Westendy 29-Feb-24

Join hosts Lou and Nova in the first edition of the Westendy podcast - a source for updates from West End, Brisbane - exploring the community spirit, cultural diversity, and unique atmosphere of West End.

Get in touch with topics of interest or concern to help Westendy voice the needs of our ever-increasing community of ~15,000 residents [source: https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/305011112 the community increased by 5,000 residents from 2016 to 2021, and more since].

Listen in and stay wild with us!

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In this episode, we examine the challenges and opportunities emerging from the rapid urban development happening in West End and kickstart the discussion with an analysis of the Australian supermarket duopoly, contemplating its effects on the cost of living, struggling farmers, and the potential for opportunistic pricing. From exploring the local markets, community delis, and farm-connect initiatives, we discuss alternative shopping options, our love for local Italian and Greek community delis, and the pleasure of a weekly visit to Davies Park markets. We talk about West End's cultural food preservation traditions, local chat groups promoting home-grown produce exchanges, the joy of making your own cheeses, and growing your own food in community spaces like Jane Street Community Garden.

We highlight local initiatives like a proposed West End State School Kitchen Garden Program to help kids grow their own food, and the plan to produce a school recipe book in light of the school's upcoming 150th anniversary in 2025.

We provide an update on the 2024 local election's Candidates Forum organised by Kurilpa Futures held on Dornoch Terrace in February 2024 which served as an open forum to discuss crucial issues for West End's over 15k residents in the Gabba Ward's ~30k electors, and the wider city of Brisbane.