The recent removal of a roadside memorial for cyclist Philip Pawsey, killed on Nudgee Road at Hendra in May this year, has sparked backlash from the biking community.
The white “ghost bike” honouring the late 53-year-old cyclist was taken down in late August, reportedly by Brisbane City Council.
Advocacy group Space 4 Cycling BNE expressed anger after discovering the memorial’s removal. In a social media post, the group said they had contacted the local council who deemed the memorial a ‘potential distraction and road hazard.’
The white bike removed from Nudgee Rd and Long St (Photo credit: Space4cyclingbne/Facebook)
“The white bike was clearly prepared and installed by someone who cares deeply about this issue. It stood as a tribute, mark of respect, and poignant reminder that we all deserve to be able to reach our destination safely, however we travel. We will not be so easily erased,” the group stated.
Mr Pawsey (Photo credit: Philip Pawsey/Facebook)
The white ghost bike was chained to a street sign at the intersection of Nudgee Rd and Long Street, where Mr Pawsey was struck whilst passing through on his bicycle. According to witnesses, he was dragged under the turning truck and killed instantly. Skid marks at the scene appeared to confirm the fatal collision.
Photo credit: Space4cyclingbne/Facebook
Space 4 Cycling BNE said the removal deeply upset members of the biking community still mourning Mr Pawsey’s death. The incident renewed calls to improve safety along the notorious stretch of Nudgee Rd, which lacks bike lanes despite heavy use by cyclists.
There were reports Council delayed changes whilst awaiting findings from the coroner’s inquest, particularly whether parked cars contributed to the crash.
Ghost bike memorials like Mr Pawsey’s are an international tradition allowing communities to honour cyclists killed on the road. Supporters say they provide an important reminder of the need for better bike safety infrastructure.
Council is yet to provide further comment about the ghost bike’s removal. But cycling advocates say they will continue pushing for it to be returned, along with the safety upgrades that could prevent more tragic deaths on Nudgee Rd.
Brisbane locals are being asked to weigh in on an ambitious proposal to transform part of the Eagle Farm racecourse into much-needed affordable housing.
Under the plan, around 10 hectares of the 40-hectare racecourse site would be used to construct up to 4,000 publicly-owned homes. These would include 2,000 public housing units along with 2,000 rent-capped apartments assigned via lottery to Brisbane residents.
The proposed medium-density neighbourhood would feature five-story apartment blocks with ground floor retail spaces. It would be built next to the upgraded Ascot train station and have a new high-frequency bus route running through the site.
Rough artist impression of Greens’ proposal for Eagle Farm Race Track (Photo credit: www.jonathansri.com)
Jonathan Sriranganathan (Greens) said the project would create the largest amount of affordable housing in Queensland’s history. He emphasises that public ownership can help lower costs and prevent units being snapped up by investors.
Photo credit: Picture Purrfect/Google Maps
“The homes would be developed by Council or other public agencies using public or private building contractors, and would remain in public ownership thereafter. This would allow Council and the State government to keep costs down by cutting out profit-hungry private developers,” he said.
Photo credit: Billy Melville/Google Maps
“By standing up to big business, we can rectify decades of poor urban planning, start tackling the housing crisis and transform this city for the better,” he added.
“Inner-city racecourses are a ridiculous waste of land, and Eagle Farm Racecourse is a massive 49-hectare, flood-free site, just 5km from the city and located directly beside Ascot train station. It’s the ideal place for new medium-density publicly-owned housing.”
An additional five hectares of Eagle Farm would go towards new schools, a publicly-run health clinic and public swimming pool, whilst the remaining 25 ha is earmarked for public green space, which includes parks and sport fields.
With Brisbane facing an affordable housing shortage, the Eagle Farm racecourse site presents an opportunity for thousands of low-cost homes near the city. But the plan also means a long-standing racing venue repurposed.
Ellouise Tkaczyk from St Margaret’s Anglican Girls’ School in Ascot stood out as a shining star at the 2023 IEU-QNT Literary Competition, winning the Year 9 and Year 10 category with her short story, “Blood and Ribbon.”
Now in its 64th year, the IEU-QNT Literary Competition is the longest-running writing competition in Queensland.
Organised in partnership with the English Teachers’ Association of Queensland (ETAQ), the competition seeks to inspire and recognise the talents of students and staff from state and non-government schools, promoting the growth of literary development and creative expression in young minds.
Photo Credit: IEU-QNT
Terry Burke, the IEU-QNT Branch Secretary, highlighted the value of the Literary Competition in fostering young writers’ creativity and honing their writing skills.
He expressed his delight at the diversity and exceptional quality of this year’s submissions from all across the state, affirming that the judges were greatly impressed by the exceptional talent on display.
“I congratulate those outstanding writers who were awarded prizes and thank all the recipients who entered the 2023 Literary Competition,” Mr Burke said, emphasizing the importance of nurturing a love for literature and creative expression among the youth.
List of Literary Competition winners for 2023
Open
• Short story: David Coleman-Mann, Chancellor State College, Sippy Downs, Sunshine Cost
Year 11 and 12
• Short story: Milli Gornik, St Thomas More College, Sunnybank
• Poem: Salem Williams, Kelvin Grove State College, Kelvin Grove
• Non-fiction prose: Felicity Williams, All Saints Anglican School, Merrimac
Year 9 and 10
• Short story: Ellouise Tkaczyk, St Margaret’s Anglican Girls’ School, Ascot
• Poem: Huntar Paterson, St Thomas More College, Sunnybank
Year 7 and 8
• Short story: Estella Dobbins, St Patrick’s College Townsville, The Strand, North Ward
• Poem: Dominic Palmani, St Thomas More College, Sunnybank
Year 5 and 6
• Short story: Isaac Furlong, Kelvin Grove State College, Kelvin Grove
• Poem: Lawson Plumbe, Toowoomba East State School, East Toowoomba
High-visibility policing is being carried out by the Queensland Police Service (QPS) in Ascot and other areas of North Brisbane, with residents and even children interacting with and getting to know law enforcement officers in their neighbourhood, as part of a focused initiative to prevent and diminish property crime.
Beginning the second week of August, officers from various QPS units, including the Highway Patrol, Tactical Crime Squad, General Duties, and Crime Prevention, collaborated to undertake patrols aimed at deterring potential offenders and engaging with the community to discuss crime prevention and safety strategies.
Ascot residents gathered around police motorcycles, engaging in discussions about crime prevention and community safety. Children were particularly enthusiastic, with some even taking turns pretending to ride the police motorcycles under the watchful eyes of officers.
Photo Credit: QPS
This interaction sparked excitement among the young ones, with the police emphasizing that it’s never too early to instill a sense of responsibility and respect for the law.
Ascot and its neighbouring suburbs have often fallen victim to high-end motor vehicle thefts, which prompted the QPS to offer a range of practical tips to mitigate the risk of such incidents.
Data from the QPS Crime Map show that there were 52 Unlawful Entry offences, or breaking into a property without consent, and 42 Theft incidents, or taking a person’s property with intention, in Ascot in the last six months.
Photo Credit: QPS
Photo Credit: QPS
Officers advised vehicle owners to utilise off-street parking, locked gates, or garages whenever possible, as parking on the street increases the vulnerability to theft. Basic measures, such as locking doors, closing windows, and keeping valuables out of sight, were emphasised as well as effective deterrents to opportunistic thefts.
To bolster protection, the QPS encouraged the installation of engine immobilisers that adhere to Australian Standard 4601:1999. These devices provide a robust defence against opportunistic vehicle thefts, but their effectiveness is compromised if car keys are easily accessible to thieves.
The community’s active participation and dedication to safety were commended by the police. Residents, particularly children, were recognized for wearing safety helmets while cycling around the area, demonstrating a commitment to their well-being.
Meanwhile, for individuals with information relevant to ongoing theft investigations, Policelink can be contacted through the online suspicious activity form available 24/7 on the Queensland Police website. Alternatively, anonymous tips can be reported to Crime Stoppers by calling 1800 333 000 or visiting www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
Queensland Cricket’s Chairman Chris Simpson, and Chief Executive Terry Svenson have proposed a revitalisation of Allan Border Field. The proposed revamp is to be done ahead of the comprehensive reconstruction of the Gabba, in preparation for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Queensland Cricket recently called for a significant renovation of Allan Border Field citing the Gabba’s unavailability during rebuild, scheduled to commence in December 2025.
The Gabba is in line for a substantial upgrade that comes with an estimated price tag of AUD$ 2.7 billion, as it assumes the central role for the 2032 Olympic Games.
An open letter from Queensland Cricket expresses these concerns, stating in part that: “As a result, we face the real prospect of losing important Test and BBL cricket matches from Queensland to interstate venues during the pre-Olympic displacement from the Gabba and hold a reasonable fear that a suitable solution to enable continuity of matches in Brisbane may not meet our needs or expectations.”
They further said that, “as a not-for-profit body, our concerns encompass the effect such uncertainty could have on participation throughout Queensland and the ensuing material financial impact across multiple areas of the sport, including at the grass roots level. We are preparing ourselves for a worst-case scenario where cricket could face the loss of access to the Gabba for potentially greater than seven years during the period of demolition, construction, and post-Games return.”
At present, Allan Border Field serves as the host venue for women’s international matches, the Women’s Big Bash League, and domestic fixtures. Simpson and Svenson advocate for strategic enhancements to enable the facility to broaden its hosting scope, deeming this approach the most sensible, cost-effective, and timely course of action for the sport.
“We see the Allan Border Field precinct playing a major role in hosting more cricket while the Gabba is being redeveloped, while other options presently available to cricket will mitigate some of the displacement challenges, including Carrara Stadium on the Gold Coast and regional centres.”
Queensland Cricket
“Queensland Cricket will strongly advocate for top level cricket (Test Matches, Women’s, and Men’s Big Bash League (W/BBL), ODIs, T20Is) to continue to be played in Brisbane during those seasons when the Gabba is unavailable. The most efficient, cost-effective, and timely option to enable this is for Allan Border Field to be upgraded with a capacity of 10,000 permanent seats.”
Their vision for the Albion site entails expanding its seating capacity to 10,000 permanent seats—an impressive increase of 3,500 from its existing capacity of 6,500. Notably, Allan Border Field is already equipped with a fixed wicket block and cricket-specific infrastructure, encompassing elements such as sight screens, a vision screen, field lighting, and broadcasting necessities. The facility also includes outdoor and indoor training amenities.
In the upcoming Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Gabba is designated to host athletics competitions as well as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
Since June, Dendy Cinemas has been treating audiences to ‘Music at the Movies,’ a winter array of music documentaries, concerts, and films. This August, catch ANDRÉ RIEU’S MAASTRICHT CONCERT: LOVE IS ALL AROUND.
In June, audiences got to see LONG STORY SHORT: WILLIE NELSON 90 — a two-hour concert film featuring his most memorable performances plus a star-studded list of performances.
K-pop fans were also treated to a must-see BTS documentary which follows two of the band members as they forge solo careers in J-HOPE IN THE BOX and SUGA: ROAD TO D-DAY.
Then there was the Grateful Dead’s annual concert, GRATEFUL DEAD MEET UP AT THE MOVIES 2023 and a one-off screening of OKLAHOMA! STARRING HIGH JACKMAN which was recorded during its record-breaking 1998 run on London’s West End.
If you missed these amazing features, there is still time to waltz the evening away with André Rieu, as he rounds out this music feast with ANDRÉ RIEU’S MAASTRICHT CONCERT: LOVE IS ALL AROUND.
Screening this 27 and 27 August, witness this annual event from André’s hometown as he covers classics, popular sing-alongs and waltzes. André teams up with surprise guests including the Gospel Choir for a party of music, dance and love.
And if you’re curious about what else is in store at the cinemas, there is definitely more to explore this August with a slew of must-see presentations from animation to spine-tingling thrillers, and action-packed adventure films.
DRJ Investments has submitted a development application for a project in Albion. The application seeks approval for a Multiple dwelling with 199 units and a Food and drink outlet.
The site is located on a 2,569 sqm block at 4 Higgs Street and 11 Sandgate Road. It’s a strategic gateway between Brisbane Airport and the Centre. The surrounding area has a mix of industry, commercial, and entertainment developments.
The proposed multiple dwelling development’s Gross Floor Area is 20,485.5 sqm. It has a cover of 1,824.5 sqm, around 74.5 per cent of the total area with the building height towing up to 17 storeys.
Breakfast Creek Hotel interface | Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council /developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au
The units include 45 one-bedroom apartments along with 117 two-bedroom units and 16 three-bedroom. Additionally, there will be 21 two and three-bedroom SOHO apartments. These apartments offer light and views to the north, with balconies for outdoor spaces.
The application stated that the SOHO apartments are a modern response to the demand for home offices. The development will have a rooftop recreation area with a 20-metre lap pool, spa, cabanas, gym, yoga deck, cinema room, business centre, private dining space, and communal recreation area.
Public art is also planned throughout the site to beautify the area and connect residents and visitors to its unique location. The artwork aims to enliven spaces with high visibility and pedestrian traffic flow from Breakfast Creek and the public plaza.
Breakfast Creek Hotel interface | Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council /developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au
“The proposed development has been designed to respond to the character and form of the nearby Breakfast Creek Hotel. In particular, the podium form is a contemporary response, which interprets, but does not replicate the materials and design elements of the hotel (such as veranda forms, arches, posts etc),” the proposal stated.
“The podium form will result in a sympathetic visual reference to the context of the area but won’t directly visually compete with the hotel, adding to the landmark qualities of the development.”
Effective 1 July 2023, motorists travelling across the Sir Leo Hielscher Bridges, commonly known as the Gateway bridges in Brisbane will see an increase in toll fees.
The toll for a car journey will rise by 38 cents, bringing the total to $5.45. Similarly, drivers passing through the Legacy Way will experience a toll increase of 46 cents, raising the fee to $6.60.
Transurban, the company responsible for operating most of Australia’s toll roads, manages assets such as Brisbane’s Gateway bridges and Logan motorways, the Clem7, the Legacy Way, Toowoomba Bypass, and Airport Link tunnels.
Photo credit: CC BY-SA 3.0/Gaz/Wikimedia Commons
Similar to the situation in Brisbane, Transurban operates numerous toll roads in Sydney and Melbourne. Due to the nature of their long-term contracts, toll prices on these roads are set to increase. The specific details of the price hikes, including the amounts and effective dates, will depend on the terms outlined in the contracts.
Toll prices typically adjust in accordance with changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), reflecting the overall cost of living. The government regulates the extent and frequency of toll price increases each year. However, the specific rate and timing of these increases vary across different toll roads and are determined by the government.
The Linkt Assist team, available to assist drivers, offers various services, including payment plans, extended payment deadlines, and toll credits. Motorists in need can reach out to this team for assistance.
You can visit Linkt’s website to find out more about the eligibility criteria for toll credit support and how to apply.
Upon completing his studies at the esteemed University of Queensland, Alexander Bell, the mastermind behind Australia’s newest boutique rum distillery, charted an unconventional course. Departing from the traditional path in his field, he embarked on a venture to establish his own distillery, driven by the historical legacy of the long-lost Milton Rum Distillery, once an illustrious rum producer.
Leveraging his engineering skills, Bell ingeniously devised a compact continuous-column still that harmoniously merges seven distinct stills into a singular apparatus, bestowing the distillery with the remarkable ability to craft exceptional rum of unparalleled quality at a fraction of the cost borne by its counterparts.
Photo Credit: Facebook / Milton Rum Distillery
Whilst traditional distilleries dutifully uphold artisanal methods, this visionary establishment pioneers novel production techniques and harnesses cutting-edge technology to replicate the phenomenal outcomes yielded by time-honoured practices. Consequently, it breathes life into a diverse array of locally concocted rum expressions, transcending geographical boundaries, and competes valiantly with industry giants, all whilst fostering affordability.
In addition to its awe-inspiring output capabilities, the distillery remains firm in its unwavering commitment to energy conservation and resource efficiency. Its meticulously tailored still operates with remarkable efficiency, consuming considerably diminished volumes of water and electricity when compared with traditional counterparts.
As an inspired touch, the distillery ingeniously harnesses the potential of food waste, utilising discarded fruit skins within its distillation process. These sustainable endeavours not only curtail operational costs but also minimise waste.
The fruits of their labour have not gone unnoticed. Milton Rum Distillery has been the recipient of a multitude of esteemed awards, including the coveted Melbourne International Spirits Competition prize for Australian Rum Distillery of the Year in 2020. Bell’s vision extends far beyond the confines of the distillery as he passionately sources ingredients from the surrounding Brisbane suburbs, thereby forging vital bonds with the local community.
Integral to the distillery’s triumph lies its active involvement in the Future Food Initiative, an empowering initiative spearheaded by the Brisbane Economic Development Agency. Through this transformative program, the distillery secures invaluable access to discerning investors, experienced mentors, and influential contacts within the expansive food industry, propelling its accelerated growth.
Photo Credit: Facebook / Milton Rum Distillery
Collaborative partnerships with esteemed social enterprises, exemplified by HELP Enterprises, empower the distillery to achieve scalability whilst concurrently affording individuals with disabilities meaningful employment opportunities.
Bolstered by the unwavering support of BEDA, Milton Rum Distillery has successfully permeated the shelves of renowned chain liquor stores, including the likes of Dan Murphy’s, BWS, First Choice, and Vintage Cellars. And as Brisbane gears up to claim the spotlight in the countdown to 2032, Alexander Bell urges aspiring enterprises to seize the plethora of opportunities that await.
Regarding the market trends indicating rum as the next prominent spirit, Bell expresses confidence in their position to seize this opportunity. However, Bell also recognizes that sustainability and quality will be crucial drivers of value in the future, and as a result, they are committed to continuously improving their processes and value chain to enhance sustainability.
We all know that winter and comfort food tend to go together, yet we are swamped with weight-loss advice and Dr Google has 1,001 variations for losing weight. Then there are the influencers and the gurus who dispense strategies based on the simplicity of more exercise, less food. Most of us have tried unsustainable diets but a new weight loss clinic has arrived in Ascot, offering qualified medical advice and treatments focused on weight loss. It’s called Alevia.
Clare’s story is one that many people will relate to. Her clothes no longer fitted her.
“I knew how great I felt when my body was at a comfortable weight,” she said.
“I knew I needed some real help to find a way to not only lose the weight again but to keep it off for good.”
“I reached my goal weight within three months and have stayed within a 3-kg range for over 15 months which is the longest I have managed to maintain. I have regular checkups regarding my weight and health, as I am one of those people that need support to make sure I stay on track. Unfortunately, I am fighting my gene pool on this one and have had to accept that it will never be easy for me but I have also learned that it can be done, and it is ok to ask for help.”
The medical world knows that weight loss is not just about the aesthetic pleasure derived.
“As doctors who have treated patients with complex medical problems for many years, we know that many conditions are improved by weight loss,” says Dr Catherine Bacus MBBS,FRACGP of Alevia.
“Alevia sees a wide range of clients from 18 years of age to 80 years of age! The most common demographic being women aged 45-65 who may have medical conditions related to excess weight and has tried many lifestyle changes on her own before reaching out for medical assistance.”
At Alevia, an initial assessment with the clinic’s doctor includes a body composition analysis and then seeks to understand the causes of weight gain – including medical, biological, genetic and lifestyle factors.
Obesity is a largely genetic condition. Between 40% and 70% of an individual’s weight is due to genetics and overcoming a persons’ hunger hormones can assist with long term weight control.
During the initial assessment, the doctor will also discuss all the relevant treatment options.
Dr Christine Bacus, Alevia
Dr Bachus was kind enough to answer some questions about Alevia’s approach to medical weight loss, that many people would have.
What are your most common treatments?
The most common treatments we provide at Alevia Medical Weight Loss Clinic are Body composition analysis; provision of evidence-based diet plans and exercise plans; prescribing weight loss medications, where appropriate, to help with hunger and cravings; as well as referral to psychologists and bariatric surgeons, when needed. This broad range of treatments we provide allows us to cater to everyone’s unique needs to be able to provide the best possible treatment. Alevia is conveniently co-located in Ascot with Kieser strength and physiotherapy group and has both face-to-face and telehealth options available for clients to see their medical doctors and dietitians.
Is there any technology involved in your services?
We use state-of-the art body composition analysis to determine a person’s body fat, muscle mass, visceral fat and basal metabolic rate, which assists us in tailoring a weight-loss program to the individual’s needs.
When was Alevia born? When did your Ascot clinic open?
Alevia Medical Weight Loss began to serve patients living with excess weight in April 2018. Since then, Alevia has grown to serve patients in five locations across Australia, including Melbourne, Adelaide and now Brisbane.
The Alevia Ascot facility opened on the 10th of May 2023, enabling us to help more patients in Australia with trusted medical care for weight management.
Alevia’s clinic is at 1 Zillman Road in Hendra. Find out more at their website.
Alevia is a proud Sponsor of Ascot News in 2023.
Disclaimer: This article is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied upon as such. Always seek the guidance of a medical doctor or other qualified health professional on any questions you may have about your health or any medical condition.
