latest news

23.02.10 - CityCycle Locations Announced by BCC

Council has announced the locations for the first stage roll-out of the CityCycle scheme, click here to see where the stations are.

Brisbane needs more mobility options, this is a welcome initiative. However operational details remain unclear - matters like specific locations, size & design of stations and excessive advertising may undermine public support - and that would be bad.

12.02.10 - Magic on Melb St

Those that walk along Melbourne Street were greeted with a little magic on the footpath. Along the border from Manning St down to Hope St someone has written a poem....does anyone know its title or the poet?

It's written with chalk so probably wont last the day. Thanks for a wonderful moment.

09.02.10 - Special Interests Hijack LAP

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

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.

11.12.09 - 'Hello in There' Cabaret

Thanks Chris Maver and all the performers for Friday night's wonderful "Hello in There" cabaret. The evening proved a hit with something to bring a smile to everyone's face no matter your tastes -- acapella, comedy, accoustic or show tunes. Thanks to Seleneah and Hazel for running the raffles on the night.

A special thanks to Cr Helen Abrahams for her continued support of local artists, culture and community.

10.12.09 - Carols by Candlelight

Its a family favourite the entire neighbourhood enjoys -- Carols by Candlelight -- WECA invites everyone to join us on the evening of Tuesday 22nd for Christmas Carols down on Boundary St (in People's Park).

Bring torches, a blanket, candles, good spirit and good voice for a good time. This will double as WECA's end of year celebration, all Members are especially welcome. Come and experience what makes West End a fabulous part of our world.

30.11.09 - Long Live Rock'n'Roll

Yesterday one of West End's favourite sons joined the big dance in the sky. The passing of Rock'n'Roll George is noted in a fine column by journalist, and West End local, Tony Moore of the Brisbane Times, click here to read...

George Kyprios entered the world in Thomas Street, grew up in Princhester Street, attended West End State School and played rugby league, out on the wing for Souths, at Davies Park. Long live rock'n'roll.

30.10.09 - $400 raised for Breast Cancer Research from Fixies Fundraiser

Congrats to Kim for organising the Fixette Feast (1 Nov at Musgrave Park). The day of bike events and feasting raised over $400 in support of the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Thanks to all that participated and contributed.

16.10.09 - SECRET IS OUT

SECRET COUNCIL PLAN LEAKED

TO WECA!!!

-click 'Campaigns' page to download doc-

 

Something is crook when it takes a leak from inside Brisbane City Council before residents, local business people, ratepayers and landowners get the full version of Council's draft urban renewal document.

WECA has the secret document that BCC never wanted you to see.

18.08.09 - 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.

 

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, 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.

06.04.09 - Hampstead Common Workshop 5Apl09

Yesterday local residents from Hampstead Road (and immediate side streets) kicked some ideas around on the concept of creating more urban greenspace along Hampstead Road. Thanks to everyone for braving the uncertain weather & giving up a couple hours of their Sunday arvie.

 

The "Hampstead Common Project" is a local initiative being sponsored by WECA. The ideas floated will now be collated and returned to locals for further consideration. If you weren't able to make yesterday and have queries please email Darren Godwell .

 

06.02.09 - WECA Exploring Urban Agriculture Initiative

WECA Members have made tentative steps towards a major green initiative that would bring urban agriculture, create additional green space & open space in the middle of Kurilpa. WECA welcomes further queries & interests so watch this space for an announcement.

22.09.08 - WECA's Vision-a truly urban neighbourhood

WECA's vision for South Brisbane can be found here. This material was collated from many years of resident and community group input on local area 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 tall) form.

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