s career in music, one thing has stood out, stagecraft. From his early work in The Purple Hearts, the seminal Brisbane band The Coloured Balls through The Last Shout, The Shakers, The Midnight Blues Band and now with The Atomic Boogie Band, Mick is known as a master on stage.

His energy and vibrant stage persona has left many an audience member overwhelmed. Now stepping out of semi-retirement, Hadley (pictured) will be playing a set of special reunion shows in July at The Tempo Hotel in Fortitude Valley.
The Tempo Hotel (formerly known as Dooley’s Hotel) is the place to be on Sundays for their free Sunday sessions and who better to jump start things off than Mick and his Atomic Boogie Band. Then there’s Asa & Friends, when the Asa Broomhall band and their special guests will provide a rare chance to see a musician’s musician play a series of casual shows with some close musical friends.
It’s coming to Stage Door @ The Tempo Hotel (formerly Dooley’s Hotel) in Fortitude Valley over four dates in July. Asa and his band will open each night with their exuberant take on roots, rock and blues and then the night’s guest will play full sets with their own band before the night ends with some surprising collaborative efforts.


Opera the new black?


The press release shouts that “opera & ballet is the new black’. That bit of nonsense doesn’t deserve to score any coverage, but your reporter is, as the editor of this journal noted when he forwarded the message, “an old opera buff”, so here goes.

What’s happening is that the move to make high definition, high quality sound live transmissions of opera, ballet, theatre and (inevitably if not already) classical concerts to cinemas around the world is growing. The houses concerned, several of the world’s best, send recordings to those of us for whom that is not practical (e.g. because of time differential).
We have seen several seasons of pioneering productions from New York’s Metropolitan Opera and very satisfying they have been. More recently several series from European houses have graced local screens. Right now we are in the midst of an interesting mixed series showing at the Palace Barracks.
The Royal Opera (Covent Garden) production of Verdi’s Don Carlo runs July 23, 24, 25 and 28; Royal Ballet Liszt’s Mayerling August 13-18; Royal Ballet Henze’s Ondine; September 3-8; and the Globe Theatre Shakespeare’s Love’s Labours Lost September 17 to 22. The next Met series of 11 operas starts, neatly enough, in mid October and runs roughly monthly until mid May, in cinemas around the world. Here they will be at Centro and Portside, which are also showing a winter season repeating some of the past season’s highlights: Verdi's Aida (July 18 and 22), Offenbach's The Tales of Hoffman, Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier, and Bizet's Carmen.
The new New York dates (we come in usually some days, perhaps even two weeks , later) are: October 9, Wagner’s Das Rheingold conducted by James Levine; October 23, Mussorgsky’s Boris Godunov (Valery Gergiev); November 13 Donizetti’s Don Pasquale (James Levine); December 11,Verdi’s Don Carlo (Yannick Nézet-Séguin); January 8, Puccini’s La Fanciulla Del West (Nicola Luisotti); February 26, Gluck’s Iphigénie en Tauride (Patrick Summers); March 19, Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor (Patrick Summers); April 9, Rossini’s Le Comte Ory (Maurizio Benini); April 23, Strauss’s Capriccio (Andrew Davis); April 30, Verdi’s Il Trovatore (James Levine); May 14, Wagner’s Die Walküre (James Levine).
This is magic stuff. We are very lucky.

David Bray

Dutch treat for Fortitude Valley

PROPERTY NEWS

Fortitude Valley has become the “unofficial sister suburb” of Amsterdam Central in Holland. Yellie Alkema, a councillor with Amsterdam City Council, recently met with local Councillor David Hinchliffe, and signed an impromptu “Sister Suburb” agreement.

While both councillors emphasised the agreement had no legal binding and was ‘in good fun’, they said that there were a lot of similarities with both communities. Yellie, who visited with ex Dutch Senator, Kirk Cooper, said the Valley was “a very relaxed, personable and down to earth sort of place”.
“In that respect, it’s a lot like my Amsterdam.”
She said the centre of Amsterdam which she has represented for 10 years had a lot of students and young people, similar to the Valley.
Her son was in Australia as a backpacker. “Kirk and I were keen to come over to see what the Land Down Under really looked like. We’ve been very impressed. We’ve had a lovely time.”
Cr Hinchliffe said that if the Dutch Government had followed up explorers Dirk Hartog and William Dampier, Australia might have been colonised by the Dutch instead of the English.
“We could have written this friendly ‘Sister Suburb’ agreement in Dutch,” he joked.

Revenge required? Holler for a Marshall

FILMS ... with Tim Milfull

The Horseman (TBA)
Director: Steven Kastrissios
Stars: Peter Marshall, Caroline Marohasy
Rating: 3.5/5
96-minutes, screening from 8 July

The Horseman is a local production helmed by Queensland filmmaker Steven Kastrissios who took on the roles of writer, director, editor, and producer to bring his dream to life.

In a very impressive, stony-faced performance, Peter Marshall plays Christian, a forty-something father who suspects there was more to his teenaged daughter’s death than a simple overdose.
As he digs further into her last days, Christian begins to realise that she had begun to mix with the very worst crowds imaginable, and when the truth about her death emerges, the grieving father’s calm face belies the bloodlust that is boiling inside.
Let’s be honest here, The Horseman is not for the fainthearted; Christian is living the vengeance fantasies of any and all parents who have lost their child to the depredations of others. There’s a cold-hearted determination roiling in Christian—imagine how Bruce Willis’s John McClane would have behaved if his estranged wife had succumbed to Hans Gruber.
But Aussies have game on this genre – remember Max Rockatansky’s fury in the wake of his family’s death? Magnify that to the nth degree, and you can imagine the sadistic satisfaction Christian feels in exacting revenge.
While some of Christian’s targets fall squarely into stereotypical territory, and Caroline Marohasy’s Alice seems relatively comfortable as his hitchhiking waif, Peter Marshall completely owns his role as the angry dad. Kastrissios shows great promise in his first feature film; we can look forward to very good things from this storyteller.



Cold war intrigue at its finest

Farewell (M)
Director: Christian Carion
Stars: Emir Kustarica, Guillaume Canet
Rating: 3.5/5
113-minutes, now screening

Back in 2005, French director Christian Carion directed Joyeux Noel, a poignant account of a Christmas during the First World War, when French, Scottish and German combatants laid down their arms and came together to celebrate Christmas, much to the distress of their commanders.

In Carion’s latest film, L’affair Farewell, a similar rebellion is under way in the 80s, as Sergei Gregoriev (Emir Kustarica) decides that he has had enough of party politics in the USSR, and looks to affect some change. Pierre Froment (Guillaume Canet) is a low level diplomat in the French Embassy in Moscow, and when asked to undertake a routine meeting, doesn’t realise the frightening lengths he will be asked to pursue, as he gradually becomes a reluctant handler for the Russian spy.
To the distress of his wife, and the thinly veiled amusement of Gregoriev, Froment is forced to hit the ground running in the world of international espionage. Carion’s adaptation of the book of the same name is often almost unbelievable—Gregoriev’s character is based upon KGB spy Vladimir Vetrov, who handed over more than 4000 secret documents that contributed to the exposure of almost 200 spies, and eventually to the fall of the USSR.
Veteran actor Kustarica offers a grimly determined, ideologically offended Gregoriev, who never took any payments for his work; while Canet is utterly convincing as the reluctant spy, who eventually becomes an ardent defender of his charge. Farewell is Cold War intrigue at its finest.

Shade issue set to heat up again

FROM MY CORNER ... with Ann Brunswick

Do you remember when the revamped King George Square opened late last year? The new square cost almost $30 million but soon after its completion there were complaints from users about its lack of shade.

Pedestrians avoided crossing the open space in front of our City Hall for fear of the high temperatures, and it seems few were using the new space to sit for a while. Your columnist can validate those complaints, having felt the jump in temperature when leaving the shelter of Adelaide Street shop awnings and entering the square with its light-coloured stone that reflects heat upwards while the sun beats down. So ever since it has been my practice during hotter months to avoid using what is meant to be our city’s prime civic space.
But with the onset of winter the square again became a part of my CBD perambulations. Unfortunately there appears to be no evidence of any attempts to provide extra shade and, with summer’s inevitable approach, no doubt complaints will again be heard loud and clear.
Because of my avoidance of the new square for the best part of the past half-year, another of its in-built problems had not been obvious to me previously. But in the past few weeks it has become clear to me that the northern corner of the Ann Street side of the square is a source of potential injuries to pedestrians. That particular part of the square is made up by a series of shallow terraces with their edges marked by a border of black stone to contrast with the overall grey effect used throughout the rest of the square.
Pedestrians must either step down or up between the different levels, or use a cut-out ramp in the middle of each terrace edge. The trouble is that the black-edged terraces make the drop difficult to see when walking away from Ann Street.
It was sheer luck that I did not fall when first using them, and anyone stopping to observe others would see many pedestrians running the same risk. My difficulties occurred in road daylight. It must be even more risky at night. Surely it is not too much to have the steps and the change in level marked more clearly, or to have railings installed to shepherd users to the central ramps.
***

While on the subject of King George Square, this column has previously questioned the usefulness of the covered “verandah” against the northern wall of the square.

It is a big space and contains a few seats. But there is still no obvious use for it. It all looks rather empty and pointless. All in all, the coming first anniversary of our new King George Square seems hardly worth celebrating.
As taxpayers and ratepayers we have yet again seen one of our elected officials celebrate the opening of a new piece of traffic infrastructure that we will now be asked to pay for, on top of our taxes and rates already used to pay for it.
***

Lord Mayor Campbell Newman this week declared the new bridge across the Brisbane River from the inner-city bypass at Hale Street to West End open for business. And business it is, given it’s a toll bridge and we all have to pay to use it, unless you are on foot or on a bike.

It seems gone are the days when the Brisbane City Council or the state government used our money to build things for us and then let us use them without dipping further into our pockets. Cr Newman has won some plaudits for naming the bridge after one of Brisbane’s best-known musical groups, the Go-Betweens.
Unfortunately the name put up for a public ballot was the “Go Between Bridge”. Well, either we recognise the band by its correct name or we don’t. That means a hyphen as the band itself used and an “s” at the end.
So at your columnist’s instigation the editor of this newspaper has agreed to refer to the new structure only as the Go-Betweens Bridge from now on. If we all do it, maybe Cr Newman might fork out the cost of a new plaque.