Latest news with #BrisbaneCityCouncil
Daily Telegraph
14-07-2025
- General
- Daily Telegraph
Popular Bunnings plant sparks urgent warning
A seemingly harmless plant, flogged at Bunnings and nurseries across the country, is now public enemy number one, threatening to unleash ecological chaos across Australia. Sunshine Coast Council issued the alert after a council worker discovered arrowhead vine (Syngonium podophyllum) sprouting in native bushland, highlighting the dangers of dumping garden waste. 'Arrowhead vine is a persistent creeper or climber and once established, it will take root wherever its stem touches the ground,' a council spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia. 'In natural areas, it can overtake native vegetation and throw our unique ecosystems out of balance.' The plant, native to Central America, is considered an environmental weed in Queensland and a 'sleeper weed' in other parts of the country, according to Brisbane City Council. While not prohibited under Queensland's Biosecurity Act 2014, residents and councils have a general biosecurity obligation (GBO) to minimise its spread. 'Arrowhead vine is a persistent creeper or climber, and once established, it will take root wherever its stem touches the ground,' the council spokesperson said. 'In natural areas, it can overtake native vegetation and throw our unique ecosystems completely out of whack!' MORE NEWS Aussie dad's startling 26kg find Aus man forced to live in mould-infested hellhole 'Killing the host': Alien plant takes over major Aus city The plant, a Central American invader, is branded an environmental weed in Queensland and a 'sleeper weed' elsewhere, according to Brisbane City Council. While not yet outlawed under Queensland's Biosecurity Act 2014, residents and councils are legally obligated to wage war against its spread under a general biosecurity obligation (GBO). The Invasive Species Council has revealed a terrifying truth: a whopping three-quarters of environmental weeds were initially sold as pretty garden decorations. 'Over time, they escaped from the confines of gardens and now threaten our natural places, agriculture or, in some cases, human health,' the Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson warned. Dumping garden waste, the arrowhead vine's preferred method of invasion, is a crime punishable by a minimum fine of $333, potentially skyrocketing to $5,007 in court. The council's desperate online plea aims to educate clueless Aussies about the catastrophic consequences of plant dumping. Many locals were aghast to learn of the plant's destructive potential. 'Wow, I have this in hanging baskets and several variegated ones. I had no idea it was an invasive weed. Will make sure it stays in pots!' one stunned resident confessed. Another exclaimed: 'Hectic. This is growing at my place. Good to know, thanks for sharing.'
9 News
03-07-2025
- Business
- 9 News
Governments reach major milestone ahead of Brisbane 2032 Olympics
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Queensland has reached an Olympic milestone, after the state and federal governments struck an infrastructure funding deal for the 2032 Games. The governments today signed off on paperwork outlining funding to build or upgrade a total of 17 sporting venues. The federal government will inject almost half of the $7 billion infrastructure cost. Paperwork outlining funding to build or upgrade a total of 17 sporting venues has been signed off. (9News) Of that, $1.2 billion will go directly to the new Victoria Park stadium. "What today's deal means is certainty for our infrastructure delivery program, for industry, for host communities and for workers," Queensland deputy premier Jarrod Bleijie said. "We've just got to get on and deliver it." The federal government's cash splash comes on the proviso of further community consultation on Victoria Park stadium. "The Queensland government and Brisbane City Council will develop a new precinct plan for the area with a focus on access to green space," federal infrastructure minister Catherine King said. The federal government will inject almost half of the $7 billion infrastructure cost. (9News) A community engagement plan, including consultation with impacted communities and First Nations group, will also be developed, King said. The government also wants a transport connectivity plan, but Bleijie denied calls had been about about new rail stations. "I think TMR may have done some brainstorming on where they would like to see certain things," Bleijie said. "I'm not ruling anything out about the transportation because what we need to do is work out what will be the best public transportation system." Geotechnical work, including soil testing, is expected to get under way at Victoria Park next week to help determine exactly where the stadium will go. Tenders for early design work on each of the four minor venues - Logan and Moreton Bay Sports Centres, the Sunshine Coast Stadium and Barlow Park Stadium in Cairns -also opened today. Artist's impression of the Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre. (9News) Bleijie was confident the entertainment precinct at Woollongabba was going ahead and would be built before the games. While it's not a games site, the government is taking expressions of interest to fund it. Bleijie said today they've had 2200 expressions of interest so far and expect the first stage of plans by the end of the year. "The real legacy of an olympiad and the paralympic games isn't just the sporting moments, it's the legacy that it ignites," King said. queensland Brisbane national Australia Olympics CONTACT US Auto news: 'No simple answer': Is there a buffer for speed cameras?
Sydney Morning Herald
01-07-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Desire paths': Where pedestrians rebel in Brisbane
'We have a bit of a driving culture in our city,' she said. 'As we shift towards the 2032 Olympics and try to get more people moving easily, we're going to have to start getting walking and riding.' Desire paths are a source of fascination for people who like to ponder how a city should work. On Reddit, a community devoted to desire paths takes great delight in highlighting often illogical examples of footpaths that have been subverted by walkers who refuse to be dictated to. Campbell hopes the council will heed the message from walkers as part of the Kedron Brook Vision and Master Plan project. 'This is a classic case where it's underestimated how many people are walking up here from across the creek, from the shopping centre, from across the road, and other local businesses as well,' she said. The Kedron Brook corridor that runs through 14 northern suburbs will be rejuvenated with flood-resilient bikeways and walking trails under the 20-year, $85 million master plan. Campbell pointed to another track worn through the grass outside Q Roasters leading down to a bridge over the creek as an example of urban planners not thinking about how people will actually move when designing footpaths. 'You can see exactly where people are wanting to go,' she said. 'A quick link can make a big difference.' Sometimes, authorities or private business owners try to stop desire paths from forming by using fences to block walkers from crossing where they shouldn't. Elsewhere, locals have to lobby councils to pave the path residents want to take. Campbell pushed Brisbane City Council to put down a stretch of asphalt on the other side of Q Roasters. The additional path has benefited residents like Iesha Moulden, 33, who regularly walks to the coffee shop, pushing her four-month-old daughter Mya in the pram. 'We used to have to walk this when it was grass,' Moulden said. 'This makes it easier. It means we get out for a walk in the fresh air, and I can meet with friends for coffee.' Campbell said this demonstrates that making suburbs better for walkers is also better for business. A 2011 Heart Foundation report found the economic benefits of creating walkable suburbs had been long underestimated. The report's author, Dr Rodney Tolley, concluded that a large proportion of retail expenditure comes from local residents and workers who walk or cycle, whereas those travelling by car are more likely to be 'drive-through' shoppers, stopping to pick up one item on the way to another destination. Loading While the idea of people and animals slowly forming their own paths is an ancient one, the term 'desire path' is often attributed to French philosopher Gaston Bachelard in his 1958 book, The Poetics of Space. The reasons for desire paths forming are not always about finding the fastest way. Along Riverside Drive in West End, pedestrians have created a desire path underneath the shade of the trees, and away from the main route used by cyclists. Planners should heed the lessons offered by desire paths, Campbell said, particularly around the city's green spaces like Kedron Brook. 'By creating connected paths, people can walk with comfort and with ease,' she said. Nearly 40 per cent of journeys in south-east Queensland under one kilometre are made by car or private vehicle, according to the Department of Transport. The 2019 Walking in Queensland Report found only 23 per cent of residents walk 'because it is convenient'. It listed 'lack of suitable paths to destinations' as one of the key reasons, after distance and lack of shade, that more people choose to get in their car rather than walk. Loading Councillor Tracy Davis, Brisbane City Council's chair for environment, parks and sustainability, said designing footpaths was about finding the right balance. 'While desire paths can show where people naturally want to walk, we want to make sure we get the balance right for our community,' she said. 'Over the past year, we've built nearly 30,000 square metres of footpaths.' The community consultation period for the Kedron Brook master plan ended on June 29, with the council now due to review the feedback. The council said connectivity and accessibility would be a strong focus of the final plan.
The Age
01-07-2025
- Business
- The Age
‘Desire paths': Where pedestrians rebel in Brisbane
'We have a bit of a driving culture in our city,' she said. 'As we shift towards the 2032 Olympics and try to get more people moving easily, we're going to have to start getting walking and riding.' Desire paths are a source of fascination for people who like to ponder how a city should work. On Reddit, a community devoted to desire paths takes great delight in highlighting often illogical examples of footpaths that have been subverted by walkers who refuse to be dictated to. Campbell hopes the council will heed the message from walkers as part of the Kedron Brook Vision and Master Plan project. 'This is a classic case where it's underestimated how many people are walking up here from across the creek, from the shopping centre, from across the road, and other local businesses as well,' she said. The Kedron Brook corridor that runs through 14 northern suburbs will be rejuvenated with flood-resilient bikeways and walking trails under the 20-year, $85 million master plan. Campbell pointed to another track worn through the grass outside Q Roasters leading down to a bridge over the creek as an example of urban planners not thinking about how people will actually move when designing footpaths. 'You can see exactly where people are wanting to go,' she said. 'A quick link can make a big difference.' Sometimes, authorities or private business owners try to stop desire paths from forming by using fences to block walkers from crossing where they shouldn't. Elsewhere, locals have to lobby councils to pave the path residents want to take. Campbell pushed Brisbane City Council to put down a stretch of asphalt on the other side of Q Roasters. The additional path has benefited residents like Iesha Moulden, 33, who regularly walks to the coffee shop, pushing her four-month-old daughter Mya in the pram. 'We used to have to walk this when it was grass,' Moulden said. 'This makes it easier. It means we get out for a walk in the fresh air, and I can meet with friends for coffee.' Campbell said this demonstrates that making suburbs better for walkers is also better for business. A 2011 Heart Foundation report found the economic benefits of creating walkable suburbs had been long underestimated. The report's author, Dr Rodney Tolley, concluded that a large proportion of retail expenditure comes from local residents and workers who walk or cycle, whereas those travelling by car are more likely to be 'drive-through' shoppers, stopping to pick up one item on the way to another destination. Loading While the idea of people and animals slowly forming their own paths is an ancient one, the term 'desire path' is often attributed to French philosopher Gaston Bachelard in his 1958 book, The Poetics of Space. The reasons for desire paths forming are not always about finding the fastest way. Along Riverside Drive in West End, pedestrians have created a desire path underneath the shade of the trees, and away from the main route used by cyclists. Planners should heed the lessons offered by desire paths, Campbell said, particularly around the city's green spaces like Kedron Brook. 'By creating connected paths, people can walk with comfort and with ease,' she said. Nearly 40 per cent of journeys in south-east Queensland under one kilometre are made by car or private vehicle, according to the Department of Transport. The 2019 Walking in Queensland Report found only 23 per cent of residents walk 'because it is convenient'. It listed 'lack of suitable paths to destinations' as one of the key reasons, after distance and lack of shade, that more people choose to get in their car rather than walk. Loading Councillor Tracy Davis, Brisbane City Council's chair for environment, parks and sustainability, said designing footpaths was about finding the right balance. 'While desire paths can show where people naturally want to walk, we want to make sure we get the balance right for our community,' she said. 'Over the past year, we've built nearly 30,000 square metres of footpaths.' The community consultation period for the Kedron Brook master plan ended on June 29, with the council now due to review the feedback. The council said connectivity and accessibility would be a strong focus of the final plan.
The Age
29-06-2025
- Business
- The Age
A new Metro and a huge bus route overhaul start today. Here's what you need to know
The most significant shake-up of the city's bus network in years takes effect from Monday, with more than 150 routes changing and a new Metro route starting. Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has described the latest update to the $1.5 billion Brisbane Metro and the new routes as the biggest improvement to Brisbane's bus services in decades. Inspired by world-class networks, the new system will add 160,000 services per year, with Brisbane City Council hoping faster and more reliable trips will support the city's increasing population. Growing pains are already being felt, with many commuters angry at the changes. Some were shocked to discover they would have to change buses midway through their journey. Others may lose their service entirely. One example was the 175 service, which no longer stops at the Mater Hill station on the South East Busway. Corrine McMillan, the state Labor MP for Mansfield, said scrapping routes left her community without alternatives as they were far from train lines. LNP councillor Ryan Murphy, formerly the council's transport chair, has conceded about 15 per cent of bus trips will take longer than they previously did. The changes As of Monday, the Brisbane Metro will run between Eight Mile Plains and Roma Street. Following the introduction of the M2 earlier this year, the council said total Metro capacity would be nearly 20 million trips per year.
