Selected residents of Banyo, Nudgee and Nudgee Beach and Banyo Village will be able to avail of the Council Cabs Service at the Banyo Retail Centre fortnightly beginning 21 Feb.
Councillor Adam Allan announced the extension of the service for Brisbane residents who are above 60 years old, or with mobility impairment, or a holder of the Pensioner Concession Card or the Centrelink Seniors Card.
The Council Cabs are scheduled taxis that may pick up residents from their home to the Banyo Retail Centre or bring residents home after shopping with their companions. A one-way trip costs $1.50, which shall be paid to the driver upon boarding.
Commuters may book the service before 12 noon or make prior arrangements should they require regular pick-ups. The Council Cabs Service number is 07 3403 2227.
Cr Allan, however, said that the exact location of the service pick-up point at the Banyo Retail Centre would still be determined. It’s likely that the chosen location may be near the supermarket to help residents with groceries. A limit of five regular-sized plastic bags or three recycled bags may be required per passenger.
To reduce the likelihood of crime and make commuters feel more secure, Queensland Rail has invested $1.9 million to construct a new Queensland Police Service outpost at Northgate station.
The railway police outpost will be the eighth across the South East Queensland network, joining Robina, Roma Street, Manly, Beenleigh, Petrie, Ipswich, and Redbank.
Although Brisbane is a safe city by world standards, the Productivity Commission’s Report on Government Services revealed that half of the Queenslanders surveyed preferred walking alone at night. They avoided buses and trains due to danger of assault.
Not only do railway stations have issues with youth gangs and individuals harassing passengers, but alighting at a poorly lit, eerily quiet train station can also be unsettling.
Committed to improving the safety of their passengers, QR has implemented various security measures that includes closed-circuit television at stations and within trains as well as patrols by Revenue Protection Officers, uniformed and plain-clothed police officers of the network’s own squad, and security guards.
Photo credit: mypolice.qld.gov.au
The additional outpost at Northgate is expected to boost police presence on the northern rail network and enable quicker response times to incidents on the inner Caboolture, Shorncliffe and Doomben lines.
Construction of the new outpost is well underway and expected to be completed by early 2019. It will be located on the western side of Northgate station, on the corner of Ridges and Ryan streets.
The Brisbane City Council is now in the process of preparing the strategy and improvement proposal for the Wavell Heights Village Precinct Project to revitalise the neighbourhood shopping precinct in Hamilton Road, Wavell Heights.
As part of the Village Precinct Projects, the Council is committing $400,000 to the upgrade project that aims to: improve the amenity, connectivity, and safety for the locals and residents in the centre; contribute to and encourage local economic development; enhance the community’s sense of place at this neighbourhood centre.
Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / brisbane.qld.gov.au
During the three-week consultation, the Council received more than 110 survey responses and more than 30 people have engaged at the onsite information kiosk last 8 December 2018. The scope of the project stretches from Hamilton Road, Millcan, and Stadcor Street intersection on the right to just past the Hamilton Road and Albar Street corner on the left.
A number of possible improvements include: new footpath surface; shrub and tree planting; improved accessibility to shops through works such as kerb ramp and pavement changes; placemaking elements to enhance centre character and identity and to create a focal point for the community.
By late March 2019, improvement proposal will be on display in the Wavell Heights shopping centre and other key locations and construction is expected to begin in April 2019. Upon completion, which should be around mid-2019, locals and businesses will be invited to an activation event to celebrate and promote the revitalised neighbourhood centre.
Brisbane City Council commences with the upgrade works on Murphy Road and Ellison Road intersection in Geebung, this December 2018. The project aims to improve traffic efficiency, ease congestion, and improve safety for all road users.
As part of the Council’s $1.3 billion commitment on more than 90 road improvement projects, the upgrade started mid-December which involves the installation of a signalised intersection and some associated widening adjacent to the Murphy Road and Ellison Road intersection.
Murphy Road and Ellison Road intersection upgrade plan
Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / brisbane.qld.gov.au
Also included in the Murphy Road and Ellison Road intersection upgrade:
provision of a three-lane southbound approach on Murphy Road
widening Ellison Road to four lanes between Danette Street and Gambia Street
upgrading the Kittyhawk Drive and Murphy Road intersection to include additional through lanes in each direction a right-turn pocket into Kittyhawk Drive and a U-turn facility for southbound traffic
signalising the Butt Street and Murphy Road intersection to include a pedestrian crossing, a right-turn pocket into Butt Street, and a new mini-roundabout at the intersection of Butt Street and Fernlea Street to enhance traffic movements for residents
providing additional off-road car parking adjacent to Marchant Park and 7th Brigade Park
incorporating on-road cycle lanes in both directions on Murphy Road and Ellison Road
converting Marathon Street and Blackwood Road to left-in, left-out access only to improve safety
constructing a new access road to Navarre Street
providing indented bus stops adjacent to the Murphy Road and Ellison Road intersection
landscaping and line marking.
Murphy Road and Ellison Road intersection upgrade – fly-through
Video Credit: Brisbane City Council / YouTube
Construction works will take place between 7 A.M. and 5 P.M., Monday to Saturday; critical components of the project will be undertaken at night between 7 P.M. and 5 A.M., Sunday to Thursday. For the duration of the project, the speed limit in the area will be reduced to 40 km/hr.
Once completed, by early 2020, the project should deliver the following benefits: enhanced safety for all road users by signalised Murphy Road and Ellison Road intersection, reduced travel time, controlled signalised pedestrian crossing facilities along Murphy Road, indented bus bays, and improved connectivity and safety for pedestrian access to public and active transport options and local parklands areas.
There will also be provision of on-street cycle lanes on both sides of Murphy Road and Ellison Road, as well as off-street parking to offset the loss of informal parking along the Murphy Road verge.
December is arguably one of the months when consumers buy lots of stuff, but kids nowadays are getting better at buying smart. For instance, three exceptional Wavell State High School students were amongst the winners of the Office of Fair Trading’s (OFT) Buy Smart Competition for school-age students.
The Buy Smart Competition challenges students to get creative and share what they know about shopping and money issues. The competition helps young consumers show what they know about refund rights, scams, online shopping, product labelling, and more.
Kyle Montgomery was Highly Commended for his creative work. Photo credit: Office of Fair Trading
According to Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath, the array of high-quality entries received for this year’s competition showcased the students’ excellent consumer knowledge as well as their artistic and technical skills.
“The Buy Smart Competition challenges students in Years 4 to 12 to choose a consumer issue, research it, then present it as an interesting creative project that can educate their chosen audience,” she said.
Hannah Viney and Lani Raghavan won second place for their informative entry. Photo credit: Office of Fair Trading
“Young people are being brought up in a digital age and are exposed to social media, online advertising and app store purchases earlier than ever before, so I’m pleased to know many of our young consumers are learning to identify consumer-related risks.”
More than 6,000 students participated in Buy Smart school presentations this year and the Office of Fair Trading received entries from more than 750 students.
Photo credit: Wavell State High School/Facebook
For Wavell State High School, Kyle Montgomery got the Highly Commended award for the Years 10–12 category.
Photo credit: Wavell State High School/Facebook
Other smart young consumers from the state high include Hannah Viney and Lani Raghavan who won second place for the Years 7–9 category.
Following is the full list of winners for Buy Smart Competition 2018:
Category Years 4–6
First: Mckenzie Kirkham – St Paul’s Lutheran Primary School (Caboolture)
Second: Matthew Mynett and Soren Zschech – Kurwongbah State School (Petrie)
Third: Skye Hetaraka and McKenzie Sanker – Boondall State School (Boondall)
Highly Commended:
Ella Macuga and Lucy Stone – Nundah State School (Nundah)
Amelia Gray and Emma Heijboer – Kurwongbah State School (Petrie)
Nicholas Bray Alex Wong, Jonathon Culley, and Mitchell Burchard – Faith Lutheran College (Victoria Point)
Category Years 7–9
First: Emily Baxter and Sarah Fenner – Loreto College (Coorparoo)
Second: Hannah Viney and Lani Raghavan – Wavell State High School (Wavell Heights)
Third: Zion Cordero, Sebastian Hurcum and Mack Geiger – Trinity College (Gladstone)
Highly Commended:
Madelize Breet and Alison Wu – Sheldon College (Sheldon)
Lily Ji and Tiana Tong – St Aidan’s Anglican Girls School (Corinda)
Caitlin Turner – Clayfield College (Clayfield)
Amelia Wakefield – Redlands College (Wellington Point)
Drishti – Toolooa State High School (Gladstone Central)
Angela Greer – James Nash State High School (Gympie)
Category Years 10–12
First: Paris Teevan, Taya Kesby and Eloise O’Donnell – St Aidan’s Anglican Girls School (Corinda)
Second: Elisa Tamai, Gabrielle Christou, and Rose Ringelstein – St Aidan’s Anglican Girls School (Corinda)
Third: Khushi Kadia and Jasmine Kaur – Aspley State High School (Aspley)
Highly Commended: Kyle Montgomery – Wavell State High School (Wavell Heights)
Geebung is among the most liveable and most affordable suburbs in Brisbane; this, along with quite a few other surprises, are what has been revealed in the latest property report released for Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Hobart.
The liveability factors include low crime rate; proximity (within a 5-km radius) to amenities such as schools, green space, public transport, shopping centres, and health care facilities; and an unemployment rate on par or lower in comparison to the State’s average.
Three suburbs, within a 20-km radius of the CBD, stood out as the most liveable and affordable hotspots in Brisbane for homes: Aspley, Everton Park, and Geebung — all north of Brisbane. This was in contrast to previous reports, where hotspots were distributed in all regions of Brisbane.
Affordable and Liveable Hotspots Suburbs in Brisbane for Houses
Suburb
Median Price1
Rental Yield
Future Projects2
Aspley
$600,000
3.9 %
2.0 million
Everton Park
$605,000
3.8 %
6.9 million
Geebung
$545,000
3.9 %
7.6 million
Source: PRDNationwide / prd.com.au
1Median price captures sales transactions from 1 January 2018 to 30 September 2018
2Project Development (Future Projects) is based on an aggregate of estimated construction value for residential, commercial, industrial, mixed-use, and infrastructure projects scheduled to commence in the 2nd half of 2018.
National Overview – Affordable and Liveable Guides – Second Half 2018
Geebung, approximately within the 15.1-km radius from the CBD, is where first-time buyers can take advantage of affordability and proximity to amenities such as schools, parklands, medical centres, and shops, as well as access to public transport.
A median price growth of 0.9 percent, rental yield of 3.9 percent (above the Brisbane Metro average of 3.8 percent), and $7.6 million worth of future developments make Geebung a desirable suburb for property investment.
Among the most liveable cities, Brisbane and Sydney are tied at the top spot with an average liveability cost of 3 percent. Melbourne and Hobart follow with 10 percent and 12 percent respectively.
Affordability wise, Brisbane houses, with a price tag of $500,000 or less, have become more accessible, increasing from 10.6 percent in the 2nd half 2017 to 12.4 percent in the 2nd half of 2018. For the same period, premium houses ($2 million and above) have dropped from 1.1 percent to 0.0 percent.
Affordability vs. Liveability
Capital City
1st Half of 2018
Premium
2nd Half of 2018
Premium
Liveability Cost
House
Units
House
Units
House
Units
Average
Brisbane
60 %
30%
75%
20%
15%
-10%
3%
Melbourne
60 %
40%
95%
25%
35%
-15%
10%
Hobart
72%
40%
100%
35%
28%
-5%
12%
Sydney
135%
80%
160%
60%
25%
-20%
3%
Source: PRDNationwide / prd.com.au
Accessible Suburbs by Price Range
Price Range
2nd Half 2017 report
1st Half 2018 report
2nd Half 2018 report
BNE
SYD
MELB
BNE
SYD
MELB
BNE
SYD
MELB
$0 – $500K
10.6%
0.0%
11.2%
10.6%
0.0%
1.9%
12.4%
1.4%
1.4%
$500K-$800K
52.9%
1.4%
37.5%
52.9%
0.9%
21.4%
51.4%
3.7%
21.7%
$800K-1M
18.0%
7.4%
16.2%
21.2%
6.9%
14.6%
20.5%
9.3%
18.9%
$1M – $2M
13.8%
51.6%
27.2%
11.1%
52.6%
52.4%
12.4%
56.3%
50.5%
$2M+
1.1%
33.6%
4.2%
1.1%
35.8%
9.7%
0.0%
25.6%
5.2%
Hobart – Price Range
2nd Half 2017 report
1st Half 2018 report
2nd Half 2018 report
$0 – $350K
28.6%
26.1%
8.2%
$350K- $500K
28.6%
26.1%
24.5%
$500K – $650K
28.6%
21.7%
32.7%
$650K – $800K
10.7%
19.6%
24.5%
$800K+
3.6%
6.5%
10.2%
Source: PRDNationwide / prd.com.au
Other surprises in the Affordable & Liveable Property Guide 2nd Half 2018 report include:
All the affordable and liveable suburbs in Sydney had negative annual median price growth, a first since 2015; a sign that the Sydney property market is already cooling down.
All affordable suburbs in Hobart failed to meet the liveability criteria; an indicator that there is already a strong need to address the liveability aspects in these affordable spots.
Melbourne, among all capital cities, has turned out to be the most resilient in terms of price growth and ease of satisfying the affordable areas’ liveability aspects.
Judging by the over five million containers returned and recycled in participating depots across Queensland such as the Geebung Recycling Centre, the first week of the Containers Refund Scheme has been an overwhelming success.
Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Leeanne Enoch shared this sentiment eight days into the November launch. The five million containers returned, including the 780,000 in Wide bay and 770,000 in Townsville, meant that half a million dollars of cash has either been given back to participating Queenslanders or benefitted charities and community groups.
“It is wonderful to see so many Queenslanders getting on board with Containers for Change,” Ms Enoch said.
Queensland Container Refund Scheme Video Credit: Mueller Aviation/YouTube
The Containers Refund Scheme or “Containers for Change” aims to encourage recycling and reduce waste by providing a way for customers to return eligible containers in exchange for a ten cent refund. The scheme has also created about 500 new job opportunities at the container refund points located across the state.
The more than five million containers being recycled greatly impressed Container Exchange (CoEx) CEO Ken Noye. Container Exchange (CoEx) is responsible for implementing and managing the Container Refund Scheme.
“That’s a massive result which is bound to have a positive impact on our environment…We also now have 27,000 people signed up with a scheme ID, allowing them to be paid their refund straight into their bank account,” he said. Charities and community groups who are interested in being part of the scheme are encouraged to sign-up as well.
“People are able to support local community groups by donating their containers and we encourage social purpose organisations to sign up for the scheme.
“We’d love to see communities get behind Containers for Change to raise funds for schools, sporting clubs and other not-for-profits,” Mr Noye said.
TOMRA – The Cleanest Loop
Video credit: TOMRA/tomra.com
TOMRA operates the 10 recycling centres in South East Queensland: Brisbane Metro (West End, Salisbury, Seventeen Mile Rocks, Tingalpa, Geebung and Crestmead), Ipswich, Toowoomba, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Eligible containers can be returned using the centre’s reverse vending machines or a ‘drop and go’ bag drop service. Large numbers of containers from businesses or community groups may be returned to process through TOMRA’s high-volume bulk sorting and counting equipment.
Park ‘n’ ride spaces at Geebung train station will soon see a much needed expansion, thanks to a commitment by the State Government to add over 2,300 park and ride spaces across Southeast Queensland.
The Geebung park and ride facility will get funds amounting to $3.1 million to increase the number of parking slots from 36 to 106. Detailed planning started in mid-2018, and currently, the expansion project is in the consultation stage.
The park and ride expansion is part of the $114-million election promise of the Palaszczuk government.
“This investment will make it even easier for customers to access public transport which will in turn reduce road congestion,” Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said.
“The commitment will add about 2,300 new car parks to the more than 30,000 spaces already available for commuters across South East Queensland.
“Park ‘n’ ride facilities are an important element of the transport network and, when delivered in the right locations, allow customers to connect with high frequency public transport where walking, cycling and connecting public transport options are limited.”
Other train stations that will get a piece of the funding include Virginia train station, which will see an increase from 20 to 70 spaces. The Eight Mile Plains bus station will see park and ride spaces increasing from 858 to 1.058.
The biggest expansion will happen at Springfield Central train station, which will increase park ‘n’ ride spaces from 492 to 1,142.
Queensland’s peak motoring body approved of the expansion plans as this would relieve choking of local streets.
For more information on public transport, go to the Translink website at translink.com.au.
Wavell State High School is listed in the Queensland Heritage Register as a significant structure that shows the evolution of state education in Queensland.
The heritage-listed institution is important for its contribution to the educational development of Wavell Heights and is a prominent community focal point. The school also helps in describing the need for secondary education in booming suburbs across Queensland in the 1950s. Such is a time of pronounced population growth.
History of Wavell Heights
Waiting at the Railway Station, Nundah, ca. 1910 Photo credit: John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland Negative number: 99234
Wavell Heights was initially known as West Nundah and mainly consisted of dairy farming and pineapple growing.
With its ideal location near the Nundah Railway Station, a portion of the farmland was subdivided into small lots in the 1920s for residential development and more houses were built in the area during the interwar period.
In the early 1940s locals recognised the need for the suburb to be officially defined and to have the name changed. Suggested names for the suburb included Beverley Heights, Avon Hill, Inala, and Wavell Heights.
Locals voted for their preferred name for the locality and Wavell Heights was the most popular choice. The name Wavell Heights was officially adopted in 1941.
Wavell Heights was named after British Field Marshal Archibald Percival Wavell. He was the Commander-in-Chief of British and Dominion Forces in the Middle East. Many Australians have served under his command during World War II, especially in North Africa, Greece, Crete and Syria.
Archibald Percival Wavell was born in Colchester, England in 1883. He had served in a number of battles in the early years of the twentieth century. It was, however, in June 1915 when he won a Military Cross during their fight against the German Army at Ypres in Flanders. The recognition was perhaps bittersweet since it was in that fight that he had the misfortune to lose an eye.
Wavell was a well-known officer within the army and outside it between the two World Wars. He was known for being an exceptional trainer of soldiers and a great commander.
Wavell’s Excellent Leadership
Portrait of the Viceroy of India, Field Marshal Sir Archibald Wavell at his desk. Photo credit: Imperial War Museums TR 842/Wikimedia Commons
Wavell became Commander-in-Chief in India in July 1941 and by 1943 he was promoted to Field Marshall, appointed Viceroy of India and earned the title Viscount Wavell. As its Viceroy, Wavell worked hard towards granting independence to India as well as improving the welfare of its people.
Upon his retirement from public office in 1947, Wavell became an Earl, with the additional title of Viscount Keren. After serving the army, he was committed in literature and became president of several societies including the Royal Society of Literature. He had published several works about military subjects as well as poetry.
One of the distinguishing characteristics of Wavell is, despite his misfortunes during the Second World War, he never complained of his circumstances. Instead, he retained the confidence of his troops and his reputation remained high.
Post-WWII Wavell Heights
Queensland Housing Commission streetscape, Webster Road, Stafford, September 1949.Photo credit: CC-BY/Queensland State Archives/Flickr
With the rapid population growth in Wavell Heights after WWII, there has been a need for delivering services and infrastructure, including schools. The housing project for Wavell Heights included features such as the development of a shopping centre, parks, sports ground, state school, and child welfare centre.
Photo credit: Wavell Heights State School/Facebook
The first school to open in the area was the Wavell Heights State School which opened by 1950. This was followed by the opening of a Catholic primary school.
Governments were slow to establish state secondary education in Queensland before because it was considered non-essential in an industry-based economy.
After WWII, however, secondary education was generally accepted as essential and was more supported by the government.
Establishment of Wavell State High School
In September 1958, the Director-General of Education announced the construction of six new high schools for Queensland which includes Wavell State High School.
The Department of Public Works was responsible for producing the master plan for Wavell State High School. The plan involved the development of a central core of buildings and playing field.
Photo credit: wavellshs.eq.edu.au
Furthermore, the plan consisted of a central administration building with four classroom buildings radiating out from it. The buildings had north facing verandahs and south facing classrooms. These are also connected to the administration building via covered links.
Construction work began on the first building on site which was the Manual Training Building (Block B) in November 1958. Although the school is set to receive its first student in 1959, Block B was not complete by then.
Because of this, a timber school building was moved from Oakleigh State School to Wavell State High School. The temporary building consisted of three classrooms and an office.
Wavell State High School opened under the leadership of its founding Principal, Mr C.E. Anstey. Photo credit: environment.ehp.qld.gov.au
Wavell State High School officially opened on 27 January 1959. Initially, there were 122 students and five teachers. Due to the lack of facilities at this time, science classes were held in the principal’s home garage located beside the school in Childers Street.
By May 1959 classes were already held in the completed Manual Training Block. Other buildings in the school were subsequently built thereafter.
Wavell State High School Expansion
Block F WSHS Photo credit: environment.ehp.qld.gov.au
Following the completion of its buildings, the new school was officially opened on the 14 May 1960. The opening ceremony was well attended by the school community and dignitaries, including the Minister for Education, Jack Pizzey.
Moreover, several building work was done in 1960 and 1961, with the construction of two general classroom buildings (Block H and Block J).
The demand for more classrooms increased in the 1960s as enrolment numbers grew. With this, construction for more buildings was done and a new Science wing (Block E) and another General Classroom wing (Block F) were completed by 1966. Works on the school’s playing field were also completed by the late 1960s.
Photo credit: Wavell Heights State School/Facebook
Furthermore, a 25-metre swimming pool, located between the school buildings and the playing field was also added to the school in 1969. Other sporting facilities have been added to the site over time, including basketball courts.
Other buildings have been constructed on the school site, including the library building, the music block, and the assembly hall. The former Oakleigh State School timber building was then removed from the school in 1966.
The state high school has and continues to play a major role in Wavell Heights and the local community. Apart from teaching generations of students since its opening, the school has also hosted many social events ever since. The school continues to serve as a centre for social, sporting and community events.
The Wavell Heights High School Enviroclub has received recognition at the recent 2018 Cleaner Suburbs Awards, taking home the Clean Schools Award for Secondary Schools.
Held on 17 October 2018 at Brisbane City Hall, the Cleaner Suburbs Awards brought together finalists consisting of schools, community groups and individuals engaged in environmental efforts.
“The Cleaner Suburb Awards champion the achievements of residents and groups who are working together for a clean and green city and today we have recognised 14 individuals, groups and businesses for their dedication to sustainability,” Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said.
“This year there were 29 finalists across 10 categories for the awards with winners of each category sharing in a prize pool of $4000.”
The Wavell SHS Enviroclub is made up of students and teachers who meet monthly to plan and conduct sustainability projects.
This year, the environmental club made a number of impressive actions. Their most notable activities this year included Clean Up Australia Day activities. The club also participated in the Council’s Student Environmental Leadership Network.
Also this year, the group upcycled 200 bottles and turned them into a play structure for the local kindergarten.
The Enviroclub bested Hillbrook Anglican School and Queensland Academies Creative Industries Campus in the Secondary School category.
