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You’re Invited! Sing-Along to Christmas Carols at Aspley Hornets FC

As we usher into the festive season, the Aspley Hornets would like to invite the whole family to come and enjoy free Christmas Carols on the Field.

Sing and dance, as the Aspley Hornets bring you four hours of family entertainment this coming 3 December 2022 from 3 pm to 7 pm.

And to make the event even more special, Santa’s sleigh bells will be ringing and jing ting tingling too as he makes a stop off at the Hornets to join in the festivities and meet the kids and get a photo with him. Apart from meeting Santa Claus, kids will also get to enjoy free rides, face painting and jumping castles.

Don’t forget to bring your own camp chairs or picnic blankets whilst singing along to the greatest Christmas hits that we have all loved through the years as performed by the great New Black Band.

But if you need to be somewhere else in Brisbane this December, you may want to check out these other Community Carols happening across the city.

Centenary Community Carols – Middle Park: 4 December 2022 at Peter Lightfoot Park from 3.30 pm to 8 pm
Wakerley Carols – Wakerley: 3 December 2022 at Wakerley Park from 3 pm with fireworks at 8 pm
Multicap Christmas Carols – Eight Mile Plains: 3 December 2022 at Multicap HQ, 269 Padstow Road Eight Mile Plains from 3 pm to 7.30 pm
Christmas in the Park – Calamvale: 3 December 2022 at Calamvale District Park from 4 pm to 7 pm
Jingle all the Bay – Sandgate: 3 December 2022 at Sandgate Town Centre from 3 pm to 9 pm
Creekside Christmas Carols – Morayfield: 4 December 2022 at Creekside Community Church at 3.30 pm, carol sessions at 4.30 pm to 6 pm
North Lakes Christmas Carols – North Lakes: 4 December 2022 at Kinsellas Sports Complex from 4 pm to 8 pm
Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols – Brisbane: 10 December 2022 at Brisbane Riverstage from 6 pm to 9 pm, gates open from 4 pm.
Redcliffe Christmas Carols – Kippa-Ring: 11 December 2022 at Nathan Road Sports Ground from 4 pm to 8 pm
Bray Park Christmas Festival – Bray Park: 18 December 2022 at Oasis Church from 4 pm to 7 pm
Pine Rivers Christmas Carols – Strathpine: 18 December 2022 at Pine Rivers Park from 4 pm to 8 pm

Don’t forget! The Aspley Hornets Christmas Carols happen this 3 December 2023 from 5 pm to 9 pm at the Aspley Hornets FC.

Check their social media for more updates.

Aspley Hornets Football Club | 50 Graham Rd, Carseldine QLD 4034, Australia

Commuters On Shorncliffe Line Can Now Pay Using The Smart Ticketing System

Did you know that passengers on the Shorncliffe train line can now pay for their journey using their bank cards, smart phones, and even smart watches?

Read: Brighton Residents Seek Upgrade of 1946 Drainage to End Flooding for Good

This comes as Queensland’s smart ticketing system for adult full-fare customers went online for both the Shorncliffe and Doomben lines, on Monday, 14 November 2022.

For the Shorncliffe station, the trial applies to anywhere between Shorncliffe, Sandgate, Deagon, North Boondall, Boondall, Nudgee, Banyo, Bindha, Northgate, Nundah, Toombul, Eagle Junction, Wooloowin, Albion, Bowen Hills, Fortitude Valley/ and Central stations.

This new smart ticketing trial also comes on the heels of the success of the Gold Coast light rail trial, which started in December 2020. The Gold Coast trial has recorded up to 1.7 million trips on the network since it started.

Smart ticketing was introduced to Brisbane in August 2022 and is now being rolled out across the Redcliffe Peninsula, Ferny Grove, Springfield, Ipswich/Rosewood, Caboolture, and the Sunshine Coast.

TransLink encourages commuters to try smart ticketing because it offers contactless payment methods in addition to Go Cards and paper tickets to pay for public transport.

Passengers who would like to use their bank cards will be able to tap on and off to pay for travel using their Visa, Mastercard, and American Express linked card or device.

“The current card-based system is more than 19 years old and is approaching end of life, meaning the current system and equipment does not have the capability to evolve with changing technology and customer needs and has been superseded by new cloud-based ticketing systems and secure contactless payment technology,” TransLink stated.

Shorncliffe — Photo credit: translink.com.au

Meanwhile, those who would still like to use their go cards may continue doing so. Paying with the go card also still applies to customers travelling on a child or concession fare and those who travel beyond Roma Street station or using a connecting bus service.

Read: Point-To-Point Speed Cameras at Stretch Between Nudgee Rd and Deagon Deviation of Gateway Motorway

For more information about using the smart ticketing system, visit translink.com.au.

Brighton Residents Seek Upgrade of 1946 Drainage to End Flooding for Good

Photo Credit: Peter Hansler/Deagon Ward Flooding Action Group/Facebook

Recent flooding during heavy rains, impacting more than 800 homes in Brighton, has once again ignited calls to upgrade the locale’s stormwater drainage originally built in 1946.

A petition, currently with over 200 signatures, has been the second filed this year asking Council to address this longstanding problem amidst the ongoing developments in Maclean St that could further clog the outdated drainage.

According to Marni Linnell, who created the petition, there are over 50 developments in Brighton that raised concerns about flooding in the area. Despite her previous petition in April 2022, which received 710 signatures, Council has apparently continued to “dodge” their concerns as the developments are still moving forward sans the drainage fix.

“BCC responded to community concerns by asking a developer to model the difference in flood to 200 ha upstream of Beaconsfield Bridge,” Ms Linnell said. “This fundamentally placates and dodges our concerns that there’s insufficient capacity for drainage for development to proceed.”

Brighton residents flooding issues — Photo Credit: Marni Linnell/Deagon Ward Flooding Action Group/Facebook

“We insist on a stop of Maclean Street development until this code assessment is complete for compliance with section 7 of BCC City Plan (stormwater).

“Given federal and state governments have offered to pay 50% of upgrade costs, this is an urgent call to action for Colin Jensen to upgrade Flinders and Beaconsfield Bridges to comply with City Plan prior to the upcoming third La Niña event.”

One local recalled that the last upgrade to the drainage near Beaconsfield bridge was in the 1970s but the shift to a concrete pipe design did not mitigate the floods.

Reports cited, however, that Council believes a drainage upgrade might not solve completely solve the flooding problems of residents near Brighton creek as it is a low-lying area.

Meanwhile, Brighton residents, including those impacted by the Brighton Wetlands during heavy rains, have set up the Deagon Ward Flooding Action Group to save their homes from further flooding damage.

“It absolutely blows my mind that the community is having to take the initiative and do this. Speaks volumes to the reactive rather than proactive approach of government,” one local said.

Aspley’s Local Fruit and Vegetable Shop Has a New Owner

Photo credit: Facebook / Top Spot Fruit Mart

After two decades of serving locals with the highest-quality local produce, the owners of Aspley Hypermarket’s fruit and vegetable shop have announced their retirement. They handed the reins over to the new owner, a former employee who has worked for them for four years.

Top Spot Fruit Mart owners Barry and Debbie have recently announced their retirement. They have been operating the store for the past 20 years and have recently sold their business to their former employee, Raj.

“Raj previously worked at Top Spot for four years and was a highly valued staff member, who was an incredible support for us,” the couple said in their social media post.

“We couldn’t be more proud that he will be the person who is taking over the shop.

Raj has been working hard at the markets with Barry to develop relationships with quality wholesalers and will strive to supply our valued customers with the quality that they are used to.”

Rana, his brother, and other family members will be joining Raj to provide support as he enters this new venture. Barry and Debbie and their daughter, Leah will be working with him, though, as he transitions to his new role.

Aspley’s Local Fruit and Vegetable Shop Has a New Owner — Photo credit: Facebook / Top Spot Fruit Mart

“As this door closes and we move onto the next chapter of our lives, we just want to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
Barry and Debbie

“Congratulations on your retirement. Sad to see you go but you deserve a happy time for yourselves, your children and grandchildren. Enjoy your retirement and the new adventures,” – C. Holt

“Thank u for being there through the past few years it’s been a roller coaster!!! now get out there and enjoy life to the full!!” – J. Gilvarry

“Congratulations and Best Wishes Debbie and Barry in whatever lies ahead. Your shop has provided us well over the years , and we always say , Support Local Business..❤️🎉❤️.” -L. Anderson

Family-owned and operated Top Spot Fruit Mart has been the leading fruit and vegetable shopping destination in the area for the past twenty years. The shop also offers a range of gluten-free products, dairy and deli products.

Their store is located at Shop 24 of Aspley Hypermarket Shopping Centre at 59 Albany Creek Road, Aspley. You can also order online here or visit their social media page here for store operating hours.

59 Albany Creek Rd, Aspley QLD 4034, Australia

Aspiring Ballerina From Geebung Gets Scholarship At Australian Ballet School

Hani Green, a student from the Prima Youth Classical Academy in Geebung, has been offered a full year’s scholarship to the Australian Ballet School, an opportunity that will build up her dance training through working with high-aptitude peers and renowned ballet teachers.

Read: St John Fisher College in Bracken Ridge Submit Plans for New Food Tech Building

Green received the ABS scholarship under the Intra/Interstate and International Training Program (ITP), a unique training program which provides training opportunities to Victorian, interstate, and international students at Levels 1-3.

The ABS ITP Program allows students outside Melbourne to join the school, since most of their programs, such as the After School and Full-Time training takes place in their Melbourne facility.

Australian Ballet School — Hani Green (Photo credit: Prima Youth Classical Academy/Facebook)

Green was one of the many students who have been offered scholarships after attending the Youth America Grand Prix Brisbane masterclass.

The two-day semifinals, held between August and September 2022 in Sydney and Brisbane, saw participants attending masterclasses led by ballet luminaries, such as ABS director Lisa Pavane and Cuban-Canadian ballet star Cesar Corrales.

Besides the scholarship at Australia’s premier training facility for ballet, Green has also received an acceptance at John Cranko Summer School.

Rett Davies from Perth Classical and Contemporary Coaching has also been offered a full year’s scholarship to the premier ballet school.

About the Australian Ballet School

The school serves as the country’s national centre for elite vocational classical dance.

They have a total of eight level programmes aimed to produce graduates of the highest calibre who are capable of integrating effortlessly into The Australian Ballet and top professional dance companies in Australia and around the world.

Read: Developer Seeks 125-place Childcare Centre In Bracken Ridge

The school is located at Kavanagh Street in Southbank, Victoria.

Proposed Childcare Centre in Bracken Ridge to Meet Growing Demand for Long Day Care Services

Plans have been submitted for a 125-place childcare centre in Bracken Ridge, to meet the demand for long day care services within the area.

Read: School Fees Increase Looms in Shorncliffe Catholic School, Other Qld Private Schools

The proposed childcare centre in Bracken Ridge, designed for children between the ages 0-5, would have two storeys. Renders by Husband Architects show the centre would have outdoor play areas and activity rooms.

Ground floor plans (Photo credit: Husband Architects/BCC)

Upper floor plans (Photo credit: Husband Architects/BCC)

Located at 173 Norris Road, Bracken Ridge, the centre would provide a total of 25 car parking spaces, which includes 11 for staff with one disabled space on the ground floor. Vehicle and pedestrian access will be provided via Norris Road.

childcare centre in Bracken Ridge — (Photo credit: Husband Architects/BCC)

An assessment undertaken by Business Geographic for the applicant found that the existing childcare centres within the catchment area have an average occupancy rate estimated at 85.41 percent, indicating a restricted supply which is not adequately meeting demand in the area.

“With consideration to the capacity of established centres within the catchment, it is estimated that an additional 100 – 150 places per day is required to meet local demand within the catchment,” the report reads.

Meanwhile, the subject site is being surrounded by residential areas. To facilitate the development, two existing dwellings and driveways will have to be removed.

“The building has been designed to provide a bulk and scale that is compatible with the surrounding residential area, with a significant portion of the lower level of the building being substantially cut into the allotment,” planners at Atomic Town Planning said.

If approved, the childcare centre in Bracken Ridge will operate from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Read: Hidden World Playground To Get Sun Shade As Part Of Fast-tracked Program

To learn more about the plans, visit Brisbane City Council’s PD Online and look for the reference A006057473.

School Fees Increase Looms in Shorncliffe Catholic School, Other Qld Private Schools

JPhoto Credit: Wokandapix / Pixabay

With rising inflation and costs associated with delivering educational services, private schools in Queensland including a Shorncliffe Catholic school, are sounding the alarm on impending school fees hike.

During the past two years, many private schools have chosen to freeze fees to stem the exodus of children of pandemic-impacted families to public schools. But now, it looks like the inevitable has come.

Private schools in Queensland have begun announcing or are considering school fee increases for next year whose uptick rate could even surpass the current inflation rate, between four and ten per cent.

St Patrick’s College is no exception. In mid-September 2022, the college sent notice to parents about possible higher fees with increases that could be as much as ten per cent for the next couple of years.

St Patrick’s College pointed to several factors that impacted the school’s budget for 2023 that led to possible increase in fees including the rising operational cost and inflation as well as insufficient federal and state government funding. Still, the school assured its commitment to delivering quality education amid the inevitable school fees hike.

According to a report from Blueprint Institute released in early September this year, fees at independent schools nationwide have increased by more than 50 per cent over the last decade. In major cities, the increase went as much as 54 per cent and up to 80 per cent in some instances. These increases far outstrips inflation and wage growth, the report said, which creates an affordability crisis for families across the country.

The Blueprint paper noted that, presently, there is a lack of transparency around non-government school expenditure which often “feeds into the uncontrolled year-on-year fee increases.”

“The taxpayer spends $18 billion per year on funding private schools under the guise of providing ‘educational choice’ to families. But this justification becomes indefensible when that choice is removed unless families take on credit card debt or remortgage their homes to pay for school,” Blueprint CEO David Cross said.

Blueprint, hence, proposes “the creation of a statutorily independent ‘Non-government School Transparency Advisory Committee’ by each state government.” This would in turn result in extensive self-regulation that could limit school fee increases and stop exorbitant spending.

“Non-government schools will be more reluctant to spend money earned from fees on superfluous capital works, exorbitant executive salaries, travel, and luxury items if they know they have to publicly defend said expenses to the Committee and fee-paying parents,” the report said.

Kerbside Collection Is Coming to Brisbane’s Northside

Photo Credit: manfredrichter / Pixabay

Heads up, people on the northside! Kerbside Collection is coming to Brighton, Deagon, Sandgate, Taigum, Shorncliffe, Boondall, Zillmere, Virginia, and Geebung this October.

The 2022 Kerbside Collection pick-up schedule will be as follows:

3 October – Brighton, Deagon, Sandgate, Taigum
10 October – Shorncliffe
17 October – Boondall, Zillmere, Virginia, Geebung

For the schedule of other suburbs, Brisbane City Council has a Kerbside Collection calendar.

Check the calendar

For periodic reminders so you won’t forget your schedule, download Council’s free Brisbane Bin and Recycling app and keep push notifications enabled.

Residents are advised to place all acceptable materials for collection on the kerbside the weekend before the collection starts. These items should be on the kerbside in front of your home by 6 am at the start of the collection period.

Some of the acceptable items for collection include bath and laundry tubs, bicycles and sporting equipment, carpet and rugs, electronic waste* (e.g. televisions and computers), furniture and white goods (e.g. fridges and stoves), small household appliances (e.g. fans and toasters), and wood products less than 1.5 metres.

You may also consider donating your still-usable items to organisations that can recycle or find other uses for them including GIVIT, Charitable Recycling Australia and BCC’s Treasure Troves.

GIVIT

This not-for-profit organisation serves as a link between the communities in urgent need of essential items and those who have and are willing to donate. GIVIT was established in 2019 by Juliette Wright. Their platform allows charities to make potential donors aware of what are the exact items currently needed by the individuals that they support.

DONATE to GIVIT

Charitable Recycling Australia

Charitable Recycling Australia proudly supports circular economy transition through charitable reuse and recycling. With the help of member enterprises who provide their decades of expertise in the collecting and sale of donated goods, the organisation has been extending the life of about 285 million products each year and pioneering the concept of circularity even before it was officially named.

donate to Charitable Recycling Australia

Treasure Troves

Council currently operates two second-hand shops which sell donated items for Brisbane residents. The items come from BCC’s resource recovery centres.

Brisbane City Council’s Treasure Troves are open from 8 am to 4 pm every weekend (excluding Easter Sunday, as well as Christmas Day and New Year’s Day when these days fall on a weekend).

Visit Treasure Troves

These shops are located at 46 Colebard Street West in Acacia Ridge and at 27A Prosperity Place in Geebung.

The resource recovery centres are located here:

Chandler Resource Recovery Centre, 728 Tilley Road, Chandler
Ferny Grove Resource Recovery Centre, 101 Upper Kedron Road, Ferny Grove
Nudgee Resource Recovery Centre, 1372 Nudgee Road, Nudgee Beach
Willawong Resource Recovery Centre, 360 Sherbrooke Road, Willawong

Nationwide AmpCharge Rollout Includes Ampol Foodary Carseldine

EV owners in Carseldine can soon avail of AmpCharge fast charging at the Ampol service station on Gympie Road as Ampol announces plans for a national rollout, after launching the country’s first electric vehicle fast-charging solution, in Sydney.

Read: REDcycle Initiative Helps Turn Plastic Marine Waste Into Convenient Coles Shopping Bags

Each equipment will be capable of charging an EV at up to 150kw and has the capacity to charge at least two vehicles concurrently. The site will also feature solar panel systems and battery storage provisions.

Charging time using a 150kw ultra-fast charger usually takes approximately 10 to 20 minutes, which equates to roughly 100-200 km.

The AmpCharge on the road charging points have industry standard CCS Type 2 and CHAdeMO connectors attached to charging connectors as required by Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), which means they are generally compatible with most electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles available in Australia.

Ampol Carseldine (Photo credit: Google Street View)

Matt Halliday, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Ampol, said it’s part of their vision to become Australia’s leading distributor of energy, providing mobility solutions for any of the vehicles their customers drive, anywhere and anytime they need it.

Aside from opening AmpCharge in Ampol service stations, depots and terminals across the country, Mr Halliday said they will also be entering homes, workplaces, and shopping centres for the first time, as part of their plan “to deliver simple and efficient charging solutions at convenient locations to keep people moving.”

Brent Merrick, Ampol’s Executive General Manager, International and New Business said Ampol is looking to establish the leading EV charging network in Australia by 2030.

“Electrification and electric vehicles will play a critical role in reducing emissions across Australia’s transport sector over the coming years and we have an important role to play in supporting this transition,” said Mr Merrick.

Read: Carseldine Childcare Centre Aims for 5-Star Green Rating

Ampol is planning to open approximately 120 sites by December 2023. The other three, aside from Carseldine, will be launched in Northmead NSW, Altona North in Victoria, and Belmont in Western Australia as part of the initial rollout this year.

Barktoberfest Returns to Carseldine Markets

For the sixth year in a row, Barktoberfest returns to Carseldine Markets in 2022 with heaps of activities, entertainment, and gourmet food, all to celebrate a fun doggy day for some of Brisbane’s most beloved pets.

Barktoberfest Photo 1 — Photo Credit: Supplied

Barktoberfest offers pawsome fun from 6:00 a.m. until noon, Carseldine Markets at Dorville Road turns into a pooch paradise that no pet-loving person should miss.

Barktoberfest Photo 2 — Photo Credit: Supplied

Think competitions and prizes galore, doggo fashion and dancing demos, and dozens of stalls featuring specialty businesses. There will be live music and kids’ entertainment to round out the fun!

Barktoberfest Photo 3 — Photo Credit: Supplied

Doggie competitions include Strike-A-Paws where four-legged cuties will strut down the catwalk (or dogwalk, as the case may be!), a Pawparazzi contest for photogenic pets, and the Lick-a-Mat race.

Barktoberfest Photo 4 — Photo Credit: Supplied

There will be rehydration stations at the site to ensure that all pets stay healthy amidst all the springtime excitement. Last year’s hit Barktoberfest attraction, Splash Zone, is also making a comeback in 2022, thanks to Gumtree Greys.

Barktoberfest Photo 5 — Photo Credit: Supplied

Also, get a chance to meet some of Gumtree Greys’ lovely greyhounds and learn more about the organisation and their rescue work.

Happening on 15 October 2022, this year’s Barktoberfest is proudly sponsored by Dogtraining101 and Brisbane North Barbell.

Entry to the event and parking are free. Click here to register for the event.

Other reminders:

Register to win a dog hamper: https://bit.ly/lucky-door-prize-2022
Fashion Parade Entry Form: https://bit.ly/strike-a-paws-2022
Pawparazzi Photo Competition Entry Form: https://bit.ly/pawparrazi-2022
Lick-a-Mat Race Entry Form: https://bit.ly/lick-a-mat-2022

Carseldine Markets | 133 Dorville Road, Carseldine