Walter Taylor South Action Group Inc. Protecting the Streetscapes

Dear Resident
 
I am writing to update on recent news reports regarding the Metro South Institute of TAFE (Chelmer Campus) located at the corner of Glenwood St and Oxley Rd, Chelmer.
 
As you may be aware, the site has been vacant since the January flood.
 
I was recently briefed by representatives from the Department of Education and Training that the State Government planned to dispose of the site. Their intention was to offer it to Brisbane City Council, prior to offering the site for sale on the open market. Last week, I was advised that Council officers had rejected the site during initial discussions with State Government representatives.

The historic Alan Fletcher Research Station is situated on a pleasant reach of the Brisbane river.
 
Its research functions were recently transferred to the new Bogga Road Research Precinct making it a prime candidate for inclusion in Brisbane green space available for community use.  The site is also ideally located to provide connectivity to the Sherwood Arboretum.  Addition of this green space would be in line with Brisbane City Council policy.
 
The Walter Taylor South Action Group are sponsors of a petition urging all levels of government to ensure preservation of this site as green space.  Neighbours and residents who believe that the Alan Fletcher Research Station should be preserved as green space for community use can sign the e-petition at the following website:
http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/view/EPetitions_QLD/CurrentEPetition.aspx?PetNum=1671&lIndex=-1
 

The recent severe flooding in parts of our neighbourhood covered by the Sherwood Neighbourhood Plan has caused us to reflect on what changes, if any, should be made to the plan.

Our hearts go out to residents, property owners and business that have been affected by the flood.

The Queensland Government Commission of Enquiry will provide a significant amount of resources to analysing why the flood occurred and what should be done in the future to reduce flooding and mitigate its effects.

The Brisbane City Council has approved a new planning instrument allowing Brisbane flood victims to raise their homes one metre higher than the 8.5 metre flood limit without applying for special approval. Developers will have to ensure essential services are flood proof or built above flood levels. The existing maximum height of 8.5 metres for the home’s highest point will remain for houses not affected by flood.

9 March 2011
 
The Hon. Tim Mulherin MP
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Regional Industries
Member for Mackay
GPO Box 45
BRISBANE QLD 4001
 
Dear Minister
Re: Alan Fletcher Research Station, Sherwood
 
I am writing to you regarding the maintenance and future use of the Alan Fletcher Research Station, Magazine Street, Sherwood.
 
Neighbouring residents have reported to me that the Alan Fletcher Research Station site has fallen into disrepair following the relocation of DPI staff to the new Boggo Road Eco Science Precinct.  Residents report neglect includes famaged tents and buildings, mould, overgrown grass and concerns about rodents and snakes.
 
I seek your urgent attention to the maintenance problem and ask that the Department cleans up and maintains this site in good order.
 
Further, I seek your advice as to the State Government's intentions for the future use of this site.  Specifically, is it the State Government's intention to sell this site off for development, and if so what is the time frame?
 

In releasing the draft train timetable for the Ipswich line for 2011, Queensland Rail has signalled the state government's intention for Corinda and Sherwood  to NOT be significant Transit Orientated Development locations.

Express services will no longer service Corinda.  Only selected trains during peak periods will be stopping at Corinda and passenger trains will no longer run on the Tennyson line.  All services instead will stop at Darra which becomes a central hub.

Brisbane City Council has this week passed plans for 5 storey development in Corinda and Sherwood however has failed to listen to the community concerns regarding the South-East Queensland Regional Plan not listing this location for higher density.  We want to preserve the character of our area and maximise the use of the existing 3 storey area (3 storeys not 5).

Read below for an extract from QR timetable:

Press Release from Scott Emerson MP:
 
GRACEVILLE train station will receive $900,000 for renovations after lobbying by Indooroopilly MP Scott Emerson.

Oxley residents are voicing concerns over a State Government plan to build 17 one-bedroom public housing units on a block on Oxley Road at Sherwood.

They say there are too many units for the size of the block and are concerned the entry and exit to the site, which is obscured, may create a traffic hazzard and more congestion on the norotiously busy Oxley Road.

TONY MOORE
 
Moves to exempt Brisbane City Council's civic cabinet deliberations from Right to Information legislation should be treated with suspicion, a grassroots community group said yesterday.

Scott Emerson MP has brought to the community's attention the State Government's intention at some time in the future to build an ambulance station on the Corner of Oxley Road and Richardson Street

The following letter appears to have been distributed in the Corinda area to all residents by the Member for Mt Ommaney, Julie Attwood.  A scanned version of the letter is attached (individual addressee removed)

5 Storey Developments Not Wanted in Corinda

I am writing in relation to the Draft Sherwood/Graceville Neighbourhood Plan in which your local Brisbane City Councillor's are putting forward a proposal for 5 storey developments in the residential precinct around Clara Street.