Yeerongpilly residents vow to fight rail plan
Angry Yeerongpilly residents have accused the State Government of lies and manipulation in their plan to resume 66 properties for a new rail line. More than 150 people attended a protest meeting at Yeronga Bowls Club on Saturday to hear Transport Minister Rachel Nolan promise to release information about the Government decision to resume homes at Yeerongpilly. The Government plans to resume the homes to build an exit tunnel for the Cross-River Rail project. Asked if she would... Read More
Commentary: Council pushes right not to know
Some Brisbane City Council staff seem to have missed the point of legislation that gives citizens the right to access information it holds. During the past several months Newbytes journalists, reporting the news to inform the public, have routinely been fobbed off, denied information and subjected to intimidation. Newsbytes acknowledges the BCC media office receives hundreds of requests for information and comment every month. And some BCC media staff have been helpful in providing... Read More
Wharf development plan gets the nod
Amendments to the disputed Howard Smith Wharves development draft plan were adopted in council last week following a war of words between opposing councillors. The motions were passed on party lines 14 votes to 9 for the Council to rezone the Howard Smith Wharves as a sub-precinct from parkland, opening it up for development. “Thirteen thousand square metres is to be developed, 80 percent of which will be public space, 10 percent coffee shops and 10 percent the 99-year lease... Read More
Review: Macbeth
New Farm Nash Theatre Blood and butchery, swords and sorcery, tyranny and tragedy, murder and mayhem, daggers and death are all promised in promotions for Nash Theatre’s production of Macbeth. It’s a promise the cast are clearly driven to deliver as much as Lady Macbeth in her wanton desire for the throne. Brenda White’s decision to direct the play in classic format, with no contemporary tweaking to detract from the epic Scottish tale, is surprisingly refreshing.... Read More
Koalas die while govt ‘spends too little’ on disease research
The State Government’s focus on land acquisition to protect koalas ignores the major problem of disease, according to a Queensland koala research group. Koala Research Network (KRN) spokesman Professor Clive McAlpine said the State Government’s newly dedicated koala habitats at Mount Gravatt-Capalaba Road would not help save the highly endangered species “because the real damage has already been done”. His comments came after Climate Change and Sustainability Minister... Read More
Black-out on black history month [with video]
Failure by the Brisbane City Council to promote a major indigenous event had resulted in disappointing participation, according to a panel speaker. Family intervention counsellor Theresa Mace said Black History Month had poor attendance and awareness, which she sheeted home to lack of advertising by the Council. The BCC libraries spent the month of August celebrating Australia’s indigenous history with sessions ranging from screenings of indigenous films to panel discussions... Read More
Council conceals Kedron land resumption documents
The Brisbane City Council media office has refused to let Newsbytes see documents about a 70-hectare land resumption “for environmental purposes” in Upper Kedron. The matter was before the full chamber last week but when Newsbytes asked to see the listed file for the land at Ross Rd and Mt Nebo Rds, access was denied. According to a council file summary, the BCC has been trying to resume more than 70 hectares of private land at Upper Kedron since July last year. Newsbytes... Read More