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Parking Guide Around Kenmore, Other Brisbane School Zones

Sixty schools, including Kenmore South State School, were identified by the Council as areas of attention at the start of Term Three, in its bid to curb illegal parking around schools. So how does one who regularly drop off and pick up a child from school keep a traffic inspector at bay?

Last semester alone, about 1,200 fines and warnings were issued for instances of dangerous and illegal parking in school zones. For Term 3, 60 schools have been put on the Council’s radar, including nominated schools and illegal parking hotspots, as it resumes its campaign against illegal parking around schools.

During specific times, speed limit and drop-off, pick-up, and parking rules are in effect at school zones to minimise traffic congestion and keep parents, carers, and children safe.

Some common signs that one can see around Brisbane schools:

No Parking – a designated area where drivers are not allowed to stop, unless when dropping off or picking up passengers or goods and does not move further than 3 metres from the vehicle; or drops off or picks up passengers or goods and drives on within two minutes unless a different time limit is shown.

No Stopping – A driver must not stop where a no stopping sign or yellow no stopping line applies.

School Zone – at most Qld schools, a 40km/hr speed limits applies during 7am-9am and 2pm-4pm.

Passenger Loading Zones – The two-minute passenger zone allows you to stop while you drop off or pick up the child within a two-minute time frame. Even if you remain in the car, you can still be fined if you exceed the two-minute allowance.

Passenger Loading Zones

Pedestrian crossing – Most pedestrian crossings have supervisors who stop vehicles so children and parents can cross.

You need to stop and wait for further directions from the pedestrian crossing supervisor. If the pedestrian crossing is not supervised, you need to make sure that car from both directions have stopped and can see you before you start to cross.

Also, you need to slow down, stop and give way once a pedestrian steps on the marked crossing.

The Council Parking Guide suggests the following when in a passenger loading zone:

Use the zone like a quick moving taxi rank.
Move to the head of the queue or move forward as space becomes available.
Teach children to move promptly to the vehicle.
Load and unload passengers at the front of the line.
Stay in the car if you are the driver, unless loading or unloading baggage or passengers.

DON’T

Park for more than two minutes – you can be fined for this.
Call children to the back of the queue or across the road.
Reverse into the zone as this puts children in danger.
Leave the vehicle, except to load or unload. Queue through pedestrian crossings or in no stopping zones.

For more information about traffic and parking fines, visit the Brisbane City Council site here.

Microtunnelling Technology Enabled Cost-Effective Sewer Upgrade From Kenmore to Jindalee

Did you know that the same cost-effective microtunneling techniques that made the installation of water and sewer pipelines beneath Kenmore and Jindalee a feat of engineering are also at the heart of the ongoing $55-million Bulimba Creek Sewer Upgrade?

The new $17-million Kenmore Jindalee cross-river pipeline replaced the infrastructure that was damaged in the 2011 floods. The project is Queensland Urban Utilities’ latest investment to ensure a safer and more resilient network for the western suburbs.

The project involved the installation of new water and sewer pipes between Kingfisher Park in Kenmore and the Scout Hall on Mt Ommaney Drive in Jindalee, inside a tunnel bored 10 metres beneath the Brisbane River. Also installed are additional two kilometres of sewer pipelines and over 680 metres of water pipes within Jindalee.

What made everything possible was the use of micro-tunnelling technology. Guided by laser navigation system, the tunnel borer avoided going under homes as it bore its way underneath the riverbed.

Kenmore to Jindalee Cross River Pipeline | Video Credit: Queensland Urban Utilities / YouTube

“The machine is so large, it needs to be craned into the launch shaft in four parts,” Queensland Urban Utilities spokesperson, Sally Prosser, said.

“Once assembled, it’s almost 14m long, 1.8m in diameter and weighs more than 45 tonnes – the equivalent of six elephants.”

After the construction of the concrete tunnel was completed, the water and sewer pipes were then installed inside the tunnel and “pulled” through.

One of the largest sewer upgrade projects in SEQ, Bulimba Creek Sewer Upgrade, also employed similar microtunneling techniques. Meeting the project’s goal required tunnelling through Belmont Hills Bushland Reserve, made possible by harnessing the latest trenchless technology.

microtunneling Sewer Upgrade — *Video Still Credit: Queensland Urban Utilities / YouTube*

The Bulimba Creek Upgrade Stage 2 involves the installation of a new 4.25km gravity trunk sewer between Wecker Road in Mansfield and Cadogan Street in Carindale. The project uses open trenching and trenchless technologies.

By employing modern trenchless techniques, Queensland Urban Utilities was able to minimise the overall impact to the environment and to the residents affected by the projects.

The Bulimba Creek Upgrade Stage 2 is nearing completion and the project is expected to be operational in the second half of 2019.

Kenmore South State School Excels at Robotics Competition

Photo Credit: RoboCup Junior Queensland/Facebook

Kenmore South State School is now in a celebratory mood after two teams from the school won in the recently held Robocup Rescue Competitions at the University of Queensland on 10-11 August 2019.

Hamish Frew and Rain Haase finished first in Brisbane Regional Competition with their robot Krusty Krab while the KSSS team beat more than 30 teams at the Robocup Junior State Competition with their Silicon Slay3r. The KSSS Year 4 team consists of Liam Kunde, Hamish McNutt, Sam Yang, and Ryan Place.

At the Robocup Rescue Competitions, participants had to build and code Lego EV3 robots to rescue a victim from a deadly chemical spill. The twist is that they have to finish building and coding in two minutes.

Ryan believed there were two Ts that helped them succeed. As the student pointed out, “Testing” and “Teamwork” were both essential in their victory. He said one of the keys to their accomplishment was the piece of resistance, which was a curved piece of LEGO on the front of the robot that helped it go up slopes.

About RoboCup Junior Queensland

RoboCup Junior is open to students studying at a Primary School or Secondary School (or equivalent e.g. home schooled). The group encourages students to think creatively to develop solutions, mostly as members of a team of 2 or more, to the RoboCup Junior Challenges in OnStage (previously known as Dance), Rescue, and Soccer.

The next Robocup Competitions for Queensland will be held on October 11-13 2019.

Pullenvale Popup Lines Up Interesting Finds for Saturday Market Day

Saturday is meant to be spent on activities for unwinding and relaxing. You can do just that and more at this pop-up market next to the Pullenvale Hall on Grandview Road.

The Curious Caravan, the travelling cafe and events organizer for hire, and the wellness store The Essential Community are mounting the Pullenvale Saturday Pop-Up Market on the 24th of Aug 2019 from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Expect a showcase of crafters, makers, and local food amidst a breezy background filled with greens and trees.

*Photo Credit: The Curious Caravan/Facebook*

*Photo Credit: The Essential Community/Facebook*

Keeping the Community Spirit Alive

The Curious Caravan is an iconic presence at the centre of Pullenvale Hall, where a lot of community events take place. Every morning, the tiny cafe’s freshly brewed coffee fills the air, much to the delight of the locals.

There have been dozens of these Pullenvale Saturday Pop-Up Market over the years. However, every event is an opportunity for the locals to touch base with each other and enliven the community.

What to Expect at the Pop-Up

You’ll be pleased to shop and dine at this pop-up’s laid-back atmosphere, amongst a crowd of friendly faces. Aside from The Curious Caravan and The Essential Community, these local establishments will be setting up stalls at the pop-up:

Julia’s Pantry

Julia’s Pantry is a specialty home-based business offering a wide range of goodies like cakes and tarts, as well as preserves and jams. An empty nester with a passion for cooking, Julia makes use of her postgraduate degree in gastronomy to cook food from scratch and sell these at markets and festivals. She also conducts cooking classes in West Brisbane, as there is nothing more she’d love to do but be in the kitchen.

At the Pullenvale Pop-up last July, Julia sold these goodies below so expect more treats to hoard from her stall this August:

Seremban Living

Seremban Living is a home decor supplier selling unique crafts for your house or for gifting to friends and family. Their popular items include snuggly throw blankets, resin art trays, and raw cotton cushions. They also have Shibori home products, which makes use of a Japanese dyeing technique.

A Life Made of Paper

A Life Made of Paper features bespoke cards, home decors, party favours, banners or buntings and other giftables created by Kelly Olds. While she has a day job, she dabbles in the creative arts as a passion and has been Stampin’ Up!© demonstrator for over five years. She also teaches paper crafting classes.

*Photo Credit: A Life Made of Paper/Facebook*

Rani’s Cuisine

Rani’s Cuisine offers authentic Indian and Mauritian dishes prepared by Ranee Veerassamy. Her native island of Mauritius might be known as a tourism hotspot but for Rani, it is the food that’s the heart of her heritage with its curry, pickles and spices. Her friends regard her cooking as healing comfort food.

Among Rani’s best-selling products come in jars sold for $7 or $9 a pop: Mauritian Curry Paste, Mauritian Piment Limon Rouge, Butter Chicken Paste, and the Kerala Fish Curry Paste. She prepares and grinds these following techniques and recipes passed on to her family for generations.

Don’t forget to ask about her cooking classes. She’s also open to catering dinner parties.

To add to the casual vibe, live music will play while you’re shopping, eating or hanging around with your group at the picnic tables.

The Pullenvale Saturday Pop-Up Market is still open for stall holders if you’re interested in selling at this event. Phone The Curious Caravan at 0452 068 098 or email thecuriouscaravan@gmail.com for enquiries.

Free Gentle Exercise Session Offered to Newcomers at Kenmore Tai Chi School

If you would you like to improve your physical fitness with an exercise routine that isn’t too rigid, check out the Tai Chi School of Gentle Exercise in Kenmore, where first-timers can enjoy their introductory Tai Chi class for free.

Tai Chi was once an ancient Martial Arts defense training. Today, however, it has been adopted as an exercise routine involving deep breathing and slow movements because of its proven physical mental benefits.

This exercise works against headaches, insomnia, arthritis, back problems, and high blood pressure, among other conditions. It’s also a stress buster and may boost the immune system.

New classes will start at the Tai Chi School of Gentle Exercise on Friday, the 23rd of August 2019, at the Holy Spirit Anglican Church Hall at 1036 Moggill Road. The session at the upper hall will start at 12:30 p.m. Be there in your most comfortable workout clothes a few minutes earlier to sign up and prepare for the class.

The whole course lasts for eight weeks and comes with a free DVD instruction so you can also practice and master Tai Chi relaxation techniques at home.

Tai Chi School of Gentle Exercise has been around since 1983 and has accredited instructors led by Glenn Blythe.

*Photo Credit: Tai Chi School of Gentle Exercise/Facebook*

“For the ninety percent of people who have never done Tai Chi that join, I slowly teach the basics such as Joint Alignment, Posture and Spinal Alignment and how this creates movement without placing stress on the joints,” Mr Blythe said.

For more details about the classes, phone 3883-1508.

Kenmore Cycle Club Returns to Mt Crosby for Sunshine Series XCO

Did you know that the Kenmore Cycle Club is 20 years old? In celebration of this milestone, the club will be mounting the fourth round of its Sunshine Series XCO racing at the challenging tracks of Mt Crosby 18 kilometres off the suburb.

Set for Sunday, the 11th of Aug 2019, the XCO racing will begin at 7:00 a.m. Kenmore Cycle Club members are expected to converge at Tyamolum Scout Campsite at 31 Bunya Street in Mount Crosby minutes before the race. The whole event is expected to finish around noon.

Volunteers from different clubs under the Queensland Mountainbike Association have prepared the race for all ages. While there are tracks and climbs that may test your biking skills, there are also lapses for casual bikers at the rainforest section.

6:30-7:45	Course practice (not compulsory)
8:00	Junior U13 Boys/Girls, Kids U11 Boys/Girls
8:45	U17 Men, U15 Boys, Sport Men, U15 Girls, U17 Women, ALL WOMEN except Elite/U19
10:15	Elite Men/Women, Junior U19 M/F, Master Men, Ebike

Bikers from faraway suburbs are expected to join this race as well and they are welcome to camp out before and after the race at Tyamolum (booking required).

The Kenmore Cycle Club aims to welcome more people at this Sunday’s XCO racing so members are encouraged to bring their friends and family members along even if they still don’t have a license. If you know someone interested in kicking off their biking hobby, this is the right time to join the club to start processing your Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA) membership. For this particular event, however, the 12-month club membership fee will be waived for newbies.

For tickets to the XCO racing, email the club at kenmorecycleclub@gmail.com. This event is also a fundraiser to support the improvements and maintenance of the Tyamolum Scout Campsite.

Why Kenmore Couple Ted and Nola Carlow Deserve a Distinctive Honour

Ted and Nola Carlow certainly did not expect to receive a distinctive honour from the local community and Council. Though it was a simple plaque and there was no ceremonial fanfare to it, the gesture behind the award merited great value as this Kenmore couple is no ordinary pair.

In May, Member of Parliament Dr Christian Rowan bestowed the special award to the Carlow couple for simply being an inspiration to the residents. For decades, this Kenmore couple has been waving and smiling at cars and passersby from the porch of their home near the Kenmore roundabout.

“It was a privilege to formally recognise Ted and Nola Carlow, who are iconic Kenmore locals,” Dr Rowan said. “Each and every day as residents enter into, and out of, Kenmore, you can see Ted and Nola with their trademark smile and wave. Thanks again Ted and Nola for being such an integral and welcoming part of our community over the past 70 years.”

*Photo Credit: Dr Christian Rowan MP/Facebook*

There was a time, however, when the couple went “missing” from their porch that it triggered a panic from the residents. People looked for them on social media until it was confirmed that they are doing fine.

The reason for their brief absence wasn’t elaborated but locals were relieved to know that the Carlows are back on the porch and waving at their neighbours. Messages poured online from residents who have looked up to the couple.

“I waved at 12 and still wave at 31. Ted and Nola are a Kenmore institution!” Suki Bloom revealed.

“I waved to them every afternoon for nearly 4 years in primary school and when I recently drove past there (over 8 years later) it was as if they recognised me and they waved,” said Anton Immaraj.

“I remember as a child always looking out for them as we drove past. I haven’t lived in Brisbane for 9 yrs, but every time I head down to see friends and family I still look for them,” Jacqui Kimbers shared.

The Carlows are in their ‘90s and have raised daughters in Kenmore.

Planned Burns in Pullenvale and Other Areas Underway to Prepare for Bushfire Season

Pullenvale residents have been advised to stay away from the walking tracks for at least two weeks as planned burns are being undertaken at Primley Street Park.

Brisbane City Council has started its annual practice of planned burning around local reserves to mitigate the impact of bushfire season. According to the Council, some 12 hectares of forest area formed part of the planned burn at the reserve which has also temporarily affected the conditions at the Hawkesbury Road Nature Refuge. Further planned burns will also take place at the Mt Coot-tha Reserve, as well as 20 other sites across Queensland this August.

Since specific dates of the planned burn are not quickly determined as it is based on weather conditions, the Council said it will notify residents and neighboring suburbs on the day of the burn. To be better prepared, however, you can check the planned burn area map to give you an idea of which neighbourhood could be affected.

Smoke coming from these burns may be bothersome for residents. However, the hazard burns are necessary to protect the local resources, environmental habitats and human lives.

“These burns aim to reduce the amount of fire fuel such as leaves and twigs by 75 percent over the 60 to 80 percent of the land being burned,” Councillor Vicki Howard said.

“All Brisbane residents can prepare their properties by tidying the yard, clearing gutters and overhanging branches and raking up twigs and dried leaves from around the house and garden,” she added.

Residents must also have emergency kits where important documents are kept so that it’s easy to grab in case the unexpected happens.

Precise planned burning techniques will be carried out by trained members of the bushland and fire management. Bushfire season usually runs from late August until November every year.

Winter Sunday Brunches at The Kenmore Tavern are Inspired by Apres-Ski

Warm your winter Sunday brunch with a special bottomless menu from The Kenmore Tavern. The choices of food have been inspired by Apres-Ski and it’s sure to cure your winter blues.

The Apres-Ski is a social activity that traditionally takes place after a fun but tiring day of skiing. However, guests may enjoy the same vibe even in the absence of ski slopes at The Kenmore Tavern.

Happening every Sunday at 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., The Kenmore Tavern’s Apres-Ski Bottomless Brunch will feature a winter wonderland that transforms the restaurant into an alpine village complete with ski lift chairs. Relish the cosy atmosphere as blankets will be provided to guests and the heater will also keep the temperature balanced.

*Photo Credit: The Kenmore Tavern/Facebook*

Drinks like mulled wine and cider, red or white sparkling champagne and tap beer will keep guests warmer as they savour the food.

The Apres-Ski’s menu will include the following dishes:

Zucchini fritters with smoked salmon & chive crème fraiche
Cinnamon French toast brioche fingers with maple syrup & bacon bits
Garlic toasts with prosciutto, mozzarella & chive oil
Peanut butter, Nutella & banana brioche toasties
Fried chicken & waffles with maple syrup
Potato rosti, bacon wedge, house-made tomato relish & fresh chives
Buttermilk petite pancake with rum, apple, banana compote, earl grey & sour cherry ice cream
Garlic toasts with cream cheese, smoked salmon, herb panko crumbed egg

Bookings are required online. The brunch cost $55 per person.

Rates Increase in Kenmore, Among the Highest in Brisbane

Kenmore cops the highest increase in rates amongst the westside suburbs and one of the highest in Brisbane, as Council rates for owner-occupied properties rise by an average of 2.5 percent.

With the exception of nine, Brisbane suburbs will see an overall average rates increase of 2.5 percent, the same as last year and almost twice the current annual inflation rate of 1.5 percent.

“We’ve kept the budget strong and balanced despite the impact of droughts and floods, through the Global Financial Crisis and through multiple property market cycles,” Lord Mayor Schrinner said in his budget speech.

“…today I confirm that in 2019-20 the average increase in rates for owner occupied residential properties will once again be 2.5 per cent.”

Kenmore residents will face a rates increase of 5.4 percent or an additional $80.87 per year. Other Brisbane West suburbs should also expect to see rate increase notice in the mail including Chapel Hill (5.20%); St Lucia (3.6 %); Kenmore Hills (3.3%); Taringa (2.8%); Indooroopilly (2.5%); Bellbowrie, Brookfield, and Fig Tree Pocket (1.9%), and Moggill (1.7%).

Anstead, Pullenvale, and Pinjarra Hills, on the other hand, will cop rates increase lower than the current annual inflation rate at 0.9%, 0.9%, and 0.8% respectively.

“For owner occupiers, this average rates increase equates to $10 per quarterly rates notice or $0.77 per week. The average increase to Council fees and charges will also be 2.5 per cent,” Cr Schrinner said.

Seven Hills and Wakerley will have the highest rates increase in Brisbane, both at 5.80 percent or an extra $115.23 and $87.08 to the annual bill, respectively. Kangaroo Point residents, on the other hand will get the biggest drop with a 5.1 percent rate decrease or a savings of $86.38 year.

Ratepayers in these eight other suburbs will also expect to see drop in rates: Ransome and Willawong (-2.0%); Cowan Cowan (-1.7%); Bridgeman Downs, Bulwer, and Candler (-1.0%); Murarrie (-0.7%), and Westlake (-0.4%)