Living in Brisbane
August 2016 Edition
A message from Lord Mayor Graham Quirk
August offers a wealth of lifestyle and leisure opportunities for residents and visitors, including the
always popular Royal Queensland Show (Ekka).
For all those attending the Ekka this year, I encourage you to visit Council’s Brisbane Vision 2031
stand, highlighting the evolution of our city. The stand will feature an interactive, immersive digital
display. This is an exciting opportunity for you to engage with Council and take part in the vision
journey.
Vision 2031 includes our commitment to creating an accessible, connected city. Council is
delivering Australia’s most modern bus fleet with 100% air-conditioned, low-floor pram and
wheelchair-accessible buses. This edition of Living in Brisbane outlines bus stop upgrades in
your local area, making stops safer and more accessible for all users.
You can read more about Council’s commitment to improving public transport on page 3, with a
project update on the Brisbane Metro Subway System.
To keep up-to-date with news, events and projects in our thriving New World City, sign-up to my
monthly e-newsletter at www.grahamquirk.com.au
Graham Quirk
LORD MAYOR
Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium
Don’t miss out!
Call (07) 3403 2578 to book your seat
www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/planetarium
Ekka is coming
Come and explore Brisbane’s past, present and future at Council’s Ekka stand from 5-14 August.
Immerse yourself in an interactive digital journey spanning 100 years of Brisbane’s history. The
Brisbane Vision 2031 digital experience captures the evolution of the city from 1930 and explores
what the city could look like in the future.
Be sure to get your free photo giveaway at the Vision for Brisbane photo booth. Put yourself into
a selection of
Brisbane images and become the star of the show!
There will also be exciting events to entertain the whole family with dance performances and kids’
activities.
While you’re there, check out Virtual Brisbane, an interactive 3D model of urban development,
created to help
shape and plan the future of Brisbane.
Visit the stand in the Woolworths Pavilion at the RNA Showgrounds or find out more at
www.brisbane.qld.gov.au and search ‘Ekka’.
Daffodil Day
Friday 26 August is Daffodil Day and Brisbane residents can show their support for the 350
Australians who are diagnosed with cancer every day by buying daffodils, becoming a volunteer,
making a donation or buying a Daffodil Day pin and wearing it with pride.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the day. Money raised goes towards supporting Cancer
Council Queensland’s vital work to raise cancer awareness, as well as supporting those living
with cancer and discovering new and better treatments.
A donation of as little as $5 can help give a newly diagnosed cancer patient support and
resources to help them through their cancer journey.
To find out more about Daffodil Day visit www.daffodilday.com.au
Brisbane Metro Subway System planning under way
Planning is under way for the Brisbane Metro Subway System, a high-frequency service that will
cut travel times, reduce CBD congestion and provide more buses to the suburbs.
The seven-kilometre route, linking Woolloongabba to Herston, utilises existing sections and
stations along the South East and Inner Northern busways. At the furthest points, interchanges
will transfer bus commuters to the metro for a more efficient journey into the CBD.
The route will make use of the Victoria Bridge, which will become a green bridge dedicated to the
Brisbane Metro Subway System and other bus services, as well as pedestrians and cyclists.
The business case is due to be finalised by mid-2017, with design work to commence from 201718.
To register for updates or for more information, call 1800 692 333 or visit
www.brisbane.qld.gov.au and search ‘Brisbane Metro Subway System’.
Our Digital Brisbane
Cat Matson is our Chief Digital Officer (CDO) and is charged with the digital transformation of the
city.
The Digital Brisbane strategy aims to accelerate economic growth and equip small-to-medium
businesses with the digital skills to enhance their business.
Cat has been the city’s CDO since 2013 and is an experienced digital and start-up strategist.
The CDO delivers a wide range of programs to improve digital uptake across the city, including
workshops for small and medium businesses and the popular CoderDojo programs for kids.
Cat’s other programs support start-ups and budding entrepreneurs, while also connecting visiting
entrepreneurs with Brisbane’s business community.
In upcoming editions of Living in Brisbane, Cat will share advice on the digital world and the ways
in which Brisbane residents can embrace it.
To find out more about Cat and the Digital Brisbane program, visit www.digitalbrisbane.com.au
CoderDojo Brisbane expands
Brisbane can’t get enough of CoderDojo, with a new program now available at Wynnum Library.
CoderDojo is a volunteer-led, global movement of free coding clubs for kids aged 7-17.CoderDojo
Brisbane already holds more than 270 sessions, reaching almost 1800 kids since the program
commenced in 2011.
The sessions focus on community, youth mentoring, peer learning and self-led learning, with an
emphasis on creating a new generation of digitally literate citizens who use and create digital
products.
The new CoderDojo program at Wynnum Library takes the number of Dojos throughout Brisbane
to eight. Other Dojos can be found at libraries in Sunnybank Hills, Carindale, Brisbane Square,
Grange, Holland Park, Kenmore and Chermside.
To find out more or to register, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au and search ‘CoderDojo’, or visit
www.coderdojobrisbane.com.au
Bands in Parks turns 100
Celebrate 100 years of Bands in Parks at a free concert on Sunday 28 August from 2-4pm at
Riverstage in the City Botanic Gardens.
Presented by Council as a free, weekly music program, Bands in Parks showcases an array of
musical styles including brass, concert, jazz, orchestra and more.
Brisbane community bands have been associated with Council since before World War I, with
both brass and military bands being part of Brisbane’s cultural life since the city’s early days.
For more information visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/whats-on and search ‘Bands in Parks’.
Keeping cane toads off Moreton Island
Moreton Island continues to be one of the few locations in Queensland that is cane toad free,
thanks to the efforts of residents and visitors.
Cane toad detection dogs, Tommy and Bolt, have been visiting the island twice a year since
2014, with the next visit scheduled for late 2016. No cane toads were discovered at their most
recent visit in April.
During each visit, one of the dogs and its handler undertake searches in key habitat areas, and
raise awareness by engaging with residents and visitors on what they can do to ensure the island
remains cane toad free.
For visitors to Moreton Island, one easy and important task before travelling to the island is to
take a few moments to check for cane toads in and around camping and fishing gear, trailers and
cars.
To see a video of Bolt in action and for more information about keeping cane toads off Moreton
Island, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au
Did you know…
Dates for upcoming Talk to a Planner sessions have been finalised. The sessions provide
opportunities to speak face-to-face with Council officers about planning and development. To find
a session, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au
Getting kids moving with Active School Travel
Brisbane primary schools are invited to apply now for the 2017 Active School Travel program.
The award-winning initiative is a free, tailored program to help students, parents and teachers
leave the car at home and walk, cycle, scoot, carpool or take public transport to school.
It is also aimed at boosting students’ health and wellbeing, while making our streets cleaner,
safer and less congested.
Results of the 2015 program were positive across the board, with car trips reduced by 13%, while
walking trips increased by 10% and carpooling trips increased by 2%.
Applications for the 2017 Active School Travel program close on 19 August. For more information
or to apply for the Active School Travel program, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/activeschooltravel
Live For Less
Live For Less is a new program that aims to empower the Brisbane community to live better for
less, through smarter, sustainable living.
Learn how to save money on your household costs while living more sustainably, through a range
of how-to articles and DIY projects on topics including food, living, entertainment and community.
Also featured is an interactive map to highlight locations around Brisbane, with free or cheap
things to do and local sustainable suppliers and businesses.
Live for Less will launch a sustainability challenge for Brisbane residents in late 2016, with prizes
and rewards up for grabs. Sign-up today so you don’t miss out.
To find out more, visit www.liveforless.com.au or www.facebook.com/LiveForLess
Transport savings
Westside commuters will soon enjoy cheaper fares, after a review of South East Queensland’s
public transport fare structure. The review identified a number of savings for residents travelling
on the Queensland Government’s TransLink network by bus, ferry or train.
The most significant change is a reduction in fares for all zones, making travel more affordable for
all public transport users.
Other changes to public transport fares include:
• weekday morning off-peak period extended to 6am
• reducing the Brisbane travel area into just two zones
• free weekend travel for children aged 5-14 travelling on a child go card
• introducing an ‘8 paid journeys and 50% off subsequent journeys per week’ incentive to
replace the ‘9 and free’ program.
These changes will be implemented by TransLink from January 2017. For more information, visit
www.translink.com.au or call 13 12 30.
Brisbane tourism on the rise
Brisbane continues to shine as a popular international destination, with Chinese visitors
becoming the city’s top overseas tourist market.
Tourism Australia’s International Visitor Survey revealed Chinese visitors to Brisbane grew by
33% over the year to March 2016.
China overtook the traditional top market of New Zealand, with overall international visitor
numbers reaching 1.1 million and with expenditure totalling $1.94 billion.
The most recent National Visitor Survey, for the year ended March 2016, also revealed the
number of Australian visitors to Brisbane grew by 7% to 5.7 million over the year, with spending
up slightly to $3.4 billion.
As more people visit the city, Brisbane’s reputation as Australia’s New World City will continue to
grow, providing increased economic development opportunities for residents and local business.
Improving Brisbane’s bus stops
The Bus Stop Accessibility Improvement program provides upgrades to Brisbane’s bus stop
network to improve accessibility for all public transport users, particularly those using wheelchairs
or prams.
Improvements involve upgrades to boarding points, access paths, waiting areas, tactile ground
surface indicators and bus stop furniture.
Approximately 1200 bus stops were upgraded last financial year, with more planned this financial
year. The total program of upgrades is expected to be complete by late 2022.
Works for 2016-17 includes bus stops in Bellbowrie, Brookfield, Chapel Hill, Fig Tree Pocket,
Kenmore, Kenmore Hills, Moggill and Pinjarra Hills.
The works are prioritised based on location, access to community and disability support services
and usage.
The program will help to achieve Council’s Brisbane Vision 2031 which aims to provide a safe,
accessible and well-connected city for everyone.
For more information, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au
Brisbane Festival 2016
Get set to paint the town pink this September. Brisbane’s biggest cultural event, Brisbane
Festival, is returning with more than 70 awe-inspiring productions and 540 shows set to transform
the city for three colourful weeks.
This year’s festival boasts a spectacular line-up of breathtaking performances from home and
abroad, including dance, video, sculpture and the live orchestra performance, Rules of the Game,
scored by multi-Grammy Award-winning artist Pharrell Williams.
Brisbane Festival runs from 3-24 September and tickets are available now from
www.brisbanefestival.com.au
Did you know…
Brisbane Greeters offer daily CityCycle Greets, exploring many of Brisbane’s riverside precincts
on two wheels. To find out more and to book a session, visit www.brisbanegreeters.com.au
Active Parks Dance
Free dance classes 25 July – 17 August
Ballroom dancing: Mondays 5.30-6.30pm
Latin dancing: Tuesdays 5.30-6.30pm
Hip hop dancing: Wednesdays 5.30-6.30pm
All welcome. Bookings and partners not required.
The Courier-Mail Piazza
www.visitsouthbank.com.au
Seniors Week
Seniors across Brisbane are invited to get involved in a range of activities planned for Seniors
Week from 13-21 August.
Coordinated by Council on the Ageing (COTA), an organisation that gives older Australians a
voice on issues that affect them, Seniors Week is an opportunity to recognise the contributions
and significant role seniors play in enhancing community connections and intergenerational
relationships.
There are a range of events and activities planned to celebrate Seniors Week, including concerts,
exhibitions and an opportunity to trial croquet.
Brisbane seniors may also be interested in training and support in the use of computers and other
digital devices, run by Brisbane Seniors OnLine. Lessons are held at a range of Council libraries
and are available one-on-one or in small groups.
For more information visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/whats-on, www.cotaqld.org.au or
www.bsol.asn.au
Brisbane to star in new TV series
Brisbane is proudly playing host to an upcoming two-part mini-series about the life of Australian
icon, Paul Hogan.
Filming has been underway in many locations around Brisbane, with the doors of City Hall
opened to welcome the cast and crew in June.
City Hall will serve as the location for several different settings in the mini-series, portraying
scenes from New York and Sydney theatres.
Other filming locations include Inala, Burbank, Kangaroo Point, South Brisbane, Fortitude Valley,
Newstead, Albion and Mt Coot-tha.
A number of talented actors form part of the recently announced cast including Brisbane-born
Josh Lawson (as Paul Hogan), Justine Clarke, Ryan Corr, Delvine Delaney and Laura Gordon.
Council is proud to support Australia’s film and television production industry and the number of
Brisbane extras that will appear in the show.
Keeping Brisbane clean, green and sustainable
Brisbane residents can now recycle and donate to tip shops for free at Council’s resource
recovery centres in Nudgee, Ferny Grove, Chandler and Willawong. Through Council’s
partnerships with specialist recyclers, residents can now drop off materials such as empty gas
bottles, paint, e-waste, metals and batteries for reuse. Materials that are collected at the centres
are sent to a range of specialists to be broken down and processed into new products.
For example, the glass and plastic in e-waste is separated at Hemmant and sent for further
recycling at other centres in Australia, while the circuit boards are sent overseas for specialist
recycling. Approximately 600 kg of household batteries are collected each month at Council’s
resource recovery centres, and the heavy metals in these batteries are extracted by recyclers at
Eagle Farm. Recycled paints are processed and converted into lower-grade paints for
commercial use, while glass and metals are melted and made into new products.
Brisbane was named Australia’s Most Sustainable City in 2014 and Council’s recycling program
is one of many initiatives keeping our city clean and green.
For more information on resource recovery centres, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au or call 3403
8888.
What’s On Brisbane
Facebook.com/BNEWhatsOn
City
19 August – Revive – enjoy this second-hand fashion festival, with the best revived clothing
stalls, South Bank Cultural Forecourt, 2-8pm, for more call 3403 8888 or visit
www.brisbane.qld.gov.au – FREE
20 August – One Day to Conquer Cancer – raise money to fund cancer research and treatment
by riding 100 km or walking 25 km, UQ St Lucia, various times, for more visit
www.theoneday.org.au – $50
20 August – India Day Fair – celebrate 70 years of Indian independence with music, dance
performances and kids’ activities, Roma Street Parklands, 10.30am-9pm, for more visit
www.gopioqueensland.org – FREE
20-21 August – Sogetsu Ikebana Annual Exhibition – Japanese flower arranging, Brisbane
Botanic Gardens, Mt Coot-tha, 10am-4pm, for more visit www.ikebanabrisbane.org.au – $4
28 August – Bridge to Brisbane – celebrate Brisbane with a 5 km or 10 km run or walk, various
locations and times, for more visit www.bridgetobrisbaneday.com.au – $37-$50
11 September – Green Heart Fair – this festival promotes innovative green living in a familyfriendly environment, Carindale Recreation Reserve, 8am-2pm, for more visit
www.greenheartfair.com.au – FREE
Local
8 August – ACT-ivate Childrens’ Club – children will get healthy and develop a new skill each
week, junior (3-5 years) and senior (6-10 years) sessions, 3.30-4.30pm, New Farm Park, New
Farm, to book call 0411 246 487 – FREE
9 August – Indoor bowls – do you like bowling and staying out of the sun? Join us for indoor
bowling, 50+ event, 12.15-2.15pm, Fifty Plus Centre, Brisbane, to book call 3375 3119 – $1.50
9 August – Meet the Chaser – comprehensive guide to Australia, from the people behind The
Chaser, 6.30-8.30pm, Brisbane City Hall, to book call 3403 8888 – FREE
14 August – The parish chest with Lady Teviot – parish chests can be an invaluable source to
show how people lived, 2-3pm, Indooroopilly Library, to book call 3403 8888 – FREE
16 August – Cross training – bootcamp-type exercises, all fitness levels welcome, 6-7am, Jack
Cook Memorial Park, Taringa, to book call 0410 010 316 – FREE
23 August – Meet Kári Gísalson – join the author of The Promise of Iceland and The Ash Burner,
as part of the Ashgrove Literature Festival, 6-7pm, Ashgrove Library, to book call 3403 8888 –
FREE
Brisbane City Council
GPO Box 1434, Brisbane Qld 4001
Every effort is made to ensure that information is correct at time of printing
For more information call (07) 3403 8888 or visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au
Facebook.com/BrisbaneCityCouncil
@brisbanecityqld
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CA15-1043465-00-1820
© Brisbane City Council 2016