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23 March 2022

Flood 2022: Enid St Goodna

The clean-up continues but looters beware! Click video:

Flood 2022: Pennywise Goodna helps flood victims

Pennywise Goodna is offering support to local flood victims.

Thank you to this local business at 25 Queen St Goodna and to Amanda Balzer, Pennywise General Manager and Lisa Pascoe, Goodna Store Manager.

Click Video:

15 January 2020

Thank God for the Salvos in Goodna

Greater Goodna News: Paul Tully speaks with Rachel Perrett, Manager of the Salvation Army Family Store at Goodna.

Rachel outlines how the store operates and how it assists individuals and families in the Greater Goodna area.

Paul Tully and Rachel Perrett
The store is located at Smiths Rd Goodna, opposite Red Rooster.

Its operating hours are:

Monday - Friday 9.00am - 4.30pm
Saturday - 9.00am - 3.00pm.


Donations of items for sale are always gratefully accepted.

Free pickups of donated items can be arranged by calling 07 3381 0825.

Click video: Paul Tully and Rachel Perrett.


Volunteers at the Salvation Army
Family Store, Smiths Rd Goodna
Rachel Perrett









Major boost for Ipswich: $70 million AFL stadium underway at Springfield Central

The new and long-awaited Brisbane Lions AFL stadium is well underway at Springfield Central.

Located adjacent to the Springfield Central Railway Station, the new facility will be home to the Brisbane Lions as their new training facility.  

They will continue to play their home games at The Gabba.

The AFLW  Brisbane Lions' Women's team will call Springfield Central home, as well as their new playing stadium.

The $70 million development, which involves the partial relocation of Mountain Creek, is due to open in 2020.

It is located at the corner of the Springfield Greenbank Arterial and Eden Station Drive.

This new stadium is a major coup for the City of Ipswich and will attract many people from across Ipswich and West Moreton, Brisbane including the western suburbs in particular, Greenbank to the south and other areas of Logan City.

Bob Sharpless (L) and
 Maha Sinnathamby
The development is the brainchild of Maha Sinnathamby and Bob Sharpless, Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Springfield City Group who worked for years with the Commonwealth and State Governments and the Ipswich City Council to make this project a reality.

Click video for the latest update:

Brisbane Lions Video Update



03 September 2019

SEQ Fire Ban from midnight tonight

SEQ Fire Ban 12.01am (Wednesday) 3 September until 11.59pm Friday 6 September across the following Local Government areas:

Ipswich
Somerset
Lockyer Valley
Scenic Rim
Logan
Gold Coast.

All existing fire permits are cancelled. 

All open fires are prohibited with certain exceptions including a properly constructed barbeque which is not left unattended. 

Full details:

Media Release: Ipswich’s massive growth figures prove city’s case for next NRL team

Media Release: Former Ipswich Deputy Mayor Paul Tully

2 September 2019

Ipswich’s case to host a second NRL team for southeast Queensland has been boosted by new figures showing the city will have an annual population growth of 176% over the next 10 years compared with the past decade. 

This contrasts with its football rival Redcliffe in the Moreton Bay region with a projected annual growth of just 8% compared with their population growth from 2009 to 2019. 

Brisbane’s figure is an estimated minus 35% per year, Gold Coast 17% and Logan 63%.

The key figures of the 12 local government areas in southeast Queensland were released last week by leading housing market and residential property analyst Michael Matusik. 

Former Ipswich Deputy Mayor Paul Tully said the predictions proved the overwhelming strength of the Ipswich case.

He said the Western Corridor between Ipswich and Toowoomba was experiencing the highest rate of growth in Queensland and one of the highest in Australia. 

“The NRL and Channel 9 would have rocks in their head if they don’t follow the growth in the southeast corner. 

“Ipswich has been at the forefront of this push for a second NRL team for almost a decade. 

“The city is well-positioned to establish a major NRL training facility with games played at Suncorp Stadium to provide easy access for a new wave of supporters across southeast Queensland.”

Mr Tully said a relocated Sydney team to Ipswich or a completely new franchise would be a winner for Rugby League, the Nine Network and the current 400,000 population in the Western Corridor. 

“This will grow to a potential supporter base of well over half a million in the next 10 years,” Mr Tully said. 

ends

Attached: Michael Matusik’s figures released last week:












07 August 2019

Pig 'N' Whistle Redbank Plains

The leasehold of the Pig 'N' Whistle at Town Square Redbank Plains has been sold for $11.5 million, the Courier-Mail reports.

The Pig 'N' Whistle opened in 2017 and has proved a runaway success in Ipswich's eastern suburbs.

More information: The Hotel Conversation


The Courier-Mail 1 August 2019



05 August 2019

St Francis Xavier School Fete coming soon



The 2019 St Francis Xavier School Fete is coming.

It will be held at the school grounds in Church Street Goodna on Sunday 25 August 2019.

It's always a great day and is open to the entire local community.

Goodna Post Office on the move further up Smiths Road

The Goodna Post Office is on the move from its current location at St Ives Shopping Centre to 24 Smiths Rd Goodna.

Approval has been given for the move to a purpose-built facility, one door back from the corner of William St.

The Goodna Post Office has had a number of moves over the years.

This one will be the first completely stand alone facility 

No timing has been provided by Australia Post as to when the move will occur.

16 July 2019

Foodbank Fund Raiser at Brookwater Golf & Country Club


Our Annual Golf Day is a great day out for friends and supporters of Foodbank

It’s a day on the green with plenty of stiff competition on the course, an opportunity to beat the pro and bid for some fantastic auction items.

This year we will be playing at Brookwater Golf and Country Club on Tuesday 30 July 2019. 

Get in touch today to find out more or register via the form below to continue our fight against hunger.

Join us at Brookwater Golf & Country Club on Tuesday 30 July 2019. 

Event Details:
Where: Brookwater Golf Club, 1 Tournament Dr, Brookwater QLD 4300
When: Tuesday 30 July 2019 from 10:00 - 17:30.

USQ Springfield offers local schools a radio opportunity


Lunchbox is a one hour radio show that is all about your school and your wider local community, provided by the University of Southern Queensland, Springfield Campus.

MONDAY TO THURSDAY ONLINE / FRIDAY - USQ SPRINGFIELD

Lunchbox provides a platform for schools and students to present a lunchtime radio show:-


The program is provided and designed to:

Engage primary or high school students to present a 60 minute radio program at lunch time, streamed live and podcast for alternative listening.

Share what is happening at your school. Some of the history, features and future via the program.

Engage stakeholders of the school to be interviewed and provide the listeners information about your school, the place and the people who make it a community.

Lunchbox provides a rich experience for students to present content, conduct interviews, present and to bring their personality to the airwaves. It is delivered through Phoenix Radio – 1197am, DAB + and online. Each show will be podcast, so students can share the content or listen to again and again.

Dates for Lunchbox

Dates Record time between Broadcast live on-air

22 July - 20 September 2019 9:00 am - 11:00 am 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm 
 
14 October - 15 November 2019 9:00 am - 11:00 am 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Monday to Thursday: Schools would be offered to link with USQ Springfield studio from their school.

Friday: Local schools or schools who would like to make the trip, would be offered the opportunity to come on campus and record from the USQ studio.

Schools, teachers and students will be given guidelines about Lunchbox. During the broadcast your students can tell the listeners about your school, your community through segments such as where my school is located, my school and my town and the important events that are coming up.

The program will be structured and a template provided to each participating school. The format is as follows:

Show opener
Student introduction to the school and local area
Song 1 (student choice)
The story of my School (key information about the school, what it is known for, number of students, etc.)
Song 2 (student choice)
About my town segment (aimed at giving a general overview historically and generally)
Song 3 (student choice)
Meet the people 1 (guest interview) Meet the people 1 (guest interview)
Song 4 (student choice)
Meet the people 2 (guest interview)
Song 5 or live performance / school band or vocalist (student choice)
Meet the people 3 / Health - What’s in your lunchbox segment (guest interview)
Major events or coming event to promote - live
Song 6 or live performance / school band or vocalist (student choice)
Thank you and Good-bye

Each school will have four to six people directly involved in producing and presenting the show. The students will need to research and write up scripts for each segment and can be creative in how the show is presented. (USQ will provide some guidance around process). 

If they can record some location pieces, files can be sent to the studio for inclusion. These can be captured on a Smart phone or other recording device. Students will be ideally given access to Skype or a hands-free telephone at the school and dial into the studio.

USQ will ensure guests are booked and briefed for their registered allocated date and time and will panel the show from the USQ Springfield studio.

Please contact David Silk on (07) 3470 4154 or email faculty.marketing@usq.edu.au

St Augustine’s College Augustine Heights Twilight Tour:

St Augustine's College, Augustine Heights
St Augustine’s College, St Augustine's Dr, Augustine Heights Twilight Tour:

​​​“The next Twilight Tour is on Tuesday 13 August​​ 2019.

Please arrive at 4:50pm for a 5:00pm start with tours taking approximately 90 minutes.

Looking to join the StAC community? 

At St Au​gustine's College, we offer Twilight Tours in lieu of an Open Day. 

These tours offer a unique opportunity to explore our campus and facilities. 

No bookings are necessary and all are welcome.​​​​​

For any queries​, please do not hesitate to contact our office staff on (07) ​3814 8300.​
You can also like on Facebook to stay up-to-date with​ news & events.

Click 'interested' on the Twilight Tour Facebook Event -
to get a reminder closer to the date.”

14 July 2019

School Watch - Augusta State School, Augustine Heights


"We need everyone to look out for after-hours crime in our school. 

If you see anything suspicious, please don't attempt to intervene. 

Call the School Watch number - 13 17 88. 

The School Watch Program is a partnership between Education Queensland, the Queensland Police Service and the State Government Protective Security Service. 

It aims to reduce vandalism, theft and arson in Queensland schools. 

Let's work together to help create a safer school community."


Augusta State School: https://augustass.eq.edu.au
60 - 100 Brittains Rd
Augustine Heights QLD 4300

Festival of Astronomy 16-20 July 2019 to coincide with the Moon Landing 50 years ago in July 1969

Join USQ at the Festival of Astronomy, taking place over 16, 18, 19 and 20 July 2019. 

In 2019 this event coincides with the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Apollo 11 Moon landing (20/21 July 1969).


16 - 20 July 2019





LOCATIONS

  • SIR THOMAS BRISBANE PLANETARIUM, TOOWONG, BRISBANE
  • USQ SPRINGFIELD, AUDITORIUM, ROOM D101, D BLOCK
  • USQ TOOWOOMBA, ALLISON DICKSON LECTURE THEATRE, ROOM H102
  • USQ TOOWOOMBA, H102, ALLISON DICKSON LECTURE THEATRE
  • USQ TOOWOOMBA, ROOM T125, T BLOCK

St Augustine's College Augustine Heights Twilight Tour

St Augustine's College
Augustine Heights
St Augustine's College Update:

​​​"The next Twilight Tour is on Tuesday 13 August​​ 2019.

Please arrive at 4:50pm for a 5:00pm start with tours taking approximately 90 minutes.

Looking to join the StAC community? 

At St Au​gustine's College, we offer Twilight Tours in lieu of an Open Day. 

These tours offer a unique ​opportunity to explore our campus and facilities. 

No bookings are necessary and all are welcome.​​​​​

For any queries​, please do not hesitate to contact our office staff on (07) ​3814 8300.​​

You can also like on Facebook to stay up-to-date with​ news and events.

Click 'interested' on the Twilight Tour Facebook Event here to get a reminder closer to the date."

St Augustine College, Augustine Heights: http://www.stac.qld.edu.au/Pages/default.aspx

USQ Open Days 2019 - Starting 27 July

Find out how you can Become More with your local university at a 2019 USQ Open Day.

Whether you’re looking to be more employable, more inspired, more experienced, more knowledgeable, more prepared or more connected, we have the people, the facilities and the industry connections to help you Become More of what you want to be.

27 July - 24 August 2019

LOCATIONS:

09 July 2019

Ash Barty Burger on sale in the Ipswich suburb of Augustine Heights

It had to happen.

The only place in the world where you can buy the Ash Barty Burger is in her home suburb of Augustine Heights in Ipswich.
The now-famous Ash Barty Burger

Paul Tully likes the Ash Barty
 Burger available at
Augustine Heights

It's available at the Brookwater Barista situated at the corner of Augusta Pwy and Leon Capra Dr.


At $16 a burger, Ash will be able to buy a few of her burgers when she arrives back from overseas.










New Ipswich Divisional Electoral Boundaries announced for March 2020

The State Government has announced new Divisional electoral boundaries for the City of Ipswich for next year's March local government election.

David Morrison
The 10 electoral divisions, which have existed since 1979, have been scrapped and replaced by 4 Divisions, each with 2 councillors.

In the eastern suburbs, Division 1 previously held by David Morrison, has been combined with Division 2 previously held by Paul Tully into a new, super large Division 2. 

The new Division 2 also includes several suburbs from the former Division 9 held by Sheila Ireland.

Paul Tully
The new Division 2 will comprise:

  • Most of the former Division 1 (Brookwater, Camira, Carole Park, Springfield, Springfield Central and Springfield Lakes);
  • Most of the former Division 2 (Augustine Heights, Bellbird Park, Gailes and Goodna - but not Redbank; and
  • Most of the former Division 9 (Springfield Central, Springfield Lakes and the new suburb of Spring Mountain).
Sheila Ireland
The most-unusual new boundary is the proposed Division 1 which will run from Redbank Plains in the east, out to Grandchester and Mt Mort in the far west of the City, adjoining the Lockyer Valley - a distance of 48km.

One of the legal requirements for new boundaries is to ensure that "communities of interest" are identified and protected. 

It is hard to see what possible common community of interest the people of Grandchester and Calvert are likely to have with the voters of Redbank Plains.

It is even worse for the other half of the western sector of the city which is serviced by the town of Rosewood.

Rosewood, Tallegalla and Marburg are now included with Chuwar and Karalee in the new Division 4 - a total distance of 37km.

David Pahlke
The western, rural sector of the city is one large community of interest previously serviced by David Pahlke in Division 10 since 1995 but has now been completely broken up.

The other bizarre proposed boundary is the new Division 4 which will stretch from Redbank and Collingwood Park in the east to Leichhardt and One Mile in Ipswich's western suburbs.

Whatever bureaucrat dreamed up these boundaries has no understanding of the City of Ipswich or the clear communities of interest which have been the mainstay and fabric of our city for decades.

Maps of the proposed new Ipswich Council Divisions for March 2020:






28 June 2019

Warning to bush walkers after World War II UXO found west of Brisbane

by PAUL TULLY


                                                       Warning to parents, bush walkers and children.

A live WWII 81mm mortar (pictured) has been discovered near the headwaters of Six Mile Creek between Spring Mountain and Ripley in the City of Ipswich.

It was about 500m from the White Rock car park.

Police called in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) who removed and detonated the live and potentially dangerous mortar.

The mortar was found by Matthew Draper of Camira who alerted local police who then alerted the ADF.

The images show what the mortar looked like before it was retrieved and detonated by the ADF.

Dozens of live mortar have been discovered in the past 75 years in the Goodna, Redbank and Redbank Plains areas.

Redbank was a major Australian and American training camp during World War II.

Military manoeuvres were undertaken in nearby bushland which is now surrounded by modern Ipswich suburbs.


Parents are reminded to warn their children of the danger and bush walkers, mountain bikers and horse riders should be on alert.

In 1943, a 12-year-old schoolboy John Watson died after a US explosive shell exploded at St Patrick’s School at Goodna (now St Francis Xavier School).

He had found it in bushland between Goodna and Redbank.

A report from The Courier-Mail of 24 February 1943 recounts the horror.








Barista coffees becoming more creative in Ipswich and hopefully the rest of Australia

by PAUL TULLY

Creative coffees being served at the Leaf Cafe Goodna
The Leaf Cafe at Queen St Goodna is home to the latest creative Australian art in the form of meticulously prepared fresh barista-made coffee images.

Forget your boring, standard squiggles on coffees around Australia as the Leaf Cafe becomes even more creative with its coffee image designs.


This week, the Leaf Cafe served me a very creative Panda Bear image - at least it looked like that to me - with liberal lashings of fresh cocoa.


One wag, Brian Algeo from Bellbird Park suggested it was a good likeness!


Under the ownership of Fiona (pictured), this new form of modern Australian art at the Leaf Cafe in downtown Goodna brings even greater pleasure for coffee aficionados across the nation.


Paul Tully and Leaf Cafe owner Fiona
Let's hope all baristas around Australia, from the upmarket coffee shops in Hamilton and Ascot in Brisbane to the alleyways of the Melbourne City Centre join the bandwagon of creative coffee presentation.


From the boardrooms of Telstra, BHP and even the  7, 9 and 10 networks - and maybe even the ABC under the stewardship of Ita Buttrose - all Aussie coffee drinkers should rise as one, to demand truly creative coffees - nothing more, nothing less!


The Leaf Cafe:
12 Queen St Goodna Queensland

27 June 2019

St Ives Shopping Centre in the Ipswich suburb of Goodna set to undergo a multi-million-dollar transformation

A Queensland suburban shopping centre that dates back to the 1970s will undergo a dramatic transformation to take advantage of strong population growth in the City of Ipswich.
An artist's impression of the soon to be revamped site of
St Ives Shopping Centre at Goodna.

The St Ives Shopping Centre Goodna is located at the corner of Queen St and Smiths Rd in the heart of the suburb and adjacent to the 100,000 vehicles a day Ipswich Motorway.

The new-look St Ives planned for Goodna.
Today's announcement will be a real boost for Goodna and surrounding suburbs.

Other shopping centres such as Redbank Plaza, Town Square Redbank Plains and Orion Springfield Central have expanded and been refurbished. 

This will boost both commercial and community confidence in Goodna.

The site has been flooded twice in the past 63 years but better management of the Wivenhoe Dam and Somerset Dam by Seqwater should lessen the effect of future floods on the Brisbane River compared with 1974 and 2011.
St Ives after the disastrous Brisbane River
 flood in January 2011.

Goodna is just 24km from the Brisbane GPO and 16 km to the Ipswich CBD and this redevelopment by Sydney-based Mintus Pty Ltd is both welcome and timely.

08 March 2017

Augustine Heights tops Ipswich urban land values

Augustine Heights: Highest urban
land valuation across Ipswich,
 reflecting major growth across
the suburb.
Ipswich non-rural land values have increased by 13.06% during the past 2 years, according to official figures released by the Queensland Valuer-General.

Augustine Heights now has the highest average urban land valuation of $285,669 across the city’s 82 suburbs, reflecting major development in the suburb since 2015, just outstripping Ripley’s average valuation of $279,712.

The city’s average non-rural land valuation is $205,171.

South Ripley recorded the highest percentage increase of 29.31% followed by Ripley 29.2%, Camira 24.98%, Deebing Heights 23.76% and Springfield 23.53%.

Ipswich’s eastern suburbs scored increases of 20.24% at Augustine Heights, 19.98% at Bellbird Park, 19.41% at Springfield Lakes and 18.83% at Brookwater.

Blacksoil went backwards by minus 3.6% compared with the 2015 valuation.

The top 10 increases for urban land across Ipswich showing the average land value in those suburbs:

South Ripley              29.31%            $269,167
Ripley                          29.20%            $279,712
Camira                         24.98%            $240,430
Deebing Heights        23.76%            $237,510
Springfield                   23.53%            $250,247
Augustine Heights      20.24%            $285,669
Bellbird Park               19.98%             $210,117
Springfield Lakes       19.41%             $222,143
Brookwater                  18.83%             No individual valuations
West Ipswich               17.72%             $273,268

20 February 2017

Augustine Heights scores highest increase in Ipswich home prices


The Ipswich suburb of Augustine Heights has recorded the highest increase in house and land prices in the past year. 

According to the latest data by CoreLogic, prices in Augustine Heights increased 11.3% with a median house price at a record high of $540,000.

Karalee had the second highest percentage boost in the past 12 months of 9.9%  with median sale prices of $549,500.

These suburbs just eclipsed increases of 9.4% in Eastern Heights and 8.5% in Camira.

Pine Mountain scored the highest median sale price across Ipswich of $570,000 with a 6% boost in the past year.

The booming residential suburbs of Springfield and Ripley had increases of 6.1% and 5.8% respectively.

Goodna, the most-seriously flood affected suburb in southeast Queensland in 2011, continued its recovery with a 6.7% increase in median house prices of $309,500.

The prestigious suburb of Brookwater was not included in the data as there were fewer than 20 house and land sales in the past year.

Ipswich Deputy Mayor Paul Tully said the latest data was good news for Ipswich.

Cr Tully said the city's population had hit 200,000 last month and the economic strength of the western corridor was confirmed by the new house and land figures.

"These latest increases in the past year represent a significant boost for Ipswich residents and ratepayers.

"Ipswich has the highest growth rate of any city in Queensland and we are on the threshold of major development and residential activity over the next 20 years," Cr Tully said.

09 February 2017

Goodna property sale for $4.15 million brings renewed confidence

The property at Brisbane Rd Goodna 
which sold for $4.15 million. 
Property prices in Goodna are rapidly bouncing back following the disastrous 2011 Brisbane River flood. 

A major commercial sale announced this week in the heart of Goodna has shown renewed investor confidence in the suburb. 

Goodna was the worst-affected suburb in southeast Queensland in 2011 with 600 residential and commercial properties destroyed in the second highest flood in 118 years. 

Confirmation of the bounce back has come with the sale of the Cash Coverters and Repco outlets for $4.15 million. 

The property is adjacent to McDonald's at 179 Brisbane Rd and adjoins the Ipswich Mwy. 

It last sold in 2006 for $3.1 million.

The development has been bought by a Melbourne investor from its current New Zealand based owner. 
The Goodna property under water at
the height of the January 2011 flood. 

Richard Blanch of Colliers International said there were a number of challenges with attracting offers of an acceptable level for the vendor, particularly the stigma around the 2011 flood.

“Everyone is acutely aware of the effect the flood had on Goodna, but what a cursory glance doesn’t show is the faith both tenants have in the location," he said.

“The Goodna store is one of Cash Converters’ strongest performers and both tenants re-signed long term leases post the flood.

“Few sites in Goodna offer the same sort of branding exposure to the Ipswich Motorway. This along with the tenants’ faith in the catchment, it gave the purchaser comfort to transact."

Ipswich Deputy Mayor, Goodna-based Councillor Paul Tully described the sale as "phenomenal" and said the suburb's bounce back was a strong indication of a bright future. 

Cr Tully said house prices in Goodna were continuing to rise six years after the flood. 

"Goodna is identified a major activity centre under the state government's SEQ regional plan and this latest commercial sale is the best indicator of the ongoing resurgence since 2011."

Cr Tully predicted Goodna property prices would double in the next 10 years as investor confidence in the suburb continued. 

Original story: http://www.propertyobserver.com.au/finding/commercial-investment/65028-retail-centre-in-melbourne-s-goodna-sold.html

07 February 2017

Major parkland improvements at Bellbird Park lead to better environment


Cr Paul Tully at Annaballe Park and
Moodai Reserve at Bellbird Park
Media Release: Park upgrade at Bellbird Park

Work has commenced on major enhancements to Annabelle Park and Moodai Reserve in Jones Road Bellbird Park.

Two new footbridges and a network of pathways are included in the $300,000 project at the adjoining bushland reserves.

Deputy Mayor and Division 2 Councillor Paul Tully said the adjacent parks were in a prime location for local residents to enjoy and the improvements would secure the environmental reserves for future generations.

“The combined 6.2 hectares were originally set aside for recreation use by the former Moreton Shire Council over 40 years ago and remained largely unchanged except for embellishments of park equipment and walkways to Annabelle Park."

Cr Tully said these significant works would give the local community the opportunity to own it and use it.

“Nearby residential development in Bellbird Park make it the right time to provide new and enhanced facilities within the park and reserve and improve the visual safety and amenity of the area."

Also included in the project is a multi-purpose half court with basketball backboard and hoop.

“A BMX pump track, concrete paths and a series of gravel walking tracks will round out stage one with thick undergrowth and weed infestation being removed."

Cr Tully said Moodai Reserve had become a dumping ground in years gone by with regular bushfires.

It was estimated work would be completed by mid-2017 and he thanked residents for their patience during construction.

For more news about Division 2 and Ipswich's eastern suburbs, go to: www.facebook.com/PaulTully



Channel 7 News Flashback to 1995