Council is now in recess for the School holiday period, returning on 4^th May.
 
The highlight of the next sitting session will be the introduction of of the 2021/22 Council budget by Lord Mayor, Adrian Schrinner on 16^th June.
 
The last session finished with a rare “closed” meeting for Councillors to be briefed and to question senior Olmpics and Paralypics executives about Brisbane’s bid to host both Games in 2032. The meeting concluded with Council debating and voting to formally support the bid. Should we ultimately succeed and host the Games, the benefits will be felt across Brisbane, the South East, Queensland and the entire country. Not only will our residents be able to experience the world’s biggest sporting event in their backyard, the Games will bring long-term community benefits for generations.
 
Since my last newsletter, I have delivered two speeches in Council.
 
Click here https://bit.ly/31mG6oR to read or watch my speech about our achievements in the Pullenvale Ward in the past 12 months.
 
Click here https://bit.ly/2NNKCJY to read my speech in support of a petition to rename a park in Chapel Hill in recognition of the Pengalhon family which pioneered land now occupied by the Kenmore Plaza and Tavern.

I have submitted my “wishlist” for the Pullenvale Ward for consideration in this year’s Council Budget.
 
High on my list is for an extension of the Personalised Public Transport service in the Moggill Bellbowrie area, and for a route readjustment to include the new shopping centre at Moggill which is due to open later in the year.
 
There are no guarantees but to give us the best chance to secure funding for this service for another 12 months, residents in Moggill and Bellbowrie need to show Council that they want it. And the best way to do that, is to use it, particularly from now until when the Budget is announced.
 
As I’ve said from the day we secured the initial trial, we need to USE IT OR LOSE IT.

Six community groups have been awarded more than $67,000 in Brisbane City Council grants for local environmental projects.
 

The grants were allocated as part of the Lord Mayor’s Community Sustainability and Environmental Program. The recipients were Moggill Creek Catchment Management Group, Cubberla-Witton Catchments Network, Burns Parade Bushcare Group, Sutling Street Bushcare Group, The Hut Environmental and Community Association and Karana Downs and Surrounds Community Garden Hub.

 
Click here https://bit.ly/3w7kqeC for the full list of grants and details of projects to be undertaken with the funding.

I want to thank Just Sports N Fitness, the operator of Council’s pool at Bellbowrie for responding to public demand and extending the opening days with reduced hours for this year.

 
As far as I’m aware, the pool has never traded beyond the end of the summer swimming season in April due to low attendance and the 50m pool not being heated. But this year has been their strongest season yet. Overall attendances have increased, children’s learn to swim and squad programmes have grown significantly and last October, a gym with brand new equipment was installed, which has contributed to a steadily growing and loyal membership.
This year, the pool will operate as usual until 18th April then move to reduced hours (rather than closing), until 28th May.
 
The 50m pool, heated 25m pool, splash play pad and round wading pool will all stay open, with the mushroom pebble-crete wading pool to close for removal and redesign.
 
Prior to 28th May, Just Sports N Fitness will re-evaluate and determine what is best for the community and customers.
 
The reduced hours after 18th April are:
Monday – Friday 5:30am – 10:30am & 2:30pm – 6:30pm
Saturday 8:00am – 12:00pm
Sunday - Closed

The recent heavy rains showed how quickly some of our key roads in the area become flooded.
 
The usual hotsports such as Gap Creek Road, Kenmore Hills and Boscombe and Gold Creek Roads, Brookfield were out of action for a number of days late last month, affecting business, people travelling to work and children attending school.
 

The force of moving water should not be underestimated. I saw a number of motorists taking on flooded roads, despite signage warning them not to. Not only do they put their own lives at risk, it forces our already over-stretched emergency services away from other priorities.

 
Avoid driving if you don’t have to in such conditions and if you do, don’t attempt to cross flooded roads, be patient and use alternative routes.

 

It was a pleasure to sponsor a prize in the recent Art West Community Gallery Awards.
 
Congratulations to Tracy Spalding for winning this year’s Abstract Prize with “Banksia Reflection”.

I’ve presented some more Lord Mayor COVID-19 cheques in the past few weeks to local community and sporting groups to help them rebuild and recommence services as a result of the pandemic.
 

The latest recipients were the Kenmore Junior Rugby Club, the Moggill Cricket Club and UQ Football Club, Kenmore.

Congratulations to Brookfield State School on its recent 150th anniversary. A special assembly was held to celebrate this milestone with two of its oldest past students joining two of its youngest to cut the 150th birthday cake.

I joined members of the Karana Downs and Surrounds Community Garden Hub in late March to celebrate National Neighbours Day. Appropriately, it was held at Burran Park, the site of the Community Garden that Council is working with this group to deliver for Karana Downs.

From Karana Downs, it was on to Mount Crosby to join members of the Kholo Creek Catchment Group who planted about 500 native species along the banks of Cameron’s Creek at Platypus Park. Again, another great effort local community volunteers.

It was a pleasure to join the State Member for Moggill, Dr. Christian Rowan at the Kenmore-Moggill RSL annual general meeting recently and update Members on Council’s plans for the relocation of the memorial at Booker Place Park, Bellbowrie. Congratulations to Rick Maher on being elected the local RSL branch president for a further 12 months.

Congratulations to Pullenvale State School students, parents and teachers who conducted a car wash and, raffle and sausage sizzle to raise funds for important School projects. Along with local businesses such as The Hitching Post at Pullenvale Marketplace, I was happy to provide a dining voucher for the winner of the raffle

Great to see the recycling bins provided to e-Waste Connection through the Lord Mayor’s Community Fund will be put to good use. Not only does e-Waste provide opportunities for people with a disability to participate in work, they are helping reduce the amo0unt of e-waste being disposed of as landfill.

Congratulations to local mother and son, Lisa and Joel Dodds following their recent success at the Australian Cross Country Mountain Biking national titles in Tasmania.
 
Lisa won two titles and two gold medals while Joel took out two titles in the under 19 category.
 
What a fantastic family effort.