Greetings St Lucia

The university year is now well underway. The suburb has made its usual transition from strangely quiet (for a suburb only five minutes from the CBD) to hustling and bustling, with restaurants, shops and roads all running at capacity. This is mostly a happy transition, particularly for our treasured local business people. But there are also problems, and a number of these emerged at the first St Lucia Community Association meeting for the year. It was attended by Brisbane City Councillors Judy Magub and Jane Prentice.

Can you please advise if you are receiving more than one of these messages or if you don't want to receive them at all. We also would like you to forward this email on to other St Lucia residents you think would be interested.

Next meeting: May 12.

POLICE PUBLIC SAFETY TEAM DEALS WITH TWO ST LUCIA PARTIES

The Public Safety Response Team used shields to protect police from objects thrown at a St Lucia party in recent weeks. Several arrests were made on the night. The Team also supported police at another party in the suburb within the same month. Senior Sergeant Corey Allen, Officer in Charge of the Indooroopilly Division, said these parties and two or three others were simply too big, with partygoers overflowing onto the footpaths. Both party givers and partygoers need to be more aware of their legal responsibilities, he said.

Senior Sergeant Allen has put together a draft management plan for parties in the area which includes contacting the owners and agents of rented properties where repeat disturbances have occurred and giving lectures to new students and college residents about alcohol and personal safety.

Snr Sgt Allen has offered to attend the next SLCA meeting (May 12) and outline these steps in more detail. In the meantime, you are encouraged to phone 33646464 if you are disturbed by noise or behaviour at a party.

PROBLEMS WITH OVERCROWDING ON CITY-BOUND BUSES

A number of SLCA members raised concerns with the overcrowding of the city-bound 412 service. They report that a succession of buses are filling up at the University then failing to stop along Sir Fred Schonnell Drive. One resident even reported a near scrum at the university as students began shoving to try to get onto the buses. Clearly more buses are needed. Cr Judy Magub is investigating this issue.

TREES

A new group is being formed within the SLCA to protect the suburb's 'leafy' demenour. If you are interested in this topic, please hit the 'reply' button and let us know.

FOOTPATH ON NINTH AVENUE

Several residents on Ninth Avenue requested that Council construct a footpath or simply clear vegetation to allow pedestrians to walk on at least one side of the road. Cr Judy Magub is investigating this issue.

KEEP A WATCHFUL EYE ON THE PHARMACY

The St Lucia Pharmacy on Hawken Drive has asked us all to report suspicious behaviour near the store. More than one robbery of the pharmacy has occurred late at night or in the very early hours of the morning. In the most recent the large plate-glass window at the pharmacy's front was smashed. These break-ins should be easily spotted from busy Hawken Road. Anyone seeing suspicious behaviour should immediately ring the police on 000.

JOIN US

We are an incorporated group of St Lucia residents keen on improving various aspects of the suburb. You can support us in a variety of ways:

1. By joining the association and keeping up-to-date with your yearly subscription  - send a $15 cheque made out to the SLCA to 177 Hawken Drive, St Lucia Q 4067, or come along and pay at the next meeting. Don't forget to include your name, address, and email address, if you have one.
2. By attending our meetings and letting us know the important issues for you.
3. By joining, or forming a new, sub-committee to drive a particular change you would like to see in the suburb.

SEE YOU IN MAY
ROBYN EMERSON, SLCA PRESIDENT