FROM THE DESK OF
Councillor Charles Strunk Forest Lake Ward Councillor
Brisbane City Councils Lord Mayors Budget for 2017/2018 was handed down in July. Lots of questions are being asked by local Forest Lake Ward residents concerned about the well above inflation rate rise and the financial pressure they are already experiencing from the big rate rise last year. This year’s rate rises will see Ellen Grove go up by 4.7%, Inala 6.0%, Forest Lake 1.2 %, Richlands 2.9%, Doolandella 2.1% and Durack 4.6%. However, this budget did deliver some good outcomes by allocating funds towards the Woogaroo Street resurfacing, more Village Parks upgrades, and the Lake Precinct Master Plan that will include a lighting upgrade. The residents of Forest Lake haven’t let the rate increase dampen their community spirit. This months litter pop-up shop and community litter pick-up at the lake was by far one of the best to-date! The cold weather didn’t discourage new volunteers joining us on the day or our new addition to the litter pick-up team Paul the duck who joined us around the lake. A round of applause to Lynne and the Forest Lake Business Growth group for hosting another successful business breakfast this month. These events are for business owners and perfect for anyone who is looking to network with like-minded people. Lynne is more than happy to answer any question, so please feel free to contact her on 0412 765 507. Congratulations on a job well done to Captain Vanessa and Anthony Hunt from the Salvation Army for hosting an insightful free Community Village Connect - crime prevention and community safety engagement event at Creekwood Village at Forest Lake this month. The Inaugural Village Connect event will be rolled out under the auspice of the Salvation Army to each of the villages right around Forest Lake. Residents from Creekwood and around the Forest Lake Ward had a great time speaking with the local police at their regular Police Van, Forest Lake Crime & Community Watch team, Forest Lake Lions members, Vanessa from the WASPs : Forest Lake Junior Rugby Union Club, Forest Lake Salvation Army and myself and my support staff about what our community has to offer. Thank you to everyone who joined in on the day to have a chat and a coffee with us and all the volunteers that helped on the day. I look forward to seeing everyone at the next one. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact my ward support staff at the Forest Lake Ward office on 3407 1211.
R
ICHLANDS - FOREST LAKE SCOUT GROUP UPDAT BY TA N I A McLAUGH LI N
E
The school holiday period is normally a time when young people relax, hang out with friends or maybe go on a trip with the family. For our Scout family, it was a very busy time. We started off with a fantastic day out at the PCYC Inala Multicultural Youth Day. What an amazing turnout it was, and we were certainly kept busy with young people keen to have a go at our climbing wall. This holiday period is also time for Brisbane Gang Show season. This year was the 66th season of Brisbane Gang Show and the 151 cast of Guides and Scouts certainly put on a spectacular performance, filled with music, circus tricks, dancing, acting and a whole lot of fun. This year, the Gang will be going on the road as we travel to Rockhampton for two performances there. The start of Term 3 means a new term of Scouting fun, friendship and new things to experience and learn. This month our focus was on Environment. Our first outing was a tree planting day with the Inala Bushcare Group at Kev Hooper Park Inala. This is an annual event for us and enjoyed by all who attend. The Inala Bushcare people are doing a beautiful job restoring the creek area through the park. The Joeys headed out to Darling Downs Zoo to learn about some of the animals kept there, and also spent some fun meeting nights learning about the Circle of Life, caring for the environment etc. Cubs started the term with a fitness night to get them moving again after the holidays. Still keen from the tree planting day, they decided to get stuck in to completing their Gardening badges and did some work on recycling too. There was also a big focus on finishing off some loose ends with our Boomerang badge work to get cubs up to their next level. Meanwhile our Scouts were out and about with a hike along the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, led by our new Patrol Leader, Isaac Price, and helped by our Assistant Patrol Leader, Hunter McLaughlin. The Scouts were also looking more at our local community and what it means to be a good citizen, including teaching their families more about recycling. Of course, there is always time for movie nights and social time. Page 16 - August 2017 - The Lake News