June 18, 2020 – Community, Featured

Brisbane City Council has announced a revised scope of works at the Cultural Centre Precinct which involve upgrading the existing surface station instead of constructing the proposed underground station.

The revised design includes improvements to the Melbourne and Grey Street intersection which include widening pedestrian footpaths, allowing pedestrians to cross between Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) and the Queensland Museum, and improving cycling connections.

The area around Grey and Melbourne St intersection will also receive new landscaping and amenity, as well as a new crossing on Grey Street between QPAC and South Brisbane railway station.

Metro buses travelling from the City will travel over the Victoria Bridge to the modified existing Cultural Centre station continue above-ground through the Grey & Melbourne St intersection and join the busway through the existing busway portal on Melbourne St.

In its announcement, the Council suggested that an underground Cultural Centre station can be delivered as part of a future stage of Brisbane Metro.

BSB will continue to keep members informed on this topic and will look to hold an information on the topic in the near future.

To read Council announcement and about changes to Brisbane Metro Project click here

June 15, 2020 – Community, Featured

As Covid-19 restrictions begin to ease, many businesses in the precinct are starting to welcome back their staff. In this edition, we provide information about how to ensure your workplace is Covid Safe, signage and Covid collateral and cleaning offers.

Stay tuned for Part 2, when we provide more tips on heading back to the office including car-parking, transportation and where to find your morning coffee!!

Preparing the Office & Your Staff
It is important to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the workplace and understand the protocols necessary to function safely. In addition, seek out information that is industry specific. The following links provide a foundation for understanding the rules of operation during Covid-19.

The Australian Government have produced a document that covers all the practical questions you may have about the day to day business operations during Covid 19 – Click here

Safe Work Australia have a checklist to ensure that every aspect of business operations is considered – Click here

Queensland Health detail the Stage 2 restrictions as they relate to specific business types – Click here

READ THE FULL ENEWS – CLICK HERE

June 1, 2020 – Community, Featured

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced hospitality businesses that provide dine-in services, such as restaurants, cafes and hotels, will be required to complete and display a COVID Safe Checklist before trading, as well as requiring all staff to undertake mandatory training within two weeks of reopening.

The micro-credentials will give you a deeper understanding of COVID-19, and will help you safeguard yourself, your colleagues and your customers from the virus. 

COVID Safe training programs are developed by TAFE Queensland and are fully funded by the Queensland Government – Click here

June 1, 2020 – Community, Featured

Based on social distancing restrictions and extensive economic modelling, Queensland Ballet have made the decision to move their full 2020 season to 2021.

They will be working hard with venue partners to finalise the dates and theatres of the rescheduled performances and will provide updates as soon as possible.

For more information – Click here

May 19, 2020 – Community, Featured

‘Takeaways’ from conversations with BSB members sharing their insights, wisdom, tips and learnings during Covid-19

Jobkeeper

• Most have described the process as challenging and a massive undertaking – but worth pursuing. A number of members, as well as BSB, has received its first round of Jobkeeper allocation.

Deploying Staff

• Suggestions for alternate duties for staff (while on Jobkeeper)
• Professional development of staff (isolearning specific courses available)
• Cleaning and maintenance of business
• Archiving of electronic files
• Cleaning/ developing better data
• Desktop research of competitors, case studies, etc
• Charity work
• Reviewing and developing processes for specific areas of the business
• Opportunity to focus on inefficiencies and refine systems in their business. Being able to have the time to establish internal processes and undertake long term projects has been an unexpected outcome for many.
• Juggling staff rosters in order to share job security
• Many businesses have had to think creatively (& quickly!) to diversify their product and services – so new duties have been created from this

Staff Structure

• Developing some structure for staff is essential. Setting goals, communicating the relevance of the assigned tasks.
• Keeping a roster of work goals and achievements keeps staff motivated and accountable.
• For some, staff are working from home and employers have asked staff to keep records of their work and hours as a way of staying focussed and transparent. Others have adjusted workdays, hours and expectations to align with the changing needs of the business.

To Open or Not Re-Open

• A mixed bag of responses. Some consider it not viable whilst others will use the easing of restrictions to test their procedures for when more people are permitted. Best to test on a small number and get everything correct for the bigger numbers.

Communicating With Staff

• Nearly all members seemed to have nailed this one. Some even suggesting they will continue with this form of communication post-covid. Many businesses acknowledge the unforeseen success of online forums and will be continuing the meetings beyond lock down.
• Businesses with staff working different shifts have embraced this communication method as it has provided a way for all staff to stay connected.
• Regular communications between staff and management provides reassurance to employees – employees will understand that employers will not have all the answers.

For Additional Sources of Information

• A resource for Australian employers in planning their employees’ return to work. Also for those who still have employees in the workplace. – Click here
• Issued by the National COVID-19 Coordination Committee. A tool for developing a COVID safe plan for businesses and other info and links. – Click here
• Workplace entitlements and obligations – Fairwork – Click here

May 18, 2020 – Community, Featured

The next section of Queen’s Wharf Brisbane is taking shape with 3200m2 of ‘The Landing’ now completed. The Landing will feature garden beds, trees, terraced seating on the river’s edge and lush lawns for people to enjoy, and to accommodate future public events.

The Landing will be suspended above the water, and 50 metres out from the river’s edge at its widest point and once completed will complement the Waterline Park, Mangrove Walk and upgraded Bicentennial Bikeway.

For more information – Click here