The current Queensland and NSW fire season has been devastating, taking lives and destroying homes. Our fire services are under resourced and overworked, and we know global warming is only making things worse.  We want to impose a ‘Protecting Queenslanders Levy’ on all coal and gas corporations to fund our plan to: Hire 1,400 new full time paid firefighters Invest an extra $75 million over three years in the Rural Fire Service   Create a permanent aerial firefighting wing with $200 million for firefighting aircraft Create 200 new Indigenous Ranger positions to work with the QFES and RFSQ to better support and inform hazard reduction burns and landscape management by investing $24 million over three years.  Sign our petition to call for an immediate increase in funding for the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service. See more information, including full costings here. 

As Fig Tree Pocket changes, we need to make our streets safe for everyone.  One of the worst spots for pedestrian safety is the intersection of Fig Tree Pocket Road and Kenmore Road.  There have been three reported crashes in five years, but locals know that minor accidents and near misses happen many times every year. One local resident keeps an “accident kit” at home, fearing that it’s only a matter of time until someone is injured.  Some of the issues are: No safe crossing points, especially for kids, people with prams or people using a wheelchair. School students using the nearby bus stop on Fig Tree Pocket Road are unable to cross safely.  High speeds, including drivers rat-running to avoid the Centenary Motorway Students from Fig Tree Pocket SS, Brisbane Montessori School, Kenmore SHS and local non-government schools are all put at risk by this dangerous intersection.  I have been pushing for some simple, positive solutions: Traffic lights at the intersection of Fig Tree Pocket Rd and Kenmore Rd,  A pedestrian refuge or a raised “wombat crossing” near bus stop 37, on Fig Tree Pocket Rd, and A speed limit of 40km/hr on Fig Tree Pocket Rd and Kenmore Rd in Fig Tree Pocket for discourage rat-running.  We know that Brisbane City Council has already spent $221,000 on a feasibility investigation into traffic lights at this intersection, but so far they have not allocated money in the Council Budget.  Long term, the best way to fix traffic congestion and improve pedestrian safety is to make our streets safe and people-friendly so that more residents have the option to walk, cycle or catch the bus. Traffic lights do cost money, but lower speed limits are almost free for Council to implement. Rather than spend money on wasteful road-widening projects, Council should be supporting smaller upgrades like this which actually make residents’ lives easier.  You can read more about my advocacy on this issue, and read the Lord Mayor's responses here: https://www.michaelberkman.com.au/ftp_pedestrian_pt 

The inner west desperately needs a new P-12 school. This is something I’ve been hearing from local residents since before I was elected. Rapid development and densification in the area has meant that many local schools are experiencing severe overcrowding. This is impacting on the wellbeing of students, parents and the local community. Capacity is quickly being outstripped by enrolments, with P&C members estimating they will need significant numbers of new buildings next year to accommodate growth. Demountable classrooms are being erected on school ovals, encroaching on students’ already limited play area. Before and after school care services are particularly overcrowded, with long wait lists placing enormous pressures on working parents especially. I believe we need long term solutions and planning for future growth, and that’s why I’ve been calling for a new school or schools for the inner west. With limited space, one solution could be a vertical school, similar to the one due to open in Fortitude Valley in 2020. I’ve put it to local residents whether they’d support this option, so please complete my Autumn Community Survey to have your say. My office and I have been looking into a number of possible locations for a new school, and have a few sites in mind. Taringa seems to be the obvious choice, given its population is growing quickly, it’s relatively accessible via public transport, and it still doesn’t have a school. Closing the old Taringa State School in 1996 and selling off this valuable land was a huge mistake. Instead of making sure property developers pay their fair share, past governments have let development carry on without the necessary public infrastructure like schools, public transport and green space. I’ve been raising this issue repeatedly in the media and in Parliament. On 3 April 2019 the Minister for Education gave a promising answer to my question about a new school, indicating that “all options are on the table”. Now we need to make sure the Minister understands how urgently the inner west needs a new school. How can you take action? Sign my petition asking the Queensland government for a new school and ask your friends and family to sign too. This will help demonstrate the urgent need to the Government. Write to the Minister for Education, Grace Grace, via education@ministerial.qld.gov.au. Let your local school Principal and P&C know this issue is important to you. If you have specific thoughts about a location, or other ideas or concerns, please contact my office directly via maiwar@parliament.qld.gov.au or 3737 4100.