GIVE US BACK OUR RIVER!

NEWS

The part-privatisation of the Brisbane River by Mirvac at its Waterfront development at Newstead should be a key issue for the next municipal poll, this newspaper believes.

And to that end, The Independent is now ramping up its Give us Back our River! campaign to try to ensure that the next City Council administration not only promises to build the missing piece of RiverWalk in front of this project, but knows it had better fulfil that promise or cop the wrath of its citizens.
Our message is simple: It’s our river. Mirvac should never have been allowed to design a project on a greenfield site that deliberately forces citizens away from their river, behind a large residential block of multi-million dollar units and through some parkland.
It may be beautiful parkland but that is not the point. Brisbanites can walk through parkland throughout our city. But we only have one river.
The Independent put its campaign on the backburner for a while, but now that Labor has nominated its Lord Mayoral candidate in Ray Smith, we are calling on Lord Mayor Campbell Newman and the man who wants his job to get this thing right once and for all.
We do not believe the Brisbane public will accept any argument that the missing link is not a feasible engineering project. It’s some pylons and maybe a hundred metres of broad walkway.
And on their behyalf we will not accept an argument that it would cost ratepayers too much.
Lord Mayor Newman in recent times has rightly boasted about the completion of a missing link of RiverWalk nearby.
The cost to build a walkway in front of the Pier South building at Waterfront will not be prohibitive. It will surely be less than that recently completed missing link nearby, and it will surely cost a lot, lot less than the RiverWalk placed in front of New Farm some years ago. Council felt that needed to be done; so does the missing link at Waterfront.
We want a unequivocal commitment from both men. We want similar commitments from whomever runs for all the council wards come 2012.
And early in the New Year, we will launch a hardcopy and electronic petition so that the people of Brisbane can add their names to this cause and leave our local politicians in no doubt as to the strength of feeling over this issue.
The Independent wants to reiterate its earlier stance.
It’s our river. We have a right to cycle and walk along its shores. The privatisation of a section of the river at Waterfront, whatever the reasons for doing it, robbed the people of Brisbane of the wonderful opportunity to one day meander, on foot or on wheels, from the beautiful grounds of Newstead Park right up into the CBD – and beyond.
The Independent believes that this campaign must succeed to send a message to any developer in future. If you are designing a project on our river, then factor in a nice, wide, practical boardwalk for the people to enjoy unspoiled and uninterrupted views of the colour and movement of their river, or the people through their local council will do it for you anyway.



ABOVE: Our front page that launched our Give Us Back Our River community action campaign a while ago. BELOW: One of the Mirvac posters on its fenceline shows the view Brisbane people now have of their river.





• Have your say on this issue! Send your comments via email to editor@theindependent.com.au or drop us a line via post to PO Box 476 Fortitude Valley Q 4006.

Help sought for gardners

NEWS

The 139 Club Inc has partnered with the New Farm Neighborhood Centre to employ eight homeless or marginalised people in the Fortitude Valley area for 15 weeks.

The Queensland Government has funded the 15 week work program under a strategy called Skilling Queenslanders for Work. This program will give the participants landscaping experience while undertaking a certificate 1 in horticulture.
Participants will be designing and constructing two organic edible gardens – one at the Neighborhood Centre and the second at the 139 Club.
“It is through programs such as these people are given real tangible support for positive change in their lives,” 139 Club manager Rod Kelly said.
“The participants will be supported for a further six months after the completion of the project to help with seeking suitable accommodation, long-term employment and other life -enhancing support.”
So, are you an employer who could help with the ongoing employment in the horticulture and landscaping trades for the participants?
If you have a landscaping business, nursery or any other horticulture business and would like to support our community please contact Rod Kelly at the 139 Club on 3254 1144.
For more information on what the 139 Club and the New Farm Neighborhood Centre do in the community go to www.139club.com.au or www.newfarmneighbourhood.org

Play our exciting new game!

NEWS


It’s now well over two months since Stage One of CityCycle was launched with much fanfare on October 1, so when will the Stage One station in the Valley Mall greet its first bike for hire?

Entries have been flooding in – okay, trickling in – since we started Spoke in the Wheel Lotto last issue. Sadly, some of the answers have tipped December dates, and judging by the state of progress as this edition went to press, the chain has well and truly slipped off their chances. Other central Valley stations that looked ready a month ago are still bikeless.

How long does it take for cement to cure, or electronic gadgetry to fire up? And what do you think? Send your guess as to the very first day bikes will be available at the station to us via email to editor@ theindependent.com.au or via post to PO Box 476 Valley Q 4006, to reach us by 5pm Friday December 24! (STOP PRESS: LET'S MAKE THAT DECEMBER 31!)

We’ll shout the randomly selected winner (if we have more than one entry with the right date) a year’s subscription to the scheme – or they can take the money if they want! Our tip? January 15 ... we're just not sure which year.




If you don’t stock CityCycle stations with bikes, people
will find other uses for them!

Govt shows faith in Chaplain Watch

NEWS

Intense lobbying by local community groups and politicians has seen the State Government open its coffers to the tune of $180,000 to fund the work of respected local organisation Chaplain Watch.

As reported on our front page last issue, the Bligh Government was criticised for overlooking the locally based Chaplain Watch, run by Lance Mergard, for a key role in the new Fortitude Valley Drink Safe Precinct. The job of running a chill-out zone in the Valley Mall during the two-year trial period went instead to the Gold Coast Youth Services.
Labor councillor David Hinchliffe (Central Ward) who in our last issue had described Chaplain Watch as “one of the best Valley initiatives I’ve seen in 20 years” praised the government for funding funds for the local organisation that has been active in the mall for the past six years.
“A lot of people were unhappy about [the decision]. I spoke out. The Valley Chamber of Commerce spoke out. [Local state MP] Grace Grace worked away behind the scenes.
“I am just glad that the minister has pulled the money out of her purse to pay Chaplain Watch. They are the real deal.”
Grace Grace confirmed to The Independent that “wheels began to turn” as soon as the decision on the chillout contract was made.
She said she was delighted with the outcome.
“It’s a great result and one that I had not thought possible.”
The funding meant these two excellent organisations could now work side by side in the trial period to keep drinkers safe in the Valley precinct

Council signals art winners

NEWS

Brisbane City Council has announced this year’s winners of the very popular Artforce traffic signal box initiative.

A quirky feature of the city, the project enhances traffic zones, provides splashes of public art and gives residents the opportunity to express their creativity by creating colourful artworks using Brisbane's traffic signal boxes.
Lord Mayor Campbell Newman thanked the artists, who had worked with Urban Smart Projects as part of the initiative in 2010, for helping to brighten up the streets of Brisbane.
“A little over 10 years ago, the suburbs were littered with ugly traffic signal boxes that were an easy target for vandalism,” Cr Newman said. “Today, through the Artforce initiative, they have become a celebration of colour, creativity and community art.”
The 2010 overall winner with a prize of $1000 was Pen Donovan with her three artworks at Woolloongabba: Road to Love, in the City: Cellfire and at Highgate Hill On the Road to Success. Pen’s colourful artworks can also be seen on traffic signal boxes around South Brisbane.
The Best School entry this year went to the Year 7 class of Craigslea State School with their artwork, School Friends.
Urban Smart Projects are looking for more contributions from Indigenous artists next year and also works that reflect on the theme of reconciliation between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians.

For more information on the initiative contact
Urban Smart Projects on 3211 7178 or visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/artforce

Book answers questions; poses many new ones

NEWS

One of Ross Garnett’s duties as president of the New Farm and Districts Historical Society is to field questions from near and far from those who used to live in the suburb.
A typical inquirer phoned from Canberra recently to say her husband was once commanding officer of the Naval Reserve at HMAS Moreton. In fact, both of their sons had been baptised in HMAS Moreton’s Chapel.
Ross quickly discovered that her real question was about her grandmother who passed away in the 1930s at The Laurels private hospital in New Farm. “I have never been able to find its location,” she told him.
According to Ross, other calls are from people who just want to express their appreciation for the suburb, such as the lady who explained that the best six months of her life were spent in New Farm before “I had to return to boring old Chapel Hill”.
Sometimes the caller is the one who provides valuable snippets of historical intelligence.
One such caller told Ross she had been adopted by “Nurse Austin”. She was alluding to Nurse Mary Jane Austin’s Maternity Hospital which once stood behind the Village Twin theatre in Barker Street.
She told Ross that if he looked closely at the photo of the lady hosing the garden on page 88 of Reflections on New Farm, that was indeed Nurse Austin herself.
Ever since the historical society started in 1994, there’s been a steady flow of photos, documents and
anecdotes from historically minded folk.
“But once we published Reflections on New Farm, the flow turned into a torrent,” Ross said. “That’s why we’re updating our methods of archiving material. We’ll soon be better prepared for all sorts of “gold” to aficionados of past events.
Denise Buckby, one of the history society’s committeewomen and onsite manager of Freshwater was delighted to hear a caller announce she was a descendant of William Ruddle, “the earliest known owner of your Freshwater site”.
Not only this, but the caller offered to show Denise a trove of photographs and heirlooms, and had contacted another branch of the family.
“History isn’t just about past dates and places,” she told Denise. “It’s about people and that’s why I love it so much.”
Considering that the name Ruddle is connected with the Royal George Hotel and one of the Valley’s early photographers, you are sure to hear more about that story in 2011. Meanwhile if you’re still wondering where The Laurels used to be, it was on Brunswick Street near Harcourt Street.
The fire that damaged the private hospital in 1928 left a nearby vacant allotment on which “Avalon Flats” was soon to be built.
“Reflections on New Farm quickly answers most of our far-flung inquiries,” Ross Garnett says, “So if you have friends or relatives who used to call New Farm home, then here’s a book that they will treasure."



Above: Before Coronet Court on Brunswick Street was built in the early 1930s, architect Richard Gailey Jr chose the spot for his residence. (The Queenslander, 1922, courtesy of Russell Duncan)


Disclaimer: This article was kindly provided by the book’s authors which in no way detracts from Reflections being a bloody good read and a fine Xmas present. - EDITOR

Bike scheme has its detractors...

LETTERS

Dear Editor
As a five-year resident and owner in the Valley I have to say that this new cycle scheme may work but only in time; it could be years! Most of us who live in these areas have bikes already.
But my beef is the placement of the racks and the every growing visual polluting signage that is springing up everywhere and anywhere telling us to use the scheme!
The BCC has many times talked how bad the signage is around the Valley /
New Farm/ CBD area ( and charge businesses for them ) but now , at will with NO checking to residents they dig up the footpaths to put these signs that block our views while driving and lessen the space to walk along the footpaths.
These signs are popping up like mushrooms , every morning I leave my apartment there seems to be another one blocking the view that was once there .
And will we be seeing ads for male erection problems filling the sign space soon, to earn money to pay for Can-Do’s folly! Hmmmmmm.

Lindsay Anlezark
via email Nov 12


Dear Editor
Enjoy your paper far more than the Murdock press! As someone who walks on the boardwalk daily, I live in fear of being hit by the Tour de France riders already speeding there.
I believe that we should have, as you find in advanced cities overseas, a registration system with each bike having a licence number affixed to its rear and that a small annual rego fee be used to cover some form of Third Party insurance.
The number would allow identification of a rider not stopping after an accident and the funds raised should cover compensation for injuries to pedestrians. Who do we call on when injured? The State Government?
The Council? Or the French bike franchise?

David Mc Veagh
Brisbane
via email Nov 11

Station revamp missed chance to honour Chinese heritage

Dear Editor

The revamping of the Valley Railway Station, including the food hall, in fact all the new “upgrade” in the Valley, demonstrates both a total lack of imagination and a total lack of respect for its history.
The Valley has long been known as Brisbane’s Chinese Market. The Chinese were here long before the majority of our forbears, and although they were persecuted by the Europeans for no other reason than their colour or their race, survived the White Australia Policy, along with the popular comment of the times. “Two Wongs don’t make a White”.
They remained true to their ideals, were virtually never seen in court for breaking the Law, and eventually became respected members of the business community.
If you get the time, have a look at the noticeboard in the foyer of the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, where it lists the names of those who have financially assisted that hospital. By far, the largest proportion of donations have come from either Chinese firms or Chinese individuals.
Instead of the stupid squiggles on the wall tiles of the station, there should have been large Chinese Dragons, creeping along the walls, along with Chinese lanterns and decorations in the rest of the station precincts as well as the rest of the Valley shopping area.
This whole area could have, and should have, been turned into one of Brisbane’s greatest tourist attractions, and should have included pictorial historical evidence of the history of the Australian Chinese community’s achievements to make Australia what it is today.

Colin Hooper.
Kallangur
via email

TALK TO US!

Got something to get off your chest. Then send us an email to editor@theindependent.com.au
or post us your thoughts to PO Box 476 Fortitude Valley Q 4006. Name and address
please, although we will withhold that at your request.

Movie madness

THEATRE

Stage Door Dinner Theatre’s current production of Movie Madness ends just before Xmas. Don Gordon-Brown threw a few questions about movies – some silly, some serious – to two of the cast members Ian Maurice (pictured) and Damien Lee.

It’s been a long time since I’ve emerged from a cinema and thought: Wow! So, has the last great film script been written?
Ian: If the last great movie script has been written we may as well stay at home and watch the reruns of the great ones on cable.


How do you rate this year’s crop of films, and what was your favourite and why?
Damien: Oh, if only I had the time to see some movies. Being in the theatre world, it sort of keeps you busy. Movie Madness is as close to a movie I have come in months.

George Clooney is the modern-day equivalent of Cary Grant .... agree or disagree?
Ian: Quite possibly although Brad Pitt might challenge him.

On the same theme, who is today’s Katharine Hepburn?

Ian: Meryl Streep, Julie Walters or Helen Mirren.

Name the most underrated actor or actress going around in world movies right now.

Damien:  I would have to say the most underrated actor for me is Robin Williams. I am a bit of a fan of his work. He can make us crack up, or terrify us in films like One Hour Photo.

Colin Firth gets to stutter a lot in the upcoming The King's Speech. Does that make a Best Actor Oscar a near certainty?
Damien: Go Colin, but I don’t think stuttering will get him there alone. For me, an Oscar nomination should be awarded to any actor who has excelled in making their character on screen totally believable. You need to no longer see the actor on screen, but the character. That’s when it is awesome.

The explosion of CGI has been a blessing for the film industry over recent years. Agree or disagree?
Damien: CGI has totally transformed the movie industry. Who can ever forget the movie maker attempts to fly rocket ships in the old Flash Gordon show (fishing line everywhere) and even the amazing efforts George Lucas made on the initial Star Wars movie without all the technology.

Steve Buscemi has made a fortune out of film, so why hasn’t he got his teeth fixed?
Damien: But he has had them fixed. You should have seen them before!

Movie stars can reshoot their mistakes .... has anything gone terribly wrong onstage during the current season of Movie Madness?
Ian: Edna Turnblad’s (Damien Lee’s) microphone became dislodged and her husband Wilbur (that’s me) had to pull her dress up to adjust it, revealing her scanties!!

Affordable housing milestone reached

PROPERTY NEWS




Brisbane Housing Company Ltd has announced the completion of its 100th home, at Green Square in Fortitude Valley. Congratulating the company, Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said BHC wa san independent, not-for-profit organisation which provides affordable housing, was gifted the land on which the 1000th home was built by Brisbane City Council.

“I'm proud to say that Council gifted the land to the BHC exempt from Land Sales Act tax, and provided $3.7 million to Brisbane Housing Company for the construction of the building." Located at Lot 4, 503 St Paul's Terrace, the development entails eight levels of affordable housing units and a two-level integrated community facility, which will occupy the ground and first floors.
Once completed, the community facility space will be transferred back to Council to be used for community purposes. Cr Newman said BHC would hand the 1,334 sq m community facility space back to Council next week for the commencement of fit-out works.
"This space will service a range of community organisations, as well as provide shared community meeting space," Cr Newman said. "The organisations identified to tenant the community centre on the ground floor are Council's Visible Ink Valley Youth Space and the Open Doors Youth Service.
"New Farm Neighbourhood Centre will manage a range of tenants on the first floor." The Brisbane Housing company was founded in 2001 with joint funding from Brisbane City Council and the State Government.
Council has provided $14 million over a 7-year period to BHC, as well as land at Hurworth Street, Bowen Hills, and Church Street, Fortitude Valley, to increase the development of affordable housing in Brisbane.

Predicting flood risk made easier

PROPERTY NEWS

It’s now easier for people find out their flood risk with City Council's new look FloodWise Property Report. Lord Mayor Cr Campbell Newman said council had redeveloped the FloodWise Property Report to make it more user-friendly.

"Severe storms and flooding are a natural part of living in Brisbane due to its subtropical climate, and whether we like it or not, Brisbane is built on a flood plain," he said.
"While we can never stop flooding from happening, we can give residents the tools to find out their flooding risk and help them to prepare." "The FloodWise Property Report gives residents a way to find out the flood risk for a property they live in, or wish to build, renovate, buy or rent, and the redesign has now made it easier for residents to understand the results produced by the report."
The Lord Mayor said the redevelopment of the FloodWise Property Report involved dividing the report into two sections to provide easy to comprehend information for residents, as well as a separate technical summary for engineers.
The new look report includes graphs of flood levels and the size of minimum living areas, a supplementary information section and a revision of all definitions to make reports easier to understand.
The FloodWise Property Report was initially introduced online in 2008 to deliver on recommendations handed down by the Lord Mayor's Taskforce on Suburban Flooding, an initiative which was instigated in 2005. Depending on the property, the report may show sources of flooding such as river, creek, and defined overland flow, predicted flood levels, minimum habitable floor levels and whether a property is located within a waterway corridor. More than 173,000 reports have been generated since the Floodwise Property Reports were introduced, with a record 30,000 reports requested by residents during October.
Also this week, flood warning lights on Shaw Road, Wooloowin became operational. Council invested $136,000 to install the lights, which will warn motorists when the road is affected by floodwaters.
The FloodWise Property Report is free and available through Council's website at www.brisbane.qld.gov.au or phoning Council on 3403 8888.