Good news! Upgrades to Widdop Street in Nundah, which have been ongoing since May 2019 and are expected to provide road access improvements around the Toombul Shopping Centre, are expected to be completed by the end of 2019.
Included in the Widdop Street upgrades is the installation of a new signalised crossing that will help pedestrians and cyclists using the Kedron Brook Bikeway to access the busy intersection safely. The project also entails the expansion of the bikeway’s western side with a larger paved path in anticipation of the volume of people that will be using it.
Widdop Street’s northbound lane, as well as the bridge at the Schulz Canal, will be widened to improve traffic flow. The northbound bus stop will be relocated closer to the shopping site for easier access to commuters.
Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council
While the roadworks are ongoing, temporary lane closures are expected to impact motorists and pedestrians since major constructions are taking place day and night from Monday to Sunday. Residents near the area might also experience increased noise and dust as the workers target to finish the project by its planned completion date.
For information and concerns about the Widdop Street upgrade, phone the Council at 1800 669 416 (working hours) or 07 3403 8888 (after working hours) or send an email at cityprojects@brisbane.qld.gov.au.
The school holidays are in full swing in Nundah! If you’ve got bored little kids at home, why not swing by the Toombul Shopping Centre on Sandgate Road?
From the 11th to the 12th of April, Toombul’s Sweet as Sprinkles Kids Activity Zone, located outside Witchery, will hold a slime creative workshop for children between two years old to six years old. Staff members from Glitter and Goop will teach the kids how to make their own colourful slime to play countless hours with.
Sessions for the Slime Time are at 40 minutes per group but the activity zone will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Booking and payment of $5 per person is required as there are limited slots for the event.
Slime might be gooey, sticky and squishy but kids love to enjoy the sensory experience they draw from it. For smaller children, making slime can also help improve fine motor skills.
Meanwhile, parents dropping by with their kids at Toombul are encouraged to be present at the activity centre to assist and supervise their children when it’s their turn to create their very own slime.
Good food is best shared with great company and if you’re up to meet and socialise with new people in your community, there is a spot waiting for you at Nundah’s long table dinner at Platform 14.
Dubbed “A Twilight Gathering,” this long table dinner hosted by The Nundah Neighbourhood Centre will take place on Saturday, the 30th of March, at 6:00 p.m on 14 Station Street.
A three-course native Australian dinner will be served at this Nundah community gathering, featuring meals like crusted kangaroo skewers or chicken skewers, salads, yoghurt dip, and a selection of local cheese.
Conveniently, this night also marks the annual Earth Hour observance, where people around the world switch off power for 60 minutes. So, why not be among a group of people when the lights are off and make this night more worthwhile?
Aside from the food and company, “A Twilight Gathering” will also feature live entertainment, raffle prizes and a bar, where you can pay cash as you drink.
Registration is required to acquire the ticket and book your seat at the long dinner table.
Do you know that a public toilet in Nundah has been classified as a state heritage site by the Queensland Heritage Register?
Yes, that’s right! A public toilet located at Sandgate Road in Nundah is included amongst Queensland’s heritage-listed sites due to its historic role as an air raid shelter back in World War Two.
Nundah Air Raid Shelter
Brisbane’s population increased dramatically during the Second World War. This population growth was brought by the different military headquarters and supply facilities that were set up in the area in aid of the ongoing war.
Given its strategic position and the number of people dwelling in Brisbane, the Brisbane City Council then took responsibility for the different Air Raid Precaution (ARP) activities to cover the area. The council established an Air Raid Warden system, which include a firefighting operation system and provision of air raid shelters.
The Nundah air raid shelter was designed by Council Architect Frank Gibson Costello, and it was built in 1942 by the Brisbane City Council. This shelter was built in preparation for the possible bombing raids by the Japanese in Nundah. Nundah was seen as a potential target during that time because of its close proximity to the Petroleum Warehouse built by the United States Army in Brisbane.
Renewed Purpose
Majority of the structures built for wartime purposes, such as military camps and munition factories, were removed shortly by the end of the Second World War. However, some of the structures that had survived, including Costello’s public surface shelters, were given a secondary purpose. Amongst these wartime structures that still exist even at present day are the Story Bridge Hotel, Howard Smith Wharves, and the Nundah Air Raid Shelter.
The Nundah Air Raid Shelter at present is a rectangular structure that accommodates public toilets. The toilets are enclosed by block walls and a mural is placed around the exterior walls of the structure. Its original floor slab has now been covered with pebbles and tiles. For lighting, wires have been placed inside the structure and skylights have also been cut into the roof slab.
Photo credit: Shiftchange/Wikimedia Commons
Significance of Nundah Air Raid Shelter
On the 6th of April in 2005, the Air Raid Shelter in Nundah was listed amongst the heritage sites in Queensland after successfully meeting the following criteria:
The place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland’s history. The Nundah air raid shelter had a significant role during World War Two. It was part of Brisbane’s implemented Air Raid Precaution activity that provided protection to the civilian population of Brisbane in the event of an air raid attack.
The place demonstrates rare, uncommon or endangered aspects of Queensland’s cultural heritage. There were many structures built for wartime purposes by the Brisbane City Council during World War Two, however only very few of these structures have survived. This air raid shelter is amongst those structures that have lasted until today.
The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a particular class of cultural places. Given its shape, siting, and solid construction, this structure demonstrates the principal attributes of a pubic air raid shelter in Brisbane during the World War Two.
The place is important in demonstrating a high degree of creative or technical achievement at a particular period. With its secondary purpose, from an air raid shelter to a public toilet, it then possesses an innovative and durable design using concrete technology available during the World War Two.
The place has a special association with the life or work of a particular person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland’s history. This structure is an important example of the wartime work of the City Architect’s Office, and particularly the work of Architect F.G. Costello.
Cycling enthusiasts are once again gathering to race from Queens Garden to Albert Bishop Park in Nundah as part of the annual advocacy to end the cycle of domestic violence.
Participants will sign-on at Queens Garden from 6:30 a.m and will ride 15 km to the Nundah Criterium Track at Albert Bishop Park starting 7:00 a.m.
This huge annual event is open to all and is open free for spectators. Last year, more than 150 riders joined the race.
This year, there will be several timed races for participants, who will have the chance to have their bike’s serial number recorded in QPS records, in case the bike gets stolen or lost.
White Ribbon is the largest male-led movement in the world pushing for the end of men’s violence against women.
The campaign emphasises the positive role of men in preventing violence against women. Through the movement, the group encourages men to lead in preventing violence against women.
It is rooted in the core belief that most men are not violent and that they can influence positive behaviour in other men.
To many members of the White Ribbon movement, the race has a personal significance. For White Ribbon Ambassador Tim Classuliff, this race is close to his heart.
“I became a white ribbon ambassador when unfortunately my family were devastated by the loss of my sister-in-law to Domestic Violence, 10 years ago,” Mr Classuliff said.
For more information, contact the following people:
In a move to ensure workers are paid in full and on time, the government has announced the first three projects to benefit from Project Bank Accounts. The projects include a social housing project in Nundah, a replacement Fire and Rescue Station in Richmond, and the Inala Community Centre.
An estimate of up to 180 construction workers will be protected by Project Bank Accounts. Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni said that the implementation of the Project Bank Accounts helps in making sure that all subcontractors get the pay they deserve for the work they have completed.
Photo credit: FaceMePLS/Wikimedia Commons
Security of Payment
Unfortunately, there are dishonest operators in the construction industry who use non-payment as a business model. Such act has caused some subcontractors to close business and workers have been left unpaid.
Because of this, the government has implemented Project Bank Accounts to ensure fairness in the payments. PBA ensures that all parties relevant to a project are paid on dates set out in the contract.
As a start, every project tendered by the Queensland Government from 1 March 2018 will use PBAs on building and construction projects that are valued between one million and 10 million dollars except for engineering projects.
Once the implementation is proven successful, PBAs will also be applied to private sector projects valued one million dollars and above. Implementation on private sectors, however, will not be carried out before 1 March 2019.
Photo credit: CC-BY/Sean Hagen/Flickr
Project Bank Account
A PBA is basically a set of three bank accounts operating as a trust.
These are the General Trust Account where the Principal makes the payment, a Retention Trust Account which holds the subcontractor’s retention money, and a Disputed Funds Trust Account which holds amounts to be paid on certain disputes until resolution.
To address concerns from the industry, Mr de Brenni said that a strict compliance regime was also established to make sure that funds in the PBAs will only be used to pay licensees that have performed the work.
“That compliance regime includes penalties up to 2 years in prison,” he added.
Photo credit: רנדום/Wikimedia Commons
This is just one of the measures taken by the government to address the issues on unpaid and overdue invoices for subcontractors. Queensland’s new Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act 2017 has been, by far, the strongest protection for building subcontractors offered by a state government in Australia.
For the requirements and other information regarding PBAs, visit the Department of Housing and Public Works Building Industry Fairness Reforms—Project Bank Accounts official page. You may also visit the Security of Payment page to learn about other measures under the new Act.
Urban Xtreme opened Queensland’s first ever indoor dry ski slope in Hendra, at 4/370 Nudgee Rd, just three kilometres from Nundah, with a grand Launch on the 18th of November. The facility will be open every Tuesdays to Fridays from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and on Sundays from 9:00 am to 7:00 p.m.
What to Enjoy
Credit: Urban Xtreme YouTube
The indoor coaching facility is NOT cold, with temperatures in a comfortable range between 20-degrees Celsius to 30-degress Celscius. This environment makes great for skiers and snowboarders to learn the sports all year round as it accelerates the learning process by up to eight times than learning on snow.
The indoor facility uses advanced simulators that were manufactured by Maxxtraxks in the Netherlands. The slopes are designed similar to giant treadmills with high quality synthetic grass surface sprayed with water to create a realistic mist. The coaches have direct control of the slopes’ speed and slants, adjusting them for the safety of skiers and snowboarders.
The Urban Xtreme Ski Simulators are “better than the real thing” when it comes to learning to ski and snowboard. You can learn 8 x faster on these things than you can in real snow brand ambassador – Jacqui Cooper, a 5 x World Champion Aerial Skier
Who Will Enjoy
Advanced-level skiers or snowboarders (and even beginners!) are welcome at the Urban Xtreme slopes. The team of coaches is made up of professionals that are members of the Australian Professional Snowsport Instructors.
Aside from different coaching sessions, the slopes can also be rented for a private function with up to eight attendees or 12 persons if all of them are children. For group sessions however, skiers must be at least four years old and snowboarders must be at least 7 years old. Younger children are advised to take the one-on-one sessions.
More Extreme Activities Coming in 2018
Urban Xtreme will open a trampoline park in 2018. It will have over 1000 square metres of free jumping, slam dunk, high performance, big bag, dodgeball, and wall running.
A multi-level laser tag arena, with advanced “Helios” system and the world’s first broadcast ready live streaming facility, will also be launched early next year. The attraction is designed by Australia’s laser tag champion, Ben “Bootza” Baker.
Not to be outdone, Australia’s Xtreme Ninja brand ambassador and Ninja Warrior, Lachlan Fyfe, has designed an indoor Ninja Warrior and parkour course in Brisbane. It will also be open early next year.
Kids will have their own course with the Urban Extreme Adventure Play. It will have mini tramps, mini climbing wall, and other facilities that will develop their physical abilities and endurance.
To book for a coaching session at Urban Xtreme, click here.
Glen Matlock, the pioneer member of Sex Pistols, is back Down Under to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the band’s first album, “Never Mind The Bollocks.” Matlock’s first stop is in Nundah, on Friday, the 10th of November, at the Prince Of Wales Hotel.
Credit: Sex Pistols VEVO/YouTube
The concert is hosted by the Nightmare Music, a mainstay of successful concerts in the country. Nightmare Music has been handling events for the entertainment industry for more than 20 years now. The promotion company has been behind the Australian launch of Matthew Sweet, Indigo Girls, M People, The Bellrays, Prong, Slim Jim and The Meat Puppets among others. It also has worked with AC/DC, Cindy Lauper and Brian Adams.
Special Album Release
Just in time for Matlock’s Nundah concert, a budget-priced edition of the “Never Mind The Bollocks” album was released. The special release contains 3 CDs and includes the original studio album with 1977 B-sides, a disc of behind-the-scenes, and a disc of 1977 live recordings.
Also included is a DVD showing the Sex Pistols live from the boat party on the River Thames, other locations across the United Kingdom, and Sweden.
To know more about the deluxe edition of the album, click here.
Through The Years
After leaving Sex Pistols in 1977 and being replaced by Sid Vicious, Matlock has continued his music career, forming the new wave band “Rich Kids”, known for the album “Ghosts of Princes in Towers”.
Credit: dlusman /YouTube
Rich Kids’ popularity was short-lived, and after Sex Pistols disbanded in 1978, Vicious and Matlock also had a brief time playing together at another band called “The Vicious White Kids”. A CD of this short gig together was only released in 1993.
Credit: Johan Cederblad/YouTube
In 1979, Matlock reappeared with Iggy Pop, toured throughout 1979, and wrote the album “Soldier” and the track “Ambition”. The association with Sex Pistols, however, has remained strong. Matlock published an autobiography in 1990 titled, “I Was A Teenage Sex Pistols”.
In the early 90’s Matlock has continued with his musical career with The Mavericks. He did records collaborations with Ian Hunter, Frank Black and Primal Scream, until eventually going solo under Alan McGee’s Creation Records in 1995. He released his first solo album “Who’s He Think He Is When He’s At Home” in 1996, reuniting with the Sex Pistols in the same year for the “Filthy Lucre” world tour.
Credit: The Clip King/YouTube
All through 2001 to 2005, Matlock was a member of the Dead Men Walking. The band has been famous across the United Kingdom. At present, Matlock is with his band, The Philistines. The band’s fourth album has been successful since its release in 2010 and the band has since toured the world.
Credit: steinberg321/YouTube
Amidst success with his own music career, however, Matlock will always be best remembered as a member of the original Sex Pistols.
