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Congested Section Of Centenary Motorway To Receive Much-needed Upgrades

An upgrade is being planned for the Centenary Motorway, between Toowong and Darra, considered one of the most congested sections of Centenary Motorway.

Read: Motorists Warned Of Increased Risk Of Deer On Centenary Roads

Now updating the previous plan for the upgrades, TMR said the project will improve safety and capacity between Frederick Street in Toowong and the Ipswich Motorway in Darra.

“When completed, the fully upgraded motorway will cater for the transport demands along the corridor in the medium to long-term with upgrades focusing on safety, improving travel-times, and active transport facilities,” Transport and Main Roads announced.

Every year for a decade now, Centenary Motorway has made it to the top 10 most congested roads in Queensland.

According to RACQ, vehicles moved at an average speed of 39.9 km/h on the motorway, making it the Brisbane road with the lowest inbound peak hour speed.

RACQ traffic and safety engineering manager, Gregory Miszkowycz, revealed they have been campaigning for upgrades to the section of the motorway between Darra and Toowong for several years.

Mr Miszkowycz highlighted that during peak times, this section of the thoroughfare is one of the slowest highway commutes in southeast Queensland.

centenary upgrades — Photo credit: Google Street View

RACQ’s 2021 Red Spot Congestion survey also showed that Centenary Motorway had the second-highest number of nominations by frustrated motorists following Bruce Highway.

Around 142 respondents claimed the motorway does not have enough lanes and road capacity.

Mr Miszkowycz believes the additional lanes, interchange and safety upgrades between the Ipswich Mtwy and Toowong are desperately needed given the expected population growth in the west and Ipswich.

The updated motorway masterplan will also outline measures to improve safety, travel-time reliability and efficiency on an arterial road. It will also identify the most effective “staging approach’’ to deliver the motorway upgrade.

At present, there are already two major projects on Centenary Motorway: the $15-million Centenary Motorway and Logan Motorway interchange upgrade and the $244-million duplication of Centenary bridge which is anticipated to commence in late 2022.

The Australian Government has already committed $10 million for the upgrades between Toowong and Darra, under the Major Projects Business Case Funding Program.

Former Jindalee Resident Celebrates 100th Birthday With Trip Down Memory Lane

Former Jindalee resident Adeline, a resident at the Bolton Clarke Fairview Residential Aged Care community, recently celebrated her 100th birthday with a trip down memory lane.

Read: Restaurants and Health Care Tenancies Within Jindalee Direct Factory Outlet Proposed

Adeline or simply ‘Addie,’ was born in Gatton as the youngest of seven children. She grew up on a farm at Lake Clarendon in the Lockyer Valley.

One of her fondest memories as a child was riding a pony named Queenie when going to school. During school hours, Queenie would be let out in the paddock and at the end of the day one of Addie’s friends would round the pony up so that she could ride home again.

Addie’s granddaughter Erin shared that her grandma worked on the home farm in Lake Clarendon and at McWhirter’s department store in Fortitude Valley, where she met and married her first husband, Stanley, in 1947. He was based in Brisbane for a short time during the war.

Addie and Stan had one child Ross, and now has three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

When Stan passed away in 1987, Addie re-married few years later. The man was Fred, who happened to be her first boyfriend.

“Fred was her boyfriend as a teenager, but they lost contact. They reconnected at a funeral, years later and soon got married,” Erin shared.

Erin shared the two had three years together at Lowood until he passed away but in marrying Fred, she also gained stepchildren and all of their extended family who became like family to them.

After Fred died, Addie returned to Brisbane and lived in Middle Park, Jindalee.

Erin shared that her grandma loved getting a chocolate milkshake and some chips from a popular fast food chain when they would go out to shop.

“She’s still going strong at 100 years old, and the family joke is that she will outlive us all!” Erin jokes, as Addie celebrates her 100th birthday and looks back at a lifetime of loving and living.

Motorists Warned Of Increased Risk Of Deer On Centenary Roads

Motorists are being warned to slow down and be on the lookout for deer on Centenary suburbs, especially in and around Mt Ommaney, Westlake, and Jindalee.

Read: Warning on Online Transactions Raised Following Darra Local’s Assault During Meet-Up

This comes after a video emerged showing a herd of deer crossing Westlake Drive, Mt Ommaney in front of an oncoming vehicle at night.

Many residents pointed out that there seems to be a growing deer population in Brisbane’s southwest, as clearly seen in the herds of deer wandering the streets and blocking roads.

Aside from creating a traffic hazard on roads, deer also damage native vegetation through browsing and trampling and ringbarking.

feral deer — Photo credit: Debabrata Das/Pexels

One resident quickly connected an urban legend with respect to the growing number of deer in these suburbs.

“Urban legend is that there was a deer farm in Brisbane back in the day and the wife divorced the husband and opened all the gates and let them out,” the comment reads.

Based on the popular urban legend, a couple once owned a large deer farm in Pullenvale. Following their divorce, locals said that the wife of the deer farmer apparently opened the gates to let the animals escape.

Locals who have had deer sightings, especially in the western suburbs, believe these animals are either from the herd or the descendants of the herd from the Pullenvale farm.

Whilst the story seems absurd, the Pullenvale deer farm owner confirmed in a radio interview that he used to own over 500 deer, but they escaped as a result of his marital woes.

deer in brisbane — Photo credit: Olga Lioncat/Pexels

The farm owner, John, who now lives in Cairns clarified it was his former mother-in-law and not his ex-wife who opened the gates to his deer farm.

Meanwhile, collisions between deer and vehicles normally increase during winter, particularly around June, when they hunt for food or look for shelter.

Brisbane City Council reminds motorists to slow down when driving and exercise caution when they see deer or deer warning signs. Locals can submit a feral animal sightings report or call Council on 07 3403 8888.

Dementia Australia Brings Memory Walk & Jog to Rocks Riverside Park for 2022

Did you know that Queensland has more than 87,700 people with dementia? With the fundraising efforts of the Memory Walk & Jog at the Rocks Riverside Park in Seventeen Mile Rocks, dementia patients and their families or carers will have invaluable resources for their needs.

The Memory Walk & Jog at the Rocks Riverside Park will take place Sunday, 29th of May, at 8:00 a.m. This is an important initiative to support the patients, as well as raise awareness for the degenerative condition.

This year’s goal in Brisbane is to raise $130,000 and so far, over 55 teams with 874 participants have signed up and pledged more than $88,000 to the cause.

“These events are so important, not just from a fundraising perspective, but also because they are opportunities for people impacted by dementia to gather, to get active and to share stories with people in similar circumstances,” Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe AM said.

“Together, we can make the world look brighter for people with dementia. Let’s show them they are not alone!”

For the rest of the year, various Memory Walk & Jog events will also take place across the country for all ages and abilities.

Photo Credit: Memory Walk & Jog/Facebook

However, those who can’t attend one of the planned events in the series may still organise their own group or individual walk or jog and contribute via the My Way or Walk & Jog Impossible Challenge.

Restaurants and Health Care Tenancies Within Jindalee Direct Factory Outlet Proposed

Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Plans have been lodged for several restaurants and health care tenancies at 11 Pavilions Close, where the two-storey Jindalee Direct Factory Outlet and an associated car parking structure currently sit.

Under the proposal, the existing car parking area will be reconfigured and expanded to facilitate the construction of additional tenancies at the Jindalee DFO.

Existing site plan | Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au

This will result in an increase of 1,163 sqm in GFA: 737 sqm for Food and Drinks outlets and 426 sqm for Health Care Services.

Proposed site plan | Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Tenancy T3 and T4 | Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Additional 59 car parking spaces will be provided to replace the spaces that will be lost elsewhere in the car parking area, in addition to the 112 additional spaces that will remain untouched.

Commercial Tenancy - Level 1 Entry — Commercial Tenancy – Level 1 Entry | Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au

There will be no changes to the existing access from Pavilions Close and Amazons Place, however, a new second access point from Amazons Place is proposed as part of the development application.

Entry driveway | Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Development Proposal at a glance:

T1 – (Hungry Jacks) Food & Drink Outlet
T2 – Food and drink outlet
T3 – Food and drink outlet
T4 – Food and drink outlet
T5 – Food and drink outlet
Commercial T1 – Health Care Services
Commercial T2 – Health Care Services
59 Additional car parking spaces
Total GFA – 1,163sqm

“Outdoor dining and pedestrian connections to the existing centre will be providing surrounding these tenancies. This will result in both sides of the internal access road becoming active frontages, creating a greater sense of separation between the car parking areas and the centre as a whole, and providing centre users with a significantly more interesting vista when looking towards the parking areas,” planners at Reel Planning said.

Reel Planning added that the proposed installation of an additional car parking deck above the existing decks will not result in an increase in the overall height of the proposed development.

Jindalee Siblings Recognised For Work on Raising Awareness About Childhood Stroke

Well-deserved congratulations are in order for Elliot and Sophie Clayton as the Jindalee siblings earned recognition for their work and dedication to raising awareness about childhood stroke.

Elliot and Sophie have both received the Stroke Warrior Award at the 2022 Stroke Foundation Stroke Awards. The recognition is a brand-new category for people under the age of 18 years old who advocate for stroke awareness, recovery, and fundraising to help patients.

Sophie was only 4 years old when she suffered an unexpected stroke. She was playing with a cousin when she suddenly collapsed. Mum Amanda recalled that Sophies’s right side “completely disappeared.” Recognising the signs of stroke, Amanda called for an ambulance. Sophie was rushed to the hospital, where she received life-saving treatment.

Sophie’s experience has highlighted the fact that this medical emergency can happen to anyone in an instant. Thankfully, her brother was instrumental in her progress and recovery. Elliot helped Sophie regain use of her weak side, alongside the therapies recommended by her doctors.

After surviving the trauma, Sophie and her brother have now made it their mission to educate the public about the risk of stroke in children.

For years, Elliot and Sophie have been speaking to politicians and state representatives to raise funds for stroke survivors and their families on the journey to recovery.

Each year, Elliot and Sophie have also been setting goals for her to achieve so that she can maintain her health.

“They have been ambitious, and they have been brave. Their efforts have been commended by the politicians they have targeted, and constantly impress our wider community,” said Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Sharon McGowan.

“If this is the future of Australia’s advocacy community, we’re all in good hands,” she added.

About the Stroke Awards

The Stroke Awards celebrate the unsung heroes in our community who go above and beyond to improve the lives of Australians affected by stroke. This includes the survivors of stroke, carers, volunteers, fundraisers, health professionals and researchers and members of the community.

For more information on the risks and symptoms of stroke, visit strokefoundation.org.au

Seventeen Miles Rocks Gets New Local Brewery With Lucha Brewing Co

West Brisbane has scored another brewery with the opening of Lucha Brewing Co, a family owned business located at Seventeen Miles Rocks.

Read: Get Your Coffee Fix and ‘All Things Tasmanian’ at Riverhills Plaza

Owners Sandra and Damien Odger wanted to do something creative, hence they decided to open a brewery after years of working in the public sector.

lucha brewing co — Photo credit: luchabrewingco/Facebook

One of the challenges they experienced along the way was finding a location for the business. In fact, they spent over a year looking for one. After much consideration, they chose Seventeen Miles Rocks, for its character and size, where locals can easily drop by to unwind with some craft beers.

lucha brewing address — Photo credit: luchabrewingco/Facebook

After almost two years of planning, they finally opened Lucha Brewing Co in February 2022, a relaxing venue that can accommodate up to 50 guests.

The brewery uses the Braumeister system, a compact brewing unit that makes the lautering process (separating the mash into clear liquid wort and residual grain) quick and without a mess.

lucha brewing ipa — Photo credit: Morgan Johnston/Google Maps

Lucha Brewing Co has its own craft beers on tap but also showcases three taps from Sea Legs Brewing Co, Soapbox Beer, and Aether Brewing. Aside from craft beers, guests who prefer wine can order Sirromet at the bar.

craft beers aether — Photo credit: luchabrewingco/Facebook

Patrons can bring their own food or have it delivered via food delivery services, but on weekends, usually starting on Fridays, there are food trucks outside serving some of the best grubs you can pair with craft beer.

For more details about Lucha Brewing Co, follow them on Facebook or on Instagram @luchabrewingco.

Komatsu Unveils Wacol Distribution Centre, Innovation Hub

Photo Credit: Komatsu / komatsu.com.au

Did you know that Komatsu has officially opened its Innovation Hub, a part of the new, $48-million Wacol Distribution Centre?

Todd Connolly, General Manager, Business Transformation said that as the company focuses on innovation and technology leadership across all aspects of its business, the Innovation Hub is an addition to the new Wacol Distribution Centre “…that demonstrates Komatsu’s vision to empower a sustainable future where people, businesses and our planet can thrive together.”

“It’s been designed to inspire the next generation of Komatsu employees and management, along with our customers and other stakeholders, to continue our innovation journey along with us,” Mr Connolly said.

A range of interactive exhibits will be showcased at The Innovation Hub demonstrating the company’s latest technologies in mining, quarrying and construction equipment and solutions.

The exhibit covers mining automation, Komatsu Smart Construction, digital services, sustainability, supply chain and a “history lane”.

Mr Connolly added that the exhibit will allow visitors to see the company’s past and vision of the future featuring classic items display of Komatsu equipment as well as prototype all-electric remote control excavators.

Wacol Innovation Hub — Photo Credit: Komatsu/ komatsu.com.au

“We have live displays of our Komatsu machine population throughout Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia – including location, operating status and machine condition – along with a countdown to our 150th anniversary in 2071.

“There are also opportunities to try out a Komatsu excavator simulator, or see how our Smart Construction offerings are having a direct influence today on the management of our infrastructure and resources projects of tomorrow.”

The 17,500-sqm Wacol Distribution Centre is the first largest facility that the company has constructed thus far. It has created more than 50 new jobs and was commissioned in celebration of the company’s 100th anniversary.

The new distribution centre will allow the company to serve and improve the satisfaction of its more than 3,000 customers across Queensland, the Northern Territory, NSW, New Zealand and New Caledonia.

“Customers in these regions – which includes large mining customers – are currently serviced from our various Brisbane facilities, and by consolidating them into a single operation, we anticipate a marked improvement in customer satisfaction,” Komatsu’s General Manager, Supply Chain Russell Hodson, said.

“The new facility will also be much safer for Komatsu employees and service providers, making use of the latest warehousing technology and systems, including anti-collision systems and full worker/machine separation throughout.

Japanese Encephalitis Outbreak Prompts Anti-Mosquito Spraying Blitz in Seventeen Mile Rocks, Other Suburbs

Following confirmed cases of Japanese encephalitis across Queensland, Brisbane authorities have ramped up its anti-mosquito measures, including an anti-mosquito spraying blitz in Seventeen Mile Rocks and other suburbs.

Read: Free Skateboarding Lessons Held Monthly at PCYC Mount Gravatt

Brisbane is the only local government authority to employ two expert entomologists to address mosquito activity and undertake treatment based on their advice.

For the city-wide anti-mosquito spraying, Council has deployed four all-terrain vehicles, two electric buggies, and more than 20 spray trucks.

This comes after there have been a number of cases in the country. As of 7 March 2022, Queensland has recorded four human cases of infection of the Japanese Encephalitis virus (JEV), putting the total number of known or probable cases to 32 across Australia.

Post-flood mosquito surge

Given the recent flooding, mosquito numbers are expected to increase across the State.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner revealed that about 1,400 of Brisbane’s known 2,400 breeding sites were triggered by the recent rainfall.

“There has been a lot of rain and a lot of water is still around, so I ask residents to play their part and please prepare their homes for mosquito season by keeping their yards empty of any water-holding containers in which mosquitoes can breed, such as buckets, pot plants saucers, and bird baths,” he said.

“Make sure windows, and all openings on rainwater tanks, are screened and ensure roof gutters are not blocked with leaves.”

Symptoms and precautions of Japanese Encephalitis

Japanese Encephalitios symptoms — Photo credit: Polina Tankilevitch/Pexels

The Australian Government has announced that it will work closely with states and territories to educate the community about JEV, what precautions people should take, and symptoms to be aware of.

In mild cases, a person with JEV usually suffers from headaches or fever. In some instances, an infected individual may not feel any symptoms at all.

Symptoms of severe JEV include:

High fever and chills
Severe headaches
Sensitivity to light
Neck stiffness
Seizures
Spastic paralysis

The Department of Health urges Queenslanders to take necessary steps to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes, especially given the recent flooding event.

Measures to prevent mosquito bites include regularly applying insect repellent containing Diethyl Toluamide (DEET), Picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus; wearing loose, light-coloured clothing to cover up arms, legs and feet; and using other insecticide-based mosquito control devices where possible when outside.

Japanese Encephalitis Virus vaccines

The Government will also work closely with the states and territories to support the distribution of vaccine doses to at-risk population groups. They would allocate $70 million to combat Japanese encephalitis, which includes purchasing 130,000 doses of vaccine to protect people from the deadly virus.

The additional JEV vaccines, which will be available from late March to April 2022, will be distributed equitably to states and territories.

At present, there are two human JEV vaccines available on the Australian market, Imojev (Sanofi-Aventis Australia) and JEspect (Seqirus).

Warning on Online Transactions Raised Following Darra Local’s Assault During Meet-Up

Brisbane locals are reminded to take extra care when arranging meet-ups for buying and selling transactions online, following the assault of a Darra local who met with an online buyer in Mansburg Terrace.

The perpetrator not only grabbed the watch sold by the Darra man but also managed to assault the victim before running away. The b uyer allegedly said he can only pay part of the arrangement they agreed online and will transfer the rest of the money electronically.

Investigations by the Queensland Police Services are ongoing. According to the QPS, incidents of robbery offences among locals who arrange their buying and selling activities on various online platforms have risen.

The QPS has offered the following suggestions for Queenslanders who are into online transactions:

Check the profiles of the buyer or seller before agreeing to a meet-up. If their profiles appear to have been created recently, then it may be an indication of a fake user or scammer.
Check the seller’s public profile and reconsider completing the deal if the conversations appear to be one-way with little engagement from the community.
Ensure your personal safety when meeting up. Never do this at night in secluded or private areas. If possible, meet during daylight hours in a place where there are CCTV cameras and plenty of people.
Have a friend or family member with you. According to the QPS, “This increases your safety and provides a potential witness if needed.”
Record details of the person you are meeting including name, email address, phone number and registration numbers.
Cancel the meeting if you feel uncomfortable. Trust your gut insticts.
Never accept a screenshot as payment proof.
If payments are done online, ensure the security of the payment method. Never pay by money order, pre-loaded money cards or wire transfer.

Additionally, locals are encouraged to follow online safety advice from sources such as the Australian Cyber Security Centre regarding how to safely purchase/sell online.

The QPS encourages reporting robberies online or by calling 1800 333 000.

REPORT ROBBERY TO QPS