Centenary Archives - Page 2 of 2

Police Encourage Businesses in Centenary to Seal Power Supply Boxes

The Queensland Police Service is encouraging businesses in Centenary, especially cafes and restaurants, to double up on security measures as break-ins and attempted break-ins increase in this pandemic.

In a message posted on the official site, Senior Constable Bree Macdonald said that reports of break-ins happen outside business hours. Apparently, the thieves cut off the establishment’s power to shut down any installed electrical security systems.

The constable recommends securing the power supply boxes with an Energex lock.

“Padlocks and other types of standard locks can be supplied by these locksmiths to match Energex reading system. The locksmith will provide a lock that has an individual key and only you and Energex can access this lock,” Ms Macdonald said.

Photo Credit: Queensland Police Services

The police also shared tips for businesses to maintain security. According to Ms Macdonald, it’s important for cafes and restaurants to have “clear visibility both inside and outside your business environment.”

All doors must have deadlocks and deadbolts, whilst windows must be reinforced with “shatter-resistant film or laminated glass.”

As much possible, businesses that use safe boxes must have these anchored on walls or floors and kept locked at all times.

Tip jars must be off the view, whilst the point of sales areas, as well as entries and exits should have security cameras installed.

All cameras and alarm systems will need to be tested regularly as well.

For businesses that require help, including a security audit, phone 31317381. For active crime prevention, the police also encourage reporting crimes online.

Centenary State High School’s New Senior Learning Building Nears Completion

The construction of a new Senior Learning Building at the Centenary State High School in Jindalee is almost finished. Soon, this school community will be ready to accept more students as part of the State Government’s 2020 Ready Program.

Situated near the Visual Arts Centre and the tennis courts, the expansion consists of a multi-storey, state of the art technology learning facility with a covered link connecting to the other buildings. This site is going to be an innovative learning space for different subjects of interest to the students.

March 2019
Photo Credit: Centenary State High School/Facebook

May 2019
Photo Credit: Centenary State High School/Facebook

November 2019
Photo Credit: Centenary State High School/Facebook

Queensland’s 2020 Ready Program

Centenary State High School is one of 61 schools across Queensland to receive part of the $250 million funding to deliver more classrooms and better educational infrastructure for 2020.

“Our kids are our future and, as a Government, one of the most important things we can do is give Queensland students a world-class education,” Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad stated when the funding was initially announced in 2018.

“Queensland is a fast-growing State and this investment is about planning for the future.”

New Air Conditioning Units for 2020

In line with the expansion and improvements, Centenary State High School is also one of 300 schools in Queensland to receive funds for air conditioning that will provide for cooler and comfortable classrooms, libraries or staff rooms. The units will be set and ready for the start of the school term in January 2020.

“The majority of Centenary State High School is already air-conditioned thanks to the great work of the P&C and school community. However, there’s still around 14 classrooms that are not. These will be covered as part of our announcement,” Minister for Education MP Grace Grace relayed to concerned parents, teachers and students.

Centenary Motorways Outlined in SEQ $62 Billion Infrastructure Plan

The South East Queensland (SEQ) Council of Mayors has identified the Centenary Motorways Bypass as one of 47 roads and railways that will benefit from its $63 billion infrastructure plan. Released in January, the massive project is expected to ease traffic gridlocks to improve livability in SEQ in the next 25 years.

The Strategic Transport Road Map for SEQ names the Centenary Motorway Bypass as part of its key projects, along with Brisbane Metro, Cross River Rail, North-West Transport Corridor, Fast Rail (Northern, Southern and Western Corridor), North-South Link ((Inner Western Bypass), East-West Link (Toowong on Legacy Way to South East Freeway Tunnel), and other upgrades like various green bridges and pedestrians or cycle cross-river links.

The road map is based on a study the Council commissioned to address traffic challenges in SEQ. The report projected these critical roads, if not upgraded, would reach over capacity by 2031.

To deliver all these projects will require an average of $2.7 billion spending a year, from 2019 to 2041. To upgrade the Centenary Motorway would cost $1.1 billion.

The plan will entail building a four-lane tunnel that will link Sumners Rd interchange to Toowong. This tunnel will run parallel to the Centenary Motorway and bypass the traffic at the Centenary bridge.

Another proposed tunnel will link Toowong from the Centenary Motorway going to the Everton Park.

The infrastructure improvements must be undertaken in phases as soon as possible as the projected the population growth for the region will necessitate more transport demands. Current committed infrastructure projects, even if delivered and completed, will not suffice if major corridors like the Centenary Motorway are not improved.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said SEQ could not afford project delays as it will trigger higher infrastructure spending and cripple the region. However, there’s still the matter of funding the projects.

“This report is a very important one, but the elephant in the room is we need a Federal Government who is committed to infrastructure in South East Queensland,” Transport Minister Mark Bailey said while commending the mayors’ initiative.

Sumners Road Upgrade Moves One Step Closer, Early Works to Start in Late 2018

With the design process already underway, the upgrade of Sumners Road Interchange moves one step closer to completion.

The Queensland Government Department of Transport and Main Roads recently awarded the design contract to Arup Consultancy in March 2018. The department plans to start early works sometime in late 2018.

Member for Mount Ommaney Jess Pugh is delighted that the project is moving forward.

“This is great news for people who travel through western Brisbane because it will ultimately mean less time spent in the car, and more time spent doing what they enjoy,” said Ms Pugh.

The project is part of the $65-million allocation to decongest Sumners Road Interchange and Centenary Motorway, which registered some of the slowest traffic speed during peak hours, according to a report by RACQ.

Read: Centenary Highway to Get $65-Million Upgrade within 12 Months

Read: Centenary Motorway Registers Slowest Traffic in the City

Overcapacity

The upgrade project is much anticipated as Sumners Road continues to operate beyond its capacity. Every day, up to 35,000 motorists pass through the interchange. Five-percent of the vehicles using the interchange are heavy vehicles.

Decongesting traffic flow at Sumners Road Interchange is essential as it is the main interchange going to the Ipswich-Centenary Motorway intersection. The project would also ease connectivity to Darra train station by reducing bus travel time.

The plan includes adding a second overpass bridge at Sumners Road. This is intended to improve the traffic flow along the interchange. The design will also replace roundabouts at each end of the bridge with signalised intersections.

On-road cycle lanes, shared paths and dedicated crossing facilities will also be added to encourage active transport options.

Preliminary plan for the Sumners Road Interchange (Photo credit: www.qld.gov.au)

Once the project is completed, it should improve efficiency and reliability for public, private and freight vehicles passing through the interchange. The project also aims to promote the safety of active transport commuters.

The upgrade is projected to take around three years, weather and construction conditions permitting.

Centenary Highway to Get $65-Million Upgrade within 12 Months

After a long wait, Centenary Highway could soon see some improvements as Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced that the government will spend $65 million for its upgrade.

The upgrade will involve the upgrade of the Sumners Road Interchange, which is used by 35,000 vehicles every day.

“This intersection has been a headache for commuters for a long time – now my government is committed to fixing it,” said the Premier.

“This upgrade, which will also create 50 jobs, will reduce congestion on the daily commute, and cut travel times for 5,500 heavy trucks that use this interchange daily, improving freight connections and supporting local businesses.”

The project involves adding two signalised intersections in place of the current roundabouts. A new two-lane eastbound bridge will also be constructed as part of the upgrade.

The plan will also see additional bike lanes, shared paths and crossings to provide active transport options to daily commuters.

Development is expected to start within 12 months, after completion of the design and the bidding process. The project should be done after two years.

Preliminary plan for the Sumners Road Interchange

Easing Traffic

The announcement is a welcome development for commuters, considering the importance of the highway to residents driving to the CBD from Brisbane’s western suburbs.

In a recent RACQ study, Centenary Motorway ranked number one on slowest traffic in the city.

Read: Centenary Motorway Registers Slowest Traffic in the City
Read: Left Out of State Budget, Centenary Motorway Will Continue Peak-Hour Crawl – RACQ
Read: Riverhills Still Wants a Bridge to Bellbowrie According to Recent RACQ Survey Results

Steven Miles, who is the Acting Minister for Main Roads and Road Safety, stressed that the project will have a positive impact on traffic flow in other parts of the city’s transport network.

“This is the closest city-bound interchange to the Ipswich-Centenary Motorway intersection, so easing congestion at Sumners road has far-reaching consequences,” said Mr Miles.

“It also improves connectivity to Darra train station through reduced bus travel times. That benefits passengers travelling towards Ipswich, Springfield or Brisbane.”

Centenary Meeting at Jindalee to Discuss NBN ‘Crisis’

Concerned citizens experiencing problematic NBN service are gathering at a meeting at Jindalee Bowls Club on Tuesday, 29 August 2017.

The promise of NBN connection was for superfast broadband connection allowing users to browse the web, stream movies and do other activities online all at one time. But the current experience of users in the Centenary area falls short of the promised superfast connection.

The event will be hosted by Oxley MP Milton Dick, who said he organised the meeting due to significant demand from Centenary locals complaining about the NBN rollout.

A number of residents in the western suburbs have been reporting drop-outs and poor customer service from the NBN service provider. This is the second meeting of its kind. The first was one held at Springfield Lakes last month and attended by around 100 people.

Steven Jones MP, Shadow Minister for Regional Services, and State Labor candidate for Mt Ommaney, Jess Pugh, will also be at the meeting.

The meeting will be from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided during the meeting.

Signify intention to attend here.

Centenary Not-for-Profit Community Groups Receive Funding

The Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF) has provided funding to eight not-for-profit organisations in the Centenary area.

The funds were part of the one-off grants program, which distributes around $53 million each year to community groups in Queensland. The program allows non-profit organisations to apply for grants ranging from $500 to $35,000.

Grant Recipients

Centenary Suburbs Men’s Shed. Recipients of the grants include the Centenary Suburbs Men’s Shed, which is getting $29,000 to help it install solar and renovate its building. Also called Men’s Shed 100 Inc, the Seventeen Mile Rocks group provides a venue for men in the community to get together regularly and share common interests.
St Catherine’s Football Club. A new kitchen equipment will be purchased by Middle Park-based St Cats using the $25,002-grant it received from GCBF.
Good News Community Playgroup. The community playgroup based in Jamboree Heights will use the $21,230 grant to build softball areas. The playgroup provides indoor activities for children ages 0 to 5 years,
Centenary Combined Sporting Association. The Centenary group received funding of $20,000, which it will allocate for new office furniture and video equipment.
Western Districts Baseball Club. The amateur team based in Darra will be buying a new grandstand using the $17,998 grant it has received.
Parents and Citizens Association of Oxley State School. The P&C association of Oxley State School received $15,290 which it will use to purchase an industrial fan.
McLeod Country Golf Club. The Mount Ommaney golf club requested funding and received a grant of $10,000 to be used for roof repair and carpet replacement.
Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA). The Oxley branch of the QCWA received $7,200 from GCBF. It will use the money to buy a solar system for its facility.

The next round of funding by the GCBF will open in mid-July and will close on 31 August 2017 at 11:59 p.m.

Need funding for your community group? Watch this tutorial to learn how to apply for a grant through the Gambling Community Fund.

Visit the GCBF website to learn more.