Welcome to Cr Helen Abrahams Website
Helen is the Councillor for The Gabba Ward on Brisbane's inner southside. She is the Shadow Chairperson of Council's Environment and Sustainability Committee.
A former Medical Doctor and Council Officer, Helen is committed to ensuring Brisbane grows sustainably, so that our grandchildren inherit a healthy, clean and green city .
Clean Up Australia Day
Clean Up Australia Day saw many community minded people out picking up litter a constant task.
Norman Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee were hard at work at Moorhen Flats. Cr Abrahams found four paring infringement notices. it looks as if Council is issuing enough parking tickets for them to become litter as well.
For Photos of the day click here
The new litter
People's Fun Day at Clem 7
The thousands of people were predicted to come and walk the tunnel did so. This photo shows the eager people who were at the start of the walk surrounded by TV cameras to record it all.
the keen walkers were all ages.
Fit and Fresh Friday at St Josephs
St Josephs, Kangaroo Point held the first Fit and Fresh Friday on 19th February. It was a great success with many pupils and their parents walking some or all of the way to school.
The stamping of the Passports was an exciting time.
2nd Anniversary of Apology Day
The School of Distance Education, Montague Road, West End held a Second Anniversary Ceremony for Apology Day.
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Jacinta Hingst, the recipient of the Indigenous leadership aware for 2010 read the text of the speech and Uncle Albert Holt spoke of his feelings when part of the official party at Parliament House two years ago.
It was a very moving occasion with the unveiling of a framed scroll of the Apology Speech to conclude the events.
Uncle Albert Holt Jucinta Hingst giving their speeches
I had a tour of Hill End’s Ecohouse with Emma Scragg from Riddel Architects early February 2010
It is a “true blue” sustainable house and one I will use as a benchmark for future projects. It is great to see sustainable houses becoming more mainstream.
2010 Griffith Australia Day Awards
Prime Miinister Kevin Rudd held his famous Griffith Australia Day Awards on Saturday 23 January at the Easts leagues Club. Thirty Two award winners were present their award from the Prime Minister .
The awards are given in recognition of voluntary work for the community. Many award winners have been working in community organisations for more than twenty years. This was the day when their contribution was acknowledged.
Five people received a Certificate of Appreciation for their voluntary work in overseas countries including Solomon Island, Timor, Vietnam and Papua New Guinea.
The award winners with the Prime Minister
As part of the government’s commitment to improving road safety, the Department of Transport and Main Roads and the Queensland Police Service are introducing new digital imaging and detection technologies, including combined red light/speed cameras and point-to-point speed cameras.
Seven cameras will be tested in locations across South East Queensland. These will be:
• Two combined red light/speed cameras
* Waterworks Road and Jubilee Terrace, Ashgrove
* Beaudesert Road and Compton Road, Calamvale
• Three spot-fixed speed cameras
* Pacific Motorway, Loganholme
* Gateway Arterial Road, Nudgee
* Clem7 Tunnel, Woolloongabba to Bowen Hills
• One point-to-point speed camera system
* Bruce Highway, Caloundra Road to Wild Horse Mountain, Beerburrum
* One mobile speed camera (used at varying locations).
For more information Click Here
Hale Street Bridge the most expensive Toll Bridge
The graph below shows the true cost of the toll on the Hale Street Toll Bridge - The Go Between Bridge. This graph was calcuated when the proposed toll was $1.85 no $2.70. So in your minds eye stretch the top bar even further to the right.
If you wish to se a better graph go to hale street graph
Cityglider roundabout at west End Ferry Terminal
Ms Gloria Collie addressed the last Council meeting of 2010 objecting to Ryan, Morry and Hoogley Street being used by the CityGlider buses.The Lord Mayor responded immediately to her speech advising he would look at the roundabout proposal and maybe hold a meeting with Cr Prentice on site. If you wish to read Gloria speech click here
At the same meeting, Council debated the response to the petitions about the City Glider route. I attach an edited (English expression only not content) of several speakers on the debate for your interest. click here . The proposed amendment to the recommendation of the petition is attached as a Footnote.
I also attach the report on the petition that was passed on the numbers in the Council Chamber. click here
City Glider Roundabout Proposal
The route of the City Glider in West End has become a serious and important local issue for the residents in Hill End. They are objecting to more than 800 buses per week in local residential streets such as Ryan, Morry, Cordeaux and Gray Road.
The local community has proposed a roundabout at Orleigh Park to create the terminus of the new CityGlider bus service along Montague Road.
I support this proposal and have done so since my first meeting with residents of Ryan Street several months ago. If you wish to read my speech in Council on this matter click here and refer to my press releases.
I attach for your information the most recent formal response from Council to residents on this issue. The current status is that Gray Road will be used as an alternative road for the terminus loop of local streets.
Residents meet with Cr Prentice on the week commencing 23 November and she gave a commitment to investigate a roundabout in Orleigh Street. There is a new petition circulating calling for the CityGlider bus service roundabout to be part of the West End Ferry Terminal Upgrade Project.
If you wish to sign this petition contact The Gabba Ward office on 3403 2165 or thegabba.ward@ecn.net.au
The West End Ferry Terminal Upgrade
Council has announced the Upgrade to the West End Ferry Terminal. The new ferry terminal will be at the same location as the existing terminal. This is an excellent outcome and vindicates local residents who rejected a proposal upgrade that bisected Orleigh Park several years ago .
Council is seeking your comments on the draft design. I attach for your information a copy of the West End Ferry Terminal Upgrade Newsletter to assist with your feedback. Click here to view the newsletter. I would welcome a copy of your submission.
Local residents of Ryan Street and Gray Road who are calling for a roundabout for the new CityGlider terminus at the Ferry Terminal. I strongly support these residents and their request.
I urge you to have your say on the design of the West End Ferry terminal Upgrade.
Dr Lucy Cameron's speech on South Brisbane Riverside Renewal Strategy
, West End addressed the Councillors in the Council Chamber on Tuesday 24 November. She gave a very thoughtful and personal account of what she thought of the proposals of the South Brisbane Riverside Renewal Strategy.
If you are interested in reading her speech and Cr Amanda Cooper's reply click here
Should apartment buildings adjacent to railway and busway stations adopt innovative ways to reduce reliance on the private motorcar?
This was the question debated in the Council chamber yesterday with the LNP Councillors ruling out any change to the current parking requirements in the City Plan.
In my submission to Council on the Eastern Corridor Renewal Strategy, I suggested the medium-and-high density Buranda Station Precinct development implement a car pooling scheme where Body Corporates would provide a range of vehicles for hire by their tenants, to reduce the need for private vehicle ownership.
The car fleet would take a number of standard car parks in the building and use them for cars that are hired out to tenants through an internal booking system. Experience shows that residents near high quality reliable public transport will use public transport for most of their travel but will need a car for some trips. The car fleet is designed to meet this car based transport.
I am told the average cost of a car park in an apartment building is $50 000. When the cost of a unit, the interest on the loan and the cost of the vehicle during the time of the loan are taken into account, the total cost to the new unit owner for a car park has been estimated as closer to $100 000.
My suggestion aims to reduce the cost of inner city living near public transport; to make new units more affordable.
There are also environmental reasons for introducing car fleets. Our planet is in a climate change crisis. Everyone must be working out what changes they can make to reduce their carbon emissions without adversely affecting their quality of life. This proposal is one such initiative.
Developers seeking to construct green buildings would gain merit from incorporating a car fleet in their development.
The LNP Councillors rejected even exploring the possibility of my proposal. They argued it would be an expensive impost and add to the cost of living for unit owners but as I have indicated above, my proposal has the potential to reduce the up front capital cost, not increase it. Their argument gives no consideration to environmental or social costs of more and more cars in inner city streets. They did not mention traffic congestion once in the debate.
My proposal to mandate this initiative sent the LNP Councillors into a tail spin. Yet every development approval mandates car spaces – what is new?
I shall continue to raise and promote innovative ways to deliver a Carbon Neutral City by 2026 for Brisbane in the face of resistance and spurious arguments by the LNP Lord Mayor and his Civic Cabinet.
I welcome your feedback on this issue.
Comparison Photos
I thought that you might be interested in the difference in shade pre and post streetscape improvements for the heritage precient at Logan Road, Woolloongabba.
even with different season the lack of shade is stark
Eastern Corridor Renewal Strategy
Council has released for comment from resident the Eastern Corridor Renewal Strategy. The plan proposes more residential and commercial buildings along the Eastern Busway extending from Buranda to Coorparoo Shopping Centre and Bennetts Road.
The new heights range from 20 storey buildings at Stones Corner to 15 storeys at Coorparoo and 8 storeys at Bennetts Road.
You may find more information on Council's website by searching urban Renewal or you can uses these direct links. I have also attached a copy of the newsletter about the Renewal Strategy
buranda; stones corner; langlands; newsletter
These proposals will change your suburbs. I would encourage you to have a say by completing the online survey or better still writing to Ms Jude Munro, CEO, Brisbane City Council, GPO Box 1434, BRISBANE Q 4001
If you wish updates from your Councillor please email me on thegabba.ward@ecn.net.au
Woolloongabba North Neighbourhood Plan
Council has commenced a Neighbourhood Plan for a small area of Woolloongabba and Kangaroo Point.
A newsletter shall be distributed to all residents and businesses in the area in the next few days. The newsletter shows the boundaries of the Woolloongabba North Neighbourhood Plan area. click here to see the newsletter.
Council is calling of nominations for the Community Planning Team. If you are interested in the future development of your area or planning generally, I would encourage you to nominate by emailing the project team at woolloongabba.north@brisbane.qld.gov.au.
The Boundaries of the Woolloongabba North Neighbourhood Plan
Opening of Kurilpa Bridge
The Premier Anna Bligh, accompanied by Minister Robert Schwarten and Grace Grace, Cr Hinchliffe and myself, opened the Kurilpa Bridge. While the Premier thinks it looks like a trawling vessel, there was a range of ideas.
The bridge was voted a success by the thousands of people who walked the bridge. I know I shall look forward to riding across it when en route to the CBD.
