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Life in Brisbane

Another rise in the cost of transportation

June 18th 2008 17:07

Just saw this on the ABC News website: the motorway tolls are rising.

"Brisbane Motorways has confirmed the tolls on the Gateway, the Gateway extension, and the Logan Motorway will rise by about 11 per cent from 1 July 2008.

The toll for cars and small trucks on the Gateway will increases by 30 cents to $2.90.

Tolls for heavy vehicles will rise 70 cents to $7.20.

Increases on the Gateway Extension and Logan Motorway will be between 10 and 60 cents.

The increases are in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the last 12 months and an adjustment for CPI rises prior to 2005."

I'm glad I don't have to drive for work at the moment, but what if I did? Ouch...

Will you be taking much notice of the rise in tolls? Is it going to affect how often you take public transport? Or will you be finding some sneaky back road route to avoid going through the toll booths?

I live close to the Logan Motorway and quite often drive over to Brown's Plains, Sunnybank Hills, and through to Rochdale. But I don't like paying the $1.90 toll just to use up my petrol faster by driving 100kph down the motorway with the big trucks all over the place - so I skip the toll booth and take the more peaceful and leisurely drive down Johnson Road instead. What's your favourite toll-avoiding road?

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Posted By: Sasha - Category: No Category

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A selection of Brisbane's markets

June 16th 2008 10:01

Some weekends, when I am feeling particularly virtuous/inspired/community-m inded I like to drag myself out of bed at a cold, ridiculous hour of the morning and wander around one of the weekend markets you can find around Brisbane. Occasionally I my course deviates and I visit one of the markets at the Gold Coast, usually the Carrara Markets but mostly I stick to those found on the south side of Brisbane.

Brisbane Markets at Rocklea
Rocklea hosts the Brisbane Markets on Sherwood Road; the Sunday Market, the Saturday Fresh Market, the Produce Market during the weekdays, and the Flower Market, which is open seven days.

Normally, I go to the Sunday Market just for the experience of looking through thousands of second-hand items and hoping to find a treasure. One day I'll find the perfect dish, a rare video game, or vintage sheet music!! The Saturday Markets aren't such a predatory expedition because there's absolutely tons of fruit, veges, and plants to go round. Much much cheaper and more fun than an after-work trip to the supermarket (or the stupormarket, as I prefer to call it).

Woodridge Station Markets
Because Woodridge is on the way to Rochdale where I spent most Saturdays renovating a house I sometimes stop in at the weekend markets there. Smaller than the Rocklea markets but with just as much variability the Woodridge Station markets have fruit, veges, organic foods, furniture, second-hand goods, and lots of stuff that's just plain JUNK. Good fun though.

South Bank Lifestyle Markets
I've saved the best for last place on my short list - the South Bank Lifestyle Markets. These are just as much a tourist attraction as a place to shop on the weekend. For me, going here is a real treat - I love the riverside atmosphere, the bougainvilleas that grow over the paths, the white tents, the crazy art, intriguing puzzles (I swear I once found a wooden puzzle that no-one I know has EVER solved), gourmet smells, and the happy happy people. And I adore the young designer days that are held every three months or so!! The markets at South Bank are open Friday evenings as well as Saturday and Sunday.

Does anyone know other markets in Brisbane that I could visit? I'm mostly interested in ones that have organic/gourmet food stalls, a variety of second-hand goods, and are on the south side or close to the CBD.

UPDATE
From Cam's comment (see the comment section below) I've added three more weekend markets to the list:

Northey Street Organic Grower's Market
At Northey Street in Windsor every Sunday (6a.m. to 10.30a.m. so you need to be a real early bird!) is this lovely sounding market. They have organic produce, herbs, breads, meat, dairy, dry goods, and preserves plus stalls selling coffees and snacks for hungry market-goers. I have a feeling I should go shopping here on a empty stomach - to make sure I buy lots and lots and so I can justify stopping every 15minutes to eat yummy things!

Jan Power's Farmers Markets
Oh dear... How did I leave these off my original post? I feel a bit silly... Anyway, there are three of these growers' markets now, one at Blackwood Street in Michelton, one at the Powerhouse in New Farm, and a newer one in Manly - on the Esplanade. Being in Manly by the sea on a cool Saturday morning with a hot coffee and fresh bread sounds perfect. They're not held every weekend so check their website for the dates to be sure.

The Green Flea Community Market
On the corner of Montague and Jane Street in West End every Saturday morning with a variety of edible goodies, flowers and herbs, second-hand goods and clothing, and buskers and massages. Ohh and they have French food - as a bit of a Francophile I am very enticed by that. The Green Flea Community Market sounds like a very cheerful way to start the weekend does it not?

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Posted By: Sasha - Category: No Category

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An update to my earlier livability post

June 11th 2008 18:13

The NZ Herald is reporting that Aussies are 'sledging' Kiwis over the Mercer survey I mentioned in my last post:

"The Aussies are revolting over Auckland's high placing in an international quality of life survey.

The city was named as the fifth best city to live in, trumping Sydney (10th), Melbourne (17th), Perth (21st), Adelaide (29th) and Brisbane (34th). Wellington also topped four Australian cities placing 12th.

But Municipal Association of Victoria president Dick Gross says he can't believe Auckland and Wellington topped Melbourne.

"I'm more than surprised, I'm verging on depressed, and I'm deeply appalled.""

and from news.com.au:

"Commerce Queensland president Beatrice Booth said: "I am extremely offended.

"I would have thought that we would have been well up the list, definitely above Sydney and Melbourne. Brisbane is more liveable. It's not as big, very workable, very business-oriented and growing, so there must be something that's attracting people to Brisbane." "

and this also in Brisbane's defence:

"Brisbane businesswoman Sarina Russo said: "I fail to understand why we have dropped because Brisbane has got to be one of the most international cities and one of the most liveable cities.

"I think Adelaide's got its beauty, but Brisbane is just so much more exciting as a city. When you arrive in Brisbane, there's atmosphere, energy, the arts. Do they know about our Picasso exhibition right now?""

In defence of Melbourne:

"Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry spokesman Chris James said: "We are somewhat puzzled at this, particularly when one considers that people are leaving New Zealand and Sydney in droves and contributing to record population growth in Melbourne.""

Seems like a case of playground speak - "MY city is better than YOUR city... nyah nyah nyah." Who else calls childish posturing on this?

Personally, I can only compare the livability of Brisbane and Auckland, having actually lived in both cities. But I'm not going to say that my biased-towards-my-home-country opinion should be considered above that of a supposedly impartial and objective consulting firm such as Mercer. Which, according to the references cited on their Wikipedia page is one of the top leading business institutions in the world and the 8th most prestigious consulting firm on the planet.

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Posted By: Sasha - Category: No Category

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How livable is Brisbane?

June 11th 2008 07:45

I just saw this story on the ABC website - basically Brisbane got ranked behind Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and Adelaide on its livability. An excerpt here:

"Commerce Queensland spokeswoman Beatrice Booth says the weather and laidback pace in Brisbane make it an ideal place to live

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Posted By: Sasha - Category: No Category

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The First Post of 'Life in Brisbane'

June 10th 2008 08:12

My name is Sasha, I live in Brisbane although I'm originally from New Zealand. How about you?

I've lived in Brisbane for two and a half years and am yet to explore all of it. In fact, I've barely scratched the surface of this broad, sunny city and I'm a little ashamed of myself

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June 2008

5 Posts

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5 Posts dating from June 2008

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