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Vinnies in Springfield & Other Ipswich Suburbs May Close Due to Lack of Volunteers

A Vinnies store may be forced to close in Ipswich due to a severe lack of volunteers, and others in Springfield and other surrounding areas such as Sumner Park and Redbank Plains are in great need of volunteers too. Without a regular stream of volunteers, it is conceivable that these other shops would struggle to remain open too.

In Springfield, the op shop needs volunteers to handle sorting and pricing public donations. With such a small team of volunteers, the op-shop is struggling to prepare goods for sale. The local community has shown great support for the op-shop thus the influx of donations; however, the shop is still short-staffed.

To add to that, the Springfield shop is very busy with a growing number of customers. An executive officer from St Vincent de Paul Queensland’s Western Diocese said that they need people to work in the afternoons and weekends.

The organisation is dedicated to speaking out against causes of poverty and equality on behalf of the people they serve. They help people in poverty and funds raised through op-shops in various parts of the nation are given back to the community to help the poor.

Click here to volunteer!

A Childcare Facility Development Proposed For Brookwater

Just last year, parents faced year-long waiting lists for childcare in various areas of Ipswich, including Brookwater, an area also known as “Nappy Valley.”

Developer OPD submitted an application to the Ipswich City Council for a childcare facility on Magnolia Drive. The facility can cater to 105 children and will create 18 new jobs. It also includes a cot room for babies, which is in high demand.

The only operating childcare facility in the suburb is Goodstart Early Learning, which is always full, hence the nickname “Nappy Valley.”

Cr David Morrison also said that he has been getting many feedback about the lack of childcare facilities in the area as well as in Springfield and its surrounds, Redbank Plains and Collingwood Park.

The demand for a childcare facility is strong for babies under two years. Former Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale said he receives at least three complaints and pleas from parents who need childcare each month. He said that the council is working closely with developers to encourage more companies to open childcare facilities in several areas.

A Synthetic Track in Springfield Highly Supported By The Local Community, Ipswich City Council Isn’t Saying No

Calls for a synthetic track to be built in Springfield have caught the attention of the local community and the Ipswich City Council.

Coach Stacey Taurima of Athletics Australia expressed his frustration over the lack of a sports facility for the Springfield team in the area. Although there is a facility in Nathan that they use, Coach Taurima said its availability is limited, which is why building a synthetic track in Springfield seems to be the best solution.

The Springfield community seems to agree with Mr Taurima as well, having expressed interest in having their own facility attached to a university campus or a part of a development. On the other hand, the council is open to this possibility but they haven’t yet identified an appropriate site for it. There are also plenty of considerations that must be taken into account, to build such a facility.

Building a facility like this requires millions and conditions must be thoroughly assessed before the council gives the go-signal. That said, it would take some time before a synthetic track is built in Springfield. Still, having one will definitely meet the needs of the local Ipswich community.

Augustine Heights Is a Hot Contender For Ipswich’s Fast Food Capital

Surrounding Springfield Lakes, Augustine Heights has become informally known as Ipswich’s fast food capital.

This news came upon the opening of Australia’s biggest Red Rooster store in the suburb in early December joining the newly-opened McDonalds in the area. Zaraffas and Guzman Y Gomez also joined the fast food family in the suburb.

According to the development director of Springfield Land Corporation Commercial, these fast food chains are a good fit for the area and that residents should expect more to come.

They will not only bring food chains but they will also open other types of establishments that will bring more jobs to the people. These recently opened fast food chains have given thousands of jobs to the community. The recently opened Red Rooster still have at least 40 job openings to be filled. There have been over 120 jobs created across the two open stores since it started construction in April.

Competing For the Title of Fast Food Capital

However, Augustine Heights is up against both Redbank Plains and West Ipswich as “fast food capital”. Both these suburbs also have a significant number of fast food establishments in their vicinity.

Jones Road Reserve in Augustine Heights Rich in Fossils, Scientists Work with Springfield Developers to Uncover More

Jones Road Reserve in Augustine Heights in Greater Springfield is one of the top 10 fossil sites in Queensland. In 1900, turtles, insects, rainforest flora from 50 million years ago were uncovered in Augustine Heights and scientists from the Queensland Museum believe that there are more to find.

Due to these findings, geologists and palaeontologists are appealing to Greater Springfield developers to work with them to ensure that significant specimens are uncovered and not destroyed.

The road in Springfield is said to have more flora as the area had a lake and was surrounded by rainforest. The good news is that there is now new technology that scientists can utilise, such as CT scanning, which allows them to scan rocks and reconstruct the fish in full. Without this, uncovering fossils can mean splitting a rock in order to see if there is fish inside.

Scientists are hopeful that Greater Springfield developers will cooperate with them. They also said that they are willing to work with any organisation but they won’t get in their way.

End 2017 With a Bang in Springfield Lakes

Springfield has some great activities for you to end the year with a bang and welcome it in such festive spirits!

Robelle Domain Parklands

Welcome the 2018 at Robelle Domain Parklands on 31 December. Bring your loved ones along with you and celebrate with the whole Greater Springfield community. The event will begin at 5:00 p.m.

There are carnival rides that you and your loved ones can enjoy. This is the first year that this event will have rides, so you better make the most out of it! Food and beverage stalls will be there as well.

Whilst you have fun, you can also watch and enjoy the live music. At 9:00 p.m., the evening will wrap up with a magnificent display of fireworks!

The Spring Lake Hotel

You can also welcome the New Year at The Spring Lake Hotel starting at 8:00 p.m. Enjoy live music and get to bring home some goodies.

There is also complimentary snacks and nibbles for you.

You can book by calling 07 3436 2100.

Fourth McDonald’s To Open in Greater Springfield, Residents Upset

A fourth McDonald’s is opening in Greater Springfield and residents are not too happy about it. Clearly, the residents think an additional fast-food chain to get your guilty fix of burger and french fries is far from a good idea.

On 30th November, development proposal was submitted to the Ipswich City Council for a 24-hour McDonald’s on the corner of Springfield Parkway and New Smith Drive. As part of the development, a portion of the the Springfield Parkway would be widened. Just recently, the council has approved the proposal.

In July of this year, a McDonald’s opened in Augustine Heights. There are plans for another one in Camira as well. So far, there are three McDonald’s within the area, one is in Springfield Lakes and one is in Bellbird Park.

Upon the announcement of a new McDonald’s early this month via a Facebook post, over 200 people commented and expressed their disapproval. Some of them also calls on the council to intervene. However, Cr David Morrison said that the it isn’t up to the council to decide who could open a restaurant.

Residents pointed out the prevalent obesity issue. Cr Morrison said that he understands the obesity argument but it really comes down to a personal choice on the part of the consumer, as to what to eat.

The new development also has plans for a new 7-Eleven store, a service station, and an area for residential properties.

Orion Springfield Central Christmas Carols Resumes This Weekend

Due to bad weather last weekend, the annual Christmas Carols 2017 at Robelle Domain Parklands was cancelled. The good news is, the popular community event is set to push through this weekend, on 16th December.

The event was cancelled last minute last week. This time around, the organisers are ready with a wet weather plan and Cr David Morrison said that the event would push thru weather permitting.

However, some of the performers that were meant to perform last weekend won’t be able to perform this week.

The pre-show entertainment will begin at 5:30 p.m. whilst the actual event will begin at 6:30 p.m. and finish with fireworks at 8:30 p.m.

There will be activities for kids such as animal farm and many others.

All event goers will receive a free ice block from McGrath Springfield.

Fitness Activities For All Ages in Springfield Lakes

Aqua Fitness

Days: Monday / Wednesday
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Where: Orion Springfield Central
Fee: $9.00/class

This type of fitness workout includes running, jogging and walking underwater in the pool. To find out more, click here.

Aikido

Days: Tuesday / Friday
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Where: YMCA Springfield Lakes Community Centre
Fee: $15/class

To know more about it, click here.

Running Group

Days: Wednesday
Time: (Random)
Where: Meet at Spring Lake Oval

Get in touch with Greg at 0408 628 104 or email him at grego@denmacford.com.au

YogAndU

Days: Tuesday
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Where: 63 Springfield Lakes Boulevard
Fee: $10

Click here for more details.

MuMoYo (Music Movement and Yoga for Mums and bubs)

Days: Tuesday
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Where: Springfield Lakes Community Centre
Fee: Upon enquiry

Contact Kate for more details at 0424 628 602

Yoga at the lake

Days: Saturdays
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Where: Spring Lake Park (meet near tennis courts)

Are you ready to get fit? You better! Take advantage of these fitness activities within the area and feel good about yourself.

Springfield Lakes Area Identified as a Fire Ant Hotspot

Fire ants are considered very destructive pests. About 94% of fire ant nests that have been spotted in the past 12 months in the western corridor were found in Greater Springfield.

In light of this overwhelming figure, intensive fire ant treatment has begun. The hot spots identified by the National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program are Augustine Heights, Springfield Lakes and Brookwater.

Recent Infestations

Just recently, fresh fire ant infestation has been found in Brookwater at Augusta Pwy. Last May, there were already nine nests also found there by Biosecurity Queensland. Earlier, in March of this year also, an infestation was also located near St Augustine’s Catholic College.

The past year has seen 13 fire ant colonies in Augustine Heights, two in Springfield, 11 in Springfield Lakes and 10 in Springfield Central.

First Round of Treatment

The treatment was scheduled to start earlier but due to weeks of wet weather in Ipswich, it has been delayed. Up to 140 people were hired to tackle fire ants across Queensland as part of the $411.4 million decade-long eradication program. The first of three rounds of bait treatment issuing applied between November 2017 to June 2018.

The first treatment will be executed in western outer infestation areas of Ipswich, the Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim and Somerset. The next three rounds would be applied during the warmer weather of 2018-19.

The Danger of Fire Ants

Fire ants were first detected in Brisbane in 2011. These South American ants are a huge threat to the social, economic, and environmental state of Queensland. They are considered Category 1 restricted pests under the Biosecurity Act 2014.

Considered as the most dangerous ant in the area, the fire ant is a very invasive species that can hurt you if disturbed. They are copper brown in colour with a darker abdomen. Often, they are mistaken as a common garden or house ant. They come in various sizes and their nest may appear as loose soil with no exit holes or visible entry points.

To report fire ants, click here.