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Rail Link to become a reality
The Moreton Bay Rail Link will connect the Redcliffe Peninsula to Petrie. The project involves a 12.6 kilometre rail line connecting the existing network at Petrie Station and will include six new stations at Kallangur, Murrumba Downs, Mango Hill (North Lakes), Kinsellas Road, Rothwell and Kippa-Ring. The Federal Member for Petrie, Yvette D’Ath, has been a long-standing champion for the project and has worked tirelessly to bring all three levels of government together. This project is about making sure the growth of the Moreton Bay corridor is sustainable – with high quality public transport that cuts congestion, travel times and carbon dioxide emissions. Currently over half the population of the region leave the area for work every day, and 87 per cent of them use their car. This is putting serious pressure on local roads and on the environment. The new Moreton Bay Rail Link will reduce commuting times for the 84,000 people living along the line and on the Redcliffe Peninsula, with an express train from Kippa-Ring to Brisbane’s CBD expected to take just three quarters of an hour compared to well over an hour to drive in peak periods. Every full train on the new line will take some 600 cars off the road and reduce carbon emissions. Today’s news will also be welcomed by residents in places like Caboolture and Bribie Island, where the project will help reduce congestion on the Bruce Highway. A re-elected Gillard Government will invest $742 million, the Bligh Government $300 million and the Moreton Bay Regional Council $105 million to build the new rail line. This funding commitment ensures that detailed planning, consultation, environmental assessment, and geotechnical and design work can progress now, with preliminary construction work commencing in 2012, and construction due to finish by 2016. The Bligh Government is investing $300 million, plus land already in state ownership. It is also investing over $1 billion in new trains to service this and other rail lines, and will invest approximately $165 million to build a third track between Lawnton and Petrie, which is already provided for in the South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program. The Moreton Bay Regional Council will provide $105 million towards the project to ensure that this vital section of transport infrastructure is delivered to the Moreton Bay community. Federal funding is for major construction works on this project, and will be made available from Nation Building Program 2, commencing in 2014-15, beyond the forward estimates. Don’t be the ‘type’ to leave it too late
Diabetes is now the fastest growing cause of kidney failure and the leading cause of end stage renal disease. About 30 per cent of people with diabetes will develop kidney disease. There are two main types of diabetes, a chronic disease that results in an excess of glucose in the blood because the body is either not producing insulin or not using insulin properly. While both types may lead to kidney disease, type 1 diabetes is not caused by lifestyle factors and occurs when the pancreas no longer produces the insulin needed. Insulin is a hormone needed for glucose to enter the cells and be converted to energy. Type 2 diabetes represents between 85 and 90 per cent of all diabetes cases and may develop as a result of unhealthy eating and a lack of physical activity. Other important risk factors include age, family history, and having an ethnic background. It may also be caused by gestational diabetes. This form of diabetes appears only occurs during pregnancy and may occur as a result of high blood glucose levels caused by the extra stress of pregnancy on the body. A simple questionnaire is now available for patients at their local general practice that can identify if they have the risk factors associated with developing type 2 diabetes. Known as the AUSDRISK tool, the questionnaire is being promoted during National Diabetes Week (11 - 18 July) as a simple first step for people to rule out their potential risk for type 2 diabetes or to start to dealing with their potential risk if the results indicate otherwise. The AUSDRISK tool is particularly targeted towards people aged between 40 and 49 years. The aim is to identify people in this age group who may be at risk of developing the disease later in life and provide them with access to early treatment. While type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease, early intervention can often significantly delay its onset or eliminate the risk all together. People who think they may have a higher risk of developing the disease should to take a moment to complete the AUSDRISK tool and then discuss the results with their GP, who may then offer to conduct a more comprehensive health check if necessary. If a patient is identified as at risk of type 2 diabetes, they may be eligible to join a lifestyle modification program, at minimal cost, to get help with diet, exercise, and quitting smoking. The Reset Your Life program, a six-month group education course available in Brisbane, is one such program. Courses are run as small group sessions with a maximum of 15 participants in each group. For more information on lifestyle modification programs, visit: www.newleaseoflife.com.au. One Rating Policy For The Region Moreton Bay Regional Council has achieved its most significant amalgamation milestone by adopting one rating policy for the region. Mayor Allan Sutherland said the 2010/11 budget (more detailed information next week) was its “line-in-the-sand” budget and marked its coming of age as one true council. “Over the past two years, I have spent a lot of time visiting all corners of the region. I listened to the views of thousands of residents about amalgamation as well as what they expect of their council,” Mayor Sutherland said. “Today we are delivering on the expectations of our community by adopting one rating policy for the Moreton Bay region. “When the State Government released new land valuations in March 2010, Moreton Bay Regional Council was finally able to cast off the shackles of the former councils’ rating policies. “Once we had this final piece in the rating puzzle, we immediately set to work on developing one regional rating policy. “In just four months, we have managed to complete this important and extremely complex task – and achieve the biggest key performance indicator of amalgamation. “For ratepayers living in the former council areas of Caboolture, Pine Rivers and Redcliffe, we’re delivering greater equity by adopting, for the very first time, one policy for our one region.” Official: Queensland’s Growth Capital
The list, released today, puts Mango Hill and Griffin at number three on the HIA’s national growth list ahead of any other Queensland area. Pine Rivers including Warner, Cashmere, Eatons Hill and Joyner feature at number 10. Mayor Sutherland said the list confirmed that the Moreton Bay region was accommodating the lion’s share of population growth in the state and further justified the need for the Moreton Bay rail link from Petrie to Kippa-Ring. “With population growth comes traffic congestion and it’s no secret that Mango Hill and Griffin, as the nation’s third hot spot, are also among the most car reliant suburbs on the continent,” Mayor Sutherland said. “The need for federal and state government infrastructure spending to build the Moreton Bay Rail Link has never been more apparent, or urgent. “Heavy rail servicing these boom suburbs will deliver real public transport solutions and reduce the congestion issues on our major arterial roads. “All of the planning and the studies have been done – the time is right to green light the Moreton Bay Rail Link.” Mayor Sutherland said the HIA’s top 20 list clearly demonstrated the Moreton Bay region is open for business and at the forefront of attracting investment and jobs. “We’re welcoming about 15,000 new residents every year and that represents around $265 million in housing approvals in those areas alone within the Moreton Bay region that have made the national hotspots list,” the Mayor said. “Make no mistake, accommodating and managing this additional population hasn’t been easy. “We’ll continue to work cooperatively with government and business to fast track building approvals and maximise the benefits of growth for our community, but that doesn’t mean this council stands for development at any cost. “It needs to be balanced, it needs to protect our enviable lifestyle, it needs to preserve and enhance and our green space.” Want to be our next We’d love promote artists of any medium in our regions. Whether it be traditional to modern, sculpture, oil on canvas, digital art, comic drawing, everything in between or other, or something completely original and unique. As long as you have a reasonable folio for us to explore we’d love to expose your creative talents to the community at large. Please contact Editor Dan Fidler via
This edition (May 1) Robert Bradfield of Dayboro Robert has painted on and off for many years. As a child he was always drawing but didn’t take up painting until later in life. He works in a variety of medium such as pen, ink and wash, pencil, watercolour and oils. He does not consider himself as a full time artist and is basically self taught. Robert likes to paint out on location as well as in his studio which is nestled in the hills of Dayboro. Robert says there is nothing better than to experience the joy of painting on location. Pictured: Robert’s The Old Queenslander in Pen Ink. See more on page 20 of the May 1 edition available to download from the links above.
Sport Minister Phil Reeves and Beijing Olympian Kamikaze today announced a new $1.5 million Olympic-standard BMX track, the first in the southern hemisphere, will be constructed at the Sleeman Sports Complex. “The new track will provide top level facilities for Queensland’s champion riders like Kamikaze, as well as up-and-coming athletes,” Mr Reeves said. “The popularity of BMX is growing in Australia, the following for the sport is second only to the United States. “We have clubs across Queensland from Cooktown to Coolangatta and out to Mt Isa. “This facility will provide a fantastic training ground and will hopefully inspire more Queenslanders to get physically active.” Kamikaze welcomed plans for the new track saying that the facilities at Chandler would give Queensland and Australian riders a competitive edge. “Having access to an Olympic-standard BMX track for training, together with other facilities at Sleeman will definitely challenge riders,” he said. “The onsite accommodation will be great for training camps and all riders will be looking forward to tackling a new track.” BMX Australia President Barry Knight said the organisation looked forward to developing new facilities with design experts at the Swiss based Union Cycliste Internationale. “Features such as an eight meter high starting ramp and a length of around 350 - 400 metres will be part of this world-class BMX Supercross facility,” he said. “This is a great win for Queensland riders.” State Member for Chatsworth Steve Kilburn MP also welcomed funding for the new track. “This will cement Sleeman Sports Complex as a premier sporting hub. “Clubs in Queensland will be holding sign-on days this weekend and I’d encourage anyone interested to have a go at the sport.” Mr Reeves said work on the track would commence in the second half of 2010. “Many of our sporting heroes had carved out their careers as professionals by using BMX as a stepping stone to Mountain Biking or Road Cycling. “Australian cycling champions Robbie McEwan and Cadel Evans both started their careers as BMX riders. “I hope to see many Queenslanders follow in the footsteps of these brilliant athletes and use this track to test out their skills. “The planned BMX track is another step towards the Bligh Government’s goal of making Queenslanders Australia’s healthiest people.”
Rants and Raves Throughout the entire year of 2009 there were only a few Rants and Raves I didn’t publish. Most understand we are a general interest, community minded magazine with broad spectrum of readers. When un-publishable rants (it’s usually the rants) are submitted, my policy is to contact the submitter personally and ask them if they would like to re-submit in an acceptable format. Given that so far this year, there have been as many rants unfit for print as there were during the entire course of last year; I figure it may be timely to publish this note about what we can and can’t print. Rants and Raves is a great forum for the community to vent frustrations as much as sing the praises for local events, people and places. As many submitters already know, due to the nature of submissions being personal opinion, most remain un-edited in entirety. We don’t edit for flow, grammar, punctuation or spelling so that the original intent of the author is kept. I remind you that as Australians we all have a considerably high standard of living compared to many parts of the world and that as residents of the South-East Queensland we live in a place of extraordinary beauty and opportunity offering much to “rave” about. I know it’s easy to become complacent as we go about our everyday lives but I’d like to remind readers of our publishable policy as much as encourage readers to rave as well as rant. I can’t run personal attacks, defaming remarks, threats or expletive-laden letters. I will continue to baulk at inappropriate attacks on public services such as the Police Force. While it’s important to let these issues air and to be discussed, outright defamatory submissions that serve only to inspire ill-feeling rather than helpful, community minded insight cannot for obvious reasons, be published. You don’t have to look too far in this fantastic place to live to find something “rave-worthy”. If you know of something great that your fellow readers may benefit from reading, why not send that in as well? Best regards, Editor, Dan Fidler |
A re-elected Gillard Labor Government will partner with the Bligh Government and Moreton Bay Regional Council to make the long-awaited Moreton Bay Rail Link a reality.
More than 3 million Australians have or are at risk of diabetes, a major and often preventable cause of kidney disease.
Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor, Allan Sutherland, said he was not surprised the region had featured twice in the Housing Industry Association’s national top 20 building and population hotspots.
New BMX track for Brisbane
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