By Iraphne Childs

Dear Members

Resuming gatherings at the RGSQ premises:

Queensland continues to be in a fortunate situation with no community COVID-19 transmission. So, I’m happy to report that we will resume our monthly lectures and meetings in-person at the RGSQ Srping Hill following Qld Government guidelines. It will be necessary to register for events on the RGSQ website as we need to maintain attendance limits according to the current guidelines. We hope to present the lectures both in-person and via zoom for the benefit of our members outside Brisbane. Please note: the April lecture, by ABC’s Kate Doyle Difficulties the communicating weather, will be on Tuesday 13^th as Easter week is 2-9 April.

Activities and trips on offer:

Both the TAAC and Map Group committees have announced their programs for 2021 so check out opportunities for participating in events on the website. Some have already filled up, so I think this indicates that members are keen to get out, enjoy and reconnect with Society friends again!  

Victoria Park upgrade – new public greenspace in our Spring Hill neighbourhood:

A recent report found that Brisbane was the greenest of Australia’s capital with 54% green cover in 2020, while Melbourne was found to be the least green with just 23% total tree cover and Sydney had only 34% (ABC News). Following public consultation in 2019-2020 the Brisbane City Council (BCC) announced in December 2020 that the Victoria Park Vision was now finalised. Many Aboriginal people once knew Victoria Park as Barrambin, “the windy place”. Later it became York’s Hollow before being renamed in honour of Queen Victoria. The conversion of the 18-hole golf course into a new 64-hectare public park is scheduled to begin in mid-2021. Here are some of the features of this land re-development on our doorstep:

• A focus on cultural heritage and the site’s importance to local Aboriginal people
• Restoration of the original natural waterways to increase cooling and drainage systems that provide habitat for wildlife
•  Boardwalks and trails meandering through wetlands to provide ways to interact and enjoy the water features, including kayaking and canoeing on Lake Barrambin
• Revegetation of the park with native species to increase biodiversity
• Cycle routes, a high ropes course and a nature and water play gully for children
• Pathways designed to accommodate a broad range of park users, from pedestrians and cyclists to those with mobility devices or prams
• Bridges and canopy walks will connect the site between ridges to provide gentle grades to allow disabled access across the hilly park, while other trails will crisscross at ground level

• Public transport connections and some car parking within the parkland

I hope RGSQ Members will have opportunities to explore this new park in the RGSQ vicinity.

With best wishes

Dr. Iraphne Childs, President

References

ABC News 11 March 2021. Australians face a hotter future if our cities don't do more to cool 'heat islands', report finds. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-11/australians-face-unliveable-cities-less-greenspace-heat/13231068

Victoria Park Vision. BCC. https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020-12/20201206%20-%20Victoria%20Park%20Vision.pdf

Victoria Park vision revealed to the public. Brisbane Development Dec. 6, 2020 https://brisbanedevelopment.com/victoria-park-vision-relvealed-to-the-public/