Dear residents,
As you might have heard, a recent report by the Australian Homelessness Monitor shows that homelessness in Brisbane has increased by around 32% since 2011. Although developers are cramming hundreds of additional apartments into our neighbourhoods, this is not meaningfully improving affordability for people on low incomes.
The decision by many investors to leave apartments empty rather than renting them out cheaply, or to rent their apartments as short-term hotel rooms rather than on a long-term basis to local families, means that the private housing market is exacerbating rather than solving our growing housing affordability crisis.
It’s in this context that we’re gearing up for this Saturday night’s launch party of the Brisbane Renters Alliance campaign for stronger renters rights. Approximately 60% of Gabba Ward residents are renters, which means we all need to push for greater stability and security for tenants if we are to preserve and build strong connected communities in the inner-south side.
The launch party kicks off at 6:30pm at Kurilpa Hall (174 Boundary St, West End) this Saturday (30 June). There’ll be a free BBQ, music, poetry, and a few short speeches explaining the core goals of the renters rights campaign, which include stabilising rents to prevent rapid, unreasonable rent increases, and introducing a right to remain to give renters more long-term stability in their tenancies.
Whether you’re a renter or a home-owner, please come along to hear what we have planned and join the struggle to remind our political leaders that housing is a human right, not a commodity. You can RSVP via the Brisbane Renters Alliance website, and invite friends via the Facebook event page. Or just show up on the night. Entry is free and everyone is welcome.
In other news, I’ve written a summary of key outcomes in this year’s council budget for park upgrades within the Gabba Ward. We’ve managed to secure a lot of investment in parks around the inner-south side, including millions of dollars for Hanlon Park down at Stones Corner, more than half a million for various parks in Kangaroo Point, and almost $4 million for Riverside Drive and Davies Park in West End. This is a huge win for local residents, and something I’m very proud of. You can read all the details at this link.
Finally, I wanted to invite you to a community BBQ this Saturday afternoon at 3pm down along Riverside Drive in front of Vida Apartments. We’ll be discussing the R&F Property development proposal for the neighbouring site between Hockings St and Donkin St, which will include over 1000 apartments. Please join us between 3 and 4pm. Nearest street address is 101 Riverside Drive, West End. You can invite friends via the Facebook event.
There’s a range of other community events listed below. Hopefully I’ll see you at the launch party at Kurilpa Hall this Saturday night.
Warm regards,
Jonno
Upcoming Events
|
Community BBQ on Riverside Drive regarding R&F Development Sunday 30 June, 3pm to 4:20pm 101 Riverside Drive, West End Come along to a free BBQ along Riverside Drive at 3pm this Saturday to meet your neighbours and hear a bit more about the big R&F property development proposal for the site on Riverside Drive between Donkin and Hockings St. |
||
|
Renters Rights Campaign Launch Party Saturday 30 June, 6:30pm to 11pm Kurilpa Hall, 174 Boundary St, West End Brisbane Renters Alliance is launching a new campaign for stronger renters' rights in Queensland. They’re also planning to use this launch event to reveal the first real estate agency targeted for naming and shaming. FREE entry, donations accepted. Facebook event▸ |
||
|
Canticum Chamber Choir: Hopes of Heaven Sunday 1 July, 2:30pm St John’s Cathedral, 373 Ann Street, Brisbane Canticum Chamber Choir presents a programme of emotion-laden works including Brisbane-based composer Phillip Gearing’s Pro Patria Mori – a compelling choral cycle using texts of eminent soldier poets from the Great War. $30 / $22 / under 16 free. Website ▸ |
||
|
Film Screening: The Castle Sunday 1 July, 6pm to 10pm Bunyapa Park, Corner Thomas and Vulture Streets, West End The Anti-Poverty Network QLD are screening the 1997 comedy 'The Castle' to raise funds to fight poverty. Dinner will be provided with donation, so bring along any spare change you have! Facebook event ▸ |
||
|
Why not give everyone a home? A Housing Forum Tuesday 10 July, 6pm to 8:30pm Uniting Church West End, 111 Vulture St, West End What would it look like to guarantee everyone in Australia a home? You’ve heard of a universal basic income. We guarantee everyone access to free or affordable healthcare and free public education. So why not housing? Facebook event ▸ |
||
|
Jose Maria Pena at Urban Paradise Gallery (Opening Reception) Wednesday 11 July, 7pm to 10pm Urban Paradise Gallery, 52 - 64 Annerley Road, Woolloongabba Visit the Urban Paradise Gallery to see Solo exhibition by Spanish artist extraordinaire, Jose Maria Pena. The exhibition will be open from 11 to 24 July. Facebook event ▸ |
||
|
Norman Creek Catchment: Maintenance Working Bee Saturday 14 July, 8:30am to 11am 66 Baron St Greenslopes Help keep our lovely catchment centre in good condition! Learn a few handyperson skills and have a chat with friendly N4C members. Wear sensible work clothes, closed-in shoes, and a hat. Morning tea provided. Facebook event ▸ |
||
|
Peaks to Point Festival Sunday 15 July, 10am to 3pm 428 Sherwood Rd, Rocklea The day will feature live local entertainment including the Street Science stage show. Be prepared to be BLOWN AWAY in a captivating stage show about REAL SCIENCE; a little bit of magic and of course plenty of FUN! From disappearing water, coloured fireballs and beautiful clouds, through to nappy science and smoke rings, it’s a science SPECTACULAR. The show will follow with a hands-on science sherbet making workshop. Facebook event ▸ |
||
|
Brisbane biodiversity seminar series – Karawatha Forest Tuesday 17 July, 6pm to 8:50pm Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre, 149 Acacia Road, Karawatha Join special guest speakers, Professor Darryl Jones, honours student James Cifuentes and the Karawatha Forest Protection Society as we explore the history and diversity of Karawatha Forest. FREE event. Tickets ▸ |
||
|
Colloquia Sundays: Blockchain Will Save Us? Sunday 22 July, 3pm to 5pm Wandering Cooks, Cnr Fish Lane & Cordelia Street, South Brisbane Join our panelists, Katrina Donaghy (Civic Ledger), Prof. Marcus Foth (Urban Informatics, QUT) and Jonathan Sri (Greens Councillor), as they help us unpack the buzz around blockchain and speculate how we might design futures with blockchain technology at our service. Facebook event ▸ |
||
|
Buranda State School Centenary Gala Reunion Celebration Sunday 28 July, 6pm to 11pm The Gabba, Vulture St, Woolloongabba Buranda State School Centenary: A chance to celebrate and recount the history of a hundred years of learning and community. |
