A New Residents Group

For The Connection, Protection And Improvement of Lewis Hill, Coopers Plains

A new residents’ group has been formed in Lewis Hill to respond to an increasing number of issues impacting our quality of life. Many residents in the eastern half of the area have been inconvenienced by an excessive number of cars parking to attend the QEII Hospital. The streets are barely three cars wide and when full, residents have been hemmed in and unable to pass oncoming vehicles. The problems have been escalating since the expansion of the hospital was announced two years ago. A multi-story car park is being built but won’t be ready for another 12 to 24 months. In the meantime, 1,000 m2 of koala protected bushland has been cleared adjoining the hospital grounds for a car park that has proven inadequate. Across Troughton Road, a vacant block of land lies idle.

I moved into the area from New Farm 14 years ago. I haven’t looked back. One of the things I love about it is everyone is more or less on a similar socio-economic level. Neighbours are friendly and I know most of the people on my street and in some of the surrounding homes. Unsurprisingly, most of them are home-owners. They all have a stake in the livability of the area.

This month we all got notices of a 30% increase in state land valuations that will increase rates significantly. Many of us live modestly (and sustainably, in my case). This will make those of us who aren’t property investors (most of us) a little worse off.

History

Lewis Hill became known as such around the turn of the 20th Century when numerous members of the Lewis family settled in Hammersmith Street. They built the first homes in the ‘Orange Grove Estate’. Walls’ Farmhouse on Nyleta Street is a heritage listed inter-war Queenslander worker’s cottage.

In this Reconciliation Week, beginning yesterday with the anniversary of the historic 1967 Referendum giving full recognition to Aborigines, I invite you to read more about the Lewis Hill story HERE. Reconciliation Week ends on Mabo Day, June 3rd.

What is Lewis Hill Neighbours?

Lewis Hill Neighbours is a voluntary collection of concerned citizen residents (home owners and renters) who live in the above grid. Other interested and nearby residents are welcome as observers.

We are currently facilitating responses to a Parking Proposal (A-0001) presented by City Council to manage parking on Highgate and Middle Street. It was issued to a limited number of residents and proposes a modest number of yellow lines between driveways. Residents are unanimous that this is inadequate and some suggestions have been floated for the western half of Lewis Hill to address the situation.

Priorities

As a starting point, the following list may form some primary priorities and evolve over time:

1. Respond to immediate issues through mutual cooperation and by engaging government departments.

• QEII Parking & Traffic flow
• Flooding, waterway clearing and protecting green spaces
• Rising Costs (rates, land tax & valuations)
• Safety & amenity deteriorating

2. Plan for the Future

• Local coordination in advance of Council’s neighbourhood plans
• Mitigating and preparing for uncertainty, disruption (e.g. pandemics, climate change, etc.)
• Improving amenity

Who started Lewis Hill Neighbours?

Two concerned citizen resident home owners in the eastern half of the Hill affected by the QEII parking problems and other issues. Our inaugural meeting was on May 1st with 11 residents in attendance.

Where do we meet?

Coopers Plains Library meeting room, Coopers Plains shops, Beryl Roberts Park and Arthur Lewis Place.

Our next meeting is on June 5th and the topic is the QEII Hospital parking situation again. We hope to reap some results from the many submissions sent in response to Council’s Proposal. With Council officials in attendance, we will be negotiating for better outcomes. Some suggestions include ‘Local Traffic Only’ signs, more yellow lines on request and for passing and marked parking bays.

For information about Lewis Hill, click HERE