Changed traffic conditions - new traffic islands - cnr Bertha St & Eric St Goodna, near Ric Nattrass Environmental Park.
05 June 2014
29 January 2014
Large bull sharks are being caught in the Brisbane and Bremer Rivers
 |
| Bull shark caught near the Goodna Boat Ramp last year. |
Bull sharks are being caught in the Brisbane River.
This specimen was caught near the Goodna Boat ramp last year.
Be aware and take extra care.
Water skiers, boat users and swimmers should be on their guard and parents should ensure their children exercise due caution.
Picture: Courtesy Barry Butler, Goodna
Last chance to sign up for floods class action as deadline looms
FLOOD victims in Ipswich have a month to sign up to be part of the $1 billion-plus class action against the Queensland Government.
The class action is being put together by litigators Maurice Blackburn Lawyers.
Bentham IMF, the litigation funders, have announced that they are unconditionally funding the case.
Victims of the 2011 floods have until February 28, to register.
 |
| Goodna councillor Paul Tully urges flood victims to sign up for the class action before the February 28 deadline. |
Goodna councillor Paul Tully has urged all flood victims to get on board and sign up for the class action that will be held in the NSW Supreme Court.
Cr Tully pointed out that under the arrangements of the class action there can be no costs awarded against flood victims if the action is unsuccessful.
"There is every prospect that flood victims will be fully recompensed, although it may take several years," he said.
"But this will be the final opportunity. After February 28 it will be too late for people to sign up.
"The process is very simple and can be done online with Maurice Blackburn." Cr Tully said there were 600 properties flooded in Goodna alone with more thanl000 home owners, renters and business owners affected across Ipswich.
Cr Tully said some people may not have signed up because they could be reticent about reliving the trauma of what happened three years ago.
"But what I say to people is that the case will be handled by professional lawyers in the NSW Supreme Court and it will be the court that makes the decision about whether individuals are entitled to compensation.
"That will include damage to their property, damage to their personal possessions or loss of property value." Any person or business affected by the January 2011 flood can register for the class action at imf.com.au/wivenhoe or call 1800 016464.
Registration is free and without obligation.
www.QT.com.au
40 years ago today, a new flood peak was predicted for Goodna
The Queensland Times reported 40 years ago today on 29 January 1974:
"RISING FLOODWATERS NEW THREAT TO GOODNA AREA".
"RISING FLOODWATERS NEW THREAT TO GOODNA AREA".
 |
| Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen arriving at Limestone Park in Ipswich greeted by (from left) Evan Marginson Member for Wolston, Vi Jordan Member for Ipswich West, Ipswich Mayor George Hastings, Dr Llew Edwards (Member for Ipswich), Police Inspector J McCarthy and Federal Member for Oxley Bill Hayden. |
Thankfully, the Brisbane River had already peaked and Goodna was spared a second deluge.
The picture shows the Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen arriving at Limestone Park in Ipswich greeted by (from left) Evan Marginson Member for Wolston, Vi Jordan Member for Ipswich West, Ipswich Mayor George Hastings, Dr Llew Edwards (member for Ipswich),Police Inspector J McCarthy and Federal Member for Oxley Bill Hayden.
Incidentally, the price of the QT in 1974 was 8 cents and inside there was an advertisement for house and land at Churchill for $12,490 (full price).
27 January 2014
13 year battle to stop fire ants "lost"
 |
| Cordoned off fire ant nests at Leslie Park Goodna. |
The 13 year battle to stop fire ants in Australia has been declared lost after a fresh outbreak of the American pest was discovered in the Ipswich suburb of Goodna.
Biosecurity Queensland confirmed the latest invasion at Leslie Park just 100 metres off the Ipswich Motorway after a tip-off from local residents.
They treated the nests on Friday and barricaded the area adjacent to a children's playground and barbecue facilities.
Fire ants were first detected in Australia in 2001 at the Port of Brisbane and Wacol and have since spread across southeast Queensland.
 |
| Cr Paul Tully fights fire ants. |
"This is the second infestation in Goodna in nine months and the outlook is bleak.
"I suspect we have lost the battle.
"Our national history shows that imported pests such as rabbits, foxes and cane toads can never be eliminated."
Cr Tully said the war on fire ants should continue with efforts to slow its spread into farmland beyond the southeast.
"They will eventually cross the border into New South Wales.
"All hell will then break loose as fire ants commence their spread across Australia."
Cr Tully called on the federal government to fund a major increase in the fire ant eradication program.
Bull sharks are swarming in the Brisbane and Bremer rivers
JUST A PUP: North Ipswich resident Shannan Landy
with the young bull shark he caught at Mt Crosby
Weir on Sunday night.
with the young bull shark he caught at Mt Crosby
Weir on Sunday night.
BULL sharks are swarming in the Brisbane and Bremer rivers and Cr Paul Tully has warned residents using the waterways to be wary.
The QT has received reports of increased numbers of sharks being seen and caught in the rivers, with fishermen regularly pulling them out.
Cr Tully has also been receiving similar feedback and urged boaties and those using the river to exercise caution.
He said children paddling in the water, or assisting their parents putting a boat or jet ski into the river, were most at risk.
"There are regular reports of bull sharks being caught in the Brisbane and Bremer rivers," Cr Tully said.
"It is a warning to parents to be very, very careful.
"The bull sharks are around and there have been fatalities on the Gold Coast.
"It is probably only a matter of time before there could be a fatality.
"They have been seen up as far as Colleges Crossing and one regular fisherman reckons they are teeming in the Brisbane River.
"I asked him how many and he said, 'Imagine if you kicked a bull ants' nest and they just swarmed everywhere'.
"His impression was that bull sharks are just swarming on the bottom of the river.
"It is a timely reminder. It is summer and with people out on the river, putting out boats and fishing...just don't dangle your feet. Be very careful."
The QT accompanied Cr Tully to the Goodna boat ramp to try and pull a shark out for ourselves using a live catfish and a favourite rod of Cr Tully's that he hadn't used since the 2011 flood.
But the tide, the wind, the time of the day and the 40-degree heat on Tuesday were against us.
"But we'll catch one.
"It might take a couple of days," Cr Tully said.
"Dusk and dawn is when we might hit the jackpot."
North Ipswich resident Shannan Landy did land a young bull shark near the Mt Crosby Weir on Sunday night.
He caught the shark using live mullet as bait.
"The little ones put up a good fight too," he said.
"There are a lot of little ones around but I am sure there are some of the big mothers around.
"There must be something out there laying the pups.
"The one I caught was about half-a-metre long but I have caught them up to a metre long in the Brisbane River.
"The bigger ones I have caught down towards the junction of the Bremer and Brisbane River and down at Kookaburra Park."
Mr Landy said he had heard of bull sharks of 1.2m being caught up at Mt Crosby.
"I think there have always been lots of them," he said.
"It is just that people are becoming more aware of it now.
"Guys are out there chasing bass. They catch the bass and bring them in and, the next thing you know, the shark comes up and sees it as an easy meal...and they are hooked onto a shark. A lot of people aren't targeting sharks but they are ending up catching them."
www.QT.com.au
20.1.14
03 December 2013
New pedestrian safety measures at Goodna and Bellbird Park
 |
| New high-contrast pedestrian crossing at Queen St Goodna |
New highly-coloured pedestrian crossings are being trialled in Ipswich's eastern suburbs as a road safety measure.
Two existing zebra crossings at Goodna and Bellbird Park have been repainted in a high-contrast orange/red colour to improve visibility of pedestrians for drivers.
The crossings are at Queen St Goodna and Redbank Plains Rd Bellbird Park near the Kruger roundabout.
Local councillor Paul Tully said the initiative for the new markings was based on similar crossings on the Gold Coast which have proved very effective.
Cr Tully said pedestrians would be more visible to drivers at the two crossings which were both located close to primary schools.
"I feel this road safety initiative will help improve pedestrian safety.
"I urge all drivers to take care around all local pedestrian crossings."
06 August 2013
Firebug hits Bellbird Park development site
Eleven fires were lit on Monday and Tuesday night at the Brentwood Forest estate off Columbia Drive.
A large smoke pall hung over the southern part of Bellbird Park on Tuesday afternoon.
Camira Fire and Rescue attended the scene and confirmed to Ipswich City Council officers the fires appeared to have been deliberately lit.
Local Councillor Paul Tully described the arson attack as "appalling".
Cr Tully said the large pall of smoke created by the firebug had created a serious local health issue.
"The sooner he is locked up the better."
29 July 2013
Media Release: State government plan to wind down fight against fire ants slammed as stupid and dangerous
Media Release - Ipswich City Councillor Paul Tully
State government plans to wind down the fight against fire ants have been slammed as stupid and dangerous.
Agriculture Minister John McVeigh announced today residents and businesses will be asked to treat fire ant infestations themselves.
Fire ants were first found in Australia in 2001 at the Port of Brisbane and at Wacol.
Major infestations were then quickly discovered at Goodna and other parts of Ipswich and Brisbane.
Ipswich councillor Paul Tully said Ipswich had been a hotspot for fire ants for 12 years with the discovery of thousands of active nests.
The latest infestation has been at Muirlea on Ipswich's outskirts.
Cr Tully said a fresh infestation was discovered at a disused dump at Woogaroo St Goodna in May when hundreds of new fire ant nests were found more than 10 years after they were thought to have been eliminated from the suburb.
Cr Tully said the plan to force property owners to fight their own infestations was doomed to fail.
He said fire ants were on the edge of the Lockyer Valley and could easily advance to the Darling Downs.
"They could soon start to destroy Australia's agricultural industry if they get a foothold in our rich farmland west of Brisbane."
Cr Tully said state government claims fire ants will be eliminated by 2015 would be a monumental failure.
"This is a stupid and dangerous approach in the war on fire ants.
"We have never controlled other introduced species such as rabbits, foxes and cane toads, so the chances of getting rid of fire ants are next to zero.
"No country in the world including the United States and South America has been able to beat the scourge of fire ants."
Cr Tully described the state government's new approach to fighting fire ants as "bizarre".
"It's a bit like scrapping the ambulance service and asking everyone to buy their own first aid kit," Cr Tully said. U
State government plans to wind down the fight against fire ants have been slammed as stupid and dangerous.
Agriculture Minister John McVeigh announced today residents and businesses will be asked to treat fire ant infestations themselves.
Fire ants were first found in Australia in 2001 at the Port of Brisbane and at Wacol.
Major infestations were then quickly discovered at Goodna and other parts of Ipswich and Brisbane.
Ipswich councillor Paul Tully said Ipswich had been a hotspot for fire ants for 12 years with the discovery of thousands of active nests.
The latest infestation has been at Muirlea on Ipswich's outskirts.
Cr Tully said a fresh infestation was discovered at a disused dump at Woogaroo St Goodna in May when hundreds of new fire ant nests were found more than 10 years after they were thought to have been eliminated from the suburb.
Cr Tully said the plan to force property owners to fight their own infestations was doomed to fail.
He said fire ants were on the edge of the Lockyer Valley and could easily advance to the Darling Downs.
"They could soon start to destroy Australia's agricultural industry if they get a foothold in our rich farmland west of Brisbane."
Cr Tully said state government claims fire ants will be eliminated by 2015 would be a monumental failure.
"This is a stupid and dangerous approach in the war on fire ants.
"We have never controlled other introduced species such as rabbits, foxes and cane toads, so the chances of getting rid of fire ants are next to zero.
"No country in the world including the United States and South America has been able to beat the scourge of fire ants."
Cr Tully described the state government's new approach to fighting fire ants as "bizarre".
"It's a bit like scrapping the ambulance service and asking everyone to buy their own first aid kit," Cr Tully said. U
22 June 2013
03 June 2013
Class Action Update: Maurice Blackburn Lawyers are proceeding with class action against state government over 2011 flood
BREAKING NEWS
2011 Flood Class Action Update.
2011 Flood Class Action Update.
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers have confirmed today they will be proceeding with the legal class action on behalf of victims of the 2011 flood on the Brisbane and Bremer Rivers.
The lawsuit is expected to be the largest class action ever launched in Australia with the State Government facing a potential payout in excess of one billion dollars.
Flood victims can sign up online 24/7 for the no-win, no-fee class action at: https://www.imf.com.au/Wivenhoe/default.aspx
Goodna-based Councillor Paul Tully said the announcement by Maurice Blackburn was the "best news for flood victims since January 2011.
"I am urging all flood victims - including homeowners, business owners, renters and anyone else who has suffered losses as a result of the 2011 flood - to sign up for the class action.
"This is likely to be the first and only opportunity for flood victims to recover their losses they suffered in the 2011 flood.
"Flood victims have nothing to lose and everything to gain by signing up for the no-win, no-fee class action."
 |
| Cr Paul Tully - urging flood victims to sign up for the pending legal class action. |
Cr Tully said Goodna was the hardest-hit suburb in southeast Queensland in 2011 with 600 properties destroyed in the flood.
"The Floods Commission of Inquiry specifically found that the Wivenhoe Dam had not been managed in accordance with the Dam Operating Manual from 8.00am on the Saturday preceding the flood on Tuesday 11 January 2011.
"I am confident the class action will be successful.
"I am urging the State Government to act as a model litigant in this matter and not rely on legal technicalities to resist the legitimate claims of flood victims.
"I am calling on the Premier Campbell Newman to negotiate a settlement of the class action as early as possible," Cr Tully said.
12 May 2013
08 May 2013
Hoons smash fence at Bellbird Park - 12 times in 10 years
| Wright calls time on hoons | |||
| South West News, Brisbane by Charley Rico | 08 May 2013 | ||
ACTION TIME: COUNCIL TO WEIGH UP ITS OPTIONS IN TACKLING ACCIDENT-PRONE BLACK SPOT BELLBIRD PARK resident Phil Wright has seen 12 nearmisses at his property in less than 10 years and Ipswich City Council councillor Paul Tully (Div 2) hopes to fix the controversial spot sooner rather than later. Situated on the corner of Fiona and Rosemary streets, Mr Wright said drivers raced around the corner and it was a magnet for hooning, dragging, burn outs and drifting on a daily basis. We have had cars through our fence five times and not once has anyone offered to pay, not even our excess for insurance,’’ Mr Wright said. But we did get a response from the mayor (Paul Pisasale) and last week local councillor Paul Tully came out with a technical engineer to have a look at the area.’’ Cr Tully said a traffic count for the dangerous corner would be conducted by mid- May. The sort of things we’re looking at are additional warning signs, Phil suggested the possibility of putting in three stop signs, which is also being looked at, and putting in guard rails,’’ Cr Tully said. Right on the corner is where pedestrians cross as well, so it’s not without its difficulties. But we are looking at ways to make it safer because people like Phil and his wife shouldn’t have to his wife shouldn’t have to put up with cars coming through their front fence.’’ According to crash data from the Department of Transport and Main Roads, Transport and Main Roads, during 2009 there was a hitobject’’ crash and a headon’’ crash, and in 2005 there was a hit-object’’ crash. | |||
06 May 2013
Tully: Get the pest off our crest
PEST: A deer caught in the
Pan Pacific Peace Gardens
in Goodna.
GET the pest off our crest.
That is the call from Cr Paul Tully who is set to lobby state MPs to remove the deer from the Queensland coat of arms and replace it with the koala.
Cr Tully said the koala was "a well known and truly loved native Australian animal" whereas the red deer was "an officially declared class three pest".
"I am calling for the government to get rid of the deer, a native pest from England, and replace it with the koala," he said.
"The koala is our official Queensland faunal emblem.
"The species is under threat and having it on the crest would improve public knowledge and appreciation of the koala.
"And unlike the red deer, it is illegal to shoot it."
Deer were gifted by Queen Victoria to the colony of Queensland in the 1870s and remain at large in Ipswich.
"Some of those deer ended up near Moggill on the other side of the river," Cr Tully said.
"They are powerful swimmers and they escaped about 30 years ago from a property.
"We had one running through North Ipswich last year and there was one in Booval five years ago.
"They have been seen near the Goodna RSL and there is a heard in bushland between Collingwood Park and New Chum.
"I saw one on the Ipswich Motorway. Drivers don't expect to confront a deer.
"Their legs buckle and they come up over the bonnet, so they are very dangerous.
"They are timid, but they have big antlers and if anyone went near one they could gore you and kill you."
RSPCA Queensland spokesperson Michael Beatty said feral red deer was a council matter but urged that they be "treated humanely" when caught.
Under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002, it is an offence to introduce red deer into Queensland. The maximum penalty is $22,000.
"Since 1977, we have given tribute to a non-native animal which has been a declared pest for the past four years," Cr Tully said.
"We may as well put the cane toad or fire ant on our coat of arms instead of Queen Victoria's grand gift to Queensland.
"Campbell Newman should step in and have a statewide competition to find a suitable replacement for this historic absurdity.
"We are the only state in the world where the official crest has a declared pest on it.... and it is a pest from England. So get the pest off the crest."
Reader poll
What image would you like to see replace the red deer on the Queensland coat of arms?
Results
Koala
35%
Quoll
9%
Bilby
11%
Wallaby
5%
Cane Toad
14%
Carp
1%
Indian Minor
0%
Paul Tully
22%
This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.
DEER
- Introduced from UK in 1870s
- A class three pest
- At large in Ipswich
- On state crest since 1977
29 April 2013
Ipswich homes flooded for second time in 10 days: QUU told to lift their game
.jpg) |
| Water rushes towards properties at Bellbird Park after the second water main break in 10 days at the same location. |
Homes in the Ipswich suburb of Bellbird Park have been flooded for the second time in ten days after another major water main failure caused tonnes of mud and water to flow into the houses.
Two homes in Nimerette St which flooded late today (Sunday) were the scene of a similar disaster on April 17.
A two-storey home owned by Karen Prestidge was damaged by mud and water entering both levels.
The latest break occurred about five metres from the scene of the first water main collapse.
The 450mm main has burst four times in the past five years flooding homes and yards.
Queensland Urban Utilities (QUU) who are responsible for maintaining the water mains bought pizzas for the affected families and offered them free accommodation for the night.
Security guards were brought in to protect the homes.
Local councillor Paul Tully who was at the scene late last night described it as one of utter devastation.
"It was like a huge avalanche of water bearing down on the properties running through the top floor of a two-storey home.
"These families are totally overwhelmed by this second incident."
Cr Tully said QUU was not putting enough money into maintaining water mains around Ipswich.
He said there would be more of these major failures "until QUU gets back to the basics of water supply".
"It beggars belief that all they offered the families last night were a dozen luke-warm pizzas and a 2-star motel room."
Cr Tully said the families wanted compensation direct from QUU rather than having to deal with their own insurance companies for a second time.
"I would hope that major law firms such as Maurice Blackburn would consider a class action against QUU for the second-rate water supply network they are operating across a major part of southeast Queensland."
"QUU needs to lift its game and the fat cats running the organisation should be forced to shape up or ship out."
Cr Tully said QUU had sent a junior PR officer to the scene of the disaster when the CEO should have been on the spot to apologise and listen to the distraught residents.
"QUU has really let local residnets down this time."
Cr Tully said the broken water main which links Goodna to Bellbird Park should be replaced in its entirety or decommissioned.
QUU was established by the state government in 2010 to take over water supply and sewerage services in Brisbane, Ipswich, Scenic Rim, Lockyer and Somerset.
28 April 2013
Another QUU - Queensland Urban Utilities - debacle at Nimerette St Bellbird Park. A major water main break, the second in less than 2 weeks - has flooded 2 homes this afternoon. The families are devastated. QUU needs to lift its game. QUU makes Dads Army look like a professional organisation. They are offering to put the families up in a motel. The way these breaks are happening, it would be cheaper for them to buy their own motel!g
25 April 2013
24 April 2013
Compensation call for Goodna after NBN fiasco
IPSWICH Councillor Paul Tully has called on NBN Co to negotiate compensation for Goodna businesses affected by loss of internet and phone services.
A 2400-line cable that serviced 650 homes and businesses was severed while a contractor was laying the National Broadband Network (NBN) on Tuesday.
These businesses have been struggling since the 2011 flood and this has been a real kick in the guts,'' Cr Tully said.
It's not good enough for NBN to leave town with businesses still suffering financially because of NBN's incompetence.
Q u e e n s l a n d N B N Co spokesperson Ryan Williams said business owners seeking compensation should contact their service provider who will assess each claim.
As is always the case, all the parties involved need to assess the situation and where the issue has arisen,'' Mr Williams issue has arisen,'' Mr Williams said.
In the meantime, if people have particular concerns they should speak to their phone or internet provider, who will assess each case.''
Telstra's Jane de Gault said the company was working to find how the cable was damaged.
South-West News
24.4.13
A 2400-line cable that serviced 650 homes and businesses was severed while a contractor was laying the National Broadband Network (NBN) on Tuesday.
These businesses have been struggling since the 2011 flood and this has been a real kick in the guts,'' Cr Tully said.
It's not good enough for NBN to leave town with businesses still suffering financially because of NBN's incompetence.
Q u e e n s l a n d N B N Co spokesperson Ryan Williams said business owners seeking compensation should contact their service provider who will assess each claim.
As is always the case, all the parties involved need to assess the situation and where the issue has arisen,'' Mr Williams issue has arisen,'' Mr Williams said.
In the meantime, if people have particular concerns they should speak to their phone or internet provider, who will assess each case.''
Telstra's Jane de Gault said the company was working to find how the cable was damaged.
South-West News
24.4.13
New link road to open options for Springfield Central rail commuters
| |||||||||
23 April 2013
Emu on the loose at Redbank
Police were called to Kruger Pde yesterday after a sighting of the emu but it disappeared into nearby bushland and has not been seen since.
"If anyone has a missing emu they should start searching around Kruger Pde," Cr Paul Tully said.
"They have very powerful legs so people shouldn't try to capture it. I've lived in the area for 40 years and I have not seen an emu on the loose previously."
22 April 2013
19 April 2013
Goodna phone outage update: All services to be restored by 7pm
Media Release - Ipswich City Councillor Paul Tully
Telstra has reconnected half of the 2400 telephone lines at Goodna which were cut by NBN contractors on Tuesday.
All services are expected to be restored by 7 o'clock tonight.
Telstra has been working around the clock to restore telephone and internet services to homes and businesses.
Local councillor Paul Tully said the cable was cut outside the Goodna telephone exchange by NBN contractors who "ignored maps of the Telstra cable network".
"This outage is now into its fourth day and is an indictment of NBN and its cowboy work practices."
Cr Tully called on NBN to negotiate compensation for all Goodna businesses affected by the outage.
"These businesses have been struggling since the 2011flood and this has been a real kick in the guts.
"It's not good enough for NBN to ng leave town with businesses still suffering financially because of NBN's total incompetence," Cr Tully said.
17 April 2013
14 April 2013
12 April 2013
08 April 2013
Burst water main Bellbird Park
Queensland Urban Utilities is currently attending a burst water main in Bellbird Park, affecting approx 40 homes in Katandra Crescent and nearby Marlene, Annabelle and Beryl Sts.
A water tanker and bottled water is available on the corner of Katandra Crescent and Marlene Street.
The burst was communicated at approx 3am and work to restore is expected to continue for a few more hours.
06 April 2013
05 April 2013
29 March 2013
Former NZ International joins Goodna Rugby League for 2013
David Solomona has signed to play for the mighty Goodna Eagles in 2013.
David is a very experienced well respected second row forward and will assist the cause greatly as the Club seeks the holy grail.
His signing as well as Alby Talipeau and David Heketoa will work well for the Club.
David's career spanned 13 internationals for Samoa, 13 internationals for New Zealand, 78 NRL games for Roosters and Parramatta, and 204 games in the English Super League for various clubs.
He retired last year from Warrington in the super league.
At 35 years young he has still got a lot to give to himself, his family, the community and the Mighty Eagles.
David is a very experienced well respected second row forward and will assist the cause greatly as the Club seeks the holy grail.
His signing as well as Alby Talipeau and David Heketoa will work well for the Club.
David's career spanned 13 internationals for Samoa, 13 internationals for New Zealand, 78 NRL games for Roosters and Parramatta, and 204 games in the English Super League for various clubs.
He retired last year from Warrington in the super league.
At 35 years young he has still got a lot to give to himself, his family, the community and the Mighty Eagles.
17 March 2013
Goodna Lads Toowoomba Newtown Park 1918 - World War 1
 |
| Goodna Lads at Toowoomba Newtown Park 1918 |
Do you or any family members recognise any of the "Goodna Lads" in this historic photograph taken in Toowoomba in 1918.
If you can help, please contact: PaulGTully@gmail.com
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