Schoolies is almost here again. Time for school leavers to have their well-deserved week-long holidays after completing Year 12. Whilst this is a great time for students to have fun and celebrate with their mates, preparing for a safe Schoolies is both the parents and the students’ responsibility.
If you have a student who is attending the Schoolies in 2018 or 2019, North Brisbane Crime Prevention Unit is having a free seminar for parents and students. The seminar aims to help school leavers experience a safe Schoolies.
Conversations regarding the Schoolies always spark interesting conversations between parents and students. This event is a great venue for discussing personal safety tips for students attending Schoolies. The seminar will also have guest speakers who will provide a wide variety of information and answer any questions.
Bookings are essential due to limited spots. To book or for further information call the North Brisbane District Crime Prevention Unit on 07 3364 3313 or email gateway.dcpc@police.qld.gov.au.
Judges choose retail properties or precincts based on their scores in the design, marketing, presentation, and food retailing criteria. Those that are selected in more than one category vie for the title of Queensland Retail Property of the Year – the state’s most prestigious retail award.
Westfield Chermside’s Impressive Expansion
Photo credit: Westfield Chermside/Facebook
For 2018, judges for the prestigious retail award were certainly impressed by Westfield Chermside’s second level expansion. Moreover, judges describe it as a compelling attraction that takes full advantage of Queensland’s sub-tropical climate, reflecting the highest standards of excellence in retail property.
Westfield Chermside is also lauded for its combination of beautiful design, excellent food and dining options, abundance of fashion retailers, and fantastic entertainment opportunities.
Apart from being Queensland’s Retail Property of the Year, Westfield Chermside also received the ‘Excellence in Food Retailing’ award.
This year, the first ever Retail Innovation Award was given to Kawana Shoppingworld. The shopping precinct won the new category because of its cost-neutral, closed loop Organics Project. In fact, the project was able to recycle 71% of all waste on the site.
Excellence in Design
Photo credit: Munich Brauhaus/Facebook
The Excellence in Design Awards acknowledge retail properties and precincts that demonstrate outstanding and creative design, material selection, social interface, and innovation. Following is the list for this year’s winners:
Boutique Retail : Allgas Building – Munich Brauhaus, South Bank
The Excellence in Marketing Awards recognise innovative events and campaigns that deliver outstanding results for the retail property or precinct as well as the community. Following is the list for this year’s winners:
Boutique Retail : Brisbane International Terminal – Lunar New Year
Neighbourhood Centres : Chatswood Central – $40K Giveaway
Sub Regional Centres : Kawana Shoppingworld – Meet Your Local
Regional Centres : Grand Plaza – Marsden State High Partnership
Judges’ Commendation : Toombul – Reinventing An Icon
Super/Major Regional Centres : Grand Central Shopping Centre – Spring Festival
Excellence in Presentation
Robina Town Centre’s new kids play space. Photo credit: Robina Town Centre/Facebook
The Excellence in Presentation Awards are presented to the property or precinct that shows an exceptional commitment to the highest standards of maintenance, cleaning, and customer experience. Following is the list for this year’s winners:
Boutique Retail : City Arcade and City Lane
Neighbourhood Centres : River Quay
Sub Regional Centres : Taigum Square
Regional Centres : Toowong Village
Super/Major Regional Centres : Robina Town Centre
Judges’ Commendation : Stockland Rockhampton
Excellence in Food Retailing
Credit: King Street/Facebook
The Excellence in Food Retailing Awards acknowledge food retail properties and precincts that have demonstrated outstanding design, tenant mix and innovation while exhibiting a return on investment for the retail property or precinct. Westfield Chermside is also named as this year’s winner. King Street, on the other hand, received the Judges’ Commendation.
Other winners for this year include:
Retail Property of the Year
Runner Up : King Street
Community Engagement Award
Grand Central Shopping Centre – Grand Central & TAFE Partnership
On Sunday, 7 October 2018, Boudoir Bazaar Fashion Market will be back at the Chermside Bowls Club with a fresh rendition of the Super Summer Market.
If you want to overhaul your wardrobe without breaking the bank, this is the place to be. Great deals and fantastic finds abound! From 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., fashionistas can enjoy shopping in one of Brisbane’s most exciting pre-loved garment and accessory exchange.
Brands that will be up for grabs include Camilla, Sasha Drake, sass & bide, Ginger and Smart, Alannah Hill, Zimmermann, Leona Edmiston, Monsoon, Escada, Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klein, Ted Baker, and more.
Sustainable Fashion
Boudoir Bazaar Fashion Market says no to fast fashion and loves to recycle, upcycle, and see beautiful pieces, loved again with their Super Summer Market.
Want to stay stylish sustainably? Head over to the Chermside Bowls Club on Sunday and scan through a selection of fresh and colourful clothes, shoes, and accessories with low prices. Be summer-ready whilst saving the environment by giving pre-loved items a new home.
If you have clothing or dresses that you no longer wear but are too good to toss out, take advantage of this event and make money out of them. Boudoir Bazaar Fashion Market provides a great venue for fashionistas to sell their pre-loved items where customers are ready to buy them.
A stallholder fee of $60 comes with a trestle table (1.8 x .8m), a chair, and approximately 2 x 2.5m of space. You can also hire one commercial-grade clothing rack with wheels for $10.
Just remember that when selling, your garments must be priced and in a clean, undamaged, and wearable condition. You should also be flexible with your prices and be prepared to negotiate with buyers.
To be a seller or to apply for a stall, you may fill out their contact form online.
The REIQ recently reported the latest housing market statistics which showed Chermside median house price reaching $611,000, a 4% increase over the last 12 months and an increase of 34.3% over the last 5 years. In the 2nd quarter of 2018, there were 12 homes sold in the suburb.
Meanwhile, neighbouring suburb Chermside West’s annual median sale rose to $590,000, marking a 5.4% increase over the previous year and 37.2% in 5 years. As of the end of the 2nd quarter of 2018, there were 15 houses sold in Chermside West.
Chermside agent Adrian Graczyk of Graczyk Thompson says: “In our experience over the past 12 months, the majority of properties we have sold in Chermside are being purchased by first home buyers or downsizers, with first home buyers taking advantage of competitive pricing across new apartments, while downsizers are actively making the switch from a home to a large three bedroom apartment close to shops and the hospital. In either case, size and quality of finish are the most important to everyone.”
Recycling will be even more rewarding. A development application for a recycling depot proposed for Geebung has been lodged and is awaiting Council’s approval.
TOMRA Collection Solutions targets to deliver the container refund depot before the State Government’s Container Refund Scheme starts.
Container Refund Scheme
The Government’s Container Refund Scheme (CRS) named as ‘Containers for Change‘ will let Queenslanders get a 10-cent refund when they recycle drink containers.
According to Minister for Environment Leeanne Enoch, nearly three billion containers are used by Queenslanders each year. These are the second most commonly littered item in the environment.
Credit: Containers for Change QLD/YouTube
“Containers for Change will give Queenslanders an incentive to collect and return used containers for recycling,” Ms Enoch said.
“This scheme will help improve recycling rates, reduce litter, providing a funding stream for our charities and community groups, and grow new business and employment opportunities across the state,” she added.
The Queensland Government has appointed the management of the scheme to Container Exchange (CoEx). Containers for Change will start on 1 November 2018.
The planned container refund depot also referred to as a modern depot is located at 428 Bilsen Road, Geebung.
As stated in their operational statement submitted to the Council, TOMRA’s proposed modern depot will be different from other container refund depots. These depots are typically located in heavy industrial areas, out of town, with a manual only counting of returns.
Sample of TOMRA’s Reverse Vending Machine Photo credit: TOMRA Collection/Facebook
On the contrary, TOMRA’s modern depot will be accessible and all operations will be happening indoors, in a clean and conditioned space. Their modern depot will also utilise fully automated Reverse Vending Machines (RVM’s), similar in appearance to an ATM.
TOMRA’s recycling depot also proposes a Bag Drop facility. With this, customers can drop off bags of containers for later counting by TOMRA employees. Both the RVM and Bag Drop options provide a refund to the customer.
TOMRA will be sending refunds on a cashless basis either through electronic payment or printed voucher. Customers can also choose to donate the refund to a charity.
TOMRA plans to operate the modern depot from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. seven days a week. The collection of containers will be occurring from Monday to Saturday.
In just a few days, Chermside Kerbside Collection 2018 will be here and you have probably started to put some stuff out by the kerb. To make things so much easier for you before 3 September arrives, you can download the Brisbane bin and recycling app.
The award-winning app is available for Android and iOS users. The application includes a calendar that will notify you with reminders of when the bin will be collected. It will also help residents find more information on how to recycle and dispose items properly.
There are also general information on bin collections, waste facilities, maps and directions on the app.
The app was developed by the Brisbane City Council to provide better recycling solutions and help residents make decisions. It is also part of the council’s plan to work together for a clean and green city.
Great fashion comes with a higher price tag. Well, not always. Not when the Boudoir Bazaar Fashion’s Sizzling Spring Market comes to Chermside Bowls Club.
From 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, 26 August 2018, Chermside Bowls Club will be filled to the brim with pre-loved clothing looking for a new owner.
Looking for a dress for that upcoming party? Drop by the Sizzling Spring Market and help yourself with the vast choices of clothing and accessories. Choose among popular brands such as Camilla, Sasha Drake, sass & bide, Ginger and Smart, Alannah Hill, Zimmermann, Leona Edmiston, Monsoon, Escada, Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klein, Ted Baker and so much more.
Second-hand markets are one of the best ways to help the environment since you get to recycle or upcycle high-quality clothes thereby saving a fashionable dress from going to the landfill. Who knew being fashionable can be so eco-friendly? As they say, “second hand is not second best.”
The market will be in an air-conditioned and licensed venue with free onsite parking. Transactions will be on a cash-only basis and ATM is available inside the club.
Entry to the market costs $2 per person and children may enter for free.
Fees collected at the entrance will be donated to a women’s charity.
Stages Two and Three of the North Brisbane Bikeway, connecting CBD through to Chermside, are already underway.
The Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council are currently working together to deliver these next stages which, according to Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey, are essential for the provision of a dedicated bikeway for Greater Brisbane.
“Separated bike facilities reduce the need for the interaction between motorists and bike riders on roads and with pedestrians on footpaths, improving the safety, comfort, amenity and travel times for everyone,” Mr Bailey said.
Credit: TMRQld/YouTube
According to Mr Bailey, the project is part of the Queensland Government’s plan to get more Queenslanders on their bikes.
“This will allow Queenslanders to enjoy the benefits of an active, healthy lifestyle and experience the simple pleasure of getting around on a bike,” he said.
Photo credit: Department of Transport and Main Roads
Stage One of the North Brisbane Bikeway was already completed in 2016 and had connected Herston to Windsor.
Stage One also included a bikeway extension on Gympie Road, between Webster Road, Aspley and Murphy Road, Chermside, completing an important link around the cricket fields at the Marchant Park and in the North Brisbane Bikeway project
Photo credit: Department of Transport and Main Roads
The Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council have now reached an agreement that allows works to be completed on Stages Two and Three of the North Brisbane Bikeway.
“Tenders for these stages will be released later this year with community consultation to take place in coming months,” Mr Bailey said.
Photo credit: Department of Transport and Main Roads
Stages Two and Three will further connect Somerset Street in Windsor to Rigby Street in Wooloowin. A key feature of these stages is the inclusion of priority pedestrian and cycle crossings at a number of intersections. These crossings will operate like pedestrian ‘zebra’ crossings, providing people walking and cycling with priority over vehicles when crossing the street.
Photo credit: Department of Transport and Main Roads
Significantly improving safety, the crossings will consist of a raised platform and coloured road surface to identify the cycle crossing and give way areas. Ample space will also be provided to allow vehicles to stop safely, clear of the crossing.
Moreover, Mr Bailey said that design works on stage four have also started and will connect Rigby Street to Price Street. Community consultation will be held to gain important feedback for this stage.
The Brisbane City Council will be responsible for delivering further stages of the North Brisbane Bikeway from Wooloowin to Chermside with the Queensland Government partly funding the section of the bikeway from Price Street to Kedron Brook.
Stafford Police will be fighting animal cruelty with sweet treats on Thursday, 9 August 2018.
Grab some deliciously baked cupcakes from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Stafford Police’s Cupcake Day community stall out the front of the foyer at Stafford Police Station, 88 Webster Road, Stafford.
Police puppy JoJo practices patience for Cupcake Day. Photo credit: myPolice Brisbane North
The RSPCA is the state’s oldest, largest, and leading animal welfare charity, dedicated to improving the lives of all domestic, farmed, and native animals throughout Queensland. In 2017, the charity has rescued 135,872 animals who were suffering mistreatment, neglect, or abuse.
The Stafford Police’s fundraising event aims to help deserving animals find happy, loving homes.
If you wish to help their efforts in fighting animal cruelty but can’t make it on the day, you may support the Stafford Police’s baking efforts by sending donations online.
From 2-4 August, witness a spectacular show of lights at Westfield Chermside. It’s another year of the Festival Of Lights and levels 1 and 2 of the dining precincts at the venue will be illuminated.
Consider this event “lit,” because not only will you have a lights festival, but there will also be fireworks shows, live music, roaming entertainers, interactive projections, and activities such as UV face painting.
The schedule for this three-day event is:
7:00 p.m. – Lighting Show with Fireworks
8:00 p.m. – Lighting Show
9:00 p.m. – Lighting Show
Best Spots To Watch
Catch the lights show at the Food Court entrance on Level 1. If you’re on the second level, then wherever you stand, you will be able to witness the laser light projections and the fireworks as well.
