Western Echo June Column
30 June, 2008
Sign Up for free e-mail updates!
Homeless Connect June 2008
Thank you to the many residents who donated clothes, blankets, shoes and personal hygiene products again this year for the over 600 hundred people who accessed the many services that were readily available. The day was the biggest yet and the many volunteers made sure that all who came to City Hall were made to feel welcome and were treated with much respect and courtesy.
The day began with hot breakfast served at the tables set up in the main and the Adelaide Street foyers. It was lovely experience the special occasion with the many guests being served by the ‘Homeless Connect team’ in their yellow tee shirts. It was a great opportunity to sit down and have a chat over a cuppa. It is amazing what you can learn about people over a cuppa. I sat with 4 blokes who had come to look for some new winter gear, a hair cut and maybe a foot massage or a back rub as well as talking to the Centreline service
The door opened at 9 o’clock and the rush was on. There was a man who had been patiently waiting and was first in the queue as he needed to see a doctor to fix up the roof of his mouth before he could get a set of dentures. He explained that, because he had very few teeth left, he was unable to eat solid food and was losing weight
Most made their way upstairs to the Hamilton Room where they were given bags to fill with toiletries, canned food, blankets, towels and of course, new clothes
There are over 300 hundred people who sleep ‘rough’ in the city and for some, it has become a way of life. There are more and more sleeping where ever they can find shelter. The causes of homelessness are many and varied and, whilst some is caused by mental illness ,alcohol and drug addiction, there are more and more who simply cannot find rental accommodation in Brisbane. Not all who came were homeless. Many were those on some form of pension who find the cost of living and escalating rental prices mean that there is very little left after paying ,in some cases, $150 per week for a room in a boarding house.
I am very proud that this Council holds these events and is working with the Brisbane Housing Company which has been building units particularly for those on low incomes. We are also working with other private providers to encourage them to provide a diversity of accommodation ranging from well managed boarding houses to 3 bed roomed family units.
Lastly my grateful thanks to all those volunteers who gave of their time and many of the Council staff who worked tirelessly to make this day a meaningful one for all those who came to City Hall as our special guests.
Off Leash Improvements
There are four fenced dog ‘off leash’ facilities in the Ward. Established in Wittonga, Paten ,Sunset and Gilbert Parks, they are all well used by dog owners. They were introduced over 11 years ago. Beforehand, they were simply areas of the park that were enclosed. They have evolved into places where not only dogs socialize, but also their owners.
Last year I was approached by the users of Paten and Wittonga Parks seeking up-grades in the form of extra seating, shade shelters, exercise equipment and double gate entry which prevented dogs from rushing out as the gate was opened There was also a request from both for a separate enclosure for the smaller dogs or those who are learning dog etiquette I think it is a great idea and over the next year, I hope to be able to fund all of these requests. Paten Park will be the first to have a small dog enclosure and hopefully, by the end of this year, Wittonga park will be extended to include a small dogs area.
Projects Completed
Thank to all those people letting me know how great it has been to finally be able to exit Kaloma Rd since the lights have been operational. Also, from all reports, the new play ground at Paten Park is being well used. We also had requests for additional seating which will be installed in the next month. The new traffic lights at Ashgrove State School are now proving much needed safe access to the school car park.
Budget 2008/09
On Wednesday, 11th of June the Lord Mayor, Campbell Newman, will bring down his fifth budget being the first since his re-election with a Liberal majority earlier in the year. The budget has been prepared over the last 6 months where the budget bids by all the various departments are assessed on a priority of projects that need to be delivered over the next four years His main priority is dealing with traffic congestion and delivering 500 new buses over the next 4 years.
All Councillors were asked to put forward their top four projects that they would like to be delivered this financial year. As I said last month, I was looking for a playground upgrade for Frank Walters Park as well footpaths that access schools. Here’s hoping that my bid has been successful.