The organisation is considering a transition to reduced hours, limiting after-hours availability.
While the RSPCA acknowledges that most calls are received during daylight hours, critics argue that the proposed change could compromise timely assistance for distressed animals, particularly during night-time emergencies. The organisation maintains that it will continue to offer an out-of-hours service, albeit with potential referral to third-party providers.
The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation has highlighted the importance of the 24/7 hotline, noting that it receives approximately 27,500 calls annually for sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife. Experts emphasise the critical nature of immediate intervention, especially for wildlife with potential internal injuries.
Photo Credit: Google Map
The proposed changes come amidst a transition period for RSPCA Queensland, with outgoing CEO Darren Maier stepping down in December. The organisation has faced recent financial constraints and internal staff concerns. However, the RSPCA insists that the proposed hotline changes are unrelated to staffing reductions or financial difficulties.
Animal welfare advocates closely monitor the situation, urging the RSPCA to reconsider the potential impact of reduced after-hours services on animal welfare.
Are you looking to achieve 10,000 steps per day? Rocks Riverside Park in Seventeen Mile Rocks offers a peaceful way to add approximately 1,000 steps to your daily count through its scenic 800-metre riverside path.
While this gentle walk contributes just a portion of your daily goal, its tranquil setting and excellent facilities make it an ideal location for multiple laps or as part of your daily walking routine.
Quick Facts
Photo credit: Srdjan Serge Komadina/Google Maps
Distance: 800 metres (one way)
Steps: Approximately 1,000
Difficulty: Easy
Surface: Paved shared walkway
Best For: Families, casual walkers, step-goal achievers
Facilities: Water play area, BBQs, toilets, picnic areas, playgrounds
The promenade follows the peaceful Brisbane River shoreline at Rocks Riverside Park. Those looking to extend their walk can continue along the riverside path until they reach Amazons Place Park in Jindalee. This flat, paved pathway offers a peaceful riverside experience with plenty of opportunities to observe local riverine flora and fauna.
Amazons Place Park (Photo credit: Ross Cronin/Google Maps)
For those seeking extra steps, the Zig Zag trail offers an additional challenge. This unpaved but well-formed track through eucalypt forest winds through the bushland ridge to the south-east of the park, adding approximately 30 minutes to your walk.
The trail rewards your effort with excellent views of the surrounding area and, while suitable for wheels, provides a more challenging option for step-counters.
Making It Part of Your 10,000 Steps Journey
Photo credit: Daniel Reche/Google Maps
While the basic promenade walk contributes 1,000 steps, you can easily extend this by combining multiple laps, including the Zig Zag trail, or exploring all park pathways. This location works perfectly as part of your active breaks throughout the day, especially if you’re gradually building up to a 10,000-step goal.
Health Benefits and Tips
This gentle riverside walk contributes to your daily fitness goals by improving cardiovascular health, strengthening muscles, and enhancing mood through nature exposure.
Remember to bring water, wear sun protection, and consider walking shoes if taking on the Zig Zag trail. The park’s facilities make it perfect for all ages, so consider bringing the family along for a morning or late afternoon visit.
Whether you’re starting your 10,000-step journey or looking for a peaceful addition to your existing routine, Rocks Riverside Park Promenade provides a serene setting for walking goals. Its combination of natural beauty, excellent facilities, and easy terrain makes it a valuable destination in Brisbane’s network of walking locations.
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has identified the Centenary Motorway as one of the main southeast Queensland targets for enforcement of new mobile cameras.
The regulator has invested in 40 mobile cameras equipped with automatic number plate recognition technology, with eight units currently allocated to Queensland. The number is expected to increase to 10 cameras operating on Queensland roads by mid-2025.
The cameras have been positioned on major trucking routes from the Gold Coast to Cairns, and west to Chinchilla and Emerald. Key enforcement locations include the Centenary Motorway, Logan Motorway, Pacific Motorway, Bruce Highway, and Mount Lindesay Highway.
Mobile ANPR Camera on a vehicle Photo Credit: NHVR
Breaches detected through the camera system can result in fines ranging from several hundred dollars to over $700 for serious offences under the Heavy Vehicle National Law. Regulator officers monitor the cameras and can intercept vehicles for safety checks and issue on-spot fines.
The technology allows officers to identify potentially unregistered or defective vehicles, as well as monitor driver fatigue compliance. The system will also collect data about heavy vehicle movements to help authorities allocate safety resources effectively.
National Heavy Vehicle Regulator Chief Operations Officer Michelle Tayler confirmed that detection by a camera does not automatically result in fines. “These high-tech monitoring cameras help the regulator obtain information on Australia’s heavy vehicle fleet, and encourage safer driving practices on heavy vehicle routes and freight networks,” she said.
According to Tayler, the cameras are mobile and can be relocated to different sites along busy freight routes. All footage is stored securely in accordance with the regulator’s privacy policy.
Located near the northern entrance of DFO Jindalee, the new butchery is set to provide customers with fresh beef, pork, lamb, chicken, and smallgoods, expanding the selection at Amazons Family Fresh Market.
The Pham Family, owners of Amazons Family Fresh Market, have brought their expertise from running Mallans Meats at Fairfield to their new butchery.
“We love helping our customers save time with our unique mix of fresh products,” they said, emphasising the convenience of combining meat, fresh produce, and grocery items all in one place.
The butchery offers meats served directly from the counter or carved on-site according to customer preferences. The market’s new addition is expected to meet the growing demand for fresh food in the rapidly developing Jindalee area.
Photo Credit: Supplied
Support from DFO Jindalee
DFO Jindalee’s Marketing Director, Donna O’Neill, is pleased with the centre’s expanding services.
“Amazons Family Fresh Markets is extremely popular with our customers. The addition of their new butchery and its location so close to free parking makes shopping at DFO Jindalee even more convenient for customers,” she stated.
This development adds to the shopping centre’s mix of retail stores, cinemas, and alfresco dining, making it a comprehensive destination for the community.
Opening Specials and Holiday Orders
Several special offers will be available for the first five days, beginning 21 Oct 2024, to celebrate the butchery’s grand opening, including whole long eye fillet for $24.99/kg and chicken breast fillet for $8.99/kg. The butchery is also taking orders for wood-smoked hams ahead of Christmas, giving local families the opportunity to prepare for the holiday season early.
Jindalee Golf Club is set for a unique transformation this October. It will trade its usual tranquil atmosphere for a vibrant dancefloor as it hosts “Disco Chips.”
This event is scheduled for Saturday, 26 October, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and promises an afternoon of sunshine, feel-good vibes, and top-tier house music.
“Disco Chips” is more than a one-time occurrence; it’s a brand dedicated to turning everyday locations into lively party spaces. Their approach involves a mix of funky, deep, and jazz house music, catering to a wide range of musical tastes and creating an inclusive atmosphere where everyone can enjoy themselves.
Expert DJs: “Disco Chips” features a lineup of skilled DJs passionate about house music. Guests can enjoy a blend of classic house anthems and the latest sounds.
Interactive Entertainment: In addition to the music, “Disco Chips” will offer lawn games and other activities to keep attendees engaged and entertained throughout the afternoon. These activities will be customised to suit the venue and its audience.
State-of-the-Art Setup: A professional audio-visual setup, complete with high-quality DJ decks, sound systems, and lighting, will enhance the ambience and ensure a first-rate experience for everyone.
Immersive Decor: Branded decorations will transform the Jindalee Golf Club, creating a cohesive and welcoming environment that reflects the event’s theme.
This event at Jindalee Golf Club offers a unique chance to experience the new venue. With its emphasis on community enjoyment and quality music, “Disco Chips” guarantees a memorable day for all who attend.
A senior teacher from Mount Ommaney Special School has been honoured with a prestigious TEACHX Award, recognising her transformative contributions to inclusive education and cultural awareness at the school.
Emma Reid’s Impact at Mount Ommaney Special School
Emma Reid, a dedicated educator at Mount Ommaney Special School, was recognised for her outstanding efforts in bringing specialised non-verbal drama practices to the school, a unique approach designed for students with intellectual and multiple disabilities.
In 2022, she organised a collaboration with the UK-based Open Theatre Company, leading to a two-week residency that introduced the technique to students. Ms Reid secured funding from Brisbane to make this initiative possible, and the program has since become a key part of the school’s curriculum.
Ms Reid has continued to spread this non-verbal drama practice across Queensland, earning a Creative Fellowship from the city in 2024 to further her studies in England with the Open Theatre Company. Her innovative work in the creative arts field has gained attention beyond the school, with Mount Ommaney Special School becoming a finalist in the Sydney Opera House Play Awards.
In addition to her contributions to the performing arts, Ms Reid has been instrumental in promoting cultural awareness at Mount Ommaney Special School. She was a founding member of the school’s Reconciliation Action Committee and chaired it for several years.
Under her leadership, the school developed a visually and linguistically accessible Acknowledgement of Country, which has been integrated into the daily practices of the school’s classrooms.
Ms Reid also played a key role in enhancing the school library by facilitating the acquisition of Indigenous resources and coordinating the creation of two murals with a local Indigenous family. One of the murals, titled “Learning on Country,” now holds a prominent place in the school’s library, reflecting her commitment to embedding Indigenous culture into the school environment.
Ms Reid’s contributions at Mount Ommaney Special School will be acknowledged as part of the Excellence in Teaching category during a ceremony in Brisbane on 24 October 2024.
The awards, which highlight teachers from various sectors and regions of Queensland, aim to inspire and recognise educators who go above and beyond for their students.
Emergency services received a call just before 3:30 AM reporting a structure fire. Upon arrival, fire crews found the house engulfed in flames. The Queensland Fire Department dispatched six crews to combat the blaze.
According to a Queensland Fire Department spokesman, the fire was contained to its area of origin by 3:50 AM. However, it took until 5:30 AM for the fire to be fully extinguished. Despite the firefighters’ efforts, the house was gutted by the fire.
A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman reported that no patients were found at the scene, indicating no injuries resulted from the incident.
The circumstances of the fire have led police to declare a crime scene at the Pannard St address. Fire investigators are scheduled to examine the site to determine the cause of the blaze.
As the investigation is ongoing, authorities have not released any further details about potential causes or suspects. The incident has left the house severely damaged.
Pet owners in Brisbane are being urged to stay vigilant as Dr Sureiyan Hardjo, a vet at the Animal Referral Hospital in Sinnamon Park, reports an increase in cases of tick paralysis, with several dogs requiring intensive care treatment.
The vet noted that the clinic has been busier in recent weeks due to an uptick in paralysis tick cases. Dr Hardjo highlighted that seven pets were admitted to the Sinnamon Park facility’s intensive care unit in one week, with three requiring intubation and one placed on a ventilator.
The previous week, two animals were also on ventilators due to severe symptoms from tick bites.
Predicting Tick Season
According to Professor Stephen Barker, a parasitologist from the University of Queensland, the severity of each tick season is closely tied to the weather. Mr Barker, who has studied paralysis ticks for over 25 years, explained that while this year is expected to have an “average” risk of tick poisoning, this still translates to thousands of vet visits. He emphasised that even an average season could be dangerous for pets, and pet owners should remain cautious.
Female paralysis ticks, known scientifically as Ixodes holocyclus, lay eggs around January depending on the weather. Mr Barker pointed out that while hot and dry conditions can reduce the number of ticks, mild and wet weather helps them survive and reach maturity, making them more likely to seek out hosts in spring and summer.
Photo Credit: Google Maps/ARH Brisbane
Symptoms and Treatment
Paralysis ticks release toxins when they feed on their hosts, which can cause severe physiological complications, especially in dogs and cats.
According to Dr Hardjo, common symptoms include weakness in the legs, laboured breathing, and changes in behaviour, such as lethargy or difficulty swallowing. He warned that these symptoms can quickly become life-threatening if left untreated, with some animals experiencing paralysis of vital muscles, including those used for breathing.
Mr Barker recommended checking pets regularly for ticks, especially after being outdoors. Treatment typically involves administering tick anti-serum and manually checking the animal for additional ticks. Recovery times vary, depending on the severity of the case, but pets with mild symptoms can often return home within a couple of days.
With the tick season upon them, both experts call on the community to proactively protect their pets. Dr Hardjo stressed that keeping dogs on a leash and using preventative treatments are key to avoiding serious illness.
The construction of the new Youth Remand Centre in Wacol is advancing rapidly. The facility was fast-tracked in response to the need to alleviate watchhouse overcrowding.
Designed collaboratively by the Queensland Police Service (QPS) and the Department of Youth Justice, the centre aims to provide appropriate support to young people in custody and reduce their time spent in watchhouses.
The centre’s main structure is complete, and two detention wings have already received modular cells. Construction remains on schedule, and the facility is expected to be operational by December.
This project represents a significant investment, with over $260 million allocated for construction and nearly $150 million for its operation over the next three years.
The new centre is vital to the $1.3 billion Community Safety Plan for Queensland, which focuses on prevention, intervention, and detention.
Construction of two new youth detention centres in Woodford and Cairns are also underway, increasing capacity and enhancing access to support services for young people. The strategic placement of the Wacol remand centre near two existing youth detention centres aims to ensure that young people can readily access vital education, health care and rehabilitation services.
Until the new youth detention centre in Woodford opens, the facility, will increase the number of youth detention beds. The Wacol centre will provide 76 detention beds and multiple exercise yards, both indoors and outdoors.
Premier Steven Miles emphasised the commitment to community safety, highlighting a multi-faceted approach that includes increased police presence, stricter laws, and detention as a last resort. He stressed the importance of modern construction methods to quickly provide increased remand and detention capacity, enabling police to focus on their core duties.
The investment in targeted intervention and prevention initiatives aims to address the underlying causes of crime.
Treasurer Mr Cameron Dick underscored the need for evidence-based, well-detailed and adequately funded measures to tackle community safety.
Police Minister Mark Ryan highlighted the government’s ongoing investment in programmes that strive to achieve the best outcomes for young people, including those in custody. He stressed the importance of preventing young people who enter the system from becoming entrenched in a life of crime and emphasised the remand centre’s role in breaking the cycle of offending.
Youth Justice Minister, Di Farmer, reiterated that Community Safety is paramount for the Queensland Government and that when a court determines detention is necessary, the government has the services and plans to safeguard the community.
A grand residence in Westlake, boasting seven bedrooms, five bathrooms, and two kitchens, has earned an unexpected distinction: it’s been named one of PropTrack’s Top 30 Longest Running Sales Campaigns in Australia.
The property at 67 Carnegie Street, currently listed at a cool $2.8 million, has been on the market for an astonishing 2,349 days – that’s over six years, dating back to 2018. Despite its impressive features and prime location, this “enormous two-level home” on a “huge 2261 sqm riverside block” has struggled to find a buyer willing to commit.
Inside the Westlake property (Photo credit: centenaryrealestate.com.au)
Centenary Real Estate, handling the sale, described it in the listing as a “grand riverside residence.” And grand it certainly is, with features that read like a luxury property wishlist:
Four bedrooms, two with their own ensuite
Spacious formal lounge/dining area with a cosy fireplace
All-electric eat-in kitchen
Huge rumpus room with built-in bar
Wide, cool wrap-around verandah overlooking the pool and Brisbane River
Double lock-up garages plus off-street parking for another 4 cars
Tennis court with lighting
The Westlake Lifestyle
Photo credit: Google Street View
Westlake itself is no slouch when it comes to desirability. Residents paint a picture of an idyllic suburb:
“It’s quite peaceful and a happy place to live,” one homeowner shared. Another praised its “wide tree-lined streets, big beautiful houses.” The only minor gripe? A “lack of places to eat out,” which seems a small price to pay for such tranquillity.
The Million-Dollar Question
So why hasn’t this property been sold? Is it the price tag? The current $2.8 million asking price certainly puts it in the upper echelons of the market. However, without access to historical pricing data or information about local market trends, it’s challenging to determine if this is the sticking point.
Photo credit: centenaryrealestate.com.au
Perhaps it’s a case of being too unique. With seven bedrooms and five bathrooms, this home may simply be more than most families need, even in the luxury market. Or maybe, in a twist of irony, its long-standing presence on the market has become a self-fulfilling prophecy, causing potential buyers to wonder, “What’s wrong with it?”
Whatever the reason, this Westlake wonder continues to wait for its perfect match. As it enters its seventh year on the market, one can’t help but wonder: will 2024 finally be the year this riverside residence finds its new owners? Only time will tell.
In the meantime, it stands as a curious anomaly in Brisbane’s real estate landscape – a reminder that even in the most desirable locations, with the most impressive features, the property market can still throw up surprises.
