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Free or Budget-friendly Activities at the Rocks Riverside Park in Seventeen Mile Rocks

Discover a variety of engaging and family-friendly activities that won’t break the bank, all taking place this May 2023 at the Rocks Riverside Park in Seventeen Mile Rocks.

Read: Narrung Street Park, Sanananda St Park To Be Retrofitted With Shade Covers In 2023

U-Jam

U-Jam Fitness fuses urban dance and hip-hop music with physical fitness, resulting in a dynamic blend. This exhilarating cardio workout embraces the latest chart-topping beats, making you feel as if you’re attending an electrifying dance party.

Dates:

Fri 12 May 2023
Fri 19 May 2023
Fri 26 May 2023

Zumba Fitness

the rocks riverside park — Photo credit: Andrzej Rembowski/Pixabay

Catering to individuals of all ages, their classes seamlessly transition between high and low-intensity dance moves strategically crafted to elevate your heart rate and enhance cardio endurance.

Dates:

Sat 13 May 2023
Sat 20 May 2023
Sat 27 May 2023

Ball sports Program for Kids Aged 2-6yrs

This ball skills program, inspired by the renowned Billy Slater, is tailored for children aged 2-6 years. The engaging sessions include a diverse range of games and activities that focus on enhancing hand-eye coordination and gross motor skills. Bookings are essential.

Dates:

Sat 13 May 2023 (9:30 a.m and 10:00 a.m.)
Sat 20 May 2023 (9:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.)
Sat 27 May 2023 (9:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.)

Cardio and Strength Conditioning

rocks riverside park — Photo credit: yogabelloso/Pixabay

Indulge in an invigorating workout experience at the park, where you can partake in a dynamic bodyweight strength and cardio session. Whether you prefer a low or high impact workout, this session has got you covered.

Join a supportive community of like-minded individuals who not only share fitness goals but also enjoy a good laugh as you push through an exhilarating workout together. Get ready to break a sweat and have a fantastic time!

Dates:

Wed 17 May 2023
Wed 24 May 2023
Wed 31 May 2023

Tai Chi Qigong in the Park

Experience the invigorating power of this dynamic activity that harmonises your body and mind, leaving you feeling relaxed, refreshed, and serene. Admission fee is $5.

Dates:

Thu 18 May 2023
Thu 25 May 2023

Children’s Storytime at the Park

Immerse yourself in the enchantment of storytime with your little one at a First 5 Forever storytime session in the park at the Pop-up Library.

This captivating experience offers a blend of tales and melodies designed specifically for young children. It’s the perfect opportunity for children aged from birth to five years and their parents or caregivers to engage in a delightful, interactive session filled with stories and songs.

Date:

Wed 24 May 2023

Walk and Whimsy, Art in the Park

Embark on a captivating journey through the enchanting gardens and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. Breathe in the delightful sights and sounds that surround you, and let them ignite your imagination for the second part of the workshop.

Unleash your creativity as you craft whimsical artist books using an array of papers and fabrics. Admission is $5, offering you a delightful experience that blends nature’s wonder with artistic expression.

Date:

Thu 25 May 2023

More Strength and Cardio Activities

Join a community of like-minded individuals and embrace an active lifestyle that fosters independence while enhancing brain function and uplifting mood through the power of strength training. This low-impact workout is suitable for all fitness levels, making it an ideal choice for seniors.

Dates:

Wed 17 May 2023
Wed 24 May 2023
Wed 31 May 2023

Read: Construction Contract Awarded: Centenary Bridge Upgrade Now a Step Closer

The Rocks Riverside Park is located at 531 Seventeen Mile Rocks.

For more details about the upcoming events at the park, visit Brisbane City Council’s website.

Published 11-May-2023

Moco Food Services to Build 17-Hectare Cold Storage Facility in Wacol

Moco Food Services, a family-owned company established in 1961, has lodged plans to build a cold storage facility and an office space in Wacol.

The development application (DA A006235842) filed on 23 March 2023, details a proposal to turn a 42,345 square metre lot along 55 Barracks Road into a major meat processing site as Moco Food Services looks into expanding in the Sunshine State and northern NSW.

The cold storage facility will have 16,057 square metres of warehouse space that includes the meat processing area, chiller and freezer. It will also have a 2,366 square metres of office space, a hardstand and more than 180 onsite carparking. Around 11 per cent of the site will be landscaped to “ensure a positive visual amenity and softening of hardstand areas.”

“The proposed warehouse facility is consistent with the established industrial area and as such will not adversely impact on adjoining properties,” the planners stated in the DA. “Further, the height, bulk, scale, and siting of the extensions are in accordance with the requirements of the Preliminary Approval.”

Post-pandemic, demand for cold storage sector, now valued at $5 billion in Australia, has rapidly evolved with sophisticated technology to ensure that the logistics and supply chain are unhampered.

Apart from this investment, Moco Food Services has also been adopting hands-free voice picking and forklifts with automated routing software to expedite its operations for its over 6,000 food lines.

Published 15-April-2023

Rocks Riverside Park: Among Brisbane’s Most Popular Parks

Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / Flickr

Did you know that Rocks Riverside Park has recently been named among Brisbane’s most popular parks in 2022?

Revealed last February, Rocks Riverside Park ranks among Brisbane’s most popular parks behind New Farm Park, City Botanic Gardens and Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha. The list is based on the number of inquiries and bookings in 2022.

Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / Flickr

Rocks Riverside Park is a district park located on the site of the former Queensland Cement Limited quarry at 531 Seventeen Mile Rocks Road in Seventeen Mile Rocks. Opened on 7 December 2003, the park is Brisbane’s largest riverfront park covering an area of 26 hectares.

Rocks Riverside Park is divided into three major zones: the river flat which used to be a rich riverside environment, market garden and industrial site; the bushland ridge that forms a backdrop to the river flat area and is covered with dry eucalypt forest; and the major green link from the park to suburbs in the south.

It features three booking sites (The Entrance, The Green and The River), a community garden, free Wi-Fi, Great Lawn (approximately 8000 square metres of open grassed space) and a half-size basketball court.

Visitors will also find industrial artefacts throughout the park, a junior playground (suitable for toddlers to eight-year-olds), climbing net/fort and flying fox for school-aged children, jumping pillow, public art reflecting the park’s industrial heritage, shared pathways and a water play area.

Top 10 most popular parks based in inquiries/bookings:

New Farm Park: 1,284
City Botanic Gardens: 694
Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha: 679
Rocks Riverside Park – Seventeen Mile Rocks: 335
Calamvale District Park: 234
Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park – Lower River Terrace: 187
Newstead Park: 141
Musgrave Park – South Brisbane: 138
Orleigh Park – West End: 105
The Lake Parklands – Forest Lake: 92

Published18-March-2023

Narrung Street Park, Sanananda St Park To Be Retrofitted With Shade Covers In 2023

Two parks in Centenary, Narrung Street Park in Middle Park and Sanananda Street Park in Darra will be among the first parks in Brisbane set to receive sun shade in the first half of 2023.

Read: Jindalee Home Centre to Have New Children’s Playground

The city’s new Sun Safe Suburban Playgrounds program aims to ensure that every playground in Brisbane, including Sanananda Street Park and Narrung Street Park, has shade that will help protect parents, carers and children and potentially save lives.

According to Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, thay have incorporated shade in all of the city’s new playgrounds when required, but there are some that still need to be retrofitted with some form of cover.

Narrung Street Park — Photo credit: Hiroshin Takumi/Google Maps

“Under our Sun Safe Suburban Playgrounds program, Council will identify those playgrounds that need cover and ensure they receive it over the next three years,” said Cr Schrinner.

“This program is in addition to our ongoing investment in new and improved parks and playgrounds throughout Brisbane suburbs.”

To do the project, Council had engaged three local suppliers and manufacturers to make and install shade sails at the first package of playgrounds funded under the program.

Photo credit: ww.brisbane.qld.gov.au

“Many parents of young children like me would know only too well that playgrounds without shade are off limits for large parts of the day, particularly during Brisbane’s hotter months.

“Our program will be pivotal to ensuring that when the sun is up our parks are cooler for everyone.

Read: Late Real Estate Businessman’s Family Opens New Italian Restaurant at Metro Middle Park in His Honour

It’s estimated that around 150 playgrounds will be upgraded with shade under this new program.

On top of the shade sails, BCC is also looking at investing in planting mature trees, not only because they create a cleaner and greener environment but they are also a great source of shade.

Published 4-March-2023

Construction Contract Awarded: Centenary Bridge Upgrade Now a Step Closer

The Centenary Bridge Upgrade is now a step closer with the awarding of the construction contract in late December 2022. Once delivered, the upgrade will improve safety, increase capacity, reduce peak hour congestion and less travel time between the CBD and western suburbs, between local destinations, and along the Centenary Motorway.

The contract was awarded to Georgiou Group and BMD Constructions, as a joint venture, Premier and Minister for the Olympics and Paralympics, and Member for Inala Annastacia Palaszczuk announced last 27 December 2022.

“This upgrade will see a new three lane Centenary Bridge built in Jindalee, as well as an upgrade of the existing bridge, meaning you’ll get home safer and sooner,” the Premier said.

“More than 85,000 cars use this bridge daily, and that number will increase.

“This is an important step towards busting congestion through our growing region.”

Construction Contract Awarded: Centenary Bridge Upgrade Now a Step Close — Centenary Bridge Upgrade proposed design as at October 2022 | Department of Transport and Main Roads / tmr.qld.gov.au

State Member for Mount Ommaney Jess Pugh said that previous tender submissions “came in low, and another even promised to build two new bridges with the funding.” He added that both of the proposed options had been thoroughly explored.

“After consideration, we saw that these tender submissions could not deliver on what was promised. I’m pleased we can now move forward with a reliable, Queensland based joint venture, with over 40 years experience,” he said.

“The project will double capacity across the river, as well as improve access to Amazon Place Park while preserving the much-loved Jindalee Skate Park.

“We know how important it is to include safe options for cyclists and footpath users, especially those who travel on two wheels, in a wheelchair, mobility device, or pushing a pram.”

The Centenary Bridge accommodates more than 85,000 vehicles a day. Current traffic modelling shows that the volume of vehicles crossing the bridge will swell to around 152,000 per day by 2036.

The Centenary Bridge Upgrade in Jindalee will include a new 3-lane northbound bridge and the rehabilitation of the existing bridges to create three southbound lanes along with an upgrade of active transport facilities with improved connection to the Western Freeway Bikeway and local destinations and the retention of the Jindalee Skate Park.

The Federal and Queensland Governments are jointly funding this $298.5 million project.

Published 25-February-2023

Free Access to a Jindalee Pool When You Join the Starlight Super Swim Challenge 2023

Photo credit: Twitter / Dr Suzy Green

Dive in and swim for a cause! For the entire month of February 2023, Rackley Swimming Jindalee will be giving free access to anyone who will participate in the Starlight Super Swim Challenge.

Starlight Children’s Foundation will be holding its fifth annual Super Swim in cooperation with the world’s leading swimwear brand, Speedo.

The country’s favourite online swim challenge will take place from 1 through 28 February 2023, with the aim of raising over $2 million that will go towards supporting more than 50,000 sick kids.

The challenge is open to all Australians, regardless of age and fitness level, and they will be given the choice to do the Super Swim challenge at a location of their choice – their pool, a lake, or a local swim centre.

Supported by Speedo and courtesy of their Aquatic Centre partners, participants in the Super Swim Challenge will be given free access during the month of February to 23 pools across the country.

Participants can track their distance, either manually or via the fitness app Strava, and encourage friends and family to show their support and donate for every kilometre or lap swum to help them reach their fundraising goal.

They will also receive continuous support throughout the challenge with fundraising and training tips and will be rewarded for their fundraising efforts with branded merchandise and other prize incentives.

Participants will be able to complete their swim challenge anytime throughout the February 1 – 28 timeframe.

“We’re delighted to be able to support Starlight’s Super Swim Challenge. Giving Australians free access to some local swimming pools means even those who don’t live by a beach or have a pool at home can participate and help raise vital funds to bring happiness to sick kids,” James Hickman from Speedo said.

“Starlight has a special place in my heart as it’s supported my family during some extremely tough days in the hospital,” Starlight Ambassador Brook Hanson OAM said.

“Whether it’s just a hand on your shoulder to say, ‘it’s okay’ or having a cup of tea in the Starlight Express Room, it really does make a difference and I’ve witnessed it firsthand.

So, this February I encourage you to grab your Speedos and join me for this year’s Super Swim. Together we can make a difference for sick kids and their families.”

Meanwhile, Starlight Louise Baxter said that being “seriously ill shouldn’t mean missing out on the joy of childhood. Especially when evidence shows happiness makes a difference to a child’s ability to cope and their long-term health outcomes.”

“Starlight,” he said, “ has been there for sick kids when they need it most and there are no fewer sick kids who need the fun, joy and laughter Starlight brings.”

“Super Swim participants will join a fundraising community of thousands as they attempt to beat their personal swimming goals and replicate the success of last year’s event, which raised over $2 million for Starlight.”

So hurry and sign up now!
Click here to register or visit the Speedo team page here to donate.

Published 18-February-2023

Darra Has Highest Incidents of Dog Attacks On Postal Workers in QLD

Photo Credit: Simono Gatdula

Darra has logged the highest incidents of dog attacks in Queensland alongside Gold Coast, amidst a plea from the Australian Post for pet owners to secure their dogs at home and prevent more severe and debilitating injuries among the posties.

Susan Davies, the Executive General Manager of People and Culture, said that the reported incidents have had a rising trend in recent months, with dog attacks increasing by 55 per cent since July 2022.

Across Australia, New South Wales had the highest number of cases at 351 whilst Queensland logged 281 and Western Australia had 183.

Ms Davies said that they now receive reports of seven dog attacks per day, ranging from scratches, bites, punctures and lacerations. The traumatising incident also causes long-term psychological issues.

Ms Davies also cautioned that the “sweetest dogs” may pose some danger as well as they have had two of the worst attacks coming from dachshunds.

The dog attacks mostly happen along the footpath, followed by the front door, at the letterbox and in the front yard, per the Australian Post.

“With the huge growth in online shopping, we’re delivering a lot more parcels than ever before. That means our posties and delivery contractors don’t just need to access your letterbox – they often need to enter gates and approach front doors to complete their deliveries,” the notice stated. “If they don’t feel confident accessing your letterbox or front door safely, they may not be able to deliver your mail.”

To keep the posties safe, the Australian Post suggested the following preventive measures:

Place your dog in a separate room or restrain it with a leash when we arrive at your front door.
Don’t let children answer the door as dogs can push or charge out.
Give your dog a toy or treat to distract them when the delivery arrives.
If you can’t restrain or confine your dog, consider installing a large, secure letterbox on your property for parcel deliveries.
If your dog is outside, make sure it’s securely away from the letterbox or front door.
If you’re out and about with your dog, use a sturdy lead to restrain it.

New Operators May Take Over Jindalee Jungle to Prevent Closure

After announcing plans to permanently close, Jindalee Jungle may have a shot at remaining open after all, thanks to new operators who have expressed interest in taking over the popular indoor play centre.

In mid-January 2023, the current owners posted a notice on its Facebook page that it will cease operations at the end of the month.

Families who have been regulars of Jindalee Jungle were sad about the news, including a mom who had booked the place for her child’s birthday party in February. The indoor play centre has a cafe and several party rooms booked for private functions.

However, the announcement has since been removed and the page has been advertising its opening hours.

In another Facebook post, the owners confirmed that “someone has offered to take over the jungle in February” but also clarified that “nothing is certain at this point.” The current owners, however, are still managing the facility until the 26th of January. No details of the new operators were revealed.

“This is a more intimate centre than some others which is nice, because it’s less overwhelming than the giant ones! Great service, lovely staff. Birthday parties are so easy and you don’t have to do a thing – heaven!”
Kathryn

“Went for my sons birthday party today, was a great time, very clean place, staff were very friendly and helpful, the room was set up beautifully and the food was great too. Thank you so much Jindalee Jungle.”
Colin

“Hosted our daughters 6th birthday here. Despite being a busy weekend the staff took great care of us. The food arrived at the exact time we asked for. It was really tasty and everything we asked was promptly taken care of. The play area is a bit small. So this place would be ideal for less than 5 year old however our 6 year old and her friends had a great time here. I would highly recommend this place.”
Arun

E-Scooter Catches Fire Inside a Darra Home

Photo credit: Facebook / Queensland Fire and Emergency Services - QFES

An early morning e-scooter fire inside a Darra home left five people hospitalised due to injuries and smoke inhalation.

Five people –two men, a woman and two teenage girls– were hospitalised after an e-scooter caught fire. The incident happened at about 4 am Thursday 12 January 2023 inside their home on Sigiriya Street in Darra.

A man believed to be in his 40s sustained burn injuries on his back and was rushed to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in stable condition. Also taken to the hospital was a woman in her 30s who suffered minor hand burns, and two teenage girls and a man – in his 50s – due to smoke inhalation.

Four fire crews removed the e-scooter and extinguished the fire after 10 minutes. They remained at the property for about 45 minutes to ventilate the house and monitor the atmosphere.

Neighbours could be heard screaming immediately after the e-scooter went ablaze, recalls one resident who posted about the incident on her social media. Whilst another rushed to the scene with a fire extinguisher to help put out the fire.

The e-scooter reportedly exploded whilst charging.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services said that Li-ion batteries that are damaged, exposed to heat sources or are charged inappropriately are at risk of catching fire or, in extreme cases, explosion.

Also, when they become overheated or catch fire, they are likely to emit a highly toxic vapour cloud.

If a lithium battery explodes or catches fire, do not breathe the air in the vicinity. Likewise, refrain from touching a damaged battery or device to prevent severe burns from occurring.

Published 12-January-2023

Contractors Chosen for the Centenary Bridge Upgrade

The contract for the Centenary Bridge upgrade has been awarded to the Georgiou Group and BMD Constructions in a joint venture that will ease traffic congestion by building three new lanes on the side of Jindalee and remediation of the current bridges.

The upgrade will also entail improvements in the active transport facilities for pedestrians and cyclists accessing the Western Freeway Bikeway or visiting the Jindalee Skate Park.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the contractors and said that work on the Centenary Bridge upgrade will deliver more local jobs and ensure that residents of West Brisbane will be able to go home safer and sooner.

More than 85,000 vehicles cross the bridge every day. Projected modelling revealed that the number of vehicles will increase to 152,000 vehicles per day by 2036.

Now that bridge is closer to construction, State Member for Mount Ommaney Jess Pugh said this is a belated Christmas gift for the community.

“I have advocated for this project since I was elected, as I know how desperately our community wants shovels in the ground,” Ms Pugh said.

“Previous tender submissions came in low, and another even promised to build two new bridges with the funding – both options had to be thoroughly explored to make sure we were getting the best value for taxpayers.

“The project will double capacity across the river, as well as improve access to Amazon Place Park while preserving the much-loved Jindalee Skate Park.

“We know how important it is to include safe options for cyclists and footpath users, especially those who travel on two wheels, in a wheelchair, mobility device, or pushing a pram.

“Construction will start next year, and I know locals are just as excited as I am.”

The almost $300-million project, however, received criticisms from the opposition for the delays and the added $50 million cost. The timing of the announcement during the holiday break also prevented public scrutiny.