Runs deep CULTURE Quota of - budget edition 2021
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VOLUME 95 | BUDGET EDITION 2021
CULTURE
runs
deep
ATTRACTING OUR
Annual
Quota of Budget
talent 2021/2022
Contents
8 Investing in a
green Logan
8 16
16 Visceral debut
solo exhibition
23 Justin Geange
asks: RUOK?
25 It’s Eisteddfod
time
23 25
DIV 1 DIV 2 DIV 3 DIV 4 DIV 5 DIV 6
Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor
Lisa Bradley Teresa Lane Mindy Russell Laurie Koranski Jon Raven Tony Hall
Priestdale, Kingston, Logan Slacks Creek, Daisy Bannockburn, Belivah, Berrinba, Marsden, Bahrs Scrub,
Springwood, Central, Woodridge, Hill, and part of Buccan, Cedar Creek, Waterford West, and Edens Landing,
Rochedale South, and part of Shailer Park and Kairabah, Waterford, part of Crestmead. Holmview, Loganlea,
and part of Daisy Underwood. Underwood. Windaroo, Wolffdene, Meadowbrook, and
Hill. Yarrabilba, and part part of Bethania.
of Bethania, Logan
Village and Tamborine.
DIV 7 DIV 8 DIV 9 DIV 10 DIV 11 DIV 12
Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor
Tim Frazer Jacob Heremaia Scott Bannan Miriam Stemp Natalie Willcocks Karen Murphy
Boronia Heights, Heritage Park, Logan Cedar Grove, Cedar Carbrook, Cornubia, Flagstone, Flinders Beenleigh, Eagleby,
Browns Plains, Reserve, and part Vale, Glenlogan, Loganholme, Tanah Lakes, Greenbank, and Mt Warren Park.
Forestdale, of Chambers Flat, Jimboomba, Mundoolun, Merah, and part of Kagaru, Lyons,
Hillcrest, and part Crestmead, Park Riverbend, Stockleigh, Shailer Park. Monarch Glen, New
of Park Ridge and Ridge, Park Ridge Veresdale, Veresdale Beith, Silverbark
Regents Park. South and Regents Scrub, Woodhill, and Ridge, Undullah, and
Park. part of Chambers part of Munruben,
Flat, Logan Village, North Maclean, Park
Munruben, North Ridge South and
Maclean, South Maclean South Maclean.
and Tamborine.
2 | OUR LOGAN
The future is bright
T
he future is bright for the City of areas that attract industries and Councils must rely on rates to help
Logan. businesses to support a strong pay for the construction materials that
Council is committed to economy. go into new community facilities and
providing a vision that will benefit our Council is taking careful steps to upgrading existing ones.
communities today and well into the ensure that the city we love will thrive I’m pleased to say we have kept
future. now and into the future. This will our bottom-line rates increase low
We recently made history with create lifestyles and opportunities to again this year at 2.5 per cent, which
Council handing down its first set our kids up for success. is about $1.32 a week for most
$1 billion budget. As well as a commitment to households.
Council will build vital community community facilities, we have made What a difference a year can make.
infrastructure to accommodate the big investments towards safer roads, Council is a driving force for our
growth needs of our city, ensuring our drainage, footpaths and bridges. continued COVID-19 recovery, and we
residents grow and prosper. Two major parks will also be want to ensure our residents are well
This will mean new and revitalised supported and have access to the
community centres, libraries, services they need.
recreation and leisure precincts and We are investing in the future of our
arts facilities. city and its people.
And we’ll need them. Our
population is forecast to soar to
Our city is back It’s an exciting time to live, work and
enjoy all that our city has to offer.
500,000 over the next 20 years. in business after
Mayor Darren Power
By investing in community and
lifestyles we will strengthen our
a challenging 12 City of Logan
city pride, create jobs and attract months following
investment.
Council’s vision for what the city
the impacts of
should like in the future would not COVID-19.
exist without our residents and the
feedback we have received.
We are listening and strongly delivered over the next three years:
aligning the community’s aspirations Waterford West District Park and Rosia
with Council’s priorities over the next Park at Park Ridge.
five years through the corporate plan. We’re investing in environmental
We’re also looking ahead to how programs to protect and preserve our
our city looks from a development environment and green spaces.
perspective, by starting work on the We haven’t forgotten our business
2025 Logan Planning Scheme. community either – we’ve doubled the
This forward-thinking approach funds available to attract and retain
guarantees that our city’s growth is businesses through our Investment
well managed and well planned. Attraction Incentive Fund.
We want our neighbourhoods Of course, all of this costs money.
to feature welcoming homes of Building new infrastructure such as
different designs and interesting well- roads, community centres, parks and
maintained streets. leisure facilities is costly, as the price
We want development to of materials such as steel, bricks,
be carefully considered, better cement and bitumen continues to
connected and with employment soar.
Front cover image Photo Logan City Council acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land, pays respect to Elders past,
Logan artist Kyra Rhett Hammerton present and emerging and extends that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in
Mancktelow (see Image courtesy of the City of Logan. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that images of people who
page 16 for story) N.Smith Gallery, Sydney may now be deceased may appear in this magazine.
OUR LOGAN | 3
BUDGET 2021/2022
Community pride
in our growing city
L
ogan City Council’s record City of Logan is one of the fastest-
$1 billion budget is an growing cities in the country, with a
investment in the future with a population projected to hit 500,000
focus on communities and lifestyles. within 20 years.
The 2021/2022 budget ensures the New community centres, sport
city stays on track to be one the most and leisure facilities, libraries and
liveable in South East Queensland. arts spaces will be included in the
Kingston couple Stephanie and program.
Tyrone Girle, and their five-month The new infrastructure and services
daughter Georgie, are living that will ensure the City of Logan has well-
dream. serviced, evolving communities and
Stephanie and Tyrone grew up in neighbourhoods where residents are
the City of Logan and both went to proud to live and work.
school and university here. While this program is essential
Tyrone teaches at Beenleigh for high-growth suburbs such as
State High and Stephanie previously Yarrabilba, Flagstone and Park
worked on a local newspaper. Ridge, it also applies to
The couple is now house hunting renewing and upgrading
locally for a new home in which to raise existing community
Georgie. infrastructure in more
“Logan is home and always has established areas. Logan has
been,” Stephanie says. The community
“Now that we have a baby, we infrastructure provided a great
appreciate how many free Council
activities are on offer to give Georgie
projects will build
on those already
launching pad
the best start in life. under way across for everything
“I’ve always enjoyed the Live Well the city, including
Logan exercise classes, we go to free the almost- we’ve wanted to
swimming lessons, we get our free complete Kingston
trees every year and we love all the Butter Factory achieve.
resources available at the libraries. Precinct refurbishment,
“Logan has provided a great the new Cronulla Park
launching pad for everything we’ve PCYC at Slacks Creek, the
wanted to achieve.” Logan North Aquatic Centre
The budget provides funding for main pool upgrade and Yarrabilba
Council’s plan to build and revitalise Community Hub.
essential community facilities that Projects that could be fast-tracked
help deliver an exciting new vision for with the new funding allocation
the city. include a Flagstone community hub
Council has committed $3 million and community facilities in Logan
over the next 12 months and an Central.
ongoing spend of $20 million a year,
every year, to provide key community
infrastructure to meet the growth
needs of the city and its residents.
Proud City of Logan residents Stephanie and
Tyrone Girle with five-month-old daughter Georgie
Image: Cougan Stoop
4 | OUR LOGAN
OUR LOGAN | 5
Budget Annual
Budget
The 2021/2022
minimum rates
at a glance 2021/2022
and charges are:
$962.00
Minimum general rate
The total budget for 2021/2022 is
+
$1 billion, made up as follows:
$80.40
Capital Services and Debt repayments Environmental levy
expenditure
$382.5
operating costs
$606.7
(principal)
$19.5 +
million million million $403.80
Community
services charge
2021/2022 rate increase +
$294.00
$68.89 Bottom line
rate increase
Waste
($1.32/week)
2.5%
after discount
–
The above figures do not include the Queensland $87.01
Government’s emergency levy and bulk water charges. Discount for above
charges 5%
+
Water costs average $712.00
per kl usage /155kl Wastewater
(sewerage) charge
Queensland Government
bulk water cost
$3.2310 $500.81 +
Logan City Council $1.0224 $158.47 $302.16
distribution Water service charge
Total water
consumption cost
$4.2534 $659.28 +
$158.47
Average water
consumption charge
Pensioner remission based on 155 kilolitres
Non-maximum Maximum rate =
rate pensioner pensioner
$2,825.82
$181.80 $363.60
2.0% per year per year
Total annual rates and
charges after discount
6 | OUR LOGAN
Where will Council earn its income in
2021/2022?
Interest $6.6m (1%) User charges
$320.4m
Other revenue (46.3%)
$33.6m (4.8%) “Our historic billion-
dollar budget is
Grants and subsidies responsible and
$26.1m (3.8%) sustainable and will
deliver essential
Fees and charges and meaningful
$37.1m (5.4%) infrastructure and
General rates services for our city.”
Contributions and $180.3m Governance Chair,
donations $87.9m (12.7%) (26%)
Councillor
Natalie Willcocks
Council will also receive $161m in donated assets.
Major areas of expenditure, including operational costs
Water and Roads, drainage and Community Parks management
sewerage services engineering services infrastructure and maintenance
$343.4m $270.3m $74.2m $55.7m
Waste Libraries and Animal and pest Environmental
management creative industries services services
$43.7m $19.1m $11m $11.3m
Key projects and initiatives
Water and Roads, drainage, Waterford West Community Logan Plan 2025
wastewater footpaths and District Park and facilities program (new planning
infrastructure bridges Rosia Park
$3m + $20m scheme)
$139.9m $147m $26.5m ongoing $9.45m
OUR LOGAN | 7
BUDGET 2021/2022
Green light for ongoing
eco-investment
N
early $5 million will be spent strategies that focus on community • Logan Eco-Action Festival 2022
on a range of environmental partnerships and renewable energy • ongoing participation in Healthy
programs over the coming to reduce our carbon footprint,” Land and Water and Resilient
year to boost the City of Logan’s Councillor Raven says. Rivers programs
proud green credentials. “The numbers speak for themselves. • carbon and energy management.
The number of local landowners Our residents want to partner with Council’s vision is to be a leader on
joining Logan City Council’s Council to learn more about what they climate change governance among
Environmental Conservation can do to protect and preserve our local governments in Australia.
Partnership (ECP) program has grown environment and green spaces.” The budget also allocates
by a staggering 70 per cent in the Council’s ECP programs and more than $4 million for bushland
past two years. agreements offer various levels of maintenance and Council-run
The programs now encompass support ranging from residential Bushcare programs along with
close to 550 properties across the city. backyards to protecting large funding for aquatic and environmental
The number of new partnership properties in perpetuity. weed control.
properties joining one of the Programs include Habitat It also includes continued support
programs offered by Council (Land Connections; Land for Wildlife; for the next five years to provide a
for Wildlife) has been the highest in Voluntary Restoration Agreements; rebate to residents who purchase an
South East Queensland for the last Voluntary Conservation Agreements approved home-based worm farm kit.
two years. and Voluntary Conservation Covenants. Many of Council’s environmental
Environment Chair, Deputy Mayor Other funding for environment- initiatives are funded through the
Jon Raven, says investment in the based initiatives in the 2021/2022 Environmental Levy, which is collected
local natural environment is money budget includes: quarterly with rates payments.
well spent. • Logan and Albert River Visions The Environmental Levy increases
“City of Logan has become a • Slacks Creek, Upper Oxley Creek in 2021/2022 by 60 cents to $80.40
leader in environmental initiatives and and Scrubby Creek Recovery Plans per year.
Mundoolun landowners Katie and Jake Swatton, and their children Tilly and Joey, have received environmental restoration support from Council’s Land for
Wildlife program.
City of Logan
has become
a leader in
environmental
initiatives.
8 | OUR LOGAN
Curious creatures safe on
pristine land
T
he Environmental Levy
collected with property rates is It’s a proper
helping to preserve and protect
the rare spotted-tailed quoll.
nature refuge.
The carnivorous marsupial was This area
thought to no longer exist in the City
of Logan, with the last sighting in 2005.
can’t be
But a quoll scat (dropping) was developed.
discovered earlier this year during
a Council-supported flora and fauna
Intern Bridget O’Brien and Environmental and Projects
Officer Alex Vanek place wildlife monitoring cameras
survey on a mountainous property in
Undullah, in the city’s south-west. Funding from the Environmental
An independent laboratory then Levy has been used to help maintain
confirmed it had come from a quoll. the conservation values of the property
The Undullah property is owned by through Environmental Conservation
Brisbane’s Bulimba Creek Catchment Partnerships and EnviroGrants.
Coordinating Committee (B4C). Invasive plants such as lantana and
The group’s activities are supported the coral berry have been removed
by Logan City Council, along with and feral animals, which can attack
Wildlife Queensland and other quoll and other native wildlife, are
environmental groups. being managed.
“It’s a proper nature refuge. This Monitoring cameras have been set
area can’t be developed,” says B4C up in the hope of getting images of
Environmental and Projects Officer, a quoll and other wildlife, including
Alex Vanek. the brush-tailed phascogale (another
“The property connects the carnivorous marsupial smaller than
Karawatha (region) and part of the a quoll), gliders, brush-tailed rock
Flinders Range… (and) allow things wallabies and koalas.
like quolls and rock wallabies to move “Once our scent has gone from
freely through here without being the area, it’s fantastic to see what the
The rare spotted-tailed quoll disturbed.” cameras capture,” Alex says.
Photo: Bruce Thomson
Think twice before you chop
A
re you planning to prune or Different rules apply across the city,
chop native trees on your so it’s best to check before you chop.
property? Did you know native You can prune trees on your property
vegetation in the City of Logan is without a permit, but you may need
protected by legislation? approval to do anything more.
That’s because Council values it. Council can help you improve the
It’s home to an abundance of wildlife, natural areas on your property.
helps filter our air, and is a feature of Find out if there’s protected
our local landscapes. vegetation on your property:
W: loganhub.com.au/dashboard
OUR LOGAN | 9
BUDGET 2021/2022
Doubling down
on business support
D
oing business in the City of Council’s 2021/2022 budget has “That is not only helping to boost
Logan has been given a huge committed to expanding the Investment our local economy; it has also created
boost with funding doubled Attraction Incentive Fund with increased more opportunities for our residents
for the popular Investment Attraction funding to $1 million a year. to get jobs close to where they live.”
Incentive Fund. Economic Development Chair, Boom sportswear brand, LSKD, is
In the two years since it was first Deputy Mayor Jon Raven, says the among those smart companies that
launched, the fund has attracted success of investment attraction have recognised the sound business
15 businesses and will generate more means more jobs for our community. opportunities available in the City of
than 900 local jobs. “We have already seen a number of Logan.
That will add an additional major companies set up base here in LSKD was awarded funding from
$120 million to the local economy. locations such as Berrinba, Crestmead the Investment Attraction Incentive
and Loganholme,” he says. Fund in December last year and will
consolidate its global operations into
a new $7 million office/warehouse in
Loganholme later this year.
LSKD Chief Executive Officer
Jason Daniel, a proud City of Logan
resident, is excited about his new
local headquarters, which will employ
about 50 staff.
“Not only was it a great opportunity,
but Logan is very central to
everything,” Jason says.
“Having the business located in
Logan, where I grew up and still live,
is just the icing on the cake.”
LSKD has tapped the innovative
services of another successful
recipient of the Attraction
Investment Fund in Wing
to deliver its products
to customers using
Not only was it a drone technology.
Business support
great opportunity, in the budget also
but Logan is includes a new
City Centre Façade
very central to Improvement
everything. Fund that will
provide incentives
for property owners
and small businesses to
enhance their shopfronts –
which in turn should boost trade and
create more jobs.
LSKD CEO Jason Daniel at the site of his new
headquarters in Loganholme
10 | OUR LOGANThe precinct
Bethania family Justin and Rebecca Harreman, and their children Austin and
Mackenzie, enjoy the fun facilities in one of 958 parks in the City of Logan.
also will have
the capacity to
New parks
host international
inline skating
events.
for our active lifestyles
T
wo master-planned sports and • nature play area with amenities, The key elements of the new
recreation parks will be built picnic and barbecue facilities Waterford West District Park include
over the next five years. • pump track and skate park water play and adventure play areas,
Rosia Park in Park Ridge and • walking and mountain bike trails a wetlands and amenities.
Waterford West District Park will • car parking. Deputy Mayor and Division 5
benefit from a $26.5 million budget Division 8 Councillor, Jacob Councillor, Jon Raven, says the
commitment to deliver more active Heremaia, says Rosia Park will cater Waterford West District Park was a
spaces across the city. for increasing demand for community project with a 20-year funding horizon
City Lifestyle Chair, Councillor recreation and sporting facilities. when it was first proposed in 2018.
Laurie Koranski, says Rosia Park will “Park Ridge is one of the fastest “We’ve done it 17 years early, to
be dedicated to wheeled sports. growing areas in the City of Logan. the credit of Council, recognising the
“This will be the first criterium Rosia Park is a big investment and will massive need in our community and
track in the City of Logan and the first be a great community asset for local the huge growth in this part of the
banked track of its kind in Australia,” families,” he says. city,” he says.
Cr Koranski says. The first stage of the project, valued Council has also committed
“The precinct also will have the at $9 million, will be funded from $1.2 million to the relocation of the
capacity to host international inline the Australian Government’s Local Logan Village skate park.
skating events.” Roads and Community Infrastructure The existing skate park has
The 68-hectare site will be Program. reached its end of life allowing a new
developed to include: skate park to be developed in an
improved location on the Green.
OUR LOGAN | 11BUDGET 2021/2022
Discovery centre will showcase
our waterways
A
$5.5 million Riverine
Discovery Centre –
designed as an educational
facility and a tourism destination
– is planned to be built overlooking I am very excited
the Albert River at Eagleby. about Eagleby
The centre would offer a range
of activities aimed at improving having facilities
understanding of the City of where families
Logan waterways and increasing
community use of the Albert and can have fun.
Logan rivers.
The Riverine Discovery Centre
could provide or include:
• environmental education
• outdoor nature-based activities
• historic displays
• community hub
Logan Village residents (from left) Keale, Glen and Eric Sprudzans know the importance
• café and river-view dining of local waterways, which will be celebrated through a Riverine Discovery Centre
• commercial water-based activities.
Construction of the centre over the more about getting the balance right A Riverine Discovery Centre is
following two years is contingent on between protecting and enhancing among several budget initiatives that
Council receiving funding through our waterways while opening them aim to encourage residents to spend
the Queensland Government’s South up for more recreational use,” more leisure time in the city and
East Queensland Community Stimulus Councillor Raven says. increase day-trip visitation from other
Program. Division 12 Councillor Karen parts of South East Queensland.
The project will be partly funded by Murphy says a Riverine Discovery Additional initiatives to increase city
the Environmental Levy. Centre would be an ideal tourism include:
Environment Chair, Deputy Mayor complement to Eagleby’s popular • measures to encourage more
Jon Raven, says community feedback Albert River Parklands playground. footpath and laneway dining
showed residents and visitors want “I am very excited about Eagleby • parks enhancements to boost
more opportunities to use the City of having facilities where families can tourism
Logan’s waterways. have fun while also learning about • upgraded mountain bike trail
“A Riverine Discovery Centre protecting our environment and management.
would allow the community to learn waterways,” Cr Murphy says.
More al fresco
dining options
To boost the local restaurant scene
and encourage more footpath and
laneway dining, Logan City Council
will waive application fees for new
operators and licence fees for existing
restaurants wanting to expand into
al fresco dining.
Daisy Hill’s St Coco Café has led the way on
footpath coffee and al fresco dining
12 | OUR LOGANCouncil is
delighted to
support programs
Wakeboarding at Carbrook is one of the many fun activities offered by Logan City Council’s for our younger
residents.
popular KRANK school holiday program, which has had funding boosted in the budget.
KRANK it up
for our younger residents More aid
C for animal
ity of Logan families have for the June/July and September/
received a welcome boost October school holidays.
rescues
in this year’s budget, with City Lifestyle Chair, Councillor
increased funding for key programs Laurie Koranski, says Council is
and activities aimed at younger delighted to support programs for
I
residents. younger residents as they are the
njured wildlife and animals will
Nearly 27 per cent, or around future of the city.
continue to get emergency
81,000, of the City of Logan’s “Programs such as KRANK not only
help thanks to Council
population is aged 17 or younger. provide fun and healthy activities for
renewing its partnership with the
KRANK, Council’s popular school children on school holidays, they also
RSPCA.
holiday program, has received a provide valuable support for working
Council has sponsored the
$40,000 boost in 2021/2022 to mums and dads,” Cr Koranski says.
RSPCA-operated Logan Animal
provide more free and low-cost High school students and school
Ambulance Service since 2013
activities for children aged from five leavers are also offered incentives in
and will increase funding in
to 17. this year’s budget. They include:
2021/2022 to allow the RSPCA
The first KRANK program in 2005 • more than $130,000 in
to buy a new dedicated City
offered 36 activities attended by 647 funding for the Catapult Youth
of Logan animal ambulance
participants. Entrepreneurship Program, which
and provide increased rescue
More than 5,000 young residents helps build entrepreneurial skills
services.
took part in KRANK in the 2019/2020 • two Council-funded bursaries for
In the last 12 months, there
financial year. local Aboriginal and Torres Strait
were more than 3,000 rescues
KRANK activities range from Islander high school students
of sick, injured and orphaned
cooking classes and jewellery keen on a career in town
wildlife and animals in the City of
workshops to wakeboarding sessions, planning or civil engineering
Logan.
rocket science workshops and ninja • increased access for school
The all-hours service can be
obstacle courses. Some activities students to library services
accessed on:
book out within minutes. through an extension of opening
The increased funding in this year’s hours at Beenleigh, Jimboomba, P: 1300 264 625 (1300 ANIMAL)
budget will be put straight to use with Greenbank and Logan Village
an expanded KRANK program offered libraries.
OUR LOGAN | 13BUDGET 2021/2022
New wave Lighting the way on
of water
projects a busy intersection
P A
lanning and design of stage busy four-way intersection at • $37.5m: Citywide pavement
one of the Chambers Flat Bethania will get traffic lights rehabilitation, asphalt and spray
Wastewater Treatment Plant as part of a record $147 million seal resurfacing
(WWTP) will start soon. roads expenditure in 2021/2022. • $15m: Stormwater drainage
The new facility will service Albert Street, Station Road and the upgrades to Woodlands Dve
growth suburbs including Yarrabilba Logan River Road off ramp will get a catchment, Rochedale South
and Park Ridge. $1 million upgrade to improve safety • $11m: Kerbing and stormwater
The project is part of a $139 million for motorists and pedestrians. drainage upgrades to Gilmore
modernisation of the city’s water Infrastructure Chair, Councillor Rd, Berrinba
and wastewater infrastructure by Teresa Lane, says the intersection • $8.5m: Kerbing and stormwater
the Council-owned Logan Water. upgrade will better connect the local drainage upgrades in
The funding includes $36 million community. Jimboomba
for the upgrade of the Loganholme “The works will also improve • $6.2m: New concrete bridge
WWTP. The upgrade includes stormwater drainage to give residents on Scott Lane, North Maclean
diverting catchment flows from the greater peace of mind during the wet (jointly funded with the
Beenleigh WWTP, which will be season and storms,” Cr Lane says. Australian Government)
decommissioned. Division 6 Councillor Tony Hall says • $1.5m over two years: Upgrade
A further $31 million will be spent traffic lights will make this intersection and signalisation of Browns
replacing and renewing existing safer and there will be fewer Plains Rd, Campden St and
water and wastewater assets, and accidents. Scrubby Creek Rd intersection,
ongoing facilities maintenance. “Fixing this intersection was one Browns Plains (jointly
Other projects include: of my main priorities as a first-term funded with the Queensland
• $12m to finalise construction Councillor,” Cr Hall says. Government)
of the Loganholme WWTP Other major projects under the • additional funding for the Gravel
biosolids gasification plant record roads and infrastructure spend Road and Sealed Shoulders
• $1.2m for a solar installation at include: Program in rural areas.
Loganholme WWTP • $38.5m over two years: Upgrade
• $3.9m towards the connection of Chambers Flat Rd from Kings
of development areas to the Way to the Mt Lindesay Hwy
Chambers Flat pump station
• $1.5 million to
reduce wet weather The works will also
overflows in
Rochedale South
improve stormwater
“Logan Water should
drainage to give
be commended for residents greater
the visionary way it peace of mind.
is preparing for our
city’s future water and
wastewater needs,”
Infrastructure Chair
Councillor Teresa Lane
says.
The water base
charge in the next rates Infrastructure Chair,
bill will rise by just one Teresa Lane (right), and
per cent. It is the first Division 1 Councillor
increase in five years to Lisa Bradley with the
huge stormwater pipes
the Council-controlled that will be installed in
portion of water billing. Rochedale South.
14 | OUR LOGANBUDGET NEWS IN BRIEF
Spotlight on
illegal waste
A campaign to combat illegal
dumping and keep the City of Logan
clean and free of waste will continue.
An illegal dumping taskforce was
established as a pilot program in
April last year, funded by a one-off
Queensland Government grant.
The budget allocates $180,000
as support for the taskforce over
the next 12 months. It will also
fund expanded surveillance and
enforcement activities.
Since June last year, the program
has investigated 607 complaints
and identified 87 offenders through
covert surveillance. Fines totalling
City Lifestyle Chair, Councillor Laurie Koranski, and Division 9 Councillor Scott
$111,417 were issued.
Bannan at Jimboomba Library, which will now have longer opening hours.
Focus on
Library hours fire safety
boosted The opening hours
Bushfire prevention activities in
City of Logan parks and bushland
reserves will be expanded in the
coming year.
H
igh population growth in the of the four libraries Council manages 958 parks and
bushland reserves.
south-western corridor has will be extended The budget funds additional
delivered a bonus to library
lovers in Logan Village, Beenleigh, through funding in resources and equipment to support
the fire management program.
Jimboomba and Greenbank. this year’s
The opening hours of the four
budget.
libraries will be extended through
funding in this year’s budget. Tagged for
The move aligns the opening
hours at Beenleigh and Jimboomba
Libraries with the other larger libraries
City Council Libraries improve the innovation
delivery of community services and
Logan City Council is among
across the city. Those libraries will provide increased access for families
the first local governments in
now be open until 8pm on Tuesday with young children, working families
Queensland to introduce an
and Thursday and until 4pm on and those unable to visit a library
automated solution for registering
Saturday. during standard business hours.
onsite sewerage facilities and
Greenbank and Logan Village It will also allow extra community
monitoring installed systems.
Library users will have extended learning through activities for
An electronic asset tagging
opening hours, with both libraries children under five, after-school
registration system will give
opening at 10am on Tuesday, events and programs supporting the
licensed contractors easier
Wednesday and Thursday. city’s COVID-19 recovery initiatives.
access to information about onsite
This change allows Greenbank For full details of the changes visit
sewerage facilities.
and Logan Village Library Libraries to the Logan Libraries website.
Each asset tag can be
be open an extra 12 and a half hours
accessed by licensed contractors
each week.
and residents via an app. The
The extension will help Logan
W: loganlibraries.org service history can be updated
electronically post-inspection.
OUR LOGAN | 15I love watching
people experience my
work, seeing the different
expressions on their
faces. My role is to tell
the stories, and people
can take from them what
they want.
16 | OUR LOGANA distinct new voice
from emerging artist
K
yra Mancktelow’s work is “I love watching people experience
visceral and thought-provoking my work, seeing the different
– but even as an emerging expressions on their faces. My role is
artist with a distinct voice, it’s to tell the stories, and people can take
important to her that people glean from them what they want.”
their own meaning from her pieces. Kyra discovered art at high school,
A Quandamooka woman with but it wasn’t until she enrolled in
links to the Mardigan people of Contemporary Australian Indigenous
Cunnamulla, the Logan-based artist Art at the Queensland College of
is making her mark on the Australian Art that she truly started to express
arts scene with a growing body of herself emotionally.
work that includes sculptures, prints, “I went in wanting to be a painter
ceramics, weavings and paintings. and fell in love with print-making. It’s
At only 24, Kyra has a major public now one of the main ways I express
artwork in the City of Logan (with story and history,” Kyra says.
more to come), her pieces feature in “Mark-making gives me the
the N.Smith Gallery in Sydney, and opportunity to portray concepts in
her first solo exhibition, Unsilenced, is ways painting can’t.”
now on show at Logan Art Gallery. Painting, though, is how she first
Kyra has a deep respect for made her mark in the City of Logan.
generations of artists who have come One of her works is now a major
before her, and Unsilenced is her landmark in Boronia Heights – a giant
contribution to sharing untold histories mural on the Chester Park water
of Australia, noting “it’s a drop in the tower – and she’ll have installation
ocean of what needs to be told”. pieces featuring in the Beenleigh
“A lot of traditional practices, and a Town Square refurbishment (in John
lot of Indigenous history – especially Lane).
recent, local Indigenous history – has “I love that I’m starting my career at
been silenced,” Kyra says. home,” she says.
“This is the start of unsilencing The mural was the start of her
voices and practices.” professional career and led to
Kyra sees her work as a way a smaller recreation on canvas
to invite a conversation – and the becoming part of the Logan Art
moment of connection between Collection (and which now features
the viewer and the art is where it in the concurrent Elders’ choice
begins. What she hopes is to spark exhibition also on display at the
a curiosity to learn more: to start a gallery).
conversation that might lead to a
better understanding of history. Unsilenced and Elders’ choice:
highlights from the Logan Art
Collection are at Logan Art Gallery
until 24 July 2021.
Photo: Rhett Hammerton
Image courtesy of N.Smith Gallery, Sydney
OUR LOGAN | 17Evolution 150th anniversary
of Logan of the arrival of the Mayes
planning and Stemp families
scheme T
he Mayes and Stemp families The family first moved to Surrey and
are synonymous with early then to Clapham by the mid-1860s,
C
European settlement in the by which time the connection to the
ouncil has listened to area we now call the City of Logan. Stemps had been made through
community feedback on the This month, Logan City Council marriage. Their Clapham lodging was
Logan Planning Scheme celebrates the 150th anniversary barely large enough for one couple let
and now proposes to make some of their arrival to the colony of alone two and four children under the
major changes. Queensland on the ship SS Indus. age of three between them.
The Logan Planning Scheme 2015 On 24 July, Council’s Local Heritage There, the Mayes and Stemp families
helps Council manage population Specialist, Dr Hilda Maclean, will bring busied themselves packing trunks
and job growth. It is a blueprint for a their journey to life through a talk and making final arrangements with
sustainable future and will guide the and photos taken 150 years ago. The the Blackball line for their passages
way land is used and developed in the special event at Mayes Cottage will also on the Indus, due to sail to the distant
City of Logan. Council regularly reviews feature colonial dance demonstrations colony of Queensland in April 1871.
and improves the planning scheme to by Dance Kaleidoscope. All paying passengers to Queensland
make sure it remains contemporary were eligible for a grant of 40 acres
and aligns with community and of land, something unimaginable for
business expectations. members of the labouring class who
In 2020, Council asked for remained in England.
community feedback about the The Indus departed on her three-
planning scheme and how Council Locals are month voyage 150 years ago. All
could make improvements. In encouraged to 393 passengers no doubt felt relief
response, Council proposes to to finally set foot in Brisbane on a
make changes and will be asking bring along a surprisingly warm and sunny day in
for feedback in coming months. picnic and relive July. John and Emily Mayes and their
Proposed changes include: family eventually settled at Kingston,
• new requirements for residential this fascinating on the site that is now the iconic
subdivision to promote housing history. Mayes Cottage.
diversity, and create more
attractive streets with less 150th Mayes and Stemp
housing design duplication family celebration
• new precincts for employment In March 1851, the Mayes family Mayes Cottage
to ensure Logan remains an had little choice but to leave their 20 Mawarra St, Kingston
attractive location for businesses home in Bedford, England. The Saturday, 24 July 2021,
to establish and grow family trade of lace making had 10.30am to 1.30pm
• new requirements for declined due to the introduction of Entry is free. Bookings essential.
childcare centres and health machines, and they needed to find P: 3412 4147
care services to minimise paid employment. W: loglib.org/mayes
the impacts of these uses
in residential areas (such
SS Indus anchored in the South Reach of the Brisbane River, Brisbane
as traffic) and protect
neighbourhood lifestyles
• updating our environmental
mapping to protect areas for
vegetation and wildlife.
Register to receive an alert when
community consultation opens:
W: haveyoursaylogan.com.au
18 | OUR LOGANBe inspired by local artists and touring exhibitions
Follow us: Find out more:
@loganartgallery logan.qld.gov.au/artgallery
Entry is free. Open 10am to 5pm, Tuesday to Saturday
Cnr Wembley Rd and Jacaranda Ave, Logan Central
Exhibitions until 24 JULY 30 JULY to 4 SEPTEMBERER
Onto your wall from outerspace
CHRIS MADDOX Down the road
Image: Chris Maddox, GeoArt over Brisbane and surrounds, 2020, digital print on canvas DEANE FEATONBY
Image: Deane Featonby, Selfie at Daisy
Hill, 2019, acrylic on canvas
Doll park
YU CHAO DU
Image: Yu Chao Du, The Sinking Doll Boat
No.1, 2020, acrylic and ink on paper Art as code
JOHN PAUL COLLEGE
Image: John Paul College students, My
culture, 2020, linoleum block reduction
prints
Elders’ choice: highlights
from the Logan Art Collection
Image: Reginald Knox, Scrubby Creek, 1997,
oil on canvas. Logan Art Collection
Unsilenced
KYRA MANCKTELOW
(Quandamooka, Mardigan,
South Sea Islander)
Image: Kyra Mancktelow, Born under a tree
1 (detail), 2020, ceramic, woven natural fibre,
emu feathers and underglaze World Environment Day
This project is supported by
the Regional Arts Development posters
Fund, a partnership between Image: Leilani Yu, 2020 10th Stencil Art Prize
the Queensland Government Calendar winner – Mayor’s
and Logan City Council to Choice, pencil, Nico pen, Biennial touring exhibition
support local arts and culture in coloured pencil and ink on Image: Angus Comyns, Girl with Marker,
regional Queensland. paper 2019, aerosol stencil on canvas
OUR LOGAN | 19Memoir supports Alzheimer’s research
W
hen Shailer Park resident “I went to hospital to have it
John Stiles knocked his drained, but after I was out for a
head while gardening a week or so I had a seizure, which
little more than a year ago, it resulted was caused by an infection. After
in two emergency hospitalisations three weeks back in hospital, and two
and an autobiography detailing an more holes drilled though my skull, I
extraordinary life. needed physio to learn to walk again.
“They told me I was in danger of
losing my memory, which I thought
would be a shame because I have
such very clear recollections going From John’s photo collection
I went to the way back to my childhood.”
Now 87, John grew up in pre-war Hong Kong, a career
doctor, had a London and taught himself to read as an electrical design
scan, and they and write by the age of four.
“I’m a cockney. I was born near
engineer; an insatiable
appetite for collecting
found fluid on St Mary-le-Bow. I have a clear SylvaC pottery and
the brain. recollection of the war as a young porcelain; and his
boy,” John says. enduring love for
“A V1 was on course to hit our wife Margaret.
house but it clipped the weather- A limited number of Life, Love
vane at my school and wiped out 30 and Travels of a Cockney Sparrow
“I hit my head just before Christmas houses in our neighbourhood. Since are available from John direct, with
last. I didn’t think nothing of it, but then I’ve always regarded myself as book sale proceeds being donated to
then in January while shopping with being very lucky.” Alzheimer’s research.
my wife (Margaret), I started feeling John’s autobiography details his
dizzy,” John says. earliest recollections: his service in E: ubet6@netscape.net
the RAF in 80 Squadron defending
Jimboomba Central wins
Urban Design Awards
A
shopping centre in the heart design” that was likely to be a
of Jimboomba featuring clever reference project for similar future
and practical design scooped retail projects across the city.
a double at the Logan Urban Design The project was commended for
Awards (LUDA) in March. its spatial sophistication, choice of
Jimboomba Central, designed materials and generous landscaping.
by Interlandi Mantesso Architects, In winning the Architecture Award, 2020 Logan Urban Design Awards
was named the 2020 LUDA Overall Jimboomba Central was praised for its
Winner after also collecting the appealing street scapes and internal • Businesses and Events Award:
Architecture Award. court space which together created a Beenleigh Town Square Night
A record number of entries “dynamic centre”. Markets (Goodwill Projects)
were received for the (postponed) Other winners were: The Logan Urban Design Awards
2020 Logan Urban Design Awards, • Master Planning Award: Everleigh are supported by gold sponsor, EPOCA
which promote excellence in urban • Landscape Architecture and Constructions and silver sponsor, Colin
environment design and creation in Urban Infrastructure Award: Biggers & Paisley Lawyers.
the City of Logan. Brookhaven – Discovery Park
W: logan.qld.gov.au/luda
The Cusack Lane structure was
described by judges as a “clever
20 | OUR LOGANBuy Logan policy
The company
increases local spend is also
W
ith an annual spend of “Our
committed to
around $500 million on commitment supporting local
goods and services, Logan
City Council believes that supporting
to Logan
has seen us
businesses.
local businesses should be a priority. heavily invest
Council recently adopted an in infrastructure
improved Buy Logan procurement that ensures plant and Councillor Jacob Heremaia with Gabby
policy to ensure opportunities for the equipment reliability; innovation Murphy from JET Excavators and Trucks
city’s businesses are maximised when and technology that improves safety;
bidding for contracts. access to quality local plant operators; It surpassed this in January with
Meadowbrook business JET and environmental outcomes.” about $85 million (47 per cent of the
Excavators and Trucks established Procurement and Appropriations monthly spend) expended with local
in the City of Logan more than 20 Special Committee Chair, Councillor suppliers.
years ago and supplies earthmoving Jacob Heremaia, says Council wants Local businesses wishing to be
services to Council. to support City of Logan businesses. considered for upcoming Council
Director Gabby Murphy says “When Council purchases goods tenders on quotes can contact the
the company is also committed to and services from local suppliers, we Procurement Team for details on how
supporting local businesses. create employment and stimulate the to register.
“We've been fortunate to hire locally local economy,” he says. P: 3412 3412
and have focused on generating a list Council currently has a target of E: corporateprocurement
of quality local suppliers throughout achieving 45 per cent of its annual @logan.qld.gov.au
our business,” she says. procurement spend sourced locally. VIDEO: youtu.be/wIQD1T3d3Ek
Family business plays it cool
Wife Denise and daughter Marcia are
directors and they have relatives in
other states working for them.
“We get on very well and we share
Jeff Edwards and his daughter Marcia
It’s a bit of a the same vision,” Marcia says.
boutique business, “And that flows through to our
C
customers who like working with us
ity of Logan’s Edwards family
has been in the cryogenics
there’s not many because we’re not a big company.
game for nearly 30 years. doing exactly what We’re nice and local.
“Even those who work for us and
Cryogenics involves the deep freezing
of items to preserve their integrity.
we do. aren’t family are treated like they are.”
Common applications include The Cryogenics Group is now
freezing medical products, industrial looking to set up a visitor lobby that
appliances, blood, physical specimens, will allow school groups and the public
food, fuels and other items. It’s now a national business to see how deep freezing works.
It’s not to be confused with the with clients that include Red Cross Cool stuff indeed.
practice of cryonics, which involves Lifeblood and Urban Utilities. For information on how Council can
freezing the body or head in the hope “A lot of the other companies just help your business, visit the Logan
resurrection may be possible one day. deliver hydrogen and the like but Office of Economic Development
Jeff Edwards started The we’re one of the few that use it on website.
Cryogenics Group in Crestmead in applications (such as freezing pipes).
1993, with a handful of customers. We actually get our hands dirty.” W: loed.com.au
It’s a genuine family business.
OUR LOGAN | 21Creativity brings artists out
of their shells
B
elivah’s Michelle Hester has
realised a cherished dream by I am open to any
opening a dedicated art space
for the community.
artistic pursuits and
Her studio – Elemental Shell – took want to offer art to
18 months to build on her property.
Michelle is a fine artist who dabbles
as many people
in media including oils and acrylics as possible.
to create landscapes and still-life
portraits. She also models clay.
She is a long-term resident of the
area and wanted to provide a space Michelle says the studio’s open art
for people to discover and embrace days every Tuesday are designed to
their creativity. allow people to network.
Michelle is also a qualified art Classes on offer at Elemental Shell
therapist and uses art to help guide include sessions for children, school
people through their problems. holiday workshops, morning teas and
She said art is helpful for troubled mum-and-bub classes.
teens and those suffering from post- Michelle also offers paint and wine
Elemental Shell art studio owner Michelle traumatic stress disorder or emotional sessions at the studio.
Hester encourages everyone to tap into problems.
their creativity through her new art space. “I try to make people comfortable,” W: elementalshell.com
she says.
Emu parade helps Burmese
migrants learn local lingo
F
ield trips are always an exciting
part of the school experience.
It’s a chance to get outside
the four walls of the classroom and
maybe learn something along the way.
The field trip (From left) Mu Dah, Dovel Phun Bik, Pil Fun,
Buarin Vansin, Wah Koh, Pah Mee pick up
For a group of Burmese adult was a chance to litter in Woodridge’s Booran Park
migrant English students, their City of connect with and to learn English and make the most of
Logan field trip was a lesson in public
spiritedness. contribute to the their new lives in Australia.
The Adult Migrant English Program
The group of students did an local community. (AMEP) is funded by the Australian
“emu parade” around Booran Park,
Government’s Department of Home
Woodridge, which is opposite
Affairs and is delivered by TAFE
their classroom at the Booran
Queensland.
Neighbourhood Community Centre.
“Participating in the clean-up gives The Loganlea TAFE at
Their teacher, Farah Jafari, says the
them a chance to do that but it also Meadowbrook provides the local
field trip was a chance to connect with,
gets them out of the classroom to AMEP at Booran Neighbourhood
and contribute to, the local community.
have a little fun.” Community Centre in Pendrey Court.
“They are very good students who
The students are from different
want to learn English but also be part W: tafeqld.edu.au/courses/tells/
ethnic groups in Burma (Bamar, Karen,
of the community in which they now adult-migrant-english-program.html
Shan, Rakhine) and are determined
live,” she says.
22 | OUR LOGANTime to start the
conversation
I
t’s a subject close to the bone His work also was full-on and he R U OK? Day is on Thursday,
for many, but for Daisy Hill’s was then diagnosed as bipolar type 9 September, but Justin believes
Justin Geange, mental health is two. people need to check in with those
something as essential as breathing. Justin decided he was done with around them every day as one
The former plumber has made it his living in 2013 after a time of extreme conversation can change a life.
mission to talk about it after dealing stress and took off in his car. “We need to skill each and every
with his own demons. And not just The 49-year-old decided to visit his one of us to look after the people in
talking to close friends but across the favourite Gold Coast beach one more our world,” Justin says.
community. time. His wife Marnie’s intuition to “We don’t need to have the
Justin is a larger-than-life character work out where Justin had gone may answers. We just have to care.”
and has battled with his mental health have saved his life. Anyone needing emergency help
since he was 13. As he recovered, Justin realised can call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
He recently took part in the the power of connecting with others.
W: ruok.org.au
television show Holey Moley until When he was approached in 2014 to
he fractured 12 ribs in the second work with R U OK? Day, he jumped at
round taking on an extreme challenge the chance.
jumping on a shark. Today, he is a community
For Justin, his watershed year ambassador and was awarded the
was 2012. He unsuccessfully ran for R U OK? 2021 Conversation Champion
the State electorate of Woodridge Award earlier this year in recognition
and got through to the semi-finals of of his work across Australia.
Australia’s Got Talent in an act where
he was dressed as the Brisbane
Broncos mascot Buck, a role he had
performed for the NRL club for
Justin Geange,
18 years. of Daisy Hill
We don’t
need to have
the answers.
We just have
to care.
OUR LOGAN | 23Allstars
shine as Special
athletes
F
or this group of City of Logan
athletes, sport is not about
winning or even how you play
the game.
It is simply about having the
opportunity to play at all. Basketball is among the sports offered at the Logan Allstars Special Olympics club.
Logan Allstars is the local branch of
Special Olympics Australia.
“We came down in January and Now, they’re adding three new
Distinct from the Paralympics,
we’ve been here ever since,” she sports: swimming, athletics and
Special Olympics is an international
says. cricket.
sporting competition for those with
Despite the passion and “We want to grow the club to be
intellectual disabilities.
commitment within the club, it was bigger, better and more focused on
Special Olympics has operated
facing closure earlier this year due to the athletes,” Simone says.
in Australia since the 1970s but
a lack of volunteers. She says the club provides not only
has struggled to raise community
a physical outlet for its athletes, but
awareness of its efforts.
also important social connections.
Logan Allstars wants to change that.
“Everyone is just so welcoming,
“We’re not a just a club, we’re a
they look after each other. They’re just
community, a family and we’re trying
there to have fun.”
to make that bigger,” says Allstars vice Everyone Special Olympics Australia’s
chair Simone Campbell.
The club supports about 70 is just so national championships are scheduled
to be held in Tasmania next year.
athletes competing in basketball, welcoming,
bocce, golf, football and bowling.
Simone, who lives in Berrinba,
they look after W: specialolympics.com.au/logan
only found out about the Allstars club each other.
last year when her stepson, Landon,
was encouraged to join by one of his
schoolteachers.
THE CIT Y OF LOGAN HAD 150+
HOUSE FIRES LAST YEAR
Here are some tips to prevent fires in your home:
DO keep blankets and curtains away DON’T leave cooking unattended
from heaters
DON’T use damaged electrical leads
DO take care storing flammable or appliances
liquids
DON’T leave your BBQ unattended
DO clean clothes dryer lint filters
after each use
For fire prevention tips visit: logan.qld.gov.au/firesafehome
24 | OUR LOGANAttracting
more than
our Quota
of young
talent We have
children of
More than
9,000 students every school
will participate.
age from 120
schools.
C
ity of Logan’s biggest annual throughout South East Queensland on the local economy. More than
event is gearing up for its attend, from northern New South $250,000 is spent staging the event
34th consecutive year with Wales to Gympie, and west to and more again is spent by visitors
thousands of young performers in Toowoomba. throughout the city.
South East Queensland perfecting Heather says the 28-day event, Ticket sales for group days
their routines in preparation for their held at various Logan venues, is are available through the Logan
big day. staffed by volunteers. Entertainment Centre and entry to the
Beenleigh Quota Club member “The only paid staff are our four Crete Street Theatre performances
and Eisteddfod Coordinator Heather professional adjudicators and the are ticketed on the day at the door.
Christensen, says more than 9,000 lighting, audio and technical staff Logan City Council is a long-term
students, ranging from Prep to Year provided by Logan City Council.” sponsor and partner of the event.
12, will participate in this year’s City of Group performances are classified For information about becoming
Logan Eisteddfod in July, August and into music, dance, bands and choirs a participating school, sponsor,
September. by school year. Solo performances in volunteer or spectator go to the
“Participants are drawn from the speech, poetry, drama music, vocals website below.
performing arts classes of public and and dance are held in the Crete St
private schools, as well as studios, Theatre.
W: quotabeenleigheisteddfod.org
and for many children it’s their first As well as providing an introduction
opportunity to perform in front of an to the City of Logan for thousands TICKETS:
audience,” she says. of children and their families, the loganentertainmentcentre.com.au
“We have children of every eisteddfod has a significant impact
school age from 120 schools from
OUR LOGAN | 25COUNCIL NEWS IN BRIEF
Trees to help
fish thrive
A clever new initiative was
launched in June to restore the
once-thriving fish populations of the
Logan and Albert Rivers, through
tree planting and fish habitat
projects. Trees help enhance fish
habitat by providing shade and
food, preventing erosion and
4Voices founder Jo Westh, holding her dog Steezy, with volunteers Maddison Mossop (left)
filtering water from the surrounding and Katie Russell.
urban landscapes.
The Fishers for Fish Habitat is a
three-year, $300,000 partnership
between Logan City Council, fishing
conservation charity OzFish Unlimited,
Connection the key for
Healthy Land and Water, and the
Australian Government’s National outreach service
H
Landcare Program, and supports
Council’s River Recovery program. er organisation helps people
Fishers and community members
planted 1,000 trees in under two
through their toughest life It’s just about
experiences.
hours at the launch event, held at But for Jo Westh and her team of connection
Logan River Parklands.
Find out about Council’s River
volunteers, that seemingly daunting – whatever
task is almost breathtakingly simple.
Recovery program and how you “It’s just about connection – connection
can get involved: whatever connection means to you,” means to you.
W: logan.qld.gov.au/logan-rivers- Jo says.
and-wetlands-recovery Jo launched 4Voices On March 8
last year – on International Women’s
Day – to provide a connection
Don’t rush
service for those looking for support, “A lot of people find it hard to reach
particularly women. out when they are in need. Isolation is
“That was just before (the a terrible thing,” Jo says.
to flush COVID-19 pandemic) happened, but
you don’t have to be face-to-face
“The first thing is making that
social connection, to have a coffee
You might be surprised by what with people in order to connect. with them and see what comes up.
people flush down the toilet. “(It meant) we started a phone Everybody’s need is different.”
Last year, Council staff had to support service (too).” In the past 12 months, the
unblock a local sewerage pipe The first priority of 4Voices organisation has grown to include a
crammed with tiny collectible toys. volunteers is to provide a friendly team of more than 120 volunteers,
Every year, Council spends more and welcoming space for anyone to who have offered practical and
than $140,000 clearing network have a chat over tea or a coffee. emotional support to more than
pipes blocked with items that The second is to provide practical 4,000 people.
should never be flushed. These support in the form of resume Jo says many have been women
include wet wipes, tissues, paper writing, or access to a phone or facing homelessness or fleeing
towels and cosmetic wipes. a computer, or helping people domestic violence.
It’s not just the network that approach other services tailored to “When you are in those situations,
suffers; blockages can also their needs. trust gets eroded and people lose
create expensive and unpleasant Key to the operation is the their voices,” Jo says.
wastewater overflows. 4Voices vehicle, Aurora. It is solar- 4Voices regularly visits 14 locations
The answer: don’t rush to flush! powered thanks to local social in the City of Logan and surrounds.
enterprise Substation33 and kitted
W:
out with wi-fi, laptops, phones and
logan.qld.gov.au/dont-rush-flush-1 W: facebook.com/4Voices
donated clothes.
26 | OUR LOGANYou can also read
