Consolidated Properties group executive chairman Don O’Rorke said buyers were becoming increasingly savvy about urban design. “People want communities that are designed to reflect the way they live their lives.Queenslanders love getting outdoors so the focus at Yeerongpilly Green is to create incredible open spaces that allow people to really celebrate living in this beautiful part of Brisbane,” he said. “We have created a new river park to complement the existing, and much loved, Ken Fletcher river park and it’s these parklands, combined with the active and leisure green spaces within the community that make Yeerongpilly Green a truly unique place.” One, two and three bedroom apartments and terrace homes are now available at Yeerongpilly Green, priced from $450,000, with penthouses ranging from $975,000 to $1.35 million. A new community in Yeerongpilly is among the first inner city projects to have a ‘gold standard’ Queensland climate design plan, which will allow residents to make better use of parks and public spaces.A new community at Yeerongpilly is being created to ‘match the character of Queensland and its people’.Yeerongpilly Green is among the first inner city projects to have a ‘gold standard’ Queensland climate design plan, which will allow residents to make better use of parks and public spaces.With 1.8ha of parks and landscaped boulevards, the project has been brought to life by landscape architects from Urbis, who have designed the community to ‘evolve’ with each season.Urbis director John Donoghue said: “When it comes to creating a new community, a lot of people focus on the built space, but the open space is just as important in terms of enhancing the lifestyle of residents and visitors”.“Yeerongpilly Green’s three parks will be enjoyed by Brisbanites year-round, with a fullcalendar of art, music and cultural events in the pipeline,” he said. Mr Donoghue said Yeerongpilly Green had been designed to take in to account elements like heat, wind and rain throughout the year.”There are a lot of passive design elements which are not immediately noticeable but can make a huge difference in people’s lives,” he said. ”We completed a climate study for the site and the urban design for the community is based around reducing humidity and building surface temperatures, mitigating wind tunnels and improving the overall comfort of people who live, work and play at Yeerongpilly Green.“The landscaping throughout the community is both practical and visually impressive. The variety of trees and shrubs we have planted not only provide shade and improve air quality, but have been chosen because they will bring colour to the community in every season.” More from newsParks and wildlife the new lust-haves post coronavirus10 hours agoNoosa’s best beachfront penthouse is about to hit the market10 hours agoVideo Player is loading.Play VideoPlayNext playlist itemMuteCurrent Time 0:00/Duration 2:21Loaded: 0%Stream Type LIVESeek to live, currently playing liveLIVERemaining Time -2:21 Playback Rate1xChaptersChaptersDescriptionsdescriptions off, selectedCaptionscaptions settings, opens captions settings dialogcaptions off, selectedQuality Levels720p720pHD540p540p360p360p270p270pAutoA, selectedAudio Tracken (Main), selectedFullscreenThis is a modal window.Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.TextColorWhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-TransparentBackgroundColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-TransparentTransparentWindowColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyTransparentSemi-TransparentOpaqueFont Size50%75%100%125%150%175%200%300%400%Text Edge StyleNoneRaisedDepressedUniformDropshadowFont FamilyProportional Sans-SerifMonospace Sans-SerifProportional SerifMonospace SerifCasualScriptSmall CapsReset restore all settings to the default valuesDoneClose Modal DialogEnd of dialog window.This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.Close Modal DialogThis is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.PlayMuteCurrent Time 0:00/Duration 0:00Loaded: 0%Stream Type LIVESeek to live, currently playing liveLIVERemaining Time -0:00 Playback Rate1xFullscreenBuyer’s agent reveals her biggest horror stories02:21
Ex-Wallaby’s extraordinary move to help COVID-19 lockdown residents
Daniel Herbert, CEO of SSKB Strata Managers, said he was fortunate to have had special training on coping with stress and anxiety thanks to his time with the national team.Ex-Wallaby and current Rugby Australia board member Daniel Herbert has gone to extraordinary lengths to help the residents of his apartment buildings cope with COVID-19.The World Cup-winning former vice-captain of the Wallabies is the Brisbane-based chief executive of SSKB Strata Managers – a company that has properties under management across Queensland and in Melbourne.MORE: Anna Spiro sells her island homeEpic penthouse sells for $4 millionCOVID-19 has changed homeowners: SurveyBizarre bubble house gaining global attentionSSKB Strata Managers has about 4000 residents impacted by stage 4 restrictions in Melbourne. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew HenshawMany strata residents, including about 4000 that his company deals with in Melbourne alone, had come under pressure during forced lockdown periods after facilities had to close and interaction with others was limited.Concerned about the mental health and wellbeing implications of a long lockdown for residents, Mr Herbert hired a man, who once trained with Shaolin monks, to run a series of online training sessions to help residents reduce their stress levels.Chief Maker’s Greg Layton.More from newsParks and wildlife the new lust-haves post coronavirus8 hours agoNoosa’s best beachfront penthouse is about to hit the market8 hours ago“Any athlete knows you have to play mental tricks with your brain to get through difficult periods,” he said. “I was lucky that when I was young, we went through AIS in the early days of sports psychologists about managing performance, how to not let anxiety take over, how to look at difficult situations as an opportunity and how to get the best out of it. Had I not been fortunate enough to fall into sport I would not have those tools. A lot of people are in that situation now (with COVID-19 impacts) and if we can help as a company it can only be a good thing.”Video Player is loading.Play VideoPlayNext playlist itemMuteCurrent Time 0:00/Duration 0:58Loaded: 0%Stream Type LIVESeek to live, currently playing liveLIVERemaining Time -0:58 Playback Rate1xChaptersChaptersDescriptionsdescriptions off, selectedCaptionscaptions settings, opens captions settings dialogcaptions off, selectedQuality Levels720p720pHD432p432p216p216p180p180pAutoA, selectedAudio Tracken (Main), selectedFullscreenThis is a modal window.Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.TextColorWhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-TransparentBackgroundColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-TransparentTransparentWindowColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyTransparentSemi-TransparentOpaqueFont Size50%75%100%125%150%175%200%300%400%Text Edge StyleNoneRaisedDepressedUniformDropshadowFont FamilyProportional Sans-SerifMonospace Sans-SerifProportional SerifMonospace SerifCasualScriptSmall CapsReset restore all settings to the default valuesDoneClose Modal DialogEnd of dialog window.This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.Close Modal DialogThis is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.PlayMuteCurrent Time 0:00/Duration 0:00Loaded: 0%Stream Type LIVESeek to live, currently playing liveLIVERemaining Time -0:00 Playback Rate1xFullscreenHow much do I need to retire?00:58He hired Chief Maker’s Greg Layton, who has helped many senior executives build their own resilience ‘toolkits’ during corporate transformations, to help support residents with stress and anxiety reduction techniques.The sessions run every Tuesday via SSKB Strata Managers’ Facebook page, with Mr Layton’s first session focused on how to turn negative emotions and triggers into positive mantras and actions.Some of the most common concerns from apartment owners in Melbourne included how to lead a team during isolation, how to handle everything when you live alone, homeschooling kids and how to think of new social activities during lockdown.FOLLOW SOPHIE FOSTER ON FACEBOOK
USACE: Port of Coos Bay Meeting
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is opening a public scoping phase in the preparation of a comprehensive environmental impact statement to evaluate the effects of the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay’s proposed modifications to the Federal Navigation Channel. The port’s proposed project is made up of several actions to improve navigation efficiency, reduce shipping transportation costs and facilitate the shipping industry’s transition to larger, more efficient vessels, USACE said.The USACE’s analysis also will support consideration of approvals and permits required prior to construction.An open house-style public scoping meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 13, 2017 to talk with USACE’s staff about the EIS process, the significance of public input and to receive written input.Port staff also will display information about their proposal and be available for discussion.The meeting will be held from 3 to 7:30 p.m. in the Myrtlewood Room, Coos Bay Public Library, Coos Bay, Oregon.[mappress mapid=”24359″]
KNOT Offshore adds another shuttle tanker to its fleet
KNOT Offshore Partners has expanded its fleet to sixteen vessels, following the completion of acquisition of another shuttle tanker. KNOT Offshore’s subsidiary, KNOT Shuttle Tankers, has acquired all of the ownership interests in KNOT Shuttle Tankers 30, the company that owns and operates the shuttle tanker Anna Knutsen, from Knutsen NYK Offshore Tankers.KNOT Offshore said on Thursday that the acquisition was made for an aggregate purchase price of $120 million, less $106.8 million of outstanding indebtedness under the secured credit facility related to the vessel, plus approximately $1.4 million for certain capitalized fees related to the financing of the Anna Knutsen.On the closing of the acquisition, KNOT 30 repaid approximately $32.4 million of the indebtedness, leaving an aggregate of approximately $74.4 million of debt outstanding under the secured credit facility related to the vessel. The purchase price was settled in cash and will be subject to certain post-closing adjustments for working capital and interest rate swaps.The Anna Knutsen is DP2 Suexmax class shuttle tanker, delivered in March 2017 and is operating in Brazil under a time charter with Galp Sinopec Brazil Services B.V., which will expire in the second quarter of 2022. The charterer has options to extend the charter for two three-year periods.Including the Anna Knutsen, the partnership now has a fleet of sixteen vessels with an average age of 4.6 years and a fixed average employment of four years.
C-Kore Deploys Subsea Tools for PTTEP Australasia
C-Kore Systems has completed the deployment of its subsea testing units for PTTEP Australasia. C-Kore’s subsea testing tools are used to monitor the health of electrical systems by measuring the insulation resistance and continuity directly onto assets subsea.Tony Suphawat, electrical & instrument engineer at PTTEP said, “The C-Kore units worked great. These excellent devices quickly located our fault, optimizing our offshore operation. We now have our subsea system back online.”Greg Smith, general manager of C-Kore added, “We love to hear such great reactions from our customers. The C-Kore units are designed to simplify subsea testing, so it is very satisfying to hear how the units save so much time and money on offshore operations.”
Gazprom taps missile-maker for subsea oil & gas equipment
Almaz-Antey, Russia’s famous missile maker and one of the world’s largest defense system contractors, has signed a contract with Gazprom to supply the energy company with subsea production systems, in a move to cut reliance on imported subsea oil and gas technology.Yan Novikov and Alexey Miller at signing ceremony / Image source: GazpromAlexey Miller, Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee, and Yan Novikov, Chairman of the Management Board, Director General of the Almaz-Antey Corporation signed a long-term contract “for the supply of import-substituting products in the amount equal to guaranteed future purchases” at a forum in Sochi last week.Almaz-Antey will set up the batch manufacturing and supply of subsea hydrocarbon production systems for Gazprom, as well as provide maintenance and repair services for the aforementioned equipment.“The ongoing cooperation with the Almaz-Antey Corporation is part of the continuous efforts spearheaded by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation and Gazprom with a view to developing domestic subsea production systems,” Gazprom said.The agreement follows a May 2018 roadmap signed by Gazprom and Almaz-Antey for the period until 2023 to develop and produce prototypes of hi-tech import-substituting equipment for subsea hydrocarbon production, gas processing and liquefied natural gas production for the benefit of Gazprom.Gazprom did not provide any financial details regarding the agreement, nor regarding the projects the subsea equipment by Almaz-Antey would be used for.According to the Russian news agency Tass, the total volume of contracts concluded during the Russian Investment Forum in Sochi reached 1 trillion rubles ($15.12 bln), Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Monday.
Benthic to Open Technology Center in Brazil
Benthic, a global geosciences company in subsea services group Acteon, plans to open its first Brazilian technology center and geotechnical laboratory in Rio de Janeiro. The facility will open later this year in the Technological Park of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. Benthic aims to use the center for geoscience research, development and innovation projects with a focus on the oil, gas and offshore wind sectors.This is part of Acteon’s overall aim of enabling companies to reduce the lifetime costs of owning and operating their critical infrastructure.“The Technological Park offers an environment conducive to innovation projects and proximity to the university’s geoscience laboratories and other established companies,” said Greg Fyffe, vice president of strategy for Benthic.The technology center will be home to Benthic’s first advanced geotechnical and geological soil research laboratory. This will provide Brazilian operators with a local laboratory and remove the need to transport samples overseas for advanced testing.“Technological development is at the heart of Benthic,” added Steve Pywell, Benthic chief executive officer. “In the 20 years since we were spun off from the University of Sydney, Australia, we have developed countless innovative and successful technologies. Our company works with universities around the world and our partnership with the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro is of paramount importance for our operations in the important deepwater market of Brazil.”The technology center is scheduled to begin operations during the third quarter of this year.
Bombora puts off mWave deployment
As a result, delays to the 1.5MW mWave Pembrokeshire demo schedule are inevitable. However, Bombora also said it remains confident installation will be possible in the first half of 2021. Ronnie Bonnar is a former chairman of Scottish Renewables, and currently holds several non-executive directorships focused on renewable energy, including the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult. “We are in unchartered territory and have to be realistic and accept that there will be delays to our project. Human Capital To remind, Bombora has recently appointed Ronnie Bonnar to its board of directors. Ocean energy company Bombora has delayed the deployment of its mWave demonstration device in Wales to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Bombora has closed its European head office in Wales as well as its testing facility and assembly workshop. Bombora’s 1.5MW mWave project gets funding from the European Regional Development Fund through Welsh Government. Bombora welcomes former chairman of Scottish Renewables “The team are working from home, are fully contactable, and remain focussed on progressing the Pembrokeshire project and our follow up 3.0MW grid connected wave park project in Lanzarote.” Posted: 5 months ago The company is also developing a wave park in Lanzarote and further initiatives in the Canary Islands and globally. Categories: Bombora’s CEO, Dave Rigg, said: The company said that many suppliers had to shut temporarily. Posted: 5 months ago
AUDIO: Radio Live & Radio NZ re Into the River
Family First Board Member (also a bookseller) talks to Duncan Garner on Radio Live, and ‘The Panel’ on Radio NZ about the book Into the River.Radio LiveAudio Player00:0000:0000:00Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.Radio NZ ‘The Panel’Audio Player00:0000:0000:00Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.
Sex education debate sparked over claims images shown to primary school children are too graphic
“It’s not age appropriate… it’s covering material that parents don’t want to be covered,” Mr McCoskrie said. Family First is calling for sex education to be taken out of the classroom. “It appears to me that Family First have lifted out instances of examples of things that happen without showing the broader context around them,” Dr Quinlivan said. He said sex ed should be left up to parents, saying it’s not right that young kids are learning about spontaneous erections and wet dreams in school.READ MORE: https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/saying-its-parents-role-and-not-schools-really-unfortunate-expert-criticises-family-first-over-sex-education-stance Parents want power over sex ed: pollEducationHQ NZ 12 January 2017Kiwi parents believe they should dictate what their children learn about sex at school with a survey finding most are confident they can teach their children what they need to know.Almost two thirds think it’s up to them and not the government who should have final say on what sex education is provided at school, a nationwide poll of 846 parents has found.The survey backs claims that parents know best and that a one size fits all approach is too simplistic, Family First New Zealand director Bob McCoskrie says.It found 78 per cent of parents would be confident teaching their children about sex and sexuality, while 62 per cent backed a parent not government approved sex education programme.“Parents know their children best and should determine the best timing and most appropriate way to tackle topic such as keeping themselves safe and ‘where do babies come from’,” he said.http://nz.educationhq.com/news/37767/parents-want-power-over-sex-ed-poll/# The group’s spokesman, Bob McCoskrie, said if any parent looked at the material being put into schools they would be concerned about how sexually explicit it was. TVNZ One News 11 January 2017Family First Comment: Not just Family First saying this – parents also overwhelmingly agree.Family First wants sex education to be left up to parents, not schoolshttps://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/sex-education-debate-sparked-over-claims-images-shown-primary-school-children-too-graphic‘Saying it’s parents’ role and not schools’ is really unfortunate’ – expert criticises Family First over sex education stanceTVNZ One News 11 January 2017A sex education researcher has fired shots at Family First over its call to stop exposing primary school kids to sexually explicit images, saying the move doesn’t equip young people with what they need to have loving relationships.Canterbury University’s Dr Kathleen Quinlivan said the lobby group’s position that “it is parents’ role to educate their kids on sex education” is “unfortunate”. “They also don’t show the fact that there are experienced, well-trained sexuality educators that facilitate those discussions.”