Memorial drive planned for Russell

Memorial drive planned for Russell from the bay journal.
A memorial drive is being seriously considered for Russell Island.

The concept is meant to complement the Russell Island RSL plans to greatly expand its club facilities at Cuphea Street to meet growing membership needs.

Key to the club expansion is to add a second storey, giving sweeping views eastward over a rural landscape, Canaipa Passage and the vegetated dunes of North Stradbroke Island from an upstairs function area.

But spoiling that view at present is Cuphea Street, a hot, barren and windswept blot on that landscape Originally laid out as a crop duster landing strip, little has been done with the awkward 50m wide and 400m long space except to bitumen a central strip for traffic. The only other use has been for remembrance ceremonies at Anzac, Armistice and Long Tan Days.

"It is perfectly set up for becoming a remembrance or memorial drive because it is such a wide avenue" said Club President Malcolm Humphries.

Culphea Street was designed as an airstrip
Two months ago a subcommittee was formed led by John Coupe to put a proposal for redevelopment before the Redland City Council.

On Friday, Mayor Melva Hobson and Councillor Barbara Townsend, intrigued by the possibilities, did a site visit.

They wanted to walk the ground to understand what the Club was planning and how the Council could help.

They pointed up the issues that expansion of the club would bring, such as the need for more car parking.

John Coupe countered that the Club has, for many years, worked on providing adequate car parking for an expanded club by increasing its holdings of adjacent blocks.

Also under discussion was the need to protect the views of residents on the street when considering what kind of plantings should be done.

"The right type of plantings is going to be critical to the success of our plans" said John Coupe.
Part of the plans is for the stage two of the War Memorial fronting the street. This would be an intimate memorial garden with seating. The wall of the memorial will be opened for plaques to deceased ex-servicemen. Photo shows Malcolm Humphries (left) explaining the idea to Mayor Melva Hobson on right. Eric Short, member of the memorial drive committee, is at centre.

"And While it is a lightly used thoroughfare, consideration has to be given to the needs of traffic, especially at intersections."

Both Councillor and Mayor agreed that the project was a worthwhile undertaking but that there were a lot of hurdles to be cleared.

Malcolm Humphries said there were many reasons why the Club wanted to undertake the memorial drive project--the first and most important to remind us all of the sacrifices that made what we have today possible.

Nancy Olsson, President of the Russell Island Association, who was also present during the walk-around, added "From a community point of view, the additional function space and memorial drive will provide an excellent venue for special occasions like weddings and other significant island events.

"The revamped RSL will also provide visitors to the island with an opportunity to see why we islanders love it so."

But it was Malcolm Humphries that summarized the situation: "It is a great view and location, and we should make the most of it"

Russell Island Assocation changing of the guard

Russell Island Assocation changing of the guardfrom the bay journal
Changes to the Executive
At the last meeting of the Russell Island Association, some changes to the Executive were made:

I was elected President, and Kay Ross Vice-President. Alison Greenwood was re-elected Treasurer. Lee Shipley remains our Delegate to the SMBI Forum.

We need a Secretary, and I would ask anyone who think they might have skills in this area and a little time to contribute to nominate themselves.

Future meetings
We will now be meeting at the Kennedy Farm House on Robert Street, on the first Saturday of the month at 10 am. The next meeting will be on 6 November.

Alternate Barge Routes
At the meeting, Brian Paddison discussed progress on alternate north and south barge routes for the SMBI. Council has appointed GHD Consulting to do a study on alternate barge routes (after having recommended them in its 2002 Integrated Local Transport Plan - ILTP), and we look forward to their report. Brian reported that the MBCIA has had discussions with a range of people, including Energex, Council, and State and Federal MPs and bureaucrats. He reported that generally the reception is positive although it is acknowledged that there is much more work to be done before these become a reality (if they do).

The Russell Island Association voted to support continued investigation of alternate barge routes by the MBCIA, Council and State Government and work with them and other groups to explore these options.

Island Wish-list for Council Works on Russell 2011-2012
We received over 30 responses to our survey to islanders. The next meeting we will discuss the results of the survey and our submission to Council.

Next
The next meeting is Saturday 6 November at Kennedy Farm House, Robert Street. Hope to see you there.

More artificial reefs planned for Moreton Bay - Seven News Queensland

Moves to increase fishing

The State Government has announced two more artificial reefs for anglers in Moreton Bay off the south-east Queensland coast.

Six man-made reefs are being sunk in various areas around Moreton Bay to make up for fishing areas lost to green zones.

One has already been completed east of St Helena Island, off Brisbane.

Work is also underway on the design and construction of three reefs in offshore waters off Bribie Island, Moreton Island and South Stradbroke Island.

At Manly yesterday, Climate Change Minister Kate Jones announced the location of the final two artificial reefs - west of Peel Island and to the east of Coochiemudlo Island.

"These six reefs will ensure that mums and dads and recreational fisher people will have the opportunity to fish and enjoy Moreton Bay," Ms Jones said.

"Moreton Bay is one of the most spectacular places right on the doorstep of Brisbane and we want to make sure that future generations get to enjoy the bay and drop a line."

Deputy Premier Paul Lucas says the reefs will include specially designed balls of concrete.

"What they're like is not unlike a practice golf ball and so the little fish can swim into the holes and hide in there so the big fish can't eat them and bite them," he said.

"There are many parts of the bay that are pure sand - it is very hard for little fish to breed and multiply there without big fish coming along and eating them.

"Little fish will be in there, hiding in the holes and when they get big enough they'll swim out and some of them will be caught by people."

The Government says all six reefs will be completed by 2011.