A Message from Lord Mayor Graham Quirk

Living in Brisbane April - Edition 2015

A message from Lord Mayor Graham Quirk

The Museum of Brisbane located in City Hall has a great exhibition on this month with the works of Alfred Elliott showcasing forgotten Brisbane.

We have just farewelled the local and international comedians who were in our city for the Brisbane Comedy Festival.

This month we will see more conventions in our city as the weather cools. Delegates for these conferences bring significant benefits to our local economy. As part of Team Brisbane I hope that you help showcase our friendly city to any interstate or international visitors. We have also been hard at work leveraging G20 so that it was not just a one-off event but an ongoing lure to our city for international visitors.

The Brisbane to Gladstone Race has set sail from Shorncliffe and we have a range of talent coming to our city from Nana Mouskouri to Michael Franti & Spearhead through to Cirque du Soleil adding both colour and vibrancy to the city over the coming months.

Finally for the sporting fanatics, join me in cheering loudly for the Lions, the Broncos, the Reds, the Firebirds, the Roar and all our local sporting teams as their seasons progress throughout 2015!

Graham Quirk

LORD MAYOR

Brisbane inner-city golf courses 18 holes, pay and play Two great public courses for you to play a round! St Lucia Golf Links 3403 2556 Victoria Park Golf Complex 3252 9891 For more information on course facilities visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/golf ANZAC DAY 100 Year Anniversary

ANZAC Day provides the opportunity to remember those who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

It commemorates the anniversary of the Gallipoli landing in 1915 and one of the early military actions fought by Australian and New Zealand forces together during the First World War.

The term ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, and encapsulates the spirit of courage, mateship and sacrifice.

On Saturday 25 April this year Australia will commemorate the ANZAC Centenary, marking 100 years since our involvement in the First World War. Services will take place in Brisbane and across the country at dawn, the time of the original landing, to remember the ANZACs.

For more information on dawn service ceremonies and other commemorative events, visit www.rslqld.org Dawn Service and parade

This year’s Dawn Service will take place in ANZAC Square from 4.30-5.30am.

The parade will commence at 9.30am and travel along George Street and Adelaide Street before finishing at Creek Street.

Road closures in the CBD will commence from 9pm Friday 24 April and continue until 3pm Saturday 25 April. For more information, phone Council on 3403 8888 or visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Free public transport will be available to veterans and their partners participating in ANZAC Day ceremonies, family members wearing medals and marching on behalf of veterans, and members in full uniform from the Girls and Boys Brigade, Scouts and military associations.

For bus and ferry timetable information, phone TransLink on 13 12 30 or visit www.translink.com.au ANZAC Day Preparations

Local memorial sites are being restored to honour the service history of the community, with Council’s maintenance work finishing in time for ANZAC Day.

The Hemmant Memorial is being repaired and repainted, with the fence replaced, the gardens replanted and drainage installed.

At Mowbray Park, the World War I Memorial is being restored, including modifying the granite kerbing, and reinstating the sandstone structure and lime wash. The pavements in Sandakan Memorial in New Farm are also being repaired.

Meanwhile, at Coorparoo Memorial both the stone and iron fencing is being restored and the plaques repaired. Over at Gair Park in Dutton Park the stone work is being repaired.

To find your nearest memorial service, visit www.rslqld.org

It’s kerbside collection time!

Clearing out the clutter at home can be a great way to de-stress and feel organised. Council helps residents by offering free kerbside collections throughout Brisbane. Every suburb receives one large item collection each year.

This month the first kerbside collection begins on Monday 20 April in Chapel Hill, Fig Tree Pocket, Kenmore and Kenmore Hills. From Monday 27 April collections will be in Anstead, Bellbowrie, Brookfield, parts of Chuwar, Karana Downs, Kholo, Lake Manchester, Moggill, Mt Crosby, Pinjarra Hills, Pullenvale and Upper Brookfield.

To keep our streets tidy, please only put your large items on the kerb during the weekend before your collection starts.

You can search by suburb on Council’s website to check when your local kerbside collection will take place and find out what items are accepted. To find out more, call 3403 8888 or visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/waste

Brisbane ratepayers receive 10 free vouchers each year for general waste/recycling and green waste disposal. Make sure you use your 2014-15 vouchers by Friday 31 July. Helping Brisbane’s homeless

Residents can give back to the community by donating goods or their time at next month’s Homeless Connect event, being held on Wednesday 20 May at Brisbane Racing Club, Eagle Farm.

Donations of toiletries can be made at Council libraries, while non-perishable food goods are accepted at Council ward offices. Donations close on Friday 1 May.

Through this event, Council will reach out to more than 1000 homeless people and provide essential services including medical care and housing support, as well as necessities such as food, toiletries and clothing.

At last year’s event 1168 meals were served, 179 people received haircuts and 174 people accessed doctors, dentists, psychologists, podiatrists or optometrists, with 39 vaccinations provided.

To find out more, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au or call 3403 8888. To register your interest in volunteering, visit www.volunteeringqld.org.au

Welcome to Brisbane

On Tuesday 28 April, people from refugee backgrounds will be welcomed as new residents of Brisbane at the Lord Mayor’s Refugee Welcome Ceremony in City Hall.

The Lord Mayor will officially welcome new residents, who bring with them skills and customs that enhance our city’s lifestyle and make Brisbane a truly multicultural society.

Some of the countries represented include Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Pakistan, Eritrea, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Myanmar (Burma).

More than 300 people attended the ceremony in 2014 to network, meet with community leaders, and access information on a range of programs and services provided by government and non- government agencies. Brisbane’s inclusive spirit and lifestyle make it a great place to call home, with almost 30% of the city’s population born overseas. To find out more, call 3403 8888 or email [email protected] Making a difference

Young Citizen of the Year Kamania Butler is a dedicated individual who proves age is no barrier to making a difference.

The 19 year old has a passion for helping the youth of her community and for the past few years has dedicated her time to assisting people from all walks of life. She is a member of the Headspace Youth Reference Group and an active participant in the Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network.

In 2014, Kamania devised the concept of a national mental health day at her school, epitomising the spirit of all that Team Brisbane represents. She was one of several people recognised for their efforts at this year’s Lord Mayor’s Australia Day Awards.

For more information on any of the winners or other community heroes from Team Brisbane, visit www.teambrisbane.com.au

The QUBE Effect set to rock

Brisbane’s music scene will be re-energised with the launch of the QUBE Effect at South Bank Parklands from 11am-5pm on Saturday 11 April.

Kicking off Youth Week, the event will see 12 of Brisbane’s best underground bands perform live for 20 minutes each, before playing an original song in a cube. A second live event will be held on Sunday 19 April at Roma Street Parkland featuring another 12 bands.

Residents and visitors can vote for their favourite band online and share the performance with friends through social media.

The QUBE Effect is another way Council is offering opportunities and support for emerging Brisbane musicians. Winners will be announced in early June. To find out more, call 3403 8888 or visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/youth Celebrate Youth Week

Brisbane is once again celebrating Youth Week from 10-19 April and Council is calling on people aged between 12 and 25 to get involved in more than 30 free events throughout the city. To find out more about what’s on during Youth Week, call 3403 8888 or visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au /youth Choose a winner

Voting for the Lord Mayor’s Photographic Awards is now open and residents have the opportunity to choose the winner of the People’s Choice Award. Entrants each submitted an original image encapsulating their interpretation of Brisbane’s unique and creative lifestyle, with the finalists’ work now available to view online and in City Hall.

The People’s Choice Award is decided by public vote with the winner receiving $1000 in prize money. Voting closes on Tuesday 21 April, with the winner announced by the Lord Mayor on Tuesday 28 April. To vote, visit www.lmpa.brisbane.gov.au.The Lord Mayor announced the winners of the Open and Tertiary Categories at the Brisbane Arts and Culture Innovation Awards on Monday 30 March. These images are currently displayed in King George Square and City Hall. Artforce brightens the streets

Congratulations to the winners of this year’s annual Artforce Awards who volunteered their time during 2014 to bring some extra life to Brisbane’s streets with painted traffic signal boxes. Overall winner: Jo and Wil Lias, Camp Hill with ‘Waiting at the pedestrian crossing’.

Overall runner-up: Jointly shared - Kellie Douglas, Annerley with ‘Magic City’ and Gemma Garcia, Ashgrove with ‘Drive Responsibly and Enjoy Life’.

Under 12: Aedan Lias, Camp Hill with ‘Changes of Camp Hill’.

Under 18: Music Industry College, Fortitude Valley with ‘China Town’.

School: Petrie Terrace State School, Paddington with ‘Our Little Town’.

Organisation: Jointly shared - Art St, Norman Park with ‘The Street Gallery’ and Yellowhouse, Holland Park with ‘Funky Town’.

The winning artists’ works were presented at the Artforce Awards ceremony on 16 February. To find out more, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au or call 3403 8888.

There are more than 500 permanent artworks and over 1000 temporary artworks in Brisbane, including the Artforce program’s painted traffic signal boxes. Brisbane sign to become permanent

Work is underway to turn the brightly coloured Brisbane sign into a permanent feature at South Bank Parklands.

The original sign was built by Men’s Shed and decorated by eight community groups. The sign was created specifically for the G20 Leaders’ Summit. It quickly became a favourite with tourists and residents as well as a landmark highlighting Brisbane’s vibrancy and creativity.

The new sign will be similar to the temporary version and will include enhanced lighting to increase visibility.

Its permanent placement at South Bank Parklands will be a lasting reminder of Brisbane’s role as host of the 2014 G20 Leaders’ Summit.

For more information about the Brisbane sign, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au or call 3403 8888. Rare cycad takes pride of place in botanic gardens

A 250 year old cycad tree is one of the must-see features in the four-hectare expansion of the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mt Coot-tha. Weighing two tonnes and reaching 6.5 metres in height, the cycad is one of 31,000 individual plants of more than 1100 varieties added in recent months as part of the largest upgrade to the popular site since it opened in 1970.

Given its age and size, this male cycad is extremely rare and has been growing in regional Queensland since before the First Fleet arrived. It belongs to the genus Macrozamia species which is millions of years old, and was brought to Brisbane from north of Injune in South West Queensland.

The cycad takes pride of place among a host of new features for the community to enjoy including forest and lagoon walks, picnic facilities, nature-themed playground, interactive kitchen garden, amphitheatre and 18 megalitre lagoon. Rediscover riding this Bike Week

Brisbane residents can enjoy a range of great events both on and off the bike as part of the annual Bicycle Queensland Bike Week celebrations from Saturday 25 April until Sunday 3 May. Whether you’re a recreational rider, committed cyclist or looking to try something new, there is something for everyone at the largest celebration of its kind in Queensland.

Residents can reconnect with riding and gain confidence by joining Council’s free Back on Your Bike or Cycling in Traffic sessions.

You can also register with a colleague for the guided off-road ride from New Farm on Ride to Work Day on Thursday 30 April. Ending in the city, a free breakfast will be available for all participants. For more information on riding in Brisbane or to join Cycling Brisbane, visit www.cyclingbrisbane.com.au Competition - win a bike

To celebrate its first birthday, Cycling Brisbane is putting a bike up for grabs. Rediscover your love of riding and enter at www.cyclingbrisbane.com.au ENTRIES CLOSE midnight on Thursday 30 April Winner notified in early May Terminal Upgrade The new CityCat terminal at the Regatta has now opened. It is one of 11 new and upgraded ferry terminals being delivered for Brisbane commuters.

The new terminal is more flood resilient and accessible, with a dual berthing pontoon to boost network efficiency and capacity.

The Regatta terminal is the first of seven temporary facilities to be replaced with funding from the Australian and Queensland governments. QUT Gardens Point, North Quay, Maritime Museum, UQ St Lucia, Holman Street and Sydney Street will be completed by mid-2015, weather permitting.

Terminals at Hawthorne and Bretts Wharf are also being upgraded to ensure accessibility for residents with disabilities. The upgraded Bulimba terminal was completed in December 2014. A new CityCat terminal at Milton was also delivered, improving public transport for residents.

New Wynnum library coming soon

Bayside residents will soon enjoy a bigger and better Council library with the redevelopment of the former Wynnum Central State School site now underway.

The new 2000 square metre library will be located on the upper floor of a commercial precinct to be built in Florence Street, which will also include retail space and car parking facilities for the community.

Featuring an outdoor terrace, meeting rooms, children’s area and history collection area, the new library will be three times larger than the current facility to offer a wider range of activities and programs.

Artist impressions can be viewed at the existing Wynnum Library on Bay Terrace. The library is expected to be completed in early-2016, weather permitting. To find out more, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/libraries or call 3403 8888. Boardwalk maintenance underway

After a successful first round of essential maintenance works in 2014, the second stage of the City Reach Boardwalk maintenance project is now underway.

The $7.11 million project will extend the life of the boardwalk by approximately 15 years, ensuring it can continue to be enjoyed by the community.

The City Reach Boardwalk will be closed between the boardwalk entrance at Boundary Street and Macrossan Street from April to September to facilitate maintenance of the deck panels, piles and support beams. Completion of the works will be subject to weather and tide conditions.

A detour for pedestrians and cyclists has been clearly identified for this section, meaning people can continue to safely use the boardwalk. To find out more, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au or call 3403 8888.

Have Your Say online

Residents are being encouraged to register online now and have their say about upcoming Council projects and programs.

Everyone living and working in Brisbane can play a role in shaping an even better city by signing up and participating in the your city your say online community.

The new platform, also accessible via mobile devices, makes it convenient for all residents to participate.

Stay informed, have your say and make a difference by participating in community consultation, provide feedback on issues affecting Brisbane’s future, and take part in interactive online surveys and discussion forums.

The your city your say initiative is about making Brisbane a smart and prosperous city. To find out more, visit www.yourcityyoursay.com.au or call 3403 8888. Planned burns

One of the great things about living in Brisbane is the easy access to more than 9000 hectares of beautiful bushland areas.

Managing fire is vital for protecting homes and bushland, and each year Council undertakes a program of planned burns between March and September to lessen the impact of wildfire and maintain the health of forests.

Council uses weather and air-quality forecasts to determine the best day for each planned burn. Residents should look out for notifications on Council’s Twitter and Facebook pages. Properties adjoining the burn areas are notified by letterbox drop.

Burns are planned in the following locations during this year: Anstead, Ashgrove, Bald Hills, Belmont, Bracken Ridge, Bridgeman Downs, Burbank, Carina Heights, Chermside West, Drewvale, Fitzgibbon, Grange, Karawatha, Keperra, Kholo, Kuraby, Mt Coot-tha, Mt Gravatt, Nudgee, Seven Hills, Tarragindi.

For more information on planned burns, call 3403 8888 or visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Free Council recycling app

Download the Brisbane Bin and Recycling app for smartphones and tablets.

This free app includes a bin collection calendar, quick guide to recycling, directions to transfer stations and more. Download now from the App Store and Google Play.

Uncover our wartime history

Meet one of the friendly Brisbane Greeters to uncover Brisbane’s wartime history and commemorate the sacrifices made by Australian service men and women.

Marking the upcoming ANZAC Centenary, Brisbane Greeters will explore this spirit on a ‘Wartime and The American Chapter’ tour. Recognising the sacrifices made by Australians in conflicts from the Boer War to Vietnam, you will be guided to a number of significant memorials including Anzac Square, which has recently undergone phases one and two of a $13 million refurbishment.

To book a free Brisbane Greeters tour, visit www.brisbanegreeters.com.au Buddha Birth Day Festival

Come along and enjoy the largest Buddha Birth Day Festival in the world, being held at South Bank Parklands from 1-3 May.

Now in its 19th year, this free three-day event is an enticing mix of vegetarian food, market stalls, cultural displays and performances.

Celebrating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, the founder of Buddhism who lived from 563BC to 483BC, the festival has been visited by more than two million people.

There will be cooking demonstrations, a Dragon Boat regatta, arts and craft demonstrations, and a fireworks spectacular to close the festival. A range of free talks and meditation classes will also be held on Saturday 2 May and Sunday 3 May at the Queensland Conservatorium. For a full program of events, visit www.buddhabirthdayfestival.com.auCA15-18413-08-823 Brisbane City C15 What’s on

Every Thursday and Friday Hawthorne Happy Hikers – medium-fast paced health and fitness walk, 5pm, meet at Hawthorne Park, FREE

8 April The treasure of Captain Curlylocks – combines comedy, music and audience participation, for ages 3-8, 10-11am, Garden City Library, to book call 3403 8888, FREE

12, 19 & 26 April Aqua deep water running – a deep water work out in a heated pool, 8-9am, Hibiscus Sports Complex, cost of pool entry only

14 April Iconic designs: the perfect chair – for ages 12-17, 1-2.30pm, Carindale Library, to book call 3403 8888, FREE

23 April Gardening: seed saving and plant propagation – Growing Older and Living Dangerously (GOLD), 9.30-11.30am, Beelarong Community Farm, to book call 0401 168 657, FREE

30 April Meet Leisa Rayven – actor, producer and author, 6.30-7.30pm, Wynnum Library, to book call 3403 8888, FREE

Brisbane City Council Information GPO Box 1434 Brisbane Qld 4001 Every effort is made to ensure that information is correct at time of printing For more information visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au or call (07) 3403 8888 Facebook.com/BrisbaneCityCouncil twitter@brisbanecityqld