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August 2022: Big ideas for the inner city | Restoring a Brisbane icon | New Bonsai House | 50 things to see and do
Brisbane wins green city title: Lord Mayor A huge focus on delivering our clean and green agenda has seen Brisbane recently recognised nationally as Australia’s greenest city. I’m proud of this achievement, but not surprised, given our significant investment in Brisbane’s network of more than 2100 parks, bushland reserves and our tree-lined suburban streets. Residents also play a huge part ensuring Brisbane remains Australia’s cleanest and greenest city. For example, more than one million of our free waste vouchers were used in the past 12 months. All residents should have received their latest waste vouchers recently in the mail. If you’re planning a home clean-up over the next few weeks, a good tip to remember is that last year’s vouchers can still be used up until Wednesday 31 August.
It’s Ekka time
In September, there will be free drop-off days for green waste and household hazardous waste for residents embarking on a garden spring clean or getting rid of waste that can’t go in bins like chemicals.
Roll up for the 143rd Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) at the Brisbane Showgrounds in Bowen Hills from 6-14 August.
And, finally, you can now also get a bigger yellow-top recycling bin and we’ve waived the establishment fee for all new green bins. Thanks for your efforts in helping to ensure Brisbane is Australia’s cleanest and greenest city.
A true celebration of the country coming to the city, the Ekka will be brimming with more than 300 free activities to choose from each day. Cuddle cute farm animals, watch fashion parades and concerts, and sample food and wine. Families can also enjoy free kids’ entertainment, including a new Bluey and Bingo show, and the daily EkkaNITES extravaganza featuring fireworks.
Adrian Schrinner, LORD MAYOR
To plan your Ekka day, visit ekka.com.au
Share your big ideas for Brisbane’s future Council is planning for the future – and we’re thinking big! We’re asking the Brisbane community for ideas that bring our city alive as we plan for the future of the inner city. What do you want the inner city to look like next year, in time for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond? We’ve asked design studios, universities and industry bodies to submit their big ideas (some pictured below). Now we want to hear from you.
Creating clean and green parks
Scan the QR code and let us know which big ideas you love, or tell us an idea of your own. Feedback is open until Sunday 25 September.
Council’s recent rejuvenation of Hanlon Park in Stones Corner not only created more to see and do, it returned Norman Creek to a naturalised waterway through the greenspace. A boon to local wildlife, the improved water quality has encouraged fish movement and passageway, driving an increase in native fish species and birdlife, including wading birds and ducks. As part of the rejuvenation project, we’ve planted 462 trees and 43,000 shrubs and ground covers, creating shade for visitors while stabilising the banks of the waterway to build its flood resilience.
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Keen nature lovers have the perfect vantage point, with repurposed concrete pathway pieces creating raised lookouts while also stabilising the creek bed.
WHAT ELSE IS NEW AT HANLON PARK 9 Nature-themed playground 9 Underpass at Logan Road linking to the Norman Creek Bikeway 9 Toilet blocks
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1. Green the Queen, Simon White, Aria Property Group/Urbis 2. Remove the Riverside Expressway, Ben Gardiner 3. Urban Forests, Howard Tran, Aria Property Group 4. Gabba Plaza, CUSP 5. Logan Road Ribbon Park, Blight Rayner 6. Seasonal River Pool, Urbis
FOR MORE INFORMATION GET IN TOUCH WITH COUNCIL | BRISBANE.QLD.GOV.AU | 3403 8888
Sky’s the limit for rooftop gardens Changes to Brisbane City Plan 2014 (City Plan) have made it easier for developers to include rooftop gardens in their new building designs. Under the changes, rooftop gardens are excluded from the calculation of the maximum number of storeys in medium-to-high-density locations where the rooftop garden meets certain standards. Making Brisbane’s skyline greener, rooftop gardens must include at least 15% planting and landscaping, and be for communal use. Community consultation showed there was strong support for the City Plan amendment as we move towards creating a greener, more sustainable city. Visit our website and search ‘City Plan’ for more information.
Bringing back the Story Bridge’s shine Much-needed restoration work is underway on the Story Bridge to protect the structure of Brisbane’s beloved icon. The heritage-listed bridge opened more than 80 years ago and carries around 100,000 vehicles per day across the Brisbane River. While the bridge has received continuous maintenance over the years, this is the first restoration of the full structure. The works involve sandblasting rust and multiple layers of old paint to prepare the steel beams for a fresh coat that matches the existing grey colour and provides better protection.
Moving towards a new era of connected transport
The restoration will help to ensure the longevity of the structure and decreases the risk of contaminants in the new layers of paint – all 36,000 litres!
Did you know two-thirds of public transport passengers in Brisbane are bus users? As part of the Brisbane Metro project, Council is evolving our bus network to better meet the travel needs of our growing and changing city. Brisbane Metro will make use of our existing world-class busway infrastructure, fix inner-city bottlenecks and deliver turn-up-and-go, high-capacity services from the suburbs to the city and key destinations. With easy links to existing suburban services and the future Cross River Rail, metros will set a new standard in how we experience bus travel across the city. Council has been working on a bus network that will keep Brisbane moving as its population grows. More information on the proposed network will be available from late 2022 and residents, commuters and visitors will be encouraged to have their say. Visit our website to find out more or to sign up to receive regular updates about the Brisbane Metro project. FOR MORE INFORMATION GET IN TOUCH WITH COUNCIL | BRISBANE.QLD.GOV.AU | 3403 8888
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Local news
Enhancing road safety around schools Reduce congestion at the school gate and promote active and healthy living in your community by signing up to Council’s Active School Travel (AST) program. Since its inception, more than 127,000 students from 168 schools across Brisbane have participated in AST, which encourages students and their families to leave their cars at home and actively travel to school. Students in the three-year program receive bike and scooter skills sessions with professional coaches, as well as road safety and bus orientation sessions. In 2021, 83% of parents felt their child’s road safety knowledge improved since being in the AST program. Applications for the 2023 program close on Friday 16 September. Visit our website and search ‘Active School Travel’ for more information.
STORYTIME OUTSIDE Share the magic of reading with your child at Council’s First 5 Forever storytime sessions. Hosted by the Pop-up Library at Wynnum Wading Pool Park, the free sessions include stories and songs ideal for children aged up to five years old. Visit our website for details.
WHAT’S NEW ON MARTHA STREET Camp Hill’s Martha Street Village Precinct Project is now complete, following a $1 million transformation. Footpath and pedestrian crossing upgrades, and a new parking layout have improved access and safety. Visitors to the local shopping hub can also enjoy new street furniture, greenery and sculptures by Simone Eisler.
TWINKLE, TWINKLE, MOWBRAY PARK Mowbray Park’s iconic fig trees are glowing as part of Council’s Creative Lighting program. The bud lighting sparkles from dusk daily, making the park safer and creating more opportunities to enjoy the river views after dark. Share your photos with #viewsofbrisbane!
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Kindies sign on for creek adventures Brisbane kindergartens can step up to look after their local habitat with Council’s Creek Neighbours program. The free educational program teaches kids about creek and waterway health through excursions, nature craft and lessons on responsible environmental actions like picking up rubbish. Rhonda Murphy, from Cannon Hill Kindergarten, said the program is a hit: “It has been an amazing and engaging program for the children.” The Creek Neighbours online program offers four sessions that link to the Early Years Learning Framework. Kindies can register to access written instructions, materials, videos, links and documents to help teach the online program. Visit our website and search ‘creek neighbours’ to register. FOR MORE INFORMATION GET IN TOUCH WITH COUNCIL | BRISBANE.QLD.GOV.AU | 3403 8888
i a s n Bo H ouse s n e p o
Clear out your hazardous waste Unsure how to safely dispose of unwanted paint, gas bottles or other household hazardous waste? Pack it up and head to Council’s resource recovery centre in Chandler on Saturday 3 September for free drop-off. An industrial chemist will also be on hand from 7.30am-3.30pm to evaluate and safely receive chemicals you may be unsure about.
Council’s new Bonsai House at Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha will open this month, giving you more to see and do in a clean and green Brisbane. Home to one of the largest publicly owned bonsai collections in Australia, the world-class pavilion features a viewing platform overlooking the Japanese Garden and workshop area for training and education.
Acceptable items include paint and engine oil (up to 100 litres per resident in max 20 litre containers), batteries, empty gas bottles (max. of six bottles) and electronic waste.
While you’re at the botanic gardens, explore the fragrant garden, bamboo grove, waterfalls, Tropical Display Dome and the largest collection of Australian native rainforest trees in the world. Kids will love the Hide ‘n ’ Seek Children’s Trail and the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium.
More than 100 tonnes of household hazardous waste has been collected at Council’s resource recovery centres over the past five years, diverting it from landfill.
Visit our website to find out what’s on at Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha.
Vote for the best picture Chandler Resource Recovery Centre is located at 728 Tilley Road (opposite the Sleeman Sports Complex) and is open daily from 6.30am-5.45pm. Waste vouchers or fees apply to dispose of general or green waste.
Jump online to vote for the photo you think best captures the spirit of Brisbane in the Lord Mayor’s Photographic Awards. From sunrises over Mt Coot-tha and Kangaroo Point Cliffs to street performers in Queen Street Mall and scenes from suburbia, this year’s entries reveal the unique spaces, places and hidden gems that make our city great. Visit our website to vote before 4pm on Friday 19 August.
2022 LORD MAYOR’S MULTICULTURAL BUSINESS DINNER AND AWARDS 6.30pm, Friday 9 September Brisbane City Hall To book, visit brisbane.qld.gov.au
FOR MORE INFORMATION GET IN TOUCH WITH COUNCIL | BRISBANE.QLD.GOV.AU | 3403 8888
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CITY WIDE VARIOUS $
NORMAN SWAN: IN CONVERSATION, 10 AUGUST Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm ABC Radio host Katherine Feeney talks to doctor and broadcaster, Dr Norman Swan, about his latest book, So You Want to Live Younger Longer? brisbanepowerhouse.org or call 3358 8600.
VARIOUS $
FOURTEEN, 27 AUGUST-17 SEPTEMBER Cremorne Theatre, QPAC, South Brisbane See the stage adaptation of Shannon Molloy’s uplifting and heartwrenching memoir about growing up gay at an all-boys, rugby-mad Catholic school in regional Queensland. qpac.com.au or call 136 246.
VARIOUS $
SUNDAY MAIL TRANSURBAN BRIDGE TO BRISBANE, 28 AUGUST Gateway Bridge to Brisbane Showgrounds Lace-up for the 4.5 km family-friendly course or the more challenging 10 km route. Entries close on Friday 26 August. bridgetobrisbane.com.au
$5
FINDERS KEEPERS BRISBANE / MEANJIN SPRING SUMMER MARKET, 2-4 SEPTEMBER Exhibition Building, Brisbane Showgrounds, Spring Hill Don’t miss an inspiring three-day shopping event featuring a curated lineup of independent art, design and food stalls. thefinderskeepers.com
FREE
RIVERFIRE BY AUSTRALIAN RETIREMENT TRUST, 3 SEPTEMBER Brisbane River and surrounds, Brisbane City Brisbane Festival blasts the sky open with a shimmering and electrifying pyrotechnics display from bridges, barges and rooftops across the city. brisbanefestival.com.au
VARIOUS $
BIGSOUND, 6-9 SEPTEMBER Various venues, Fortitude Valley See 150 artists across 21 venues and hear from industry luminaries at the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest celebration of new music. bigsound.org.au
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CUT OUT WHAT'S on and stick it on YOUR fridge!
Please check event details and confirm with organisers that events are still going ahead before you make plans.
Check out the Brisbane app for more event listings!
REGIONAL EVENTS FREE
FREE
UNDER 5 YRS
GOLD
KIDS MUSIC BEAT GROUPS
FLEXIBILITY AND CORE CONDITIONING
Mondays, 9-9.30am, Wynnum Wading Pool Park Move and make music together outdoors. brisbane.qld.gov.au
9 August, 9.30-10.30am, Bulimba Riverside Park Try static stretches and abdominal exercises. To book, visit eventbrite.com.au
FREE
FREE
GENTLE WALK WITH FRIENDS OF WHITES HILLS RESERVE 14 August, 8-10am, Whites Hill Reserve, Camp Hill Spot local wildlife. To book, visit facebook.com
FREE 25 August, 9.30am12.30pm, Cox Park, Lota Learn to create new plants from seeds and existing plants. To book, email bethaniabookings@gmail.com
TAI CHI
MACKENZIE BUSHCARE GROUP WORKING BEE 12 August, 8.30-10.30am, Mt Petrie Road Park, Mackenzie Help restore local fauna and flora. To book, email gregwellard@outlook.com
FREE
$5 GOLD
FIRST FRIDAY BOOK CLUB 2 September, 10.30am12 noon, Mt Gravatt Library Meet new people and discover reading suggestions. brisbane.qld.gov.au
CANOE/KAYAK EXPLORE
Saturdays, 7am, Lota Camping Reserve Lace-up for a fun and relaxed 5 km walk, jog or run – it’s up to you! To register, visit parkrun.com.au
13 August, 9am-12 noon, Heath Park, East Brisbane Explore your local waterway. Suitable for seniors and beginners. To book, visit qld.paddle.org.au
CUT OUT WHAT'S on and stick it on YOUR fridge!
3 September, 9am-12 noon, Murarrie Recreation Ground, Murarrie BYO bike for a mostly flat 20 km ride along the bike paths. To book, visit eventbrite.com.au
OVER 12 YRS
PARKRUN
FREE
BULIMBA CREEK BIKEWAY EXPLORER
FREE
Fridays, 9.30-10.30am, Hawthorne Park, Hawthorne Try gentle movements focusing on deep breathing and posture. brisbane.qld.gov.au
FREE
PROPAGATION
GOLD
#VIEWSOFBRISBANE Thanks to everyone who shared their amazing Views of Brisbane! Simply share your photos on Instagram using #viewsofbrisbane or join our Views of Brisbane Facebook group for your chance to be featured. @omega.pixels
Brisbane Festival will ignite the river, the sky, theatres and green spaces from 2-24 September. Not sure what to choose from the program? The festival’s artistic director, Louise Bezzina, shares her top picks. OPENING WEEKEND – Jumoo, a traditional smoking ceremony, at the BOQ Festival Garden in South Bank Parklands on Friday 2 September. On Saturday 4 September, Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust lights up the city. BRISBANE’S ART BOAT – Featuring a stunning installation by Lindy Lee (pictured), cruises depart from Northshore and South Bank, Wednesdays to Sundays. Don’t miss special midnight and dawn cruises.
@nature.love2k
BRISBANE SERENADES – Seven mini festivals, seven suburbs, seven unique programs, from roller skating to opera. Every Saturday (excluding 3 September) and Sunday. SUNSHINE SUPER GIRL – The story of Yvonne Goolagong-Cawley is a must-see. At Playhouse, QPAC, 22-24 September. QUEEN’S WHARF DISCO WONDERLAND – Head to Riverstage on Saturday 23 September for a night of serious disco-ing.
Visit brisbanefestival.com.au for more information.
@sixthsenseimages
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WIN TICKETS TO QUEEN’S WHARF DISCO WONDERLAND! We’re giving away tickets for you and three friends to boogie the night away at Riverstage on Saturday 23 September. To enter, visit our website and search ‘Living in Brisbane competition’. Entries close at 5pm on Friday 12 August.
@mytotoyaya
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