STATE MEMBER FOR LYTTON
MANLY STATE SCHOOL BUILD
Giving our Bayside kids the best possible start in life with world-class schools remains one of my top priorities. I was honoured to tour Manly State School with its school Principal, seeing first-hand the transformation underway for this wonderful school. This multi-million dollar Big Build project, instigated and funded by the previous Queensland Government, is delivering much-needed new classrooms, modern learning spaces and refreshed facilities to support students now and into the future. I thank the teachers, staff and Manly State School community, and reaffirm my support for continued education investment in our local schools.
PLAN TO CAP FUEL PRICES
Queenslanders pay the most for fuel compared to anywhere else in Australia. In Brisbane you’ll pay on average $1.85 per litre for unleaded, while in regional places like Weipa and Longreach, that price can reach more than $2.20.
In Wynnum, we consistently see unleaded fuel prices bounce around from $1.55 cents per litre one day, to $2.15 the next. This needs to stop.
That’s why the State Opposition introduced a plan into Parliament to cap the amount fuel stations can increase their prices by 5c per day. It’s something that’s been called for by Queensland’s peak
body representing drivers – the RACQ. It means petrol stations can’t gouge you with huge and unjustified spikes.
PRESSURE ON VOLUNTEERS
Our volunteers are the backbone of our community. I recently spoke in Parliament about the Inquiry into Queensland Volunteering. The Inquiry heard from more than 500 submitters and dozens of witnesses across Queensland. The Inquiry report confirms that volunteering contributes an estimated $117 billion in social and economic benefit annually in Queensland. Yet participation has declined significantly in recent years, with around 200,000 fewer volunteers compared to previous levels. Those who remain are carrying more weight, more compliance, and more cost. Regrettably, concerns that volunteer burnout, red tape and insurance costs are not being addressed with sufficient urgency. There is growing compliance burden placed on small volunteer-run organisations, effectively requiring unpaid committee members to operate at near-professional governance standards. We are expecting unpaid mums, dads and the elderly to meet governance standards that resemble those of small corporations. That’s not sustainable. If we value our communities – then we must value our volunteers.
BAYSIDE PAVILLION: HAVE YOUR SAY
Last year, the Carina Leagues Club unveiled plans for a multi-storey redevelopment at the former Wynnum fish markets site on Fox Street, Wynnum. The proposal includes a major gaming area with 65 poker machines, late-night entertainment, large dining spaces and a rooftop venue, with trading hours proposed from 7am through to 4am daily. Whilst this prominent foreshore site deserves thoughtful development that enhances local amenity, many residents have voiced concerns about parking pressures, noise, gambling impacts and the overall scale of the project.
Please have your say via my community survey: https://tinyurl.com/baysidepavilion
GOVERNMENT CUTS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FUNDING
Sadly at a time when domestic violence reports are rising, the Queensland Government is cutting specialist support and walking away from frontline services that save lives. Sue and Lloyd Clarke (pictured) – who tragically lost their daughter Hannah and her three children – warned that weakening specialist responses will “leave victims at the mercy of a patchwork of officers” and is “a step backward” when we should be strengthening protections. Victims deserve properly funded, specialist services – not governments with the wrong priorities. Queenslanders expect better leadership, real investment, and action that keeps women and children safe.
PO Box 719, Wynnum QLD 4178
(07) 3915 1100
[email protected]
www.joanpease.com
