latest news

12.05.12 - Kurilpa Derby feat. The WeekendAust!!

our happiest day of the year in West End has been published in The Weekend Australian magazine. The Kurilpa Derby has been featured in The Heart of the Nation section with a wonderful photograph and story, click here to read it

04.05.12 - Plea from WECA President-End the Politics

Recent elections were a chance to bring fresh ideas and new leadership to the challenges of local planning. Sadly today's pronouncement (and it seems Qld'ers will hear many more) from the LNPs Premier Newman and Mayor Quirk have ripped away any prospect of better local planning and development.

Over 5,400 locals supported medium-rise (5-8 storey) residential redevelopment in West End's former industrial areas. Less than 4% wanted Newman's CBD high-rise revision. Quirk isnt delivering better planning outcomes, nor is it democratic, nor does it support local ambitions for future development. 

How can WECA ever work with politicians that blatantly ignore the wishes of locals and would rather play bully-boy, power politics?

Please end the politics and let's finally install the traffic lights that the LNP has promised three times now for our children on Montague Road before a car accident claims a precious life.  

30.04.12 - Cr Helen Abrahams re-elected

Congrats to Cr Helen Abrahams for her return at Saturday's City Council elections. Helen has always been a big supporter of local initiatives and many WECA sponsored events incl the West End Film Fest, Kurilpa Derby, West End's Local Love Fest, our traditional welcome to country ceremony and local greening projects. We look to forward to working together again across the next four years.

28.03.12 - Community Defense Fund Appeal

If everyone donates $30-$50 WECA can cover all its legal costs associated with the recent defense down on Montague Rd. Even with the help of hundreds of hours from WECA volunters to minimise the money spent on lawyers and experts, the most recent 321 Montague Road appeal cost us close to $35,000. Yep, $35K!
Thanks to the generosity of several large and smaller donors, WECA has been left to find just $8,000 to pay all the outstanding appeal costs.
Donations can by made by electronic funds transfer into the West End Community Association Appeal Account at MECU:
BSB: 313-140
Account: 23192367

21.03.12 - Brisbane Floods: Prof Ed Blakely

An expert town planner view of how the flood response was handled and comment on the adequacy of local planning and development approvals..."that made the situation even worse...we knew better but threw caution to the wind"...interview from ABC News available here

20.02.12 - West End Film Fest 2012

Tickets On Sale Today!!! You can purchase them online from WEFF site .

12.02.12 - Premier Bligh Expands Sth Bank

UPDATE--this announcement has many suprises. WECA welcomes all new greenspace and openspace. Better parks help us create a better future for our neighbourhood. Please review the plan with the boundaries here, WECA has uploaded the full document.

Today's surprise announcement by Member for South Brisbane, Anna Bligh, is incredible news for the people of Sth Brisbane and West End. More details to come, in meantime, coverage by Sunday Mail and Brisbane Times...

"The new project would [extend] to Hockings Street when completed. Ms Bligh said the government had spent six months planning on the extention. The government has been in in negotiations with Parmalat to acquire the company's land."

01.02.12 - CityGlider2-Paddington to Stones Cnr via SthBank

A new CityGlider bus service is proposed for mid 2012. The service will run from Paddington to Stones Corner linking Suncorp Stadium, the SouthBank Cultural Precinct and The Gabba....however Lord Mayor Quirk hasn't funded it yet, go figure???

31.01.12 - 2012 Management Committee Appointments

The first Management Committee meeting for 2012 has elected the Association's officebearers: President-Darren Godwell; VicePresident-David Bratchford; Secretary-Dr Erin Evans; Treasurer-Adrian Buzolic and Committee Members Emma-Kate Rose, Jacqui Walters & Hazel Parkins.

20.01.12 - Appeal 321 Montague Rd

UPDATE--WECA WINS AGAIN IN SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY INTERESTS!

It took the P+E Court less than five minutes to issue orders upholding WECA's appeal and to throw out Council's approval. The key message is clear: this community will not tolerate political interference in planning nor will we stand-by if developers lodge DA's that fall outside the legal planning scheme. Read the press release

 

BREAKING NEWS--WECA's appeal prospects have improved markedly. Further news pending! WECA support for sound future development continues, as does our vigilance against senseless development that is outside the law and inconsistent with local ambitions.

19.01.12 - MORE Success for Safer Streets

UPDATE: More good news to report. Energex have replaced the yellow bulbs in all the streetlights along Melbourne St and up along Boundary St into West End. The white light has significantly improved visibility. Congrats to those couple of hundred people that attended the rally last year. This is more evidence of your efforts.

 

16Oct2011-Thanks in part to the rally for the Safer Streets (organised by WECA members) the street lights in Manning Street, South Brisbane have been improved, made brighter and are more reliable. This small step goes some way to improving safety on our streets. Thanks to each of you that participated in the rally to make this public statement of support for safer streets.

06.12.11 - AGM Outcome

The AGM elected the following members to the Association's Management Committee--Dr Erin Evans, Jacqui Walters, Hazel Parkins, Adrian Buzolic, David Bratchford and Darren Godwell. And the MC intends to appoint Emma-Kate Rose at its first meeting in 2012. Emma was ill on the day and unable to attend.

Special thanks and recognition to Chris Thompson for his contributions to the MC over several years, and welcome to new MC member Jacqui Walters.

23.11.11 - 2011 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

When: 10am Saturday 3rd December.

Where: Souths Leagues Club, Davies Park, West End.

Who: All are welcome, renew or join WECA on the morning. Only members will be eligible to vote for the election of the Management Committee.

Its been an incredible year in Kurilpa and your community association has been as active and involved as ever. Join us to recap and reflect...we promise the shortest AGM you've ever been to...gives us more time to catch up.

10.11.11 - RENEW TODAY

Its that time of year again, the weather is warmer, the plants are growing, Musgrave Park pool is open and YOU NEED TO RENEW YOUR WECA MEMBERSHIP.

Please RENEW or JOIN TODAY

14.10.11 - Be Prepared-Storm Season

With the first of the summer storms striking yesterday its another reminder to prepare for the coming storm season. Emergency Services Qld have a great checklist to help, click here 

14.09.11 - Thousands Celebrate Kurilpa Derby

Thanks to everyone that joined the 4th Kurilpa Derby. 2,000-3,000 locals filled Boundary St with life, love and fun to celebrate life on wheels. Thanks to all who paraded, attended and contributed. Thanks also to all those local businesses that donated prizes.

Lots of photos are being posted into the Kurilpa Derby facebook pages. 

27.07.11 - Cities rethink Urban Spaces

'Pop-up' urban planning gives cities the freedom to experiment with projects on a temporary basis, allowing innovative ideas a trial run..Cities around the world are embracing the idea..any ideas for West End? read full article

26.07.11 - CityCat returns to West End

Services to resume Monday 1 August out of the West End terminal.

22.07.11 - 96% support medium-rise redevelopment-NOT 30 storeys

Aria lodges DA for 30storey monolith into West End. WECA members currently reviewing full documentation and plans. If you'd like to support any action on this particular DA please contact WECA via email .

21.07.11 - Aria 30storeys out of step, out of character

BREAKING NEWS----Aria Property Developments have lodged a development application with Brisbane City Council for a 30 storey tower in a residential street of West End, near Melbourne and Boundary Streets.

WECA supports development that advances our ambitions and is consistent with our values.

WECA believes eight is enough--8 storeys is high enough to achieve the population density that adds to a vibrant community.

If this application is approved by the City Council it will go against the overwhelming wishes of the community that contributed to an extended consultation process. That huge building is out of step, out of character and will be out of place. To recap:

·            a total of 5,487 submissions and petitions were made to this process across the two windows for public input (Council sometimes refers to select aspects of the process for effect and to distort the import of the total consultations). 

·            This is the most submissions ever made to a draft neighbourhood planning exercise. More than any other suburb in Brisbane. The first round alone had 4,664 submissions/petitioners.

·            96% supported predominantly residential into medium-rise (6-8storeys) built form and mixed-use (re)development.

·            Less than 4% of submissions received supported Campbell Newman's proposal for CBD-style high-rise.

·            1 solitary condition was listed by state govt Minister Sterling Hinchcliff on the draft presented by Council for area south of Davies Park: he capped building heights to seven storeys. Council ignored that requirement and approved a 12 storey complex at 321 Montague Road, South Brisbane that is currently before the Planning and Environment Court on appeal.

·            these amendments and this process began in 2007; its been an unusually long process.

A 30 storey tower in the middle of West End will be a glaring example of everything that is wrong with City Council planning processes and we will have to live with this for the next 50 years.

18.07.11 - Local Love Fest 2011

This is how we do it West End-a celebration of everything that is local and everything that we love..organising is ramping-up for a calender of local happenings across the month of September.

19.06.11 - Bikes are Better--safer for all road users

Why Bike Friendly Cities are Safer for all users: street design strategies that attract bike riders are the same ones that improve road safety for all road users…read full article here

13.05.11 - SAFE STREETS: SAFE FOR ALL, SAFE AT ANYTIME

WECA members are organising a community event to declare West End streets safe: safe for all, safe at anytime. The values of our neighbourhood are about respect, tolerance & community.

If you dont share these values then maybe West End is not for you.

Stay posted for details on the community event, likely to be early June.

WECA is seeking the support of the local Police, the West End Liquor Accord, West End Community House and the West End Traders.

12.05.11 - Ret. Riverside Park to the People

Community Picnic, Riverside Park, 1pm Sat 21 May.

All welcome to join the kids races, dog parade, bike obstacle race and enjoy the BBQ & entertainment.

This community event is intended to remind Council to honour their commitment to return Riverside Park to the people but removing the illegal road. Full flyer is here

06.05.11 - Bicycles 5 Times More Worthy than Cars

The small area of public space required for bike parking suggests that each square metre allocated to bike parking generates $31 per hour, compared to $6 generated for each square metre used for a car parking space, with food/drink and clothing retailers benefiting the most from bike riders...read full study here

More people in West End use bicycles, regularly & to commute, than any other neighbourhood in Brisbane. Are local businesses missing out on valuable sales because we don't have sufficient bike racks?

24.03.11 - Does West End need LightRail now?

Full buses, services leaving passengers behind & 'bus bunching' are all signs that route demand has exceeded supply. Have buses reached their use-by date in West End? BrisUrbane explores feasibility

18.03.11 - A Greater Brisbane

"Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody": Jane Jacobs

…Brisbane is a great city. It has wonderful natural advantages. The people who live and thrive in this great city are each making a contribution to its prosperity. However both of these advantages can be threatened by poor civic leadership and bad planning outcomes....[read the full article by WECA President here]

07.03.11 - 40km Boundary & Melbourne Street

Maximum speed limits for Boundary and Melbourne Streets has been reduced to 40 km/h. WECA wants safe steets-safe for all users especially people walking, riding bicycles, the elderly and the young.

Drivers be aware of new speed limit and keep pedestrians and cyclists safe.

07.02.11 - Could a Riverside Forest Help?

"The cost of dams is too high and there are insufficient sites for anywhere near enough dams to stop recent floods..The only long-term solution is not to build in floodplains and the areas that flood should be revegetated." by Matthew Stafford (27Jan2011) in Courier-Mail. Read full article here..

03.02.11 - Searle: draft West End plan inadequate

Prof Glen Searle (UQ) has published a sensible opinion in today's Courier-Mail (read it here). Searle argues making West End's redevelopment areas a flagship example of town planning. WECA couldn't agree more.

This is precisely what we've supporting throughout the drafting of the neighbourhood plan. See our vision published here

24.01.11 - Flood Fundraisers

Flood of Relief (UPDATE 14tH feb) 

Sat 12 March Blackstar-Thomas St Fundraiser To comply with a request from our local police the Thomas St Street Party has been set for Saturday 12th March...stay tuned, if you wish to volunteer please contact Blackstar Coffee or facebook WECA.

 

Float On... A Brisbane Flood Relief Benefit

Great photos post here Thanks to all artists and HiFi for making these two concerts a wonderful success

20.12.10 - Saved: Belvedere Demolition Appl Rejected

BREAKING NEWS-City Council has denied (read decision here) the application from the Greek Orthodox Community of St George to demolish the historic Belvedere property in Edmondstone St.

The next step is to have the property repaired and made fit for habitation and continued use.

Congrats and thanks to all that made this matter public. Thanks also to Brisbane Times for giving the matter coverage.

13.12.10 - Is this a valued historic building in Sth Bris?

Was the Belvedere worth looking after for the last 30years?
The BrisTimes story about the Greek Orthodox Community of St George applying for a demolition permit on the 27 Edmondstone St house has created debate. Much of what defines a neighbourhood is the history expressed and carried in its architecture.

If this matter is important to you as a WECA Member please contact us at info@weca.org.au

13.12.10 - $23.8 million reasons for better neighbourhood

Did you know that last year the City Council took over $23.8million in rates out of the suburbs of West End, South Bris and Highgate Hill? This was just one years worth of council rates. And next year they'll take more.

WECA regularly supports better planning outcomes that improve amenity, initiatives that make streets safer, appropriate redevelopment, more and better green and open space. We give you our commitment to continue suppotring better outcomes.

Can anyone explain why Council suspended the implementation of the West End Riverside Parks masterplan in 2010 with these rivers of revenues pouring in the door?...read the story here

10.12.10 -

West End Community Association president Darren Godwell is calling for locals to join the Bureau of Urban Ideas Living and Designs (BUILD) to brainstorm better plans for the area, to improve street amenity and prioritise roads for light rail, buses and cycleways...read full article here

01.11.10 - How to gain more local friends..

Less traffic=More community + more local friends...if community values are important to you then this is good news.

Revisiting Donald Appleyard's Livable Streets from Streetfilms on Vimeo.

28.09.10 - WECA Submission re Draft LAP

you can find WECA's submission here for the second round of community input to the draft amendments to the West End-Woolloongabba Local Area Plan.

22.09.10 - Compare the difference Palmview vs West End LAPs

This week the Sunshine Coast Council revealed an impressive draft plan to accommodate an extra 14,000 residents in a new development at Sippy Downs. It's a contrast to Bris City Council's proposed amendments to the West End LAP...click here to see table...for an extra 14,000 people Palmview is getting:

• 2 new primary schools
• 1 new high school
• 1 extra police station
• large amounts of new green space
• 14% of developeable land will be for community, sport & rec use, and
• min 12.5% of dwellings will be for affordable housing.

 

Brisbane City Council is proposing an additional 89,000 people with no provision of similiar infrastructure. The proposed amendments and draft proposals made by Council are deficient and pose a threat to liveability.

13.09.10 - Kurilpa Derby Reaches New Heights

west end comes out to play

Thanks to everyone that made the Black Dove Block Party and the Kurilpa Derby raging successes. WECA loves & supports local celebrations because they are everything that is great about our neighbourhood--they give community-minded people opportunity to celebrate our values while having a great time.

The Kurilpa Derby was incredible!!!

The parade and festivities were beautiful. Thanks to all the parents that brought their children along. Thanks to all our friends for coming along. Thanks everyone that dressed-up. And thanks to our local business people for lending their support, you are as much a part of our community as any other element. If you've taken any photos please post them onto the 'Kurilpa Derby' facebook page

30.08.10 - LA's great leap forward

In a sweeping plan the city of Los Angeles is preparing to build 30 years worth of transit infrastructure in just 10 years....LA 30/10 marks a shift away from car-centric mobility and transport planning...could Brisbane dare do the same?

30.08.10 - Blueprint for Urban Development

“Malmo (Sweden) is comprised of highly sustainable buildings of 2-5 storeys in height. As with Barcelona, this low-rise, high density dispels the myth that high density requires high-rise.”

 

“It is arguable that no new building needs to be higher than 8 storeys to achieve high density compact cities for the future”

  

"Transforming Australian Cities" is a report prepared by the Victorian government and the City of Melbourne to chart a vision for increased population densities in their existing urban form. Its a compelling read that paints a picture of a very different kind to that of the Brisbane City Council.....its well worth a read.

 

17.08.10 - EXTRAORDINARY APPROVAL

Yesterday City Council opened the public consultation window on the latest draft Local Area Plan (as posted by WECA). Yesterday City Council's LNP councillors also approved a DA for a building that was almost double the maximum allowable height proposed in the current legal planning scheme and in direct contravention of the very specific conditional approval made by the state planning minister on 3 August.

 

This Council decision makes a mockery of both the public consultation process of the statutory planning process and makes a joke of all legal planning schemes within Brisbane.

WECA believes in the principle of local leadership for local development.

WECA believes that the best examples of neighbourhood planning are characterised by strong local leadership-who better to plan for future development than those that will have to live with its consequences?

WECA believes that planning processes are being prejudiced by the actions and pronouncements of Brisbane City Council politicians. This display of petty politics brings into question every legal planning scheme in Brisbane. There is no longer any certainty over any scheme anywhere in Brisbane. Brisbane City Council is directly challenging the planning authority of the state government.

 

If the state Minister for Planning's "conditional approval" for the draft plan is summarily ignored then any council in Queensland can do the same. It's an untenable position that the State government must resolve.

04.08.10 - WECA's Vision-a truly urban neighbourhood

[originally posted 22 September 2009]....WECA's vision for South Brisbane can be found here. Collated from years of community input on planning and sustainable urban development.

WECA sees an opportunity in South Brisbane to develop a truly urban neighbourhood that is predominantly residential and mixed-use within a medium-density and medium-rise (5-8 storeys) built form.

Key provisions must include:

• affordable housing outcomes,
• sufficient open and green space for the increased population,
• zoning for regular retail to meet the needs of regular neighbourhoods, and
• provision of civic spaces to sustain community life including schools, child care, day care, aged care and social services.

03.08.10 - Vision for future of The Gabba:Cr Abrahams

WECA commends Cr Abrahams for charting her vision for the development, not destruction, of the suburbs within the Gabba ward. You can review Cr Abraham's document here.

03.08.10 - Trams in Sth Brisbane

these photos of trams in south Brisbane and Woolloongabba are an amazing slice of our city's history...does anyone have any memories of riding either of these two tram routes?

20.07.10 - People's Tree Audit Riverside Parks

UPDATE: Thanks to those that joined Cr Abrahams. WECA member Adrian Buzolic is coordinating West End TreeWatch so contact him on 0411 707 395 to lodge any reports or photos.

 

This Saturday (24 July) Cr Helen Abrahams is hosting an exercise to audit the number and significance of trees in our Riverside Parks...click here for flyer

WHEN  3pm Saturday 24th July, 2011

WHERE  Gas Tower in Davies Park

16.06.10 - Sustainable Cities 2010

The Australian Conservation Foundation has released its Sustainable Cities Index for 2010. It tracks Australia's top twenty cities across fifteen measures. "No city did well across all 15 indicators; and while each has its own unique strengths and weaknesses, no Australian city can yet be held up as a real champion in sustainable urban development." ...read the article.

WECA contacted the ACF and has obtained the full report.

08.06.10 - Develop Don't Destroy Kurilpa

"developers simply supplied too much of the wrong product in the wrong location." -this observation is the central premise for a new article that can be read here. Could the same claim be true of Brisbane and the SEQ corner? The article also makes a case for YIMBY's....for the record, WECA members continually support sustainable development that advances our community and community planning that creates better planning outcomes.

28.05.10 - Safe Streets a Priority

Thanks and congrats to Linda Hogendoorn who did her part in maintaining the safety of our streets for our children, elderly and pets alike. Linda made her way into the City Council sittings on Tuesday to address the Mayor and full Council with a petition for improved safety on Montague Road. Linda is very active at the State School and had a personal story of a family pet being struck by a car while being walked by her children.

This week Lord Mayor Newman accepted Linda's suggestion and has made a commitment to fund and install traffic lights for a safe pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Jane Street and Montague Road in 2009/10.

13.05.10 - West End Wins-321 Montague Rd appeal settled

WECA ACHIEVES A BETTER DA & BETTER OUTCOMES

--321 Montague Road ‘The Wave’--

Highlights:

• fourfold increase in onsite bicycle parking spaces - to 510 bicycle spaces!!
• Limitations on use of onsite resident and visitor car parking- to help educe local traffic impacts
• improved vehicle access and garbage collection arrangements- minimising adverse impacts on neighbours.

Thanks

Thanks to WECA’s team led by Vice-President David Bratchford, Seleneah More, Geoff Smith and Hazel Parkins.

Celebration

Keep in touch and join us for a celebration and thanks to all invovled...

....read full statement here....

04.05.10 - Council Approves Demolition of tin&timber heritage

On this matter Lord Mayor Newman made this assurance: "We're going to protect the 'tin and timber' through West End, that's what this is about. The tin and timbers areas are protected" (21 May 2008)...however Newman's planning bureaucrats have recently approved a demolition of precisely the tin and timber that was supposed to be protected, read the BCC demolition notice here..and click here to see exactly those streets that have lost demolition protection.

For all the words from Cr Cooper and Cr Newman the actions of the Council reveal the true intent.

WECA supports developing our suburb not destroying it.

04.05.10 - Fun Theory

..this amazing initiative deploys fun across cities...could it happen here?? The Fun Theory offers a great encouragement to put rubbish into the bin..maybe City Council could install a few?

23.04.10 - Is this how you'd spend $2billion?

Today the State government gave the greenlight to the proposed Northern Link car tunnel. This is another of Campbell Newman's traffic tunnels. The current quote for the tunnel is $1.87billlion...so the question is what will the final price look like?-remember the Clem7 began at just $1billion and finished at $3billion. And secondly, is this the best way for Brisbane City to spend $2billion? ....these are questions that every ratepayer and resident should answer before a single cent is spent on more roads....

 

This was reported yesterday:

"The QTC report specifically says: "BCC's commitment to Northern Link may limit its ability to fund other capital expenditure and could result in deferral of projects related to core activities."

"will increase Brisbane City Council's gross debt from $345 million (2009) to $1.17 billion in 2010, peaking at $2.323 billion in 2014"

"It should be within BCC's capacity to fund this shortfall through higher rates and utility charge increases, based on BCC's current forecast increases of 2.5 per cent per annum after 2012."

12.04.10 - Community Building in Hill End?

 

BrisUrbane is a new blog created to canvass exciting ideas for Brisbane's future...check out the latest entry comparing light rail performance against the new CityGlider bus

route...very interesting reading:

BCC Bus (80 passengers) every 5 minutes=960 passengers/direction/hour

Light Rail (300 passengers) every 5 minutes=3,600 passengers/direction/hour

Light rail can be run at high frequency 60-90 seconds (Swanston St, Melbourne has a tram a minute in peak hour).

09.02.10 - Special Interests Hijack LAP

(9Feb2010) Today Lord Mayor Campbell Newman and Cr Amanda Cooper bowed to the pressures of special interests and their lobbyists. Cr Newman ignored the wishes of 97% of submitters that called for medium-rise (6-8storeys), medium-density predominantly residential redevelopment of South Brisbane & West End.BCC's highly contentious, secretive neighbourhood planning exercise has been hijacked by special interests presenting less than 1% of the submissions made in the consultations. These numbers reveal the true story:

• 97% of West Enders support medium-rise (6-8 storeys) predominantly residential redevelopment.
• Less than 1% pushed for highrise buildings of the kind outlined by Cr Newman (just 5 of 530 submissions made to the Council's formal consultations).
• 72,000 office workers and 33,000 residential populations projected by Council --Cr Newman's priority is about creating more office towers NOT more residential dwellings.
• 0 additional parks - this plan MAKES NO PROVISION for rezoned land for the purposes of green space or parks, Council talks about new parks but the legal plan being presented has no changed land zoning for that purpose.
• 4,600 people made their views clear in petitions and individual submissions to last year's Council consultations (local area plans usually get less than 100 submissions).

 Please stay in touch updates will be posted regularly

--please renew your membership and encourage others to join WECA so we can continue to monitor and campaign for better neighbourhood planning outcomes.

21.12.09 - 4,664 People Want Better Urban Development

Local Leadership over Local Development

(21Dec2009) Once again residents and friends of West End have demonstrated their clear views on the neighbourhood's continued development consistent with principles of local leadership, sustainability and liveability. This latest exercise with BCC attracted 4,664 people with their input through submissions and petition...this is more than any other neighbourhood in the city.

Sadly the latest draft, is little changed from the earlier version, you can see Council's update here. There remains no protections for heritage buildings, no provision of adequate open space, and no needs based assessment of providing for the nearly 100,000 extra people.

This planning exercise is turning into a test of Council's Urban Planning Chairperson Cr Amanda Cooper's leadership. To date there is little evidence of improvements since the Mayor's pronouncement in March 2009, months before the public had a chance to review draft documents. Nor has Council made publicly available its secret planning documents. Both setbacks are undermining public confidence in the process.

30.07.09 - Welcome to Country

 

Auntie Mulinjarlie, an Elder representing the Jagera people, invites you to participate in a gathering to formally welcome locals to Murri country. This is a West End first please join us in the right spirit for a wonderful local ceremony.10am Sunday 2 August, 2009, Riverbank Park, Boundary

Street, (UBD Map 159 H:20).

04.06.09 - Building Resilient Local Economies

WECA is proud to host renowned community leader, author and economist Michael Shuman in West End for a workshop that will explore how people in Brisbane can:

• advance the importance of local businesses
  
• build options for investment in local or green businesses and community projects
• invigorate local economic vitality
• create ways to bring community development and new business creation together, and
• build local living economies.

Michael's latest book The Small Mart Revolution is available at Avid Reader.

06.04.09 - Flood & Fire Fundraiser - over $2,000 raised

Congrats to all those that lent a hand to the Fire & Flood Fund-raiser held on last Saturday night (4 April) at Ahimsa House. Another great effort as locals, neighbours, artists and supporters raised over $2,000. A great effort for a great pair of causes-thanks to all.

04.05.12 - LNP Puts Politics before good Planning

Today's announcement by Premier Newman and Lord Mayor Quirk to increase density by 70% into residential areas of West End is appalling and shameful politics. Before the Council elections WECA asked LNP candidate Francis Quinlivan directly  about local development issues. His reply came just a couple of hours before COB on election eve. Not once in his 3,500 words and ten pages did Mr Quinlivan outline the LNP intention to put politics before good planning outcomes.

Some Myths about the LNP push:

 

• this is not NIMBYs--at the last local area plan 96% of the over 5,400 submissions (the largest in any LAP consultation in Brisbane) support medium density (5-8 storey) residential redevelopment. This is LNP power politics.
  
• this is not dis-used, former industrial sites--they are regular residential streets.
• this is not limited to West End--the LNP is demonstrating that they will inject politics before good planning wherever they please.
• this is not about affordable housing outcomes--Council has failed to deliver on rejected repeated calls from West End residents for further social and affordable housing initiatives.
• 12 storeys is not the same as 7 storeys--a 70% increase in density from 7 to 12 storeys brings massive additional demands for infrastructure and services. None of which have been allocated within the amended local area plan. That is why the state government rejected the first proposal from council.
  

30.04.12 - Food Van with a Gourmet Difference

Great Chance to Taste Goodness to Go

Under the direction of Chef Harold Fleming, The Bun Mobile delivers high-end food at street level prices to areas around the inner city. Click on link to see where they'll be this week--three days in West End spots!!

28.03.12 - LAP will go back to drawing board:ALP

ALP Lord Mayoral candidate Ray Smith has declared that, if elected Lord Mayor, he will send the highly controversial West End Local Area Plan back to the drawing board. "I'll say this about neighbourhood plans. [I've] said all along that there a lot people not happy with these neighbourhood plans. We'll be taking that [local plan] back to the drawing board. There's been too much giving-way on the rules and we need to get back to basics." -Ray Smith, ALP candidate on 612ABC radio, 27 March 2012. You can hear the full interview .

06.03.12 - Reopening next section Riverside Park

Community Celebration!!! reopening of Riverside Park, this Sunday 11th March 9am-11am...all welcome, pet friendly, free bacon&eggs, coffee van, dog parade (near end of Kurilpa Street)..flyer attached

27.02.12 - Better Parks=Better Future

WECA joins with Souths Leagues Club, Davies Park Protection group and Kurilpa TreeWatch to support the full implementation of the Riverside Park Masterplan and the Davies Park Masterplan in City South News. Both plans have had full, good faith community input, both were meant to be in full swing by 2011/12 and both have been defunded by City Council. WECA believes better parks=a better future for all in West End. Read full press statement here

16.02.12 - WECA vision for future of Sth Brisbane

Across many years the Association has coordinated and contributed in good-faith to countless neIghbourhood planning exercises. In respect of these thousands of hours volunteered by residents. WECA has put those ideas into this KURILPA VISION document. Its worth the read and makes very clear the type of future we will support.

09.02.12 - BCC releases 20yr Plan

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has released council's 20 year plan for major infrastructure around the city, the document can be read here

It's a blueprint for Council's funding priorities. Sadly, it announces that the full implementation of Riverside Park doesnt happen, and it drops funding for the Davies Park and Musgrave Park into a time beyond 2021, maybe even nearer to 2031. WECA will post a 4101 specific summary shortly.

31.01.12 - Absentee Landlords: Threat to Small Businesses

Many issues affect local independent businesses. One of the most serious threats are disinterested absentee landlords. The Brisbane Times highlights a situation in the Valley, the result is there for all to see..."Fifty small businesses are being financially strangled because two millionaire property owners in Fortitude Valley cannot agree on fixing a walkway."

17.01.12 - What they say vs what they mean

Recent property developer propaganda written by Malcolm Aikman (Urbis) and Michelle Hele (Courier-Mail 7 January 2012) has proved more than most readers could stomach. The blog comments were direct and scathing. The article is more evidence of the glaring credibility gap between what the development industry says and what they mean. Here's the point illustrated

17.01.12 - West End Film Fest 2012

The deadline for entries has been extended until this Friday 19th January. Give it a go, it could be the kick-start for the whole year. Full WEFF 2012 details coming soon...

16.12.11 - QUT study high-density res & floods

WECA EXCLUSIVE - QUT Study into High Density Liveability.

After the floods WECA members had many experiences to share about how they were affected. WECA's Management Committee saw the importance in documenting these lived experiences especially from those areas with high-density residential. The performance of new apartment buildings and the redeveloped areas of West End was examined. The findings are not good news.The research found significant short-comings in design with regards to passive cooling, ventilation, natural lighting, access and emergency services.

The full presentation is available here

Special thanks to Rosemary Kennedy, Director, QUT School of Sub-Tropical Design, and the Masters of Architecture program researchers and authors of the study Peter North, James Lewis, Teresa Liu, Marita Paulsrud & Ashlea Hughes.

27.10.11 - Sth Bris Train Station Upgrade

UPDATE--upgrade complete and new station open and in use.

 

QR construction has started and the station is closed to the public. Shuttle buses are in service to continue moving people.

“South Brisbane station is 120 years old and an important part of Brisbane’s heritage..work includes the restoration and preservation of the historic rail landmark, including structural maintenance, improving access for people with a disability, and upgrading general facilities."
The station will reopen to commuters on 10 December 2011. QR's press release or click here to see the architect's plans for the new streetscape

18.10.11 - Paris adds Electric Car-share

Building on its highly popular bike scheme (less the mandatory helmet laws for adults) Paris has launched a city-wide carshare scheme. Autolib will operate in much the same way as the former Brisbane scheme called GWhiz. Sadly Brisbane City Council couldn't find a way to support the innovation and the company withdrew from Brisbane in 2009.

10.10.11 - Cinema Powered by Cyclists

The Cycle-In Cinema, hosted by bike and art collective Magnificent Revolution, relies solely on pedal power to generate enough energy to screen movies (read more on Inhabitat)

26.07.11 - ARIA Update

-it's 30 storeys high (Torbreck is only 21 storeys)
-first five levels are for carparking-there are no apartments in these levels.
-2 Edmonstone St, West End is a residential st in the heart of West End. Either side of the property are two residential buildings of just five storeys each. The property is not a former industrial site.
-275 apartments
-306 carspaces

-illustration here (its so big they can't fit the diagram on one page)

19.07.11 - Kurilpa Derby 4

here it comes people!!! The 4th Kurilpa Derby is being planned for 2pm Sunday 4th Sept...expect the return of the George's Seafood Squid Relay, our rolling parade, races plus new events to be announced!!!

01.06.11 - West End School-FIESTA

Sunday 5th June-the annual West End State School Fiesta is on PLUS the post flood 'Thanks West End' event is also being held in Horan Street, hosted by Cr Helen Abrahams.

26.05.11 - Sorry Week Memorial

13.05.11 - West End's Growing Media Economy

There is a burgeoning cluster of companies & independent media professionals growing in West End. It's a very exciting aspect of the local economy. Did you know:

• this month marks the arrival of 4AAA 98.9 Murri Country radio station into West End. A great gain for the neighbourhood.
• they will be joined by the National Indigenous Radio Service-a national radio broadcaster that goes to air across remote communities.
• Brisbane's very own community television broadcaster is also in West End. 31Digital have resumed broadcasting after the floods and are making the transition to full digital broadcasting.
• Cutting-Edge Post has long been anchored in West End, and
• the big one happens next year when ABC radio and tv move into their new home at South Bank.

06.05.11 - Safe Streets, Safe for All, Safe at Any Time

Many WECA members & locals have been talking about making a community statement supporting public safety. If you have any suggestions please email WECA President Darren Godwell.

Two years ago WECA alerted Brisbane City Council that of the 189 light fittings along Melbourne Street 157 were not in working order. WECA has returned to that issue on several instances. We again call on the Council to TURN THE LIGHTS BACK ON.

15.03.11 - Wolfmother rock Thomas St

YouTube clip here

thanks to the crew at Blackstar and all our volunteers for making Saturday night such a success...over 1,000 people enjoyed the evening, about $10,000 was raised and WOLFMOTHER and all the musicians that gave us an celebration of community.

Another incredible West End community event!!!

07.03.11 - Brisbane Residents United

RUMOUR: An alliance of community and resident groups is on the verge of creating a Brisbane-wide initiative to support better planning outcomes. Guided by the principle of local leadership for local development this collective expects to help with advice, information sharing and improved campaigning for better planning outcomes.

Stay tuned to learn more...if you wish to contribute to this group please contact WECA.

18.02.11 - Post-flood Clear Thinking Required

"This flood was 1-2m less than the 1974 flood. And it was nowhere near the Q100 flood level..now is the time for clear-headed thinking"

...read the full article by WECA President Darren Godwell, click here

17.12.10 - Straw-man of no use to anyone

Posted by Darren Godwell, President, WECA

“Terry, generally your observations are sound however you've created an 'anti-development' straw-man that doesn't exist. Stereotype is no substitute for critical thinking....[read full statement here]

01.11.10 - How to make more friends

Less traffic=More community + more local friends...if community values are important to you then this is good news.

Revisiting Donald Appleyard's Livable Streets from Streetfilms on Vimeo.

04.08.10 - WECA's Vision: a truly urban neighbourhood

[originally posted 22 September 2009]....WECA's vision for South Brisbane can be found here. Collated from years of community input on planning and sustainable urban development.

WECA sees an opportunity in South Brisbane to develop a truly urban neighbourhood that is predominantly residential and mixed-use within a medium-density and medium-rise (5-8 storeys) built form.

Key provisions must include:

• affordable housing outcomes,
• sufficient open and green space for the increased population,
• zoning for regular retail to meet the needs of regular neighbourhoods, and
• provision of civic spaces to sustain community life including schools, child care, day care, aged care and social services.

08.06.10 - Develop Don't Destroy West End

"developers simply supplied too much of the wrong product in the wrong location." -this observation is the central premise for a new article that can be read here. Could the same claim be true of Brisbane and the SEQ corner? 

The article also makes a case for YIMBY's....for the record: WECA members continually support sustainable development that advances our community and community planning that creates better planning outcomes.