Brisbane is now well into the festive season, and there no better way than attending than completely forget about the car and get public transport.

Transport Minister John Mickel said last week the Queensland Government would again this year provide extra NightLink bus and taxi services for the thousands of people pouring into City and Valley pubs and clubs over Christmas and New Year.

This will help get holiday season revellers home safely

“The party people of Brisbane love the convenient, affordable, and safe alternative that NightLink public transport provides them,” he said.

“From when it started two years ago, the NightLink bus, train and taxi services have transported around 380,000 people.

“Party time is now underway in the City and the Valley from now until New Year and we want to get our late night revellers home safely.

“I encourage everyone who’s in town having a drink for Christmas to leave the car keys at home and jump in a NightLink bus, train or taxi.”

Check the Translink website for more details.

Fluoridation to Deliver Better Oral Health for Queenslanders.

Premier Anna Bligh and Health Minister Stephen Robertson announced yesterday the Government would move to include fluoride in Queensland water supplies within two years.

“Queenslanders have the worst teeth in the country - for example, our 5-12 year olds have twice the tooth decay compared to kids living in the ACT, which has had 100% fluoridation for more than 40 years.” Premier Bligh said.

“Together with oral hygiene and good nutrition, fluoridation has been proven to reduce tooth decay by up to 40 percent, and a Smart State cannot ignore the extensive scientific evidence that shows fluoridation is the missing link in Queenslands oral health system.”

The program is expected to consume around $35 million. Of cause a nominal increases in water rates will be pushed to the consumer to cover ongoing operational costs.

Governement estimates put the increase at around $1.50 per person per year.  This is of cause being touted as a drescrease in overall household expenses when a reduction in dental bills are factored.

Visit www.health.qld.gov.au/fluoride for more information.

Wooloowin Rail Station has been transformed with a series of colourful artworks that were unveiled last week by John Mickel Minister for Transport.

The Minister was joined by a group of teachers, students, participants and the artist to unveil the works in a celebration at the station.

This the 40th project is one of the positive pARTnerships projects being rolled out by QR across the Citytrain network.

“We hope also that by placing colourful images at Citytrain stations, it helps reduce the level of graffiti.” Mr Mickel said.

“QR spends more than $2 million a year cleaning up graffiti. It would be nice to think we could spend that money on paint for artworks such as these that adorn the walls of platform one at Wooloowin.”

“This is about the community being proud of its local spaces and looking after them.”

Image from Bald Hills Station

All night images I have ever taken of the city have a bright light showing. Mostly the light is white, sometimes though they have been flashing red.

The weather indicating lights on top of the Hitachi building at 239 George Street, corner of Adelaide, for the past few decades was turned off on 23 November.

Reason cited were environmental.

Incidentally the lights were remote controlled with information from the Bureau of Metorology updated at four intervals during the day.

Weather forecast were a relatively easy to comprehend selection of white and red lights.

Goodbye to a Brisbane icon.

Queenslander, Kevin Rudd was officially sworn in as the 25st Prime Minister of Australia today.

He had quite a first day. Kyoto was signed and in 90 days will be ratified under the terms of the document.

The Rudd family are also relocating from their home in Brisbane to Canberra, taking up residence in The Lodge.

With the start to his term in full swing, one has to wonder of the resurfacing of the Bruce Highway last night was part of his influence. Of cause it is not, but it is a nice coincidence of timing.

The new Labour front bench was also signed yesterday morning enabling a government to be officially formed.

Yesterday marked another year in the history of Brisbane Toy Runs.

Gathering then departing from Nudgee College at Boondall around 10am, the riders proceeded with a police escort to Drevensen Park, Wynnum.

Some incredibly decorated bikes made the journey and then donated toys as well as food to support The Smith Family, Cancer Research and Children of the Prisoners.

The iconic event is now national with similar events run in every capital city.