2010 represents the 11 th year of ARA Inc has worked to advance the interests of the residents of Auchenflower and that part of Toowong bounded by Milton Road and Frederick St . It has been an uneventful year compared to the earlier years when there many pressing issues requiring attention.

ARA Inc was fortunate in 1999 to have wisely adopted a series of broad goals ensuring a wide charter of interests, and has survived to become a permanent part of our lives:

1. to develop community spirit amongst the residents of Auchenflower

2. to positively influence the natural environment of Auchenflower

3. to positively influence the built environment of Auchenflower

4. to contribute to the safety and security of Auchenflower residents

5. to be a credible, non-profit , non- political community organisation

The management committee was able to deal with a number of issues which emerged in 2010 through the current structure of our voluntary association which has evolved over recent years, with the ability to deal with issues arising from growth and change as it affects Auchenflower.

The real stalwarts of ARA Inc remain the families who have maintained their membership on a regular basis, and supported our functions and events, ensuring our financial security. These members have believed in the importance of keeping our community group in place to act on behalf of the residents of Auchenflower.

SUMMARY of THIS YEAR 2010

The Management Committee of ARA Inc met each second month, rather than monthly, to reflect the current low level of development activity and related responses evident in Auchenflower. Our efforts this year focused on key activities to maintain a watching brief on the impacts of new state government and city council planning and development proposals likely to affect Auchenflower, with some new initiatives undertaken to respond to events in surrounding suburbs.

ARA Inc remains in sound financial position with adequate reserves to cover projected recurrent expenditures, whilst membership retention and expansion remains a ever-present objective.

A summary of 2010 key activity on ARA Inc’s five main areas of interest is as follows:

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

Committee member Bill Phillips continues to lead by example in his campaign to have residents become more aware of the detrimental effects of certain unwelcome plants on the natural environment.

The Kellett Family pocket park in Kellett St was opened by Brisbane City Council This welcome tiny increase to the amount of parkland in Auchenflower is to be commended.

COMMUNITY SPIRIT

The BCC Grant of $5,000 to publish a history of Miss O’Shea’s School ( now the Hear & Say Centre, Munro St) funded by the Lord Mayor’s Suburban Initiative Fund was received and this project progressed under Past President Jackie Bentley’s leadership. However progress this year has been slower than anticipated and a 2011 publication date is now planned.

The proposed community spirit function for 2010 was to be a tour and picnic at Christ church Milton but this was unfortunately washed out by the wettest October in recent years , and has been rescheduled for next year.

BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Brisbane City Council is now proceeding with the Northern Link tunnel project ( now renamed Legacy Way) which will pass under Auchenflower. ARA supported the tunnel on the grounds that it should take traffic off Milton Rd which currently bisects Auchenflower, and now the final western portal will connect directly from the Western Freeway into the tunnel, our concerns about its impact on the existing built environment have gone away.

Council also held a series of community consultation meetings regarding its proposed Auchenflower- Toowong Neighbourhood plans for the railway corridor land between Milton Road and Coronation Drive. Bill Heather attended these meetings on ARA’s behalf and conveyed comments from the committee on these proposals, which mainly focused on increased density of development around Auchenflower Station.

SAFETY and SECURITY

A project to lobby Council for footpath improvements in Auchenflower was launched in 2010 to improve pedestrian safety is in the pipeline.

ORGANISATIONAL MATTERS

Membership retention and expansion remained a key goal for 2010. and a number of new members have been welcomed into ARA Inc, which currently represents about 40 households in Auchenflower.

ARA Inc now has a dedicated PO Box 319 at Toowong Q 4066 as its postal address, and a new email address arainc@optusnet.com.au .

The 2010 edition of the Auchenflower Gazette was published in August under the able editorial control of Kevin Southern for which he is thanked. Well done, Kevin.

Our webmaster Bill Phillips continues to do a commendable job in taking care of the hosting and maintaining the ARA Website. Check further on this website for more information concerning your suburb.

CONCLUSION

The role of ARA Inc in monitoring the growth of Auchenflower as a desirable residential suburb and

community remains vital. Pressures of increased density and upgraded transport infrastructure continue to impact heavily on Auchenflower and more traffic and more density are coming our way.

If you are concerned about these issues, ARA inc would welcome your active support via 2011 committee membership.

Bill Heather. President 2010