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Amanda's Latest Message
NEWS COLUMN 14/5/2012

I would like to express my sincere thanks for the overwhelming support of the Bracken Ridge Ward residents in re-electing me as your local Council representative. Particular thanks go to all the volunteers who helped at the various polling booths. The various P&C associations and churches who provided sausage sizzles are to be commended, especially considering the extremely rainy weather for most of the day.

I recently attended The Siege of Tobruk Remembrance Service at the Kedron-Wavel RSL and on ANZAC Day I joined local residents in attending ceremonies at Aspley Hornets Football Club, the Pinnaroo Lawn Cemetery and O'Callaghan Park in Zillmere. I also joined in the march from John Stewart Park to the Bald Hills Memorial Hall. It was heartening to see increased numbers of people commemorating ANZAC Day and giving thanks for those who sacrificed their lives for our country.

Council has recently undertaken work in the lakes at two Bald Hills parks. They are Harold Kielly Park and Canterbury Park. Council has also planted some small native shrubs and trees there to assist wildlife habitat.

Last week I participated in SANDBAG’s tree planting ceremony at the Keith Murray Bikeway, Bracken Ridge for domestic & family violence prevention month. This was to support saying no to violence and to remember the victims of domestic and family violence.

Getting active and healthy in our local area can also be a chance to make new friendships. The Bracken Ridge Ward has a number of walking groups for all age groups and range from 60 minutes slow to medium paced health and fitness walks on moderately flat surface. Under 18’s will need to be accompanied by an adult. Bring a hat and water, wear suitable walking shoes and comfortable clothing. Please contact the Heart Foundation on 3872 2500 for more information.
Canterbury Canterers - Fridays at 5:30am, meet at top of the path at the Rushworth St entry of Canterbury Park, Bald Hills.
Ridgy Didgies - Mondays and Wednesdays at 5:30am, meet at post office at Bracken Ridge Plaza, (corner of Norris and Telegraph Roads, Bracken Ridge)
Carseldine Walkers - Saturdays, 7am from April to October (6:30am from November to May) meet at Carseldine railway station, Beams Rd. Contact Walk Organiser Sabina on 3863 4250 for more information or to advise of the day you will be attending.

Council has recently undertaken work in the lakes at two Bald Hills parks. They are Harold Kielly Park and Canterbury Park. Council has also planted some small native shrubs and trees there to assist wildlife habitat.

Council's Good Neighbour Clean-Up scheme provides a rubbish collection service for the disadvantaged. The service is for elderly residents or those with a disability who have no means to transport rubbish outside the normal wheelie bin service. It links them with a volunteer from their local community who can help to clean up their house and yard, and take a load of rubbish to the transfer station.
Acceptable items include the following:
- waste (excluding green waste) that cannot be placed in your normal wheelie rubbish bin
- materials that will fit in a box trailer
- materials that can be safely lifted by a volunteer, ie. up to 20kg only
Anyone interested in registering for the service or who would like to be a volunteer, can call my office on 3667 6000.

A reminder to people over the age of 65, and parents of young children to ensure their vaccinations are up-to-date. This is especially important as the cold and flu season is almost upon us. Brisbane City Council has a free full-time immunisation program. To take advantage of this and to find your nearest immunisation clinic, please call Council’s Contact Centre on 3403 8888.

Exercise doesn’t have to be vigorous to achieve health benefits. The Heart Foundation has developed a low-to-moderate intensity exercise program called Heartmoves, designed for people who are living with health conditions. Classes have started at the Bracken Ridge Community hall at 9am on Mondays and are followed by a cup of tea or coffee. For the first class, please arrive 15 minutes early. Please contact Janette on 0411 152693 for more information or visit www.heartmoves.heartfoundation.org.au or call 1300 362787.

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Get involved in Council’s “Eyes in the Suburbs” promotion which is continuing for this financial year.
Residents who report certain maintenance issues to Council property will go in the draw to win one of ten $100 monthly cash prizes. Brisbane residents are automatically eligible for a prize when they lodge a valid request with Council for issues such as potholes, graffiti, cracked footpaths, etc. Entrants must lodge a request with Brisbane City Council for maintenance or repair to Council property - for example, potholes on Council roads, grass cutting on Council land, graffiti on Council property either by phoning 3403 8888, submitting a request online at www.brisbane.qld.gov.au, or sending an MMS/SMS to 0429 234 948.

A limited number of 40km/hr wheelie bin stickers are available from the Bracken Ridge Ward Office at no cost to residents – they have been funded through the Lord Mayor’s Suburban Initiative Fund. Please come to my office (77 Bracken St, Bracken Ridge) to collect a sticker if you are interested in having one for your wheelie bin. These stickers are made of reflective material to be visible at night.

The Lord Mayor's Suburban Initiative Fund is now available for support of community groups in recognition of their vital contribution made towards building stronger communities in Brisbane. Projects must contribute to Brisbane City Council's vision for the city's future by helping to achieve objectives such as a Friendly and Safe, Active and Healthy, Clean and Green or Vibrant and Creative city. Applicants must be not-for-profit community organisations. The minimum grant is $250 and the maximum is $10,000. The guidelines and application form are available online on Council’s web site: www.brisbane.qld.gov.au. Eligible projects include ones such as:
• community events, including fetes
• equipment hired for the purpose of a community event
• community facility improvements and equipment
• community sporting organisations’ equipment and activities within the ward

Brisbane City Council is planning to eliminate the railway crossing over the North Coast rail line at Telegraph Road, Bracken Ridge to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety in the local road network when the State Government agrees to a 50% financial commitment. This Open Level Crossing Replacement Project involves constructing a road over the railway line with a connection at Linkfield and Lacey roads, and the re-alignment of Telegraph Road in the section before Norris Road intersection. As part of this project, Council is presently undertaking utility investigation and survey work on Telegraph, Linkfield and Lacey Roads to enhance the design for the project.

Reflective house numbers are available for free from my office for residents. They are white reflective paint on a black background - approximately 80 x 55mm and can be screwed onto letterboxes. Having a clearly visible house number at your property can greatly assist in taking the guesswork out of finding an address, especially at night – ideal for helping emergency services such as the police (also visitors, taxis and deliveries) find residents’ homes.