Farewell to the TPA
The Teneriffe Progress Association has held its last meeting with its contribution to the lifestyle of the suburb to be commemorated by a mural commissioned to feature on a wall of the Winchombe Carson Woolstore in Florence Street.
The TPA waged a number of campaigns on behalf of residents, often lobbying below the radar while serving as a rallying point for those in the community determined to preserve the unique character of the district and it scored some notable wins.
The next time the good and the great are handing out gongs they should look no further than the association’s president of 12 years, Ben Pritchard. If anyone deserves an award for community service then he does.
A city down at heart
Your correspondent bravely stepped outside the Newstead-Teneriffe-New Farm “bubble” recently, venturing into the city and walking the length of Queen Street from Wharf Street to North Quay and what a sad sight it is that greets the visitor.
Empty shops, bare spaces and an overall sense of neglect now pervade large sections of what was once the retail heart of city.
Amidst all the chatter about Olympic Games legacies, the Brisbane City Council might give some thought to revitalising the city’s heart. The alternative is to let it slide further into decay.
Prices skyrocketing at Skyring
Real estate prices continue to head north as a colleague discovered when he expressed interest in buying an apartment off the plan in Newstead North.
He was told the price and was still deliberating a few days later when the agent called him asking if he was still interested and if he was, the good news was that it was still available.
The not so good news was that the price had jumped by $70,000 because the developer had decided he was selling it too cheaply.
Meanwhile there are rumblings of discontent among people who have been renting while they wait to move into apartments they have bought in Mirvac’s Quay development in Skyring Terrace opposite Gasworks. They were told they would be moving in last year but are still waiting with Mirvac saying the property will be completed by the middle of this year.
In line to the throne
I know you’re waiting for it so here comes the Canine Whinge Of The Month – dogs owners perching Fido on chairs in coffee shops.
Chairs are for people. The floor is for cute little doggies. Clutch them to your loving bosom if you must but keep them off the furniture.
I can’t be the only one who objects to taking a seat on a chair recently vacated by Bowser’s bum. Cafe proprietors should step up on this. If there isn’t a health regulation prohibiting this then there should be. I await, as always, letters to the Editor from enraged dog lovers.
Time to bump up speed enforcement
I don’t know how long it is since the council investigated the need for more speed bumps in the district but would suggest the time is nigh.
The number of cortically challenged drivers and riders who glory in showcasing their intellectual vacuum by rattling windows and shattering the peace grows by the day.
The prospect of wrecking their vehicle’s suspension and/or becoming airborne may act as a deterrent as would a higher police presence with roadside breathalyser units currently more prevalent on local streets than speed checks.
Neighbourhood Watch
Given the regularity with which residents post security camera images on Facebook of shady characters lurking around their properties or hot footing it down the road with their scooters/bike/parcels it might be time for the community to set up a Neighbourhood Watch program which is overseen by the Queensland Police Service.
Any community minded people out there prepared to join forces to try and make our suburbs a better place to live?
