Chair, I rise to speak about how the Team Schrinner Administration has made the Bracken Ridge Ward even better over the past 12 months. Despite a world pandemic, we have not slowed down and in fact there are so many projects that have been completed or close to completion, that I find it hard to cover them all here.

Apart from the economic relief provided to residents and small business by the Schrinner Administration, we have used this time with the financial assistance of the Morrison Government to keep people working and make our parks and infrastructure even better. Currently work is progressing in Bracken Ridge with the expansion to four lanes on Hoyland Street, the signalling of Norris and Barbour Road, and associated active travel pathways and the resurfacing of Bracken Ridge Road. In Fitzgibbon, work is starting on the formalising of Roghan Road and active travel pathways. In Carseldine, work has commenced on formalising Dorville Road and active travel pathways. In Aspley, extensive road resurfacing has been done on Robinson Road West, as well as multiple roads across the ward being resurfaced. 

We’ve also been building footpaths to improve connectivity. Barfoot Street in Bracken Ridge, Telegraph Road in Bald Hills, Cullimore Street outside the Bald Hills train station, Harry Kirby Park bikeway in Aspley, Pat Rafter Park in Carseldine, Dorville Road in Carseldine, Percivale and Glenealy Street, Bracken Ridge, to name just a few. 

Fitness equipment has been installed in Canterbury Park and John Stewart Memorial Park, both in Bald Hills,  Strawberry Farm Park in Carseldine, and shade cover over the fitness equipment in Barrett Street Reserve in Bracken Ridge. The project closest to my heart and the one I am most excited about was the installation of an all abilities playground with shade in Hidden World Playground, Fitzgibbon. Improved wheelchair access to play equipment in Ferguson Park, Bracken Ridge, as well as the shade over that playground. Toddler play equipment in Bert Wolfe Park in Bracken Ridge, learn to ride track in Zillmere, picnic shelters in John Stewart Park and new play equipment in Canterbury Park, both in Bald Hills, table tennis table in Philip Vaughan Park in Carseldine. There are toilets being installed at the netball courts in Bill Brown Reserve and John Stewart Memorial Park in Bald Hills. New seating along Stanley Day Walkway, Bracken Ridge; Keith Murray bike path, Bald Hills, and of course the bench outside the Bracken Ridge Library to acknowledge the contribution of local legend, Grace Beecher. Upgraded walking tracks in Tinchi Tamba Wetlands and extensive tree planting throughout the ward. Another great project, is the new dog off-leash area in Bill Brown Reserve that I committed to during the election campaign and was funded and designed during this first year. Similarly, to the new learn-to-ride track in Zillmere, when construction of this dog park is completed in the coming weeks this will not only benefit the residents of Bracken Ridge Ward, but also our neighbours in Deagon Ward.

The jewel in the crown that is currently underway following community consultation, that received overwhelming support and was another election commitment, is the learn-to-ride track at Gus Davies Park in Bald Hills. This upgrade will be an interactive track and I know my community can’t wait for its completion. This is all without mentioning the extensive assistance given to many community groups and sporting clubs through grants and of course, the financial support the Schrinner Administration has provided to help see our community groups through what has been an unprecedented year. 

Chair, this is just a 12-month glimpse of how Brisbane continues to get even better.”

11 May 2021