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BYD Atto 3: The New EV You Can Order Like Takeaway

Photo Credit: EV Direct / evdirect.com.au/atto-3

Chinese automaker ‘Build Your Dreams’ or BYD has just launched a new competitor in the Australian electric vehicle market: the Atto 3. Did you know that you can order online and then collect it like takeaway?

Read: Police Gather At Chermside To Remind The Public Of Personal Safety

Yes, it’s true. Brisbane customers can order the car online and collect it from the Mycar workshop in Stafford.

On 19 February, the first SUV built on BYD’s e-platform 3.0 was launched. ATTO 3, or Yuan Plus as it is called in China, is set to become one of the cheapest options in the Australian passenger vehicle market and will come with a seven-year battery and vehicle warranty.

Measuring 4,455 mm in length and 1,875 mm in width, the midsize SUV will be offered in two configurations:

Standard Range with a 52.5-kWh battery pack, front-mounted 201-hp (150 kW), 229 lb-ft (310-Nm) electric motor, acceleration from 0 to 100 kmph in 7.3 seconds and 400-km range

Extended Range with a 63-kWh battery pack and a 480-km range.

Atto 3 comes with BYD’s patented Blade Battery technology | Photo Credit: EV Direct / evdirect.com.au/atto-3

At the heart of Atto 3 is BYD’s revolutionary Blade Battery technology offering industry-leading safety levels and an extended single-charge range capability. Blade Battery boasts of being the only battery in the market that has successfully passed the rigorous nail penetration test. The Atto 3 offers an 80-kW DC fast-charging enabling it to be charged in about 45 minutes.

Apart from a range of safety features, it also comes with 12.8-inch infotainment, 8-speaker audio system, wireless phone charger, keyless entry and start, portable card key, Bluetooth connectivity and 60/40 split-fold rear seats.

Read: Woman with Confirmed Case of Japanese Encephalitis Virus Now Being Treated in Chermside

“2022 will see the accelerated evolution of new energy vehicles and a new start for BYD’s development in the Australian market. This year, BYD will introduce several new energy passenger vehicles to the Australian market,” Wang Chuanfu, Chairman and President of BYD Company Limited, said.

Photo Credit: EV Direct / evdirect.com.au/atto-3

BYD’s local distributor, EV Direct, has partnered with Mycar for the handing over and servicing of these electric cars. Customers can order online and then pick up their new vehicle from Mycar in South Melbourne, Chatswood in Sydney or in Stafford in Brisbane. Deliveries to regional areas carry an additional $495.

New orders are estimated to be delivered in August 2022.

Police Gather At Chermside To Remind The Public Of Personal Safety

Police officers are handing out leaflets at the Chermside shopping and public transport precinct to remind the public to take some preventative measures to increase their personal safety when out in public spaces.

Read: Woman with Confirmed Case of Japanese Encephalitis Virus Now Being Treated in Chermside

Queensland Police Service (QPS) has partnered with Westfield Security and BCC security to create a safe environment for members of the public, by handing out more than 3,000 Safer Living for Queenslanders booklets.

The booklets cover core personal safety strategies; dealing with confrontation; and situational strategies for in the home, online, out and about, public transport, in the car, for children, for seniors, in the workplace, and in the social scene.

personal safety booklets — Photo credit: https://mypolice.qld.gov.au/

Whilst we all have the right to be safe and it is important for people to be aware of it and exercise this right, QPS reminds the public that they also have responsibility for their own safety.

“Adopting practical safety strategies can help reduce the risk of victimisation and assist you to respond effectively if your safety is threatened,” QPS stated.

When out and about, these are some things people can do to appear confident in their surroundings:

Always exhibit strong and positive body language to appear self-assured.
Be aware of your surroundings and alert to what is going on around you.
Listen to, trust, and act on your instincts and if you sense danger from someone, something or a place, immediately remove yourself from the situation
Remove headphones or use of your mobile phone while out walking or crossing the road – distraction reduces your awareness of what is happening around you and can make you more vulnerable to a potential offender.
Wherever possible, walk in well-lit areas and face oncoming traffic.
Ensure you inform someone where you are going and an ETA for your return.

qld police — Photo credit: https://mypolice.qld.gov.au/

According to QPS’ Online Crime Map from 16 September 2021 to 15 March 2022, Chermside has recorded 62 cases of assault, 10 cases of robbery, and 9 cases categorised as ‘other offences against the person.’

Read: FOGO Food Waste Recycling Service Pilot Coming to Chermside

If you observe suspicious or threatening behaviour, contact police immediately and if it is safe to do so, respond to any calls for assistance.

You can report via Policelink or via 131 444 for non-urgent concerns and 000 for emergency.

Woman with Confirmed Case of Japanese Encephalitis Virus Now Being Treated in Chermside

Authorities are reminding the public to take precautions and clean up stagnant water to remove breeding grounds of mosquitoes, as a woman with confirmed case of Japanese Encephalitis virus (JEV) is being treated in Chermside.

Read: Evacuation Facilities in Chermside and Chandler: What to Bring and Where To Go With Pets

Doctors at The Prince Charles Hospital in Chermside are now treating the patient who has been in a critical condition and on life support after having contracted the virus. The patient, a woman in her 60s, reportedly travelled in regional southern Queensland.

The case is the first confirmed Queensland case in 24 years. The last cases were recorded in 1998, involving a 12-year-old boy on Badu Island and a man working at Cape York.

Clinicians at Queensland hospitals have been asked to be alert to the possibility of JEV in people presenting with encephalitis or a similar illness.

“We encourage Queenslanders to take necessary steps to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes, especially given the recent flooding event which may lead to an increase in mosquito numbers in coming weeks,” the Department of Health has stated in a media release.

What is Japanese Encephalitis?

infected mosquito — Photo credit: 41330/Pixabay

Japanese encephalitis is a mosquito-borne viral disease that mostly occurs in pigs and horses but can also spread on people and other animals through the bite of an infected mosquito.

In humans, Japanese encephalitis presents from little to no symptoms. In most instances, the symptoms are only headache or fever. However, patients with severe disease may suffer from inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), characterised by sudden onset of vomiting, high fever and chills, severe headache, sensitivity to light, neck stiffness and nausea/vomiting.

It’s worth noting that children aged under five years of age and older people who are infected with JEV are at a higher risk of developing more severe illness.

According to the World Health Organization, there is no cure for the disease. Treatment is focused on relieving severe clinical signs and supporting the patient to overcome the infection.

Patients suspected to have JEV should be admitted to hospital so they can be given fluids, oxygen and medication to treat any symptoms.

Preventive Measures

jev treatment — Photo credit: mosquito1/Pixabay

Whilst there is currently no cure for JEV, there are things the general public can do to prevent it. Here are some preventive measures to prevent mosquito bites:

Regularly apply insect repellent containing Diethyl Toluamide (DEET), Picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus
Wear loose, light-coloured clothing to cover up arms, legs and feet
Use other insecticide-based mosquito control devices where possible when outside.
Inspect for common mosquito breeding sites around the home
Clean up debris and make sure that any outdoor containers are stored in a dry place.
Ensure flyscreens are in good order so mosquitoes can’t enter your home easily.

National Emergency

Australia’s Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr Sonya Bennett, has declared the Japanese encephalitis virus situation a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance.

“I have declared the JEV situation a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance after determining a national approach is required in relation to coordination of health policy, interventions and public messaging,” Dr Bennett said.

“A national working group of communicable disease, vaccine and arbovirus experts has been established to support the response, including mosquito surveillance and control measures and identification of those at direct risk, and for the rollout of vaccines. Public health communications regarding mosquito protection will target affected communities.”

mosquito bites — Photo credit: Barbara Barbosa/Pexels

The human case follows a detection at a piggery in southern Queensland last week. There have also been detections in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

The State Government also ensures there is no risk to humans from consuming pork or pig products and that pork products are safe to eat. The virus isn’t also contagious or cannot be spread directly from person to person.

Queensland Health is working collaboratively with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and industry, as well as state, territory and national counterparts to discuss a national response. Support is also being provided to intensive livestock industry workers.

Evacuation Facilities in Chermside and Chandler: What to Bring and Where To Go With Pets

Evacuation facilities are available at the Kedron-Wavell Services Club in Chermside and the Chandler Arena at the Sleeman Sports Complex. Do you know what to bring if you have to evacuate? Where do you go if you have pets? Find out below.

Kedron-Wavell Services Club

North Brisbane residents who are evacuating to safety can seek temporary shelter at the Kedron-Wavell Services Club on Kittyhawk Drive in Chermside.

Brisbane City Council Emergency Management Team has opened the facility for evacuees as of Sunday, 27 Feb 2022, 2:00 p.m. The operators of Kedron-Wavell Services Club have also issued a statement confirming that they are operating as a Level 1 Evacuation Centre thus normal activities will have to pause.

Make an Evacuation Kit

Evacuees are advised to bring the following items to the temporary shelter:

Mobile phone and charger
Spare clothing
Toiletries
Important documents (e.g. insurance papers, passports, birth certificates, backup of computer files)
Necessary medication and prescriptions
Needs for infants such as formula or nappies
Bedding, pillow, and blankets

The facility may also accept trained service animals, provided they are leashed, muzzled, and securely transported. Pet owners must pack their dog or cat’s food and litter tray as well.

Families with Pets

Only service dogs are accepted at the Kedron-Wavell Services Club.

For families who have pets, they may check for spaces at the Chandler Arena at Sleeman Sports Complex located at Old Cleveland Road and Tilley Road in Chandler.

For further assistance, residents may phone the evacuation team via 07 3403 8888.

Online Flood Forecast Per Suburb

Meanwhile, residents may also check the online flood forecast per suburb. Council will regularly update the February 2022 Severe Weather Event page. Residents are advised to plan ahead and check for safe routes using the forecast tool and map should they need to leave their homes.

Everyone must also take note to avoid entering flood water, either by walking or driving through, as there could be dangerous debris from the Brisbane river.

Chermside Retailer Sabo Skirt Adopts TAGR Self-Checkout System, Scraps Queues and Contact

Sabo Skirt, a popular fashion retailer in Westfield Chermside, is changing how consumers shop by adopting a new self-checkout system developed by TAGR that eliminates long queues and contacts at the counter.

George Kouzoukas, the store’s general manager, said that the self-checkout system has elevated the customers’ experience as they could easily use the technology to browse, scan and tag items they like.

“Our staff have moved away from traditional ‘service counters’ to be available to those customers who require assistance while in store,” Mr Kouzoukas said.

Checking out to finalise their purchases is convenient as well as customers have various options for paying through their devices. Their purchases are confirmed with an electronic receipt.

The technology, TAGR, is a homegrown invention that has been in development for 18 months. Customers also do not need to download an app to self-checkout because everything is in a web-based “Scan, Shop and Go” system using a QR code.

The TAGR team believes that their service will bolster retailers’ services, especially in this new normal. More retailers will be added to the TAGR list of merchants, including Australia’s biggest chain stores, in the coming months.

Meanwhile, Sabo Skirt started off as a fashion blog in 2010. The following year, its owners launched the store, featuring high-street brands, and soon became one of Australia’s most sought-after retailers.

In the last five years, Sabo Skirt launched an exclusive label, Sabo Skirt + Sabo Luxe, with a collection showcase at the New York Fashion Week. Across the brand’s social media platforms, Sabo Skirt has a following of over two million fashionistas.

FOGO Food Waste Recycling Service Pilot Coming to Chermside

https://www.megaphone.org.au/petitions/brisbane-let-s-go-fogo

Did you know that Chermside is among the suburbs chosen to participate in the pilot run of the FOGO initiative, a trial that will reduce food waste in a pilot batch of 6,000 households across 30 suburbs in Brisbane.

What is FOGO (food organics garden organics) pilot?

The FOGO pilot is a food waste recycling initiative of the Brisbane City Council aimed at diverting food waste from landfills.

Council selected eight existing green waste collection routes to be part of the pilot: four from Brisbane north and four from Brisbane south. Beginning 1 March 2022, Council will collect food scraps from participating households from routes one and two. And then from 8 March for routes three and four, including parts of Chermside, Geebung and Wavell Heights.

Collection route four map - Brisbane North — Collection route four map – Brisbane North | Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / brisbane.qld.gov.au

Why participate in the FOGO?

Here are some troubling facts about food waste in Australia as noted by NFWS Feasibility Study:

An estimated $20 billion is lost to the Australian economy each year due to food waste.
Apart from the economic costs, over 5.3 million tonnes of food intended for human consumption is wasted from households and the commercial and industrial sectors each year.
Households throw away 3.1 million tonnes of edible food, equivalent to almost 17,000 grounded 747 jumbo jets.
Food waste costs Australian households between $2,200 and $3,800 each year.

National Food Waste Strategy Feasibility Study Launch
Video Credit: Admin FIAL / YouTube

What we can gain from minimising food waste:

Food waste can be converted into valuable compost for use by farmers and in gardens both big and small
Reduce food waste, reduce food costs
Reduce foul odour coming from rotting food and reduce the potential source of disease and vermin infestation.
Reduce food wastes in Brisbane where around 80,000 tonnes are thrown each year.

FOGO Food Waste Recycling Service Pilot Coming to Chermside — Photo Credit: Facebook/ Lord mayor Adrian Schrinner

What the pilot program entails

A letter will be sent to households in the pilot suburbs inviting them to participate in the free service. Before the service commences, each participating household will then receive a six-litre kitchen caddy and an education pack.

Food scraps will go to the kitchen caddy, before and after meals. It is important to line the caddy with a newspaper, paper bag or paper towel and then store it in a place where flies can’t swarm over it; but don’t use plastic bags.

Every one or two days, residents will empty their caddy of their food waste such as fruit and vegetable scraps, along with their garden waste into their green waste recycling bin. Take your green bin out for collection as part of the regular fortnightly bin collection process.

But don’t put these in your green bin

Food waste

dairy products (yoghurt, cheese, ice cream, all milk types)
meat products (bones, red and white meat)
seafood

Garden material

rocks and stones
branches too big to fit in the bin
plastic plant pots
garden tools, hoses, gloves, fuel, oil cans

Other items

plastic bags and food packaging
all types of plastic or polystyrene containers
cooking oil
fruit and vegetable stickers
coffee pods and capsules
tape, ties, rubber bands
cigarette butts
vacuum dust and hair
nappies (including compostable), baby wipes, flushable wet wipes
kitty litter, animal waste

Food wastes will be collected and taken to a resource recovery centre and will hand it over to a Council partner’s green waste recycling facility. The food wastes will then be converted into compost according to Australian standards to be used by local farmers, urban growers and businesses.

Chermside Local Pleads Guilty to Animal Cruelty; Queensland Reviews Animal Care and Protection Act 2001

A resident of Chermside has entered a plea of guilty to animal cruelty and will be barred from having a pet for three years after he mistreated Sam, his American Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Andrew Vlaisan, 42, was charged for animal cruelty after he failed to care for Sam and physically abused the dog by kicking, punching, and hitting the animal with objects.

Videos of the abuse were apparently caught on camera in 2020, according to Sophie Taylor, the RSPCA prosecutor. Though Mr Vlaisan had no prior convictions, his use of brute force against an animal resulted in one-year probation and the order barring him from pet ownership for three years. However, the magistrate allowed Mr Vlaisan to keep his current household cat.

Mr Vlaisan told the magistrate that he was “embarrassed and ashamed” of his actions. He said he had no intentions to purposely hurt the dog but admitted that he took out his frustrations on the animal because of his personal circumstances and his poor health.

The news comes as Queensland Government is in the middle of reviewing the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 (ACPA) after 20 years of enforcement. Community consultation was undertaken in April 2021, which received 1439 survey responses and 914 written submissions.

DOWNLOAD THE REVIEW’S DISCUSSION PAPER

Among the amendments to be considered are:

a review of enforcement options to ensure they are appropriate
an infringement notice scheme for on-the-spot fines for certain animal welfare offences
a review of the oversight and governance arrangements for externally appointed inspectors to ensure they are appropriate
options to assist animal welfare professionals, including veterinary surgeons, to report animal cruelty

Following the review, the amended Act will be introduced at Parliament, which will decide on passing, communicating, and implementing the changes.

Chermside Health Hub Secures Approval to Add More Space

Chermside Health Hub has received the green light on its plan to increase floor space and add car parking spaces to its proposed health centre on Gympie Road.

Read: Medical Centre Proposed in Chermside to Meet Demand in Area

The site is on one of the busiest inner north intersections, the corner of Gympie and Rode Roads. It’s currently occupied by a car yard, which will be removed to facilitate the development. The former car yard was once the site of Brisbane’s iconic ‘big boot,’ which had served as a landmark in Chermside for over 40 years.

Chermside Health Hub floor plan — Photo credit: Brisbane City Council

A project of the Cornerstone Group, Chermside Health Hub is a three-storey integrated health centre which will include retail premises and a cafe. The original plan was to have 4,850 sqm of healthcare services and 220 sqm of retail space but the developer has amended its plan to add an extra level for health care uses, taking the total floor area to 5,705 sqm.

Chermside integrated health centre — Photo credit: Brisbane City Council

From a proposal of 153 car parking spaces and five motorcycle spaces across three basement levels, Cornerstone has also requested for an additional 28 spaces of on-site parking, bringing the total of car parks for 186 vehicles, with a boom gate to cordon off parking for doctors.

Rode Rd frontage (Photo credit: Brisbane City Council)

The medical centre, now in its construction phase with plans to open in 2022, will be the 23rd centre within a 4-km radius of the site. Whilst there are a number of health centres nearby, a feasibility assessment indicated that there is stilla need for primary, allied, and specialist health services in the area.

“The site provides an opportunity to enhance the health and medical service provision to an area where existing health care services are lacking in both quality and quantity,” RPS Group reported on behalf of the applicant. For more details about the application, see A005704000.

Chermside Property Market Continues Steady Growth for Q3 2021

House prices in the Chermside property market continue their upward trajectory, with the median house price increasing by 14.28% for the period covering October 2020 to September 2021. Despite a shortage of stocks and the imbalance between supply and demand, the competition among buyers with urgent demands has been putting much pressure on prices to scale up.

Highlights

The property market in Chermside has increased by 14.28 per cent for October 2020 to September 2021.
House prices have settled at a median price of $746,250 whilst the median unit price is at $630,000.
In Chermside, the imbalance between demand and supply has contributed to the rise in property prices.

House Price Growth

For the said 12-month period, Chermside’s property growth is up by 14.28 per cent compared to the same period in 2020 and the median house price has settled at $746,250, up from $653,000 last year, according to Property Market Updates.

From October 2020 to September 2021, market transactions in Chermside have been fast-moving at 61 days with 79 houses sold. More than half of these were three-bedroom homes with an average house price of $718,750.

A three-bedroom, one-bathroom house on Henry St sold for the highest price in July 2021. Though largely without any renovations or upgrades, this transaction closed at $2,670,000. The house, with a fully-fenced yard and plenty of storage and a laundry room underneath the house, has not been on the market since 2021 when it sold for just $430,000.

Unit Price Growth

On the other hand, downsizers and young professionals working in offices and medical hubs in and around Chermside, who are also in the market for dwelling options, have pulled the unit market’s growth up by a modest 3.75 per cent. In the past five years, Chermside’s property market has had impressive growth due to its gentrification as a medical and commercial hub.

There were over 314 properties apartments sold within an average of 74 days on the market from October 2020 to September 2021.

The unit median price is now at $630,000. Two-bedroom units were high on demand with 176 sold for the 12-month period, as opposed to one-bedroom apartments where 23 transactions took 133 days to close on the market.

About Chermside

Chermside has slowly been gaining a reputation as a mini-CBD with many high-density developments around Westfield Chermside, the largest Westfield shopping complex in the country. The Chermside area also has numerous medical hubs and a major transport corridor in the suburb.

Chermside has been attracting investors as well because of increasing job opportunities in and around the suburb. Since this North Brisbane suburb is still within the city fringe, properties are viewed as attractive, yet prices are still more affordable. Amidst the gentrification, there are still plenty of houses with sprawling backyards that drive demand, particularly in the last two years when a trend towards more spacious dwelling options became more popular among buyers stuck at home due to COVID-19.

“We love its lovely green, tree-lined area that is very convenient to everything. We have great neighbors, there are a lot of established older houses that have been built well back in the 70s when they used hardwoods so they are built to last, not like the rubbish they throw up in 15 weeks these days. Perfect for a renovation or if you’re like us, buy something that has already had the work done. Definitely on the radar for most northside buyers as the surrounds are still close to the CBD/Milton for commuting and homes are still somewhat reasonably priced.”
Quizl

“When my parents bought here twenty plus years ago it was definitely lower socio-economic, many more migrant families, and single parents etc. Now the area is mostly younger white families.”
AussieMakeupFan

“I live in Chermside and find the suburb differs so much depending on where you are, it’s quite interesting. Lots of old houses getting bought and knocked down though.”
Sam

Chermside Dietitian from Jacaranda Place Honoured with Super Hero Awards

A Chermside dietitian who works at Jacaranda Place has been honoured with the Super Hero Awards for her work, supporting young people needing guidance and structure due to complex mental health issues.

Children’s Health Queensland senior dietitian Ashleigh Hamilton was nominated by a 17-year-old Lily as she provided the teenager with endless support during Lily’s 10-month stay at the facility.

With Ashleigh’s help, Lily has gained the right tools and the confidence to face the real world upon completion of her stay at Jacaranda Place. From the beginning, Ashleigh was able to establish trust with Lily as they tackled and worked through her needs.

“The trust between them meant Lily felt she could tell Ashleigh anything and she would really listen and understand. This is what helped Lily reach her goals,” Amy, Lily’s aunt, said.

“Ashleigh gave her the tools. That’s why she was nominated. She just went above and beyond.”

Jacaranda Place opened in May as an “Australian-first centre” that gives young people a safe place to focus on their overall health. Lily worked with Ashleigh because her goal was to increase her diet choices. The Chermside dietician devised a way to introduce new types of food to Lily.

While Jacaranda Place is a new facility, Ashleigh has worked in the health and wellness industry for five years. She loves her job because she sees the positive outcomes.

“In this kind of setting, we’re helping the young people so early in their journey. The goal is to prevent long-term chronic mental health issues. It’s nice to be able to see the change happening early on,” Ashleigh said.

Jacaranda Place accepts referrals for their youth program (ages 13 to 18) from the Queensland mental health facility or a private psychiatrist, whilst there is also a day program for teens who are attending school but may require more intensive mental health intervention.