It is with pleasure I present the 2nd Presidents Report of Jamboree Residents Assoc Inc.  I must thank the manager of Centacare, Mrs Annette McGregor, for the generous donation of hall hire. They do a wonderful job for our elderly and our handicapped of our district. The year 2010 saw the benefits of many projects initiated by the Executive of 2009.

TRAFFIC ISSUES

Local Streets

With the construction of the southern ring road around the Mt Ommaney Shopping Centre (MOSC), motorists heading north can now avoid the still dangerous Sirocco/Dandenong intersection.  Pedestrians crossing at this intersection however are still placed in great danger. From a traffic study conducted before the opening of the MOSC, 11% of all vehicular visits to the Centre used Andaman Street. With the M0SC opening and mainly because of improved signalized access via the Kentucky entry, this % of total visits has dropped. The southern section of MOSC extensions were completed in December 2009 and, on fully re-opening in June 2010, the Centre’s patronage increased significantly. However the % of motorists using Andaman Street has fortunately dropped off, but members living along Andaman Street still claim that the actual traffic count has increased slightly. The Galleon Street  rat-running route is now less frequently used.

JRA has been unable to obtain the official traffic counts conducted at the Andaman Street entry point in November last year. Both State and BCC authorities claim they didn’t instigated this traffic study.

The establishment of a set of signalized traffic lights at the Kentucky corner has helped considerable in convincing many motorists to avoid the traffic islands in Andaman Street. A long time resident, who lives on Dandenong Road, has reported far greater road noise now emanating from increased traffic volumes. He has been assured by Cr Bourke that quieter bitumen will be laid along Andaman Street at a later date.

Unfortunately, repeated attempts by members and your Executive to our State Member, Main Roads and Mt Ommaney Police Station advocating continued police radar surveillance along Andaman, Sirocco and Galleon Streets haven’t met with success. Much has been reported in news media that the surveillance of speeding through suburban Streets is being addressed, but little evidence has been forth coming.

Local traffic issues and pedestrian safety is an ongoing concern that is not forgotten by your Executive.

Centenary Motorway

Last year, with the completion of the Wacol - Darra - Richland sections of Ipswich/Centenary Motorways and interchanges, we saw a massive increase in traffic volume and associated noise along the eastern side of Jamboree Heights. Additionally, most of us have experienced the difficulty in morning peak times of firstly accessing the Centenary Motorway from Sumner Road and then the new bottle neck at the Centenary Bridge.

Petition for the duplication of the Sumner Road Bridge and Centenary Motorway Upgrade

JRA was responsible for obtaining over 1000 signatures for this petition and resulted in an extra public consultation night (last August), which was especially convened for our residents.

JRA has lodged plans with Mt Ommaney State Member, Mrs. Attwood, and Main Roads for proposed lane signage alteration at the two round-abouts along Sumner Road on either side of the Centenary Motorway. This proposal is a band-aid solution to give Darra/Ipswich bound traffic from Sumner Road better priority and help clear up the traffic jam behind. We still await a response to this proposal.

The installation of a signalized Dandenong/Sumer Road intersection will do very little to alleviate he traffic congestion without a bridge duplication. Thinking people know it, businesses in Sumner Park Industrial Estate know it, and the company doing the Sumner Road upgrades know it. We just have to convince the State Government to fund the $60 million bridge duplication and associated intersections. The dangerous situation in Sumner Road still exists where three (3) lanes of traffic are merging at the location of the bike crossing. JRA Executive feels that we have fix for this concern as part of our proposed band aid solution.

Second consultation meetings are to be conducted by Main Roads seeking public input on the revised intersections layouts.

Mrs. Attwood assures us that a study is in progress by Main Roads to upgrade the Centenary Motorway to compliment the Legacy Tunnels that are proposed to be completed by 2014. Your Executive will be pursuing any outcomes from this planning as a high priority.

SECURITY ISSUES

Break and Enters in Jamboree Heights

From March until August in 2010, Jamboree Heights was the centre of attention of home intruders at a scale never experienced before. It was not uncommon for up to eight (8) attempted or confirmed entries to occur on any particular night – many attempted entries were disturbed and unfortunately not reported to police. The concerning aspect was that the thieves were making the attempts while residents were at home. One of the victims informed JRA that an offender from Carol Park was arrested for the crime spree and the results of the trial are unknown to us at this time.

During this period, through Mrs Attwood’s office, JRA established a working relationship with Mt Ommaney Police, which resulted in Snr. Constable Kent Huggins being established as JRA’s Police Liaison Officer with Andrea (Web Admin) acting as JRA’s contact. This Police communication still exists today and by the criminal activity report received for the first three (3) months of 2011 indicates that, other than unrelated isolated incidences, peace and quite has been restored in our suburb, with the exception of three (3) letter boxes being pulled/cut from the ground in Galleon Street.

Marble propulsions

At the same period of time that the burglaries were occurring, some mindless occupants were firing hundreds of marbles from a sling-shot at all times of the day and night. This illegal and dangerous act occurred in the Pennant/Spinnaker Street region. With the assistance of residents, the police finally traced the source and a warrant was issued and a house entry/search was made – no more marbles and the matter is closed.

Thanks to Andrea Crouch, Mrs. Attwood, Sen. Sgt. Ridge and Kent Huggins for their efforts in keeping Jamboree Heights safe and JRA informed.

 

MT OMMANEY SHOPPING CENTRE

With the cessation of construction noise and accompanying dust that came with the removal of the construction storage site from the buffer zone, life has returned to normal for most of the residents of Galleon and Schooner Streets that reside alongside of the buffer zone.

I’m pleased to report that AMP management has planted out the buffer zone with various flowering native tree and shrub species and now maintain their land to a reasonably high standard. The quality garden area leading to the Andaman entry is a credit to Centre Management.

In January this year, a very powerful wind-storm blew down some large trees in this area. Fortunately, the wind came from the south and, other than some minor fence damage, the houses were not threatened. If the winds had come from the north, several houses would have received major construction damage. Most of these fallen trees and some unwanted Class 3 pest cadagi gums have since been cleared away and chipped.

JRA will support those residences in Schooner Street that still have fallen trees to be removed and suffering from disturbing late night/early morning alarm systems, cold room noise, rubbish collection and night deliveries. This matter has only come to the Executive’s attention recently.

With the support of residents, JRA will also request the removal of the lock from the gate to the buffer zone at the Andaman entry point and beautification of the wetlands beside Mitre 10. As beautification of the Andaman Strip continues, there will be a good case to present to Centre Management encouraging them to address these issues.

On the positive side of the construction disturbances, JRA Executive received a crash course in handling ordinances and enforcement issues, which will be of benefit when our suburb is impacted with the construction work associated with the implementation of the low/medium density housing construction that will occur under the Centenary Neighbourhood Plan. Greater legal assistance and advice can be obtained from Brisbane Residents United if JRA decides to join.

LOCAL COUNCIL DELIVERS

When Jamboree Heights was developed in the early1970’s, it was the poor-man’s suburb of the expanding Hooker development of The Centenary Estates. Residential streets were created narrow, formed footpaths almost nonexistent as was the Mt Ommaney Shopping Centre.

In the coming years, when the shopping centre was built, with two subsequent extensions, and as the full development of Jamboree Heights occurred, a town planning mistake was made that would eventually impact on our quality of life. Andaman Street was connected to Pennant Street, which led to the opening up of a back door corridor for rat running to the ever expanding shopping centre.

In 2009/10, Cr Bourke and BCC delivered long overdue infrastructure improvements to our suburb that some residents have been advocating for years without previous success. Probably, the most notable being the construction of a footpath along Sirocco St and the resurfacing of Sirocco, Galleon, Harans, Schooner Streets and Marconi Close. The surfaces of some of these streets were amongst the worst in the Jamboree Ward. The Sirocco footpath provides greater safety for our pedestrians and our thanks go to those residents that were inconvenienced during construction and their ongoing maintenance.

TRIBUTE TO OUR SENIORS DAY

This joint venture was held in August with JRA, Westside Church of Christ and several local associations from the Centenary suburbs, and was attended by an audience of 90. Amongst many others, the Centenary Nursing Home patients and activity personnel were most appreciative. Famed trumpeter and local resident Mr Bobby McGhee, alongside the musically talented C of C, delivered a very professional entertainment segment. The talk from evergreen Hayden Sargent was another highlight.

Federal Member Bernie Ripoll’s and Mrs. Attwood’s financial contribution went a long way to cover hosting costs.

CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY ACTIVITIES

In March this year, JRA undertook its second association with Clean Up Australia Day, and was involved in two (2) cleanup projects.

The Saturday project involved the clearing of a neglected section of the Centenary Bikeway near Mt Ommaney Lodge. A willing crew arrived on a wet Saturday morning and proceeded to remove dead and fallen timber, vines and long undergrowth. A follow-up party extended the clean-up site with the result being a 400m section has been prepared for regular ongoing maintenance by Main Road crews.

Special thanks to new member Brendan Jones for his company’s generous donation of brush cutting equipment.

On the Sunday, another 11 willing workers arrived at the flood damaged Mt Ommaney Creek tributary site at the end of Loffs Road and proceeded to remove debris and undergrowth from the creek and Beanland Park. Many new JRA members, who had been involved with the clean up work of the flooded residences of Patrol Street and Rani Close, attended this project.

A BBQ, manned by Patrol Street resident Rosalie Clarke and catered by Julie Williams, provided a great finish to a hard weekend’s work. Thanks to all those involved and good publicity for JRA activities was recorded in the local newspapers.

ADOPT A ROAD (Centenary Bikeway) and ANDAMAN STRIP

From May 2010, JRA has been assisting Main Roads in keeping the Centenary Bikeway free of debris under the Adopt a Road Scheme established between Main Roads and Keep Australia Beautiful. Early this year, planting in the Andaman Strip was included under the public liability coverage provided by Keep Australia Beautiful-Qld (KABQ) and therefore removing one of the obstacles involved with volunteer work.

In June 2010, JRA, through Mrs Attwood’s office, registered a complaint with Main Roads re the untidy condition of the Centenary Motorway verge including the Western Motorway. This complaint has resulted in more regular roadside cleanups and recently Main Roads has purchased a street sweeper to assist their maintenance arm Roadtec. Consequently, debris washing onto the bikeway, and the Mt Ommaney and Jindalee Creek systems, has been greatly minimised.

Roadtec has recently been allocated funds to remove unwanted tree foliage alongside road and bikeway corridors that they maintain. In early April 2011, some of this funding was allocated to clean up unwanted class 3 pest cadagi gums and dead or leaning trees in the Andaman Strip in preparation for heavy sound barrier and beautification planting. Many black wattles which have exceeded their life expectancy and offered very little low foliage cover for the sound barrier wall were also removed.

JRA was successful in our 2011 Landcare Grant application to revegetate the Strip. Only two (2) applicants were successful in the Brisbane district, alongside 22 others throughout the rest of Queensland. We think that one of our submission points that alluded to what effect the demonstration of community pride will have on reducing the speed of motorists along Andaman Street obviously interested the assessment team. Time will tell if the traffic slows.

JRA has received the $4,534.00 Landcare Grant money and, as demonstrated at our first plant working B in April, progress in using this money has started.

JRA are indebted to Peter and Fran Bell who own Priority Landscaping, for the free donation of drawing up a planting design and layout plan- $1,000 estimate. Roadtec has given a further $5,000 (estimate) towards vegetation clearing work. I’m confident that through donation of plants, labour and contributions from local businesses we can swell the grant money to a value in excess of $30,000 easily.

As the planting plan indicates, one of the main criteria was in the selection of lower growth plant species that would cover the ugly sound barrier wall from top to bottom. Foliage over the top of the wall with bare trunks would only duplicate the existing vegetation selections.

The Beautification committee needs assistance over the next few months to get the 700+ plants to bed and for ongoing watering. Some of these tasks, such as watering, requires little physical exhaustion and suitable for our retired elderly. Most of the grant money will be used in the southern section of the Strip with spasmodic planting in the remainder of the 400m section towards Mt Ommaney Shopping Centre.

Drainage bed erosion problems at this end have to be addressed first. When the planting is completed and matured, the Andaman Strip will be the feature showcase of Jamboree Heights.

Special thanks to Andrea Crouch on her professional presentation of our Qld. Dept of Environment and Resource Management submission and Murray McLennan for his tireless efforts since the start of the Andaman Strip project. The original three (3) members of the Beautification Committee refer to sections that they have worked in as "Murray’s Ridge" – "Bruce’s Bank" – "Wayne’s Drain". They would like to add a few more first names and titles.

BRISBANE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION (BRU)

After experiencing the drama involved with the extension to Mt Ommaney Shopping Centre, I quickly recognized the disgruntlements being expressed by other residents from around Brisbane re construction issues that were occurring in their suburbs.

JRA attended several meetings and supported a move to form a Steering Committee to create a Parent Association to seek a better residents’ consultation processes at the planning stage of projects - not after - involving both BCC and State Government.

The Inaugural meeting of BRU was held only this week and all the necessary processes of forming an association were settled. JRA attended this meeting as a guest and the decision to join will be voted on by you the members of JRA at our coming AGM. To explain what BRU is all about, their new Vice President Mr. Darren Godwell will be in attendance to answer all of your concerns and explain the many benefits.

THEN CAME 2011 AND THE FLOODS

Once we used to talk about the floods of `74, now we have a more recent reminder of the damage that flood waters can impact on us or our neighbour’s property and lives.

The JRA Precinct, being predominantly high country yet still close to the Brisbane River, contains 21 homes in Patrol Street and Rani Close whose lower floor level was below the high water mark of the floods. Another possible 100+ residences should be grateful that the predicted 4m higher peak level was not reached.

Being an active volunteer, with those several hundred others, I can report on the great community spirit that was awoken and tell of many examples of neighbours helping neighbours. I suggest members visit JRA’s website for the deeds of these great Australians or "Mud Angels".

Most of the 21 flood effected residents have restored their homes and are now attempting to get their lives back to normal. Too many who were left without insurance, experienced a financial set-back, but as a bonus many now have made contact with a lot of their neighbours. One exception of note is Evelyn and her family from Patrol St. They are still living in renting temporary accommodation in Jindalee.

JRA would like to acknowledge the support and assistance of one of our local churches (Westside Church of Christ) as they have been there for the family in many ways, including the provision of furnishings, crockery, linen, a cup of tea and a chat, etc. and we thank them for their community spirit. If you can supply additional goods/services, please contact Andrea.

I would especially like to thank flood victim or "Mud Crab", Diane Moore, for volunteering her partially restored home and grounds as the venue for a social get together of the "Mud Crabs" and "Mud Angels".

Also thanks to those generous residents that supported JRA’S flood relief fund raising. After financially assisting three (3) families, $200 was donated to Grantham people. Visit www.jra.org for more.

WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF JRA?

Like most clubs and associations of the modern era, JRA has difficulty in recruiting committee people and helpers in general.

Generating community pride is quickly becoming an activity of the past. We tend to burden all our worries on our politicians and expect them to come up with solutions to sometimes ridiculous request. They can’t help you love your neighbours. Your future Executives must provide a climate that makes being a member of JRA as both informative and attractive.

Last year saw a massive increase in long-term residents moving away from Jamboree Heights and, in a lot of cases, these properties end up in the hands of absent owners who rely on tenants to support their investment. As many of you may have experienced, this can lead to unruly behaviour, no respect for fellow residents, excessively rowdy parties and associated speeding guests, heavily populated and poor property maintenance. I strongly urge all members to consider their involvement in Jamboree Height’s future and help your Executive to address some of these issues.

CONCLUSION

Last year, through illness and members moving residence from the Jamboree Precinct, our Executive Committee shrunk from six (6) to three (3).

I wish to thank 2010 elected Secretary, Mrs Ann Rowe, Guy Rotenberg and Vice President Graham Vann for the effort put in to improving our suburb. Many thanks to Peter Heydon for his work as Web Master – setting up our domain name and current web site, and still provides technical support. Peter has donated all of this to JRA, and I am most grateful for his command of the mysterious internet. I also congratulate Treasurer Bruce Carey and Web administrator Andrea Crouch for handling the increased work load and my occasional moody outbursts.

Andrea is a huge exception to tenants being necessarily poor neighbours and non-community contributors, and our suburb owes her greatly.

Your outgoing Executive has several other ideas of suburban enhancement but without workers, they are unattainable.

JRA Executive has invited Future Sustainability to make a presentation on Solar Power Home Generation before the official part f our AGM. This is a great opportunity for those contemplating this terrific money saving venture to get first hand information from a very reputable and local company. Tell your neighbours – they can attend and might also join JRA and receive the bonus installation package that is being offered.

I move that my Presidents Report for 2010/2011 report be accepted and seconded and invite comments.