GOODNA: 26mm of rain fell at Goodna overnight from 5pm yesterday to 6am.

New floodlights make Goodna's famous Jacarandas sparkle

The Jacaranda trees along Woogaroo Street Goodna -opposite the Goodna RSL - will be permanently floodlit.

The trees are predominantly illuminated with purple lights to match the Jacaranda blooms with a sprinkling of green uplights to provide a contrast between the two colours.

The trees which stretch along Woogaroo Street from George Street to Layard Street wil be floodlit every night from dusk to midnight.

They were officially switched on at the start of the Jacaranda Festival.

Local Councillor Paul Tully said the lights would be a landmark for Ipswich's eastern suburbs.

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Jacaranda Bowls Carnival at Goodna

A great day comes to an end at the Goodna Bowls Club with the Jacaranda
trees in full bloom along Brisbane Terrace.

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Ipswich Motorway Upgrade: Wacol to Darra traffic update‬ from DMR

The Department of Transport and Main Roads is currently undertaking works to upgrade the Ipswich Motorway between Wacol and Darra.
This upgrade is progressing well and to allow further progress and to provide a safe driving environment for motorists, the following traffic changes are required:

 •          18 - 30 October 2009 - the section of the Ipswich Motorway that passes under the Centenary Highway will be closed in both directions for night works between 8pm and 4am from 18-30 October (excluding Friday and Saturday nights).

The ramp to the northern suburbs/Jindalee and the ramp to Springfield, Forest Lake and Richlands from the Ipswich Motorway westbound will also be closed during this period.

 •          29 October 2009 – the off-ramp from the Ipswich Motorway eastbound to the Gailes Rail Station passenger drop-off point will be permanently closed. 

•          30 October to 2 November 2009 - the ramps from the Ipswich Motorway westbound to the Centenary Highway north and southbound will be closed from 8pm Friday 30 October to 4am Monday 2 November 2009.
This includes the ramp to the Centenary Highway northbound (towards the northern suburbs, Jindalee or Mount Ommaney) and the ramp to the Centenary Highway southbound (towards Springfield, Forest Lake and Richlands). 

•          1 - 13 November 2009 - the Sumners road off-ramp will be closed nightly between 8pm and 4am from Sunday 1 November to Friday 13 November 2009 (excluding Friday and Saturday nights)

 •          8 - 13 November 2009 - the Sumners road on-ramp will be closed nightly between 8pm and 4am from Sunday 8 November to Friday 13 November 2009.  

•          10 November 2009 - the Akenside Street off-ramp at Wacol will be relocated to its former position (to the west of the current location).

Further communications around this change will be distributed in early November.

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PAUL TULLY: PaulGTully@gmail.com

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Riverview roadworks this weekend

Message from Department of Main Roads: Night works from 8pm-4am on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October 2009 on Ipswich Motorway at Riverview for pedestrian bridge removal and demolition.

Expect delays.

Call 1800465682 for more information.

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Bellbird Park traffic signals being fined tuned

New traffic signals at the corner of Jones Road and Augusta Parkway are now operating.

They are currently on a fixed time phase pending the activation of the below-surface loop detectors which will ensure that the red and green signal timings are adjusted to meet actual traffic conditions.

The contractor will finalise this as part of the completion of the roadworks.

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New access onto Ipswich Motorway at Goodna is under construction

Work is proceeding on a new access onto the Ipswich Motorway at Goodna.

The one-way section of William Street, between Centrelink and McDonald's, is being converted to two-way operation.

This should reduce some of the traffic using the Goodna roundabout.

It is being funded as part of the Ipswich Motorway upgrade project from Goodna to Dinmore.

Traffic signals are also being installed at the corner of William Street and Smiths Road as part of a separate National Blackspot funding project.

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Goodna Rugby League Sportsmen Luncheon kicks off

PIC: Mark Forbes kicks off a big day at Richardson Park today

GOODNA: Rain and strong winds have just hit Goodna

PIC: Queen St Goodna

Severe thunderstorm warning just issued for SEQ

Bureau of Meteorology

Queensland Regional Office


TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING - SOUTHEAST QUEENSLAND for DAMAGING WIND, FLASH FLOODING and LARGE HAILSTONES

For people in the BRISBANE CITY, LOCKYER VALLEY, LOGAN CITY, IPSWICH CITY, REDLAND and parts of the MORETON BAY, SCENIC RIM, SOMERSET and TOOWOOMBA Council Areas.

Issued at 3:10 pm Tuesday, 13 October 2009.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 3:15 pm, severe thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near the area northwest of Toowoomba, Albany Creek, Enoggera, the area south of Helidon and Mulgowie.

These thunderstorms are moving towards the east to southeast. They are forecast to affect Toowoomba, Cleveland and Strathpine by 3:45 pm and Ipswich, Beaudesert, Laidley and Gatton by 4:15 pm.

Damaging winds, very heavy rainfall, flash flooding and large hailstones are likely.

Emergency Management Queensland advises that people should:

* Move your car under cover or away from trees.

* Secure loose outdoor items.

* Avoid driving, walking or riding through flood waters.

* Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.

* Avoid using the telephone during a thunderstorm.

* Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.

* For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.


The next warning is due to be issued by 4:10 pm.

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GOODNA: Police move in on bikies at the Royal Mail Hotel

PIC: Police intercept bikies at Goodna

If this is what police are doing BEFORE the anti-bikie legislation becomes law in Queensland, perhaps we really do need a Federal Bill of Rights.

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Redbank crane driver hands himself in to police and is facing workplace health and safety charges and possible traffic charges

The crane driver at the centre of a police hunt has handed himself in.

He had been confronted with worldwide publicity of his terrifying ride down Brisbane Road Redbank on Wednesday night when his crane ripped out electrical wires and Pay TV cables as well as splitting an electricity pole in two outside the Commercial Hotel.

The driver disappeared towards Goodna quicker than the pub patrons could say: "Let's have another beer".

Now, Workplace Health and Safety Officials are investigating the matter and the Goodna Police are also considering laying charges.

Local residents are asking if this driver is still working for the Origin Alliance Project and if and when he will be stood down for his death-defying antics in the main street of Redbank.

Good questions indeed!


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Police hunt for crane driver who fled the scene of an accident at Redbank overnight

Police are searching for the driver of a mobile crane who fled the scene after bringing down electricity wires and pay TV cables outside a Redbank hotel overnight.

Dozens of startled patrons at the Commercial hotel in Brisbane Road Redbank watched in amazement as the crane ripped out the cables almost causing a power pole to crash to the road before driving off towards Goodna.

Live wires fell across the road and footpath.

The incident was captured on Ipswich City Council Safe City security cameras which showed a pedestrian crossing the road moments before the jib of the crane knocked the wires to the ground.

Local Ipswich Councillor Paul Tully attended the scene last night describing it as a potential disaster with sheer luck ensuring no one was electrocuted.

"What sort of idiot would deliberately drive off and leave live electricity wires on the ground across a very busy footpath.

"The police should throw the book at this guy who disappeared into the darkness towards Goodna."

Locals say the crane has been seen working on the Ipswich Motorway upgrade at Redbank.

If you recognise the mobile crane involved in this incident, call the Goodna Police on (07) 3436 2999 or CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.

URGENT - Media Alert: Crane brings down wires at Redbank - Police trying to locate driver

Traffic in the Ipswich suburb of Redbank is at a standstill after a crane brought down power lines and pay television cables.
An electricity pole is leaning dangerously outside the Commercial Hotel on Brisbane Road.

The accident occurred about just over 30 minutes ago.

Residents reported a mobile crane believed to be working on the Ipswich Motorway upgrade had jagged the overhead lines bringing them to the ground.

The crane drove on without stopping.

Police have blocked the road and traffic is being diverted through Brisbane Terrace at Goodna.

Energex arrived at 7.30pm.

Local Ipswich Councillor Paul Tully said the council's Safe City security cameras were being checked to identify the offending vehicle.

"What sort of driver would leave the scene with live power cables across the road.

"Someone could have been killed.

"The police should throw the book at the driver if they can locate him," Cr Tully said.


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Who is this Wild Man of Spring Mountain?

Rosewood is famous for the Ghost of Pahlke's Pub and the recent supposed Alien Invasion reported in The Queensland Times, but have a look at this latest image from the eastern part of Ipswich.

This is a picture of the Wild Man of Spring Mountain, supposedly living in a cave on top of the mountain, just 5km southwest of the Orion Shopping Centre at Springfield Central.

Can anyone shed light on this mystery Hermit of the Mountains?

Ipswich City Council set to declare extended koala protection areas

PIC: More koala protection for Ipswich

(Courtesy BTQ 7)



Ipswich City Council is preparing new maps to extend koala protection areas across the city, including existing zones as well as significant adjacent areas identified for koala food tree planting.

Several investigation areas have been identified to further examine additional areas for possible protection.

This is on top of Ipswich's "one-for-one" replacement policy adopted in 2007 which requires all developers to replace trees removed during the development process, whether or not they are koala-friendly trees.

Ipswich is Queensland's most koala friendly city.

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Queensland Government to help natural disaster victims through Goodna and Leichhardt Centres

The Queensland Government has announced it will help victims of the Samoan and Tongan tsunami and the Indonesian earthquake.

The Goodna Neighbourhood House at 33 Queen Street Goodna and the Leichhardt Community Group at Leichhardt will be used to co-ordinate the service to Ipswich residents.

This is a full copy of the Minister's Media Release:

Minister for Disability Services and Multicultural Affairs

The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

04/10/2009

Neighbourhood Centres to assist disaster affected communities

The Bligh Government will set up dedicated Neighbourhood Centres throughout southeast Queensland to assist those affected by the recent natural disasters in the Pacific region.

Multicultural Affairs Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said the centres were part of the Bligh Government's comprehensive response to the South Pacific tsunami (Samoa and Tonga) and earthquake in the Indonesian Archipelago.

"The Premier has asked me to lead a whole-of-government response to assist the South Pacific and Indonesian communities here in Queensland which have been affected by the events over the past few days," she said.

"We need to help these communities get back on their feet, and that's what these neighbourhood centres are all about.

"They'll be up and running early this week, providing counselling and basic support services to people caught up in these tragedies.

"We're linking local Samoan and Indonesian communities in with these neighbourhood centres.

"The Premier and I have met with community leaders and we've received a lot of feedback that they need financial support to help their families, friends and communities.

"As a result Premier Bligh has activated the Premier's Disaster Relief Fund, and I encourage everyone to contribute what they can to help out our Pacific neighbours.

"We'll also ensure that ongoing support and counselling services are available to state school students."

Ms Palaszczuk said the Neighbourhood Centres would be a central point of information for local Samoan, Tongan and Indonesian communities in Queensland.

"The centres will link with translator services for those who don't speak English and we have already distributed information to community leaders in the respective home languages," she said.

"With the help of Multicultural Affairs Queensland our plans have taken into account cultural differences including language and religious beliefs."

Ms Palaszczuk said she would host regular meetings with leaders from the affected communities from this week.

"These meetings are about helping individuals and communities move their lives forward after these disastrous events," she said.

"Queenslanders are generous and giving people, and I'm asking everyone to dig deep and get behind these communities in their time of need."

Ms Palaszczuk said the initial neighbourhood centres would be set up from Monday at:

·Multilink Community Services, Woodridge

·Kingston East Neighbourhood Group, Kingston

·Multilink Community Services, Logan Central

·Goodna Neighbourhood House, Goodna

·Leichhardt Community Group, Leichhardt

·Deception Bay Neighbourhood Centre, Deception Bay

·Caboolture Neighbourhood Centre, Caboolture

·Inala Community House, Inala

·Elorac Place, Carole Park

·Acacia Ridge and Districts Community Centre, Acacia Ridge

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has established a national hotline for Australian citizens in the affected area.

Ph: 1800 002 214.

Queensland residents seeking translation or counselling services or support due to their families being in the affected areas can also call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) for assistance.

To make a donation to the Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal visit www.qld.gov.au or phone 1800 021 884.

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