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On Sunday 1 March I joined my old crew, the Lions Club of Kallangur, down at Mick Hanfling Park for Clean Up Australia Day 2020. We were a world away from our new social distancing practices!
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And remember when we could have a coffee sitting down in the cafe?
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Big crowd out at Lakeside Park on for All Aussie Day on 1 March. My old Clubsport was pretty dull in the midst of all this! I'm really looking forward to seeing how innovative thinking is getting activities up and running again at Lakeside.
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Monday 9 March was International Women's Day. Here’s to all women out there, particularly those amazing women who have supported me.
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Petrie University officially opens
On 9 March, we officially opened our new University of Sunshine Coast campus at Petrie. As the local MP, I know this facility will forever change our area. To say I was proud of our achievement is an understatement and a huge thank you to all who were involved in bringing it about! This result for our community is a testament to what we can achieve when all levels of government work together.
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Pictured above (pre-COVID-19 restrictions) with my proud, local, Labor colleagues (top); local students (bottom left); Local Councillor Mick Gillam and then Principals for nearby Petrie and Lawnton State Schools (bottom right).
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When meetings were old school...
On 10 March I joined the Burpengary Girl Guides to facilitate their AGM. And I got to deliver a grant certificate for almost $30,000 in works to improve the hall. Thanks to the outgoing committee and welcome to the new crew, your dedication is much appreciated
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How hot do you like your coffee?
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It was great to get along to the launch of the Barrarister Coffee Company’s, brand new Chilli Coffee on Tuesday 10 March. Thanks to Basil and Vine for hosting and neigbhouring MP, Mark Ryan and the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training for your support of Burpengary small business. Congratulations to company owner Jimmy Sullivan and his backers, who've just been rewarded for their efforts with a prestigious Mr Chilli award. I've bought my chilli coffee and it's my go-to in the office most days!
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And then this happened...
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WHO declares COVID-19 a global pandemic on Wednesday 11 March 2020.
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Queensland's number one goal = flatten the curve.
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As people started panic buying across the country, Queensland changed our laws to help fast track goods to supermarket shelves.
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2020 Local Government Elections
The Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ), after considering the declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic and taking advice from Queensland Health, determined that the Queensland local government elections should proceed - with measures put in place at polling places to limit the number of people buildings to fewer than 100.
While a lot of people disagreed with the ECQ's decision to proceed, it's great to have the elections over and new Councils in place, providing stability and support from local government at a time when so much is uncertain.
Congratulations to the new Moreton Bay Regional Council team - especially to those with whom I will continue to work closely for our shared constituents:
- Mayor, Cr Peter Flannery
- new Division 2 Councillor, Mark Booth
- Division 8 Councillor, Mick Gillam
- Division 11 Councillor, Darren Grimwade
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MPs were directed by the Clerk of Parliament to close our offices to the public from 25 March. While it was a sad occasion, I acknowledge that our day to day visits from members of the public are largely unpredictable and that the safety of staff must come first.
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Queensland's Response to COVID-19
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We've launched a dedicated government website – covid19.qld.gov.au – and Jobs Finder Queensland.
COVID-19 has also meant changes to the way our Parliament sits with all but essential business suspended. In late April, we sat to pass our $4 billion COVID-19 economic relief package, including:
- $2.5 billion for workers and businesses
- $1.2 billion to strengthen our health system
- $300 million to ease cost-of-living pressures
We've also implemented support and protections for landlords and tenants; fast-tracked new paramedics; brought forward infrastructure funding in regional economies; ramped up COVID-19 testing and emergency department capacity across the State; utility rebates to households and small businesses; extending Learners' Permits and medical certificate renewal periods for older drivers; free kindy and much, much more.
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In an exciting and innovative initiative for students (and parents) learning from home, our government has struck a deal with Channels 7, 9 and 10 to deliver learning resources through television - what better way to a kid's heart?
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I finally tracked down some hand sanitiser and was able to get some to Meals on Wheels Pine Rivers and District (pictured), Meals on Wheels Burpengary and Hyland House Respite Centre on 27 March. These community groups are all doing a great job during these troubled times and need all the support we can give them.
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It was a lonely job on 30 March, chairing the public briefing of the Transport and Public Works Committee into the Transport and Other Legislation (Road Safety, Technology and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2020. Thanks to other committee members and witnesses for dialling in via teleconference and telephone. Thanks also to the Committee Secretariat and Hansard for making the changes to facilitate this meeting.
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On 31 March, I gave a plasma donation for the first time. An hour of my life is well worth the reward of potentially saving a life!
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I dropped by the Burpengary Markets on Saturday 11 April to get some fresh fruit and vegetables. It was good to see everyone there doing the right thing and social distancing. We can stop the spread of COVID-19 while buying local and these markets are an example of how to do it - well done!
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Sadly, we had to do Anzac Day differently this year. I was proud to participate in the Light Up the Dawn movement on my driveway and the day before I stopped by the Burpengary Memorial to pay my respects (pictured below with Michelle from Burpengary Police). Thanks again to our new Mayor Peter Flannery and Trevor, Dave, Natalie and the Burpengary Community War Memorial Committee for their great work in building this amazing memorial.
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It was great to talk to businesses at Burpengary Central Shopping Centre (pictured above at the Toasted Pig) on 1 May, and businesses in the southern end of the electorate (pictured below outside Lawnton and Petrie shops) on 12 and 13 May, about what's going on for them with COVID-19 restrictions. I handed out information sheets and signs for shop windows. If you have a business and need some signs, please contact my office on 3448 9100.
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COVID-19 Good News Stories
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Thanks to St Eugene College Burpengary for using your technical expertise and equipment to help out the RBWH Foundation with PPE recently.
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You can say thank you to our dedicated health workers by making a donation to The Common Good's "Shout A Health Hero" campaign. For every $5 you donate a free coffee will be delivered to a health care worker at either Caboolture or Prince Charles Hospital.
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Dakabin Train Station Upgrade
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I was very proud on April 28 to finally turn the sod at Dakabin Station (pictured with Health Minister and neighbouring MP, Steven Miles and Gemma Gale from the Dakabin Station Action Group) for the long awaited upgrade. All the planning is finally finished and the work has started - the proof is in the path closure. Sadly, no pain no gain but a big thanks to TMR for working closely with the school on an alternate pathway for students travelling by train.
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Lawnton Train Station Park 'n' Ride
I am very pleased to report that the final plans are out for the new Park 'n' Ride at Lawnton Station - check out the designs below.
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Petrie Intersection Upgrade begins
Photos below, before and after the beginning of demolition. It's almost unrecognisable now and I can't wait to see it in another couple of months time!
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New Settlement / Deception Bay Road Bruce Highway Interchange Upgrade
It is great to see the progress on our Bruce Highway interchange upgrade. Locals certainly can't miss the fact that it's all systems go now!
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More good news for road safety along Dayboro Road with the commencement of rockfall fence installation. This follows the announcement of funding for safety improvements at the Vores Road intersection.
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Construction work on the $18 million Sideling Creek Dam Upgrade (Lake Kurwongbah) is now complete, with final upgrades to the spillway and downstream restoration finished earlier this month.
And in other good news for users of Lake Kurwongbah, and Lake Samsonvale, Seqwater have allowed some recreational activities to restart this month. This is something I have been advocating within government and a great outcome for recreational fishers, paddlers, rowers and skiers. Social distancing rules and some restrictions still apply - visit the website for details.
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