Premier's message
Executive Director Brian Streatfield (centre) and Principal Susan Cowley (right) welcome Premier Anna Bligh to the Belmont State School for the 10th Community Cabinet.
The views and opinions of the members of each local community are important to my government, and I was especially delighted to hold my 10th Community Cabinet in the Brisbane suburbs of Belmont and Chandler.
As an area of vibrancy and rapid growth, Brisbane’s southside is pivotal to the ongoing success of Queensland’s economy – and this is especially the case with Belmont and Chandler.
This recent cabinet meeting presented my ministers, heads of departments and myself with an invaluable opportunity to strengthen ties with local members of the community, discuss a wide range of key issues facing this area, and to celebrate the many successes of its residents.
It is always delightful meeting with and listening to, my fellow Queenslanders, and seeing first-hand the challenges and opportunities unique to each region.
I enjoyed my visit to Belmont and Chandler and I thank you for welcoming us into your community.
Anna Bligh MP
Premier of Queensland
Fight against fire ants
The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries held a swap meet before the Community Cabinet, at Belmont State School oval on Sunday 14 September. Local residents were encouraged to bring a weed and swap it for a free native plant.
Pictured are General Manager Invasive Plants and Animals Land Protection Unit Bruce Wilson, Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin, Daphne Noble and Member for Chatsworth Chris Bombolas.
A local campaign offering residents of the eastern suburbs the opportunity to trade their backyard weeds for native flora was launched in September.
Jointly organised by the Department for Primary Industries and Fisheries and the Bulimba Creek Catchment Co-ordinating Committee, the campaign aims to encourage local residents to do their part towards helping protect their surrounding environment in the fight against fire ants.
By swapping backyard weeds for native flora seedlings, families were able to play an active role towards both the eradication of fire ants and weeds, as well as the greening of their local community.
‘As part of the Bligh Government’s Q2 vision for Queensland, we want to build a sustainable, green community and this offers a chance to make a positive difference in our eastern suburbs,’ Member for Chatsworth Chris Bomolas said.
‘Replacing weeds with quality native plants is a practical way that all of us can make a contribution.’
The Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said the department is working towards combating fire ants throughout Queensland.
Announcements
Smarter road for Gateway motorists
Thanks to a recent upgrade to the Gateway Motorway, motorists are now seeing greater improvements on the road.
As the first of several upgrades, an extra lane over the Wynnum Road section of the Gateway Motorway has recently opened to traffic, providing added relief to southbound motorists during afternoon peak hour periods.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt and Member for Chatsworth Chris Bombolas said the added lane, which would extend beyond the Wynnum Road interchange, forms part of a $1.88 billion upgrade project.
‘By late 2009, the entire 12 kilometres of widening works in the southern section between Lytton Road and Mt Gravatt-Capalaba Road, in both directions, will be completed and opened to motorists,’ Mr Pitt said.
Caring for the community
As part of a community-wide initiative, the Queensland Government is urging families of the Wynnum and Redlands regions to step up and make a difference to the lives of local children.
Child Safety Minister Margaret Keech said the call for new carers was part of the government’s largest foster recruitment campaign encouraging Queenslanders to take an active role in their local communities by becoming foster or kinship carers.
‘The Bligh Government is looking over the horizon and has invested $15 million over five years to recruit and train more foster and kinship carers,’ Mrs Keech said.
For more information on how to become a foster or kinship carer, visit www.childsafety.qld.gov.au
A flying start to Disability Action Week
Disability Action Week kicked off to a flying start this year, and students from Belmont State School commemorated the week by putting their creative skills into action.
A Queensland Government initiative, Disability Action Week, from 14 to 20 September, was celebrated by the school with the unveiling of their colourful ‘butterfly tree’, to celebrate the experiences and contributions of people living with a disability.
Disability Services Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said butterflies symbolised this year’s theme of See beyond the disability.
‘We all see beauty in them beyond any disability they may have and this is the attitude Disability Action Week encourages us all to practice in our communities,’ she said.
Power to the eastern suburbs
Minister for Mines and Energy Mr Geoff Wilson announced Energex would inject more than $10 million into establishing a new substation in Holland Park.
This new power boost will help the State Government plan for the future and cater to the growing needs of homes and businesses in the electorate of Chatsworth.
‘We’re taking action now and securing the future for the people who live and work here by giving them a secure and reliable electricity supply,’ Mr Wilson said.
New modular buildings are currently on site, with the new substation due to be completed and in operation early next year.
Improvements for Brisbane East buses
In response to increased demand for public transport in Brisbane’s eastern suburbs, bus networks are set to see major improvements from as early as 27 October.
Minister for Transport John Mickel said these changes will help facilitate improved public transport services and reduce travel time for commuters in the region.
‘The changes will deliver improved connections between buses, trains and ferries, increased service reliability and frequency, enhanced service to local activity centres and the CBD, and improved infrastructure such as additional bus stops and passenger information,’ he said.
The TransLink Transit Authority’s proposed changes are among the first to emerge from close to $1 million worth of service improvements for the region.
Boost for southside businesses
In a bid to provide Brisbane’s southside businesses with an added boost for the future, the Queensland Government is currently offering grants of between $30,000 and $250,000.
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Desley Boyle said her department’s Southside Regional Centre catered for over 75,000 businesses, stretching from south of the Brisbane River down to Logan and Redland City Councils.
‘This is a region expected to grow by seven per cent in the next three years,’ she said.
‘Its priority sectors are advanced manufacturing of machinery, equipment and metal products, and environmental technologies and services industries.’
The Southside Regional Centre is considered the lead agency providing a wide range of support and development services to small businesses in the region.
For more information, visit www.industry.qld.gov.au/incentives.
Bringing biosecurity to the classroom
Dog handler Greg Horrocks with one of the labrador detectives.
Last month, students of Belmont State School were treated to a special educational demonstration involving biosecurity officers and three skilled canine detectives - labrador Jake, chocolate labrador Breeze and labradoodle Smiley.
A Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries initiative, the school visit is part of the Animal Smile Program and presents a unique opportunity for students to learn more about animal welfare and its important role in biosecurity.
‘Dogs also play an important part in tackling biosecurity battles against pests like fire ants – some are specially trained to sniff out fire ants and their nests,’ Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said.
