Today I want to talk about a key part of my electorate: the suburb of Wishart. I spent some time in Wishart over the winter break, talking with residents and local groups about what's important to them.

There was a great turnout at the NBN information session that I held recently for local residents and businesses. NBN Co has confirmed with me that this week over 4,300 premises in Wishart will be switched over to the NBN. These homes and businesses can expect a letter in the mail soon about the next steps they should take to connect to the NBN.

I recently met with the Wishart State School P&C Association to hear the latest on their five-year improvement plan. The P&C adopted this plan in July last year to help focus their fundraising efforts. They've already completed their first goal of putting air-conditioning in their resource centre. This October they're holding a spring carnival to raise funds to help them complete more of their goals, and I look forward to being there.

I also met with the Neighbourhood Watch Upper Mount Gravatt Area 16 to discuss the best ways to tackle local crime in Wishart and surrounding areas. The next round of the government's Safer Communities Fund is coming up soon, and I encourage them to apply.

It's always great to catch up with my constituents in Wishart. I will be doing so again this weekend at a mobile office in Devlin Street Park, with the state member for Mansfield, Mr Ian Walker, and councillor for MacGregor, Councillor Steven Huang.

A major upgrade to tackle traffic congestion along Green Camp Road at Wakerley is one step closer, with Council today releasing designs for the $28 million project.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the project would see Green Camp Road widened to at least four lanes to take real action on traffic congestion, getting residents home quicker and safer.

“The capacity of Green Camp Road, between Rickertt Road and Manly Road, will be boosted with extra lanes, as well as major intersection upgrades for Tilley Road and Rickertt Road,” Cr Quirk said.

“This project is part of Council’s plan to keep Brisbane heading in the right direction, by delivering the infrastructure needed to meet the needs of future generations.”

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said the Rickertt Road and Tilley Road intersections were currently operating well above capacity and failing to meet current traffic demands.

“With Green Camp Road already carrying 30,000 vehicles each day, this part of the road network will grind to a halt without this vital project,” Mr Vasta said.

“Thanks to the Federal Government’s investment, the scope of this project has been increased to also include capacity and safety upgrades at the Rickertt Road intersection.”

Deputy Mayor and Chandler Ward Councillor Adrian Schrinner said the Green Camp Road corridor upgrade would deliver valuable travel time savings and safety improvements.

“The upgrade will reduce motorists’ commute by up to 50 per cent in the mornings, and 35 per cent in the afternoons, by widening Green Camp Road to four lanes with an additional northbound lane at the Tilley Road intersection,” Cr Schrinner said.

Councillor for Doboy Ward Ryan Murphy said the Green Camp Road corridor upgrade would reduce traffic congestion not only on Green Camp Road, but on arterial roads across the eastern road network.

“Traffic modelling has shown that upgrades of these intersections will reduce long queues on both Rickertt Road and Tilley Road, particularly during the busy morning peak,” Cr Murphy said.

Construction on the Green Camp Road Corridor upgrade is expected to commence in mid-2018 and be complete in late-2019.

The Green Camp Road corridor upgrade is jointly funded by Brisbane City Council and the Australian Government. The Australian Government is contributing $10 million through the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development.

For more information on the Green Camp Road corridor upgrade visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au or call Council on (07) 3403 8888.

Green Camp Road Project Details:

• Two through-lanes in each direction on Green Camp Road from Manly Road to approximately 180 metres past the Rickertt Road intersection.

• Three through-lanes on the Green Camp Road northbound carriageway at the Tilley Road intersection.

• Signalisation at the Green Camp Road and Tilley Road intersection.

• Tilley Road intersection approach widened with one left-turn lane and one right-turn lane.

• Two through-lanes on Rickertt Road in each direction over a distance of 200 metres from the Green Camp Road intersection.

• Rickertt Road intersection approach widened with a separate left-turn lane and two right-turn lanes.

• New on-road cycling lanes and off-road shared pathway.

• Raising Green Camp Road and upgrading culverts to improve drainage and flood immunity.

I would love your help to deliver more vital upgrades for our area and would appreciate if you could fill out my local infrastructure survey 

Grants of between $2,500 and $20,000 are available to help fund small capital projects in the Bonner community, thanks to the Turnbull Coalition Government’s extension of its Stronger Communities Programme, Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said today.

“My office is now accepting expressions of interest from local schools and not-for-profit organisations and groups for funding through Round 3 of Stronger Communities,” Mr Vasta said.

“Grant amounts will cover up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs. You can fund your share of eligible project costs from any source including state and local government. Your contribution can be either cash or in-kind.”

Previous recipients of Stronger Communities funding in Bonner include:

Round 1

It’s with great pleasure I announce today that the Federal Government has committed $10 million to go toward Brisbane City Council’s upgrade of Green Camp Road. This adds to Brisbane City Council’s $18 million investment to improve the Green Camp Road corridor.

Construction works are due to start next year. This will include widening of Green Camp Road between Manly Road and Rickertt Road. It will also include much-needed fixes to the notorious Green Camp Road and Rickertt Road intersection.

I’ve spoken before about the issues commuters between Brisbane and Redland City face every day on these roads. Around 1,000 vehicles pass through the Green Camp Road-Rickertt Road intersection during peak times. This can bring traffic to a standstill for up to two kilometres. Countless people have come to me over the years asking for a fix.

Thanks to combined Federal and council efforts, commuters will receive an upgrade for the Green Camp Road corridor much sooner. As well as reducing congestion, the project will improve safety for drivers due to improved signalling.

I thank Lord Mayor Graham Quirk and local Councillors Adrian Schrinner and Ryan Murphy for funding this vital upgrade. I also thank my colleague, Member for Bowman, Andrew Laming, for his advocacy on behalf of Redland residents, which together has allowed us to secure the Federal Government’s contribution to this project.

I look forward to seeing work completed on this vital upgrade for Bonner commuters.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta today invited community groups, organisations and individuals to start their own tree planting projects by applying for grants under Round Three of the 20 Million Trees Program.

“Up to $6 million is now available for grants between $20,000 and $100,000 for tree planting projects that will put back threatened bushland and support threatened species,” Mr Vasta said.

“This is a great opportunity for people in our community who are committed to looking after our local environment and improving our green spaces. These green spaces connect communities to the environment and improve the liveability of our towns and cities.”

“I encourage interested parties to apply for projects that will provide valuable benefits to the environment and our local community.”

The 20 Million Trees Grant Guidelines: Round Three are now available and applications close on 15 August 2017.

The Coalition Government’s 20 Million Trees Program will see 20 million trees planted across Australia by 2020. Under previous 20 Million Trees funding rounds, Landcare groups and community projects across Australia have planted three million trees. With 13.4 million trees already contracted for planting, today’s announcement will ensure that the 20 million trees election commitment target is met.

The 20 Million Trees initiative is an important part of the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme.

More information is available at www.nrm.gov.au/20-million-trees.

The Federal Government has committed $10 million to Brisbane City Council’s upgrade of Green Camp Road, Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said today.
 
This funding will add to Brisbane City Council’s $18 million investment for the upgrade, with works expected to commence next year.
 
“The Rickertt Rd-Green Camp Rd intersection is currently plagued by traffic congestion with long queues during peak periods,” Mr Vasta said.
 
“This project will include road widening and intersection upgrades along the Green Camp Road corridor, reducing peak-hour queues and increasing safety for commuters between Redland City and Brisbane.”
  
“I thank Lord Mayor Graham Quirk and local Councillors Adrian Schrinner and Ryan Murphy, for funding this vital upgrade,” Mr Vasta said.
 
“I also thank my colleague, Member for Bowman, Andrew Laming, for his advocacy on behalf of Redland residents which together has allowed us to secure the Federal Government’s contribution to this project.”

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta today hosted a men’s health information session for members of Mt Gravatt Men’s Shed, as part of Men’s Health Week 2017.

He was joined by Dr David Hunt from Mt Gravatt, who spoke to Mt Gravatt Men’s Shed members about health-related issues they faced, and State Member for Mansfield, Ian Walker.

“I know a number of men here whose lives have been changed for the better since joining this Men’s Shed,” Dr Hunt said.

“Men’s Sheds are a wonderful health initiative and it’s great to see Ross get involved today.”

President of Mt Gravatt Men’s Shed, Murray Rogash, said Men’s Sheds were health-focused and helped save lives.

“We have a medical doctor, psychologist, and Minister of Religion who help meet our members’ physical, mental and spiritual needs,” Mr Rogash said.

“On August 7th, we will be offering members another Spanner in the Works tune-up. Spanner in the Works is a great initiative by the Australian Men’s Shed Association that encourages members to stay on top of their physical and emotional health with regular health check-ups.”

Mr Vasta said Men’s Sheds give their members an opportunity to gather together to take part in a range of activities, helping stave off social isolation while keeping member’s minds and bodies engaged.

“This year the theme for Men’s Health Week is Healthy Body-Healthy Mind: Keeping the Balance, which is exactly what men’s sheds are all about,” Mr Vasta said.

“I’m proud to support Mt Gravatt Men’s Shed and I’m pleased to have been able to deliver them $22,000 in funding recently to install new solar panels, which will help them continue their good work improving the health and well-being of members of our community.”

For more on Spanner in the Works visit http://malehealth.org.au.

The Turnbull Government is providing $4,000 in funding to Wynnum Manly and Districts Men’s Shed for the purchase of much-needed tools and equipment including a defibrillator and wall-mounted cabinet, as well as for first aid and CPR training for 20 of its members.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said he was pleased to be able to provide the funding, which comes on top of the Government’s $100,000 investment into Wynnum Manly and Districts Men’s Shed announced last year that will assist with the installation and fitting out of their new shed side at Manly West. 

“The Wynnum Manly and Districts Men’s Shed has a long and proud history of helping local men connect with each other to work on meaningful projects, preventing social isolation and bringing the community closer together,” Mr Vasta said.

“This grant will mean a lot to the Men’s Shed members and the broader Wynnum-Manly community and I congratulate them on their success.”

President of Wynnum Manly and Districts Men’s Shed, David Westlake, thanked Mr Vasta for his support in securing the funding.

“We are over-the-moon with this announcement and would like to thank the Government for their continuing support,” Mr Westlake said.

This grant funding is part of the $5.1 million the Federal Government has provided to the Australian Men’s Shed Association through to 2018-19 to support the national network of Men’s Sheds.

“This funding round helps Men’s Sheds to buy tools and equipment, support community projects and training, maintain or develop their buildings, or create local activities to improve men’s health,” Mr Vasta said.

Details of all successful grant recipients from this National Shed Development Program funding round are available at www.mensshed.org. 

Volunteers in Bonner are among nearly 100,000 volunteers across Australia benefiting from $10 million in Australian Government grants to support community organisations.

Minister for Social Services, Christian Porter, announced that almost 2,700 community organisations would benefit from a grant to support the work of volunteers.

Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, said the Turnbull Government’s investment in our communities is delivering vital support to the electorate’s small community organisations, which help many of our most vulnerable citizens.

“The Volunteer Grants will assist a range of local groups including Make it Home Safely and the South Western Metro Basketball Inc.

“Five groups in the Bonner electorate have been awarded this funding and will each receive a grant of up to $5,000 allowing them to better support their volunteers by purchasing much-needed equipment, training and transport,” Mr Vasta said.

“This week is National Volunteer Week and it’s only fitting that we acknowledge the important work of our volunteers and their organisations in building stronger communities.
 
“The energy, expertise and time our volunteers give to our community helps support those most in need and represents what Australian communities are all about – giving a helping hand. 

“I’m glad to see that our local organisations in Bonner will have this support to continue their valuable work.”

For a full list of successful recipients and information about Volunteer Grants, go to:
www.dss.gov.au/volunteer-grants.

A new schools funding estimator is set to help parents, teachers, principals and school communities in the Bonner electorate see exactly how they stand to benefit from the Turnbull Government’s new $18.6 billion needs-based schools funding plan.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said the new online estimator showed that schools across the local area would benefit from a funding increase of $21.3 million between 2017 and 2021.

“This new estimator will give parents, teachers and principals the information they need about our needs-based funding plan to make long-term plans for the future of each child and each school,” Mr Vasta said.

“I’m pleased to report that all 44 schools in my electorate will benefit from increased funding under our new funding plan,” Mr Vasta said.

“Our plan invests an additional $21.3 million of needs-based funding into Bonner schools over the next four years. We’re delivering long-term funding certainty for schools and communities and ensuring everybody is treated fairly and equitably.

“Our plan factors in the background, family life, levels of disability and socioeconomic status of each student and school to ensure funding is truly needs-based and fair.

“We’re delivering the real ‘Gonski’ needs-based funding model that Labor didn’t.

“Everyone can see for themselves exactly how our plan will benefit their school by visiting www.education.gov.au/qualityschools and clicking through to the Schools Funding Estimator.”

Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham said the Turnbull Government’s plan would transform Australian schools. 

“Our plan will set students on the path to academic excellence and achieve real needs-based funding for students from all backgrounds, in every town and city, in every region and state, in every classroom,” Minister Birmingham said. 

Further details of the Turnbull Government’s Quality Schools reform package are available at: www.education.gov.au/qualityschools