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Springfield Lakes Hosting a One-Day Pest Fishing Event

Springfield Lakes is hosting the Inaugural Pest Fishing Classic.

The first Springfield Lakes Pest Fishing Classic will be held Saturday 17 March 2018 from 6:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Spring Lake.

Fishing is generally not allowed at any of Springfields’ man-made lakes, however, the pest fishing event has been given permission by wildlife authorities and the local council of Ipswich, as a way for officials to educate residents about the effects of pest species in their bodies of water, while doing so in a controlled and monitored manner.

The event is a collaboration between Lendlease, Ipswich City Council, and Department of Agriculture and Fisheries which will be strictly managed under a Biosecurity Queensland pest fishing permit through fishing event management group, 2 Bent Rods.

Pest fishing is not new in Springfield Lakes since, despite the no fishing rule in the lake, some anglers are still throwing a line in to help get rid of pest fishes like Tilapia and Carp.

Read: Determined Angler Talks about Pest-Fishing Despite “No Fishing” Signs at Spring Lake

Pest fishes, like tilapia, for example, was first introduced to Australia as an ornamental fish in the 1970s and is now regarded as one of the greatest threats to Australia’s natural biodiversity, according to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF).

Photo credit: Leonie Kellermann/Wikimedia Commons

These species are not naturally found in Springfields’ three lakes and can cause substantial damage to the local biodiversity, as they compete with endemic species for food and space, become predators of the local species, and may even bring diseases to the area they inhabit.

Invasive species typically do not have any natural predators in the wild to control their population.

According to the World Conservation Union, invasive species are the second most significant threat to biodiversity, with habitat loss being the first.

In a statement by Ipswich City Council Health, Security and Community Safety Committee chairperson Cr Sheila Ireland, she said that the council are aware of pest fishing activities in the area. With this, they thought that having an organised pest fishing event in a controlled environment is the best way to teach locals about pest fishes.

Photo credit: Facebook/SEQ Carp & Tilly Busters

With the aim of raising awareness in the wider community about the detrimental impacts of pest fish, education sessions on the pest species will be provided during the registration for the event. Trained helpers will also be available to make sure that catches are correctly disposed of in dedicated waste bins.

Fishing is typically frowned upon by residents of the area, due to previous experience with some fishermen who leave dead fish and their entrails scattered about the boardwalk.

Some residents are also concerned that the event may cause the incidence of illegal fishing in the area to increase but event organisers are hopeful that the event will be a good opportunity for locals to support a good cause.

Registration is required for the event which will start at 6:45 a.m. and a fee of $5 will be collected. The proceeds from the registration will be used to restock native species in the lake after the event.

Pest fishing starts at 7:00 a.m. and prizes will be up for grabs. A weigh-in station and sausage sizzle will also be available in the event.

For event tickets and registration, click here.

For more information, visit the Facebook event page.

For a More Harmonious Community: Harmony Day Festival in Springfield Central

On 24 March, celebrate Harmony Day Festival at Robelle Domain Parklands in Springfield Central from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The aim of the event is to connect multicultural and main stream communities and organisations as well as enhance and develop more harmonious communities.

A Family Event

There are many activities for kids and adults, so make it a family affair. Enjoy the fun rides as well as the free face painting. For $10, you get yourself unlimited rides already.

You can also join in several workshops such as the martial arts and the lion dance workshops.

It wouldn’t be a festival without some great entertainment. There will be multicultural performances by The Studio of Performing Arts, Showbiz Express Circus & Dance, and young vocalist Paris Morgan.

Win a Prize

There will also be a Lucky Door draw. Who knows? You might just win a Nintendo Switch Console. All you need to do is fill up the raffle ticket and submit it to the Festival Information Stall. You have to be present during the raffle time, which will start at 7:50 p.m.

Don’t miss out on the Free Red Bag, which will be distributed at 5:30 p.m. and the $2 unlimited land train, a Westside Community Care fundraiser.

The WCC is a not-for-profit organisation in Greater Springfield that provides programs and services to the meet the needs of the community. They reach out to struggling individuals and families not only in Springfield but across Queensland as well.

At 8:00 p.m., end the night with fireworks!

The event is organised by the World Harmony Society. Established in 2012, they aim to promote universal harmony through intercultural understanding. They also provide assistance, relief, support, education, and care to any person in distress.

Clean Up Australia Day in Ipswich Puts More Focus on Greater Springfield’s Waterways

The 4th of March was the 2018 Clean Up Australia Day (CUAD) and Ipswich City Council encouraged locals to participate by taking photos of the most littered item – cigarette butts. In Greater Springfield, more focus was put on Spring Lake, Regatta Lake and Discovery Lake. Canoeists were also encouraged to get rubbish from the lakes.

Registered participants in CUAD were also encouraged to join the Ipswich City Council’s Clean Up Australia Day Photo Competition, where the entries with the most interesting photos will be given gift vouchers to The Source Bulk Foods.

Entries close on Friday 16 March 2018.

Cash and Prizes

CUAD rubbish collection winning photo (open category): Winner – $200 The Source Bulk Foods Springfield Voucher
CUAD rubbish collection winning photo (school categories): Winner – $200 The Source Bulk Foods Springfield Voucher
CUAD smoke butt winning photo (open category): Winner – $200 The Source Bulk Foods Springfield Voucher
CUAD smoke butt winning photo (school categories): Winner – $200 The Source Bulk Foods Springfield Voucher

Discovery Lake is so murky and is often referred to by the locals as “brown lake.” Last year, a boy got into an accident at the Discovery Lake when he launched himself into the lake using a rope swing. The boy landed on submerged rocks. Luckily, the boy was quickly rescued by his friend who was on a boogie board when the accident happened.

When the story was shared on online, many residents emphasised the fact that swimming was banned at Springfield Lakes. Some even voiced out how dirty the lake was as it caught stormwater hence the ‘No Swimming’ sign.

Clean Up Australia Everyday

CUAD is an annual movement where individuals, schools and businesses come together for a clean-up project. However, concerned communities are encouraged to help Clean Up Australia every day. Organisations can organise Clean Up Sites on any day of the year. This can be a weekly, monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly event.

Find out how you can set up a Clean Up Site on any day of the year.

Driverless Bus in Greater Springfield: A Peek Into Autonomous Transportation In the Area

Springfield Central becomes smarter with their smart buses that drive themselves. The trial period runs from 26 February to 3 March.

Called EasyMile EZ10, the driverless shuttle operates from Orion Lagoon to USQ Springfield.

Everybody is welcome to ride the bus during public demonstration times. Demonstration times are as follows:

Monday-Thursday

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Friday

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Saturday

9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Designed by French company EasyMile, the EZ10 reaches speeds up to 40 kmh. It has a capacity for 12 people and is accessible for people with disabilities.

The bus is designed to cover short routes that are predefined. It can also detect environmental changes such as cyclists, other vehicles and pedestrians.

Transportation of the Future

USQ Springfield students have already tried riding the bus. The students were very pleased with the ride. Upon experiencing what it could do, they were more eager to see this kind of transportation system in the future.

Australian Electric Infrastructure Transport (AEIT), a Springfield-based manufacturer of driverless electric vehicles, welcomes the EZ10 trial and does not see the driverless shuttle as competition. AEIT is focused on developing a driverless bus in Greater Springfield or a tram public transport system. They aim to launch their transport system by December this year.

New Pet Deck Application at Orion Springfield Central Under Scrutiny By Locals

While the planned on-site off-leash dog park is still underway at Orion Springfield Central, the shopping centre is showing more love to animals as they submitted a new development application for a pet-friendly dining deck.

The application has received several feedback from locals. Residents expressed their views on The Springfield News Facebook page. Some are not keen on the application as they fear that the dogs might hurt people whilst others are concerned about the smell. On the other hand, there are also a lot of people who have expressed enthusiasm over the application.

Photo credit: The Springfield News / Facebook

The deck will be an extension of the existing food court at the shopping centre. Detailed plans to develop a new structure for the deck have been submitted for approval. Plans will ensure that it will only have a minimal impact on the turtle pond landscape.

A spokeswoman for the shopping centre said that although animals will be welcome at the centre, there will be certain restricted areas. Also, dogs must always be under the close supervision of their owners and leashed at all times unless in the off-leash dog park. There will be dog services and facilities available in the area.

The shopping centre also assures that dog areas in the centre will be clearly marked.

Along with a new pet deck, the new application also includes seating pods, lounges, cabanas and other pet-friendly areas. The new dog park, which is currently under construction is at the top of Main Street, is set to open in early 2018.

The Second Annual Women’s Day Luncheon of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce Is Almost Here

On the 8th of March, the second annual Women’s Day Luncheon of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce will take place at the Orion Hotel, which will start at 12:00 p.m.

Cathy Uechtritz will be the guest speaker for the even. Ms Uechtritz handles media and communications at New Home Group, a mining company that is based in Brookwater, She will talk about her successes over the past years, achieving the highest degree possible from the SOHK and the “tea bag theory.”

The tea bag theory simply means – the longer you put a woman in hot water, the stronger she gets. Ms Uechtritz will discuss this and how adversity builds strength.

GSCC facilitates business to business activities and services for members in the Greater Springfield region. They focus on assistance, advice and creative business networking opportunities.

Guests are encouraged to bring pre-loved workwear for men and women to be donated to Into The View Workwear.

Tickets are priced at $60 per person and they are selling fast. For more information, click here.

Home Consortium Submits Application for the Masters Springfield Central Site

Plans to transform Masters Springfield Central into a Homemaker Centre have recently been submitted to the Ipswich City Council for approval.

Home Consortium has submitted a DA to the Ipswich City Council last week showing plans to have 10 tenancies and a small cafe onsite. The location is one of 40 of the former hardware centres which they plan to transform into hypermarkets that will feature various brands for lifestyle, health and appliance. Depending on the location, possible tenancies include gyms, medical centres, childcare services, and children’s play centres.

The development at Masters Springfield Central represents a huge opportunity for the developer, given the growing population in the Springfield area. “The proposed development represents an enhanced retail offer for residents, repurposing a vacant site that if not fully occupied or underutilised could detract from success story,” the developer said.

“The site is in a highly accessible location and the specialty tenants envisaged are not expected to affect the local activity centre hierarchy, being a complementary offer to that within the balance of the Springfield Town Centre,” the development application states.

Should it be approved, the development is expected to create over 100 jobs.

When completed, this project will provide residents better access to retail stores in a highly accessible location. Established chains will be opened in these stories with expected retailers like the Good Guys, Spotlight, Woolworths, and Chemist Warehouse possibly occupying tenancies in the location.

Greater Springfield Ladies To Host High Tea for Bravehearts Organisation

The annual Bravehearts Hats for High Tea Garden Party charity event is almost here and the ladies of Greater Springfield are keen to raise funds again for the organisation. The group aims to raise $20,000 this year.

Bravehearts

The group is one of Australia’s leading child protection organisations. It was founded in 1997 by Hetty Johnston, who established the organisation following the sexual assault of her daughter. At the time, she couldn’t find any organisation to turn to for help.

They have now 65 people across Australia that are providing world-class child protection training and education initiatives. They also offer counselling and support. They also do research that promotes an evidence-based approach to addressing child sexual assault.

Event Details

The fundraiser will be on 17 March from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tickets start at $70 and they have started to go on sale.

Now on its fourth year, the event will be held at a new venue year. Normally always held at the Brookwater Golf and Country Club, it will be held at the Hillstone in Saint Lucia this year because they are expecting a higher number of attendees. This year’s hosts will be Kat and Stav Davidson.

For more information, visit their Facebook page.

Ipswich To See Its First Ever Marathon Event in Greater Springfield

The Run 2 Give Foundation has officially launched the McGrath Springfield Greater Springfield Marathon Festival last month and they have high hopes for the event as this is the first that it came to the region.

They are expecting to see over 1,000 runners to turn up for the event. This is the foundation’s third event in Queensland. So far, their events have received positive feedback, which serves as their inspiration to grow the event in the next couple of years to getting 5,000 runners.

The Greater Springfield Marathon Festival will include:

42km
35km
28km
21km
14km
7km
Kid’s 1km fun run

The foundation is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for registered charities through sporting events.

Steven Hodgson fo McGrath Springfield is involved in this event, something that they see as a great way to give back to the community. This will be one of the biggest events in the area and this will also be the first marathon in Ipswich.

Ipswich Mayor Andrew Antoniolli has also expressed excitement for the event.

The marathon will be held on 30 June at 6:30 a.m. Those planning to participate should consider commencing training anytime soon.

New Upgrades of Regatta Lake in Springfield Lakes are Officially Open

The new pontoon and boat ramp at Springfield Lakes’ Regatta Lake officially opened in the first weekend of February and residents in the Greater Springfield area are encouraged to enjoy the new facilities at what is being called the Regatta Lake Pad Hub.

To celebrate the opening, Ipswich Mayor Andrew Antoniolli, Charis Mullen MP, Councillors Ireland and Morrison did the official cutting of the ribbon.

The afternoon included activities on the lake and demonstrations from local maritime modellers. There were also free snow cones for the kids as well as fun water activities.

Funded by the State Government through its Get Playing grant program and Lendlease, the $500,000 upgrade to the lake has given better access to residents and lake goers.

The Springfield Centenary Canoe Club will be one of the local groups to use the facility. Expressing their thrill at the latest improvements, they are also hoping that the new facility will boost the local kayaking and water sport community of Springfield Lakes and the region.

Springfield Centenary Canoe Club, which also operates Riverhills, aims to make their club the biggest in Queensland. Currently, six members of the club are canoe polo masters world champions.