Photo by Peter Hansler
About Keep Sandgate Beautiful Association Inc
Origin. In 1971, Harold Dean MLA called a public meeting to form a community group to drive improvements in the local area. Eight people attended the meeting and KSBA was formed with Harold Dean as its first President. The name was probably modeled on Keep Queensland Beautiful Association which started in the same year. The formation might also have been influenced by a proposal 3 years earlier to develop 995 acres of the Sandgate foreshore into a Miami Keys, Florida, type of canal development suitable for housing 10 000 people. This proposal got as far as receiving approval in principle from the Brisbane City Council. The relationship within KSBA between the politician and the community lasted just two years. They disagreed over a proposal to build two islands in Dowse Lagoon and this led to the resignation of Harold Dean. KSBA has been politically neutral ever since.
Aims. For Sandgate and surrounding areas:
Scope. KSBA typically works within the 4017 postcode area i.e. Bracken Ridge, Brighton, Deagon, Sandgate and Shorncliffe.
Early initiatives. One of KSBA’s first actions was to propose the network of bikeways for Sandgate which residents and visitors now enjoy. It then focussed on the building of the swimming pool complex that replaced the previous pools which closed in 1963. The first major battle started in 1973 against a Council proposal to build two large islands in Dowse Lagoon for use as bird refuges - the small island that now exists reflects the stage of that project when it was stopped.
Major campaigns. KSBA never undertook any major campaigns under its own name, preferring instead to support a new organisation dedicated to each campaign.
Aims. For Sandgate and surrounding areas:
- to enhance the natural beauty
- to promote the conservation of natural environment
- to foster balanced development
- to encourage community concern & involvement
Scope. KSBA typically works within the 4017 postcode area i.e. Bracken Ridge, Brighton, Deagon, Sandgate and Shorncliffe.
Early initiatives. One of KSBA’s first actions was to propose the network of bikeways for Sandgate which residents and visitors now enjoy. It then focussed on the building of the swimming pool complex that replaced the previous pools which closed in 1963. The first major battle started in 1973 against a Council proposal to build two large islands in Dowse Lagoon for use as bird refuges - the small island that now exists reflects the stage of that project when it was stopped.
Major campaigns. KSBA never undertook any major campaigns under its own name, preferring instead to support a new organisation dedicated to each campaign.
- Olympic Village proposal for Boondall Wetlands (circa 1983)
- Pine Waters canal estate for Tinchi Tamba (circa 1988)
- Shopping & cinema complex for Deagon Wetland (circa 1990)
