Chevvate

I have lived at Nundah for over 11 years, in 3 different areas of this suburb. When I first moved here it was fairly quiet, with great access to shops, the relaxing local pubs and fantastic regular buses and trains. Over the last decade the community spirit of this area has given way to modern cafes, apartment blocks which obscure the lovely views and peak hour traffic congestion. The older homes steeped in character, are moved to make way for multi-unit complexes. Toombul shopping centre which was the hub of Nundah shopping, has lost it's status due to the Woolworths established in the heart of Nundah. An overpass had been built so rush hour traffic could pass through this suburb without affecting the main precinct, and maintaining the laid back feel. Since Woolworths has come, it has drawn traffic back into local streets and causes gridlock at peak times and on Thursday nights. One of the 2 local pubs was upgraded, and lost it's comfort which was replaced with martini nights, a mini night club and drunken brawls. The other local pub is a haven for violence and it has been common to see people being ejected for physical abuse. This is a high crime suburb, though it often happens at night. Train stations are not safe after dusk. Some rent prices have increased by 70% in less than 6yrs, and more. The push to "upgrade" Nundah to be more of a yuppie area, with swanky cafes to attract the young and social, masses of new apartment blocks and the Woolworths, seems to have taken away the relaxed atmosphere and made way for a more rushed lifestyle with little thought for our neighbours or neighbourhood. A decade ago I loved this area, now almost everyone I have known here has moved away. I will be doing the same.

I have lived in Westacott St for about 6yrs, and Nundah for over 11yrs. It's a very high crime area and fairly unsafe for people to walk around late at night. The local pubs are a haven for violence and there is a lack of community spirit. Neighbours often do not help each other out and many houses on this street have excessive noise at night that is heard from far away. The street itself is mostly quiet during the day, with little traffic. However it is quite common for people to walk past yelling and I have witnessed many incidents of domestic abuse of people walking by. Older buildings are quite delapidated, but old and new are extremely excessive in rent prices. People walk their dogs on this street without a leash, and there have been multiple incidents of the dogs trying to attack cats in the cats' own yards. At night there is a great deal of possum activity, aswell as loud bats at certain times of year. Westacott St also has a huge amount of blackouts and brownouts, I recall over 9 in a 12mth period alone. The council does not trim footpath trees enough and often you have to duck when walking along the footpath. There is a lovely park near Westacott St that has been upgraded with picnic and child facilities, including a natural habitat area with ducks, fish, eels and many birds. The park also has an offleash dog park, nice cycling path and large oval for sports. A lovely park during the day but not safe for women at night. A primary school is a 5 minute walk away so very handy to those who have children. There are 2 shopping centres within 15 minute walking distance, but no cinema. The public transport is excellent with 2 train stations and multiple buses only a 15 minute walk down the street. At the same distance, is the main area of Nundah precinct, lined with many cosy cafes and coffee shops. Very convenient for catching up for lunch with friends and quite a nice area during the day. Nundah also has Sunday morning markets with wonderful fresh fruit and trinkets. Overall Westacott St is very convenient to all amenities, and set back from the traffic gridlock which is encountered in the main precinct of Nundah during peak hour and Thursday nights.