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Massive 450-Home Development Planned for Banyo Triggers Local Infrastructure Concerns

A massive state-backed development project will transform a vacant government block in Banyo into a sprawling community of more than 450 new dwellings, bringing much-needed affordable housing and aged care to the area.

The state government launched its land activation scheme early this year to turn unused public land into private housing. Under this initiative, three separate developers will take over the former Energy Queensland property. AR Development Group is planning to build 207 townhouses on the 6.4-hectare site.

Rockpool Holdings will construct a 180-bed residential aged care facility, and Mission Australia Housing will add 64 affordable units for essential workers. Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie explained that the site attracted significant interest from the property industry, receiving over 150 expressions of interest from various groups.

Community Infrastructure Worries

Photo Credit: Economic Development Queensland

While the increase in housing supply is meant to address regional shortages, some Banyo residents are worried about the sudden population boom. Local resident Chris Vale expressed frustration over the scale of the project, which grew from an initial estimate of 400 homes to more than 450. Vale pointed out that modern households often rely on multiple vehicles, raising fears that local streets will not cope with the extra parking demand.

He also highlighted existing problems with the neighbourhood’s sewerage and stormwater systems, questioning how the older infrastructure will handle the massive influx of new residents. Furthermore, residents feel left out of the planning stages, claiming there has been zero public consultation prior to the developers being chosen.

Fast-Tracked Approvals

Photo Credit: Economic Development Queensland

In response to local concerns, the government confirmed that community consultation will take place during the next phases. Bleijie noted that the developers must submit their exact plans to Economic Development Queensland, the body responsible for assessing impacts on roads, traffic, flooding, and utilities.

To speed up the building process, the state has declared the location a provisional priority development area. This status allows the government to bypass standard council planning rules to get construction moving faster. Early groundworks are expected to begin within a few months, with major construction scheduled for the start of next year.

Changing Public Land Policies

The Banyo project is the first major test of a new policy that forces government departments to either use their land or surrender it for private housing projects. Since the start of the program, the state has released dozens of hectares to the market and is currently reviewing thousands more. While the scheme aims to boost the housing supply quickly, it does not strictly force developers to include public or social housing in their designs.

Shadow Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon supported the inclusion of affordable units in this specific project but argued that strict rules should be in place to guarantee homes for working families across all state land sales. Despite the debate, industry groups like the Property Council of Australia praised the mix of housing types, noting that placing homes near public transport and existing jobs is the best way to address affordability.

Published Date 22-June-2026

Nudgee Beach Boardwalk Reopens After Loop Work

Photo Credit: Debbie Cowles/Facebook

The Nudgee Beach Boardwalk has reopened after works to replace and realign part of the 1.5-kilometre loop were completed ahead of schedule, restoring full access for walkers, runners and sightseers.

Nudgee Beach Boardwalk Open Again

The Nudgee Beach Boardwalk has reopened after works to replace and realign a section of the loop were completed ahead of schedule.

The affected section had become unsafe, prompting works to restore a safer and more connected route through the Nudgee Beach area. With the construction now finished, the full 1.5-kilometre loop is available again for people using the boardwalk for walking, running and sightseeing.

The works ran from early May 2026 to early June 2026. The section that was closed during construction has now returned to public use.

Full Loop Restored At Nudgee Beach

The Nudgee Beach Boardwalk is a popular bayside route for locals and visitors, passing through coastal surrounds with wetlands, birdlife and views of the coastline.

The reopened section restores access to the complete loop, allowing visitors to move through the full boardwalk route again. The works involved replacing and realigning the affected part of the structure rather than only reopening the previous section.

The upgrade provides a safer and more continuous experience for walkers, runners and sightseers using the boardwalk. The full route is now available for short outings, morning walks and time outdoors around Nudgee Beach.

Nudgee Beach Boardwalk — *Photo Credit: Debbie Cowles/Facebook*

Wetlands And Coastline Back On The Route

The return of the complete loop reconnects visitors with the boardwalk’s bayside setting, including its wetlands, birdlife and coastal views.

The boardwalk’s reopening follows the end of the temporary closure needed for the replacement and realignment works. With the project finished, visitors can once again use the full circuit rather than only part of the route.

The completed works bring the Nudgee Beach Boardwalk back into full public use after the construction period, restoring one of the area’s short outdoor routes for local users and visitors.

Published 18-June-2026

Bright Lights and Local Music Transform Nundah this Weekend

More than 120 local vendors and dazzling light installations are completely transforming the regular farmers market space in Nundah into a massive nighttime street party.

A Winter Community Gathering

The local neighbourhood will gather this Saturday, 20 June, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. along Station Street. For an entry fee of $4, the familiar morning market grounds will shift into the Neon Nights Twilight Markets.

Organisers have planned a massive evening featuring crackling bonfires to keep the winter chill away. Glowing decorations and neon displays will colour the streets, providing a bright backdrop for residents to meet and celebrate the cooler months together.

Food, Drinks, and Secret Recipes

A major drawcard for the community is the pop-up bar, which serves local craft brews alongside a highly anticipated traditional Glühwein. The creators of this hot spiced wine have kept their recipe closely guarded, spending the last six years perfecting the warm blend.

Visitors can pair their winter drinks with a huge selection of gourmet street food and sweet treats from the dozens of stalls lining the avenue.

Local Entertainment Takes the Stage

Live performances will keep the energy high across two separate music stages, with crowd favourites Soul Cutz leading the main stage lineup. Families will find plenty of activities to keep children entertained throughout the evening. Adding to the lively atmosphere, roving circus acts and jugglers will move through the crowds. Art lovers can also watch a live spray-paint artist create bold pieces from scratch, bringing a creative street edge to the local community celebration.

Published Date 18-June-2026

Twilight Market To Light Up Nundah’s Station Street

Neon Nights at Nundah will bring an evening market to Station Street, with food vendors, live music, artisan stalls, children’s activities and a pop-up bar planned for the one-night event.

Neon Nights at Nundah is scheduled for Saturday, 20 June 2026, with the twilight market to run from 4pm to 10pm on Station Street.

The event will be held in the Nundah Train Station area, at the bottom of Nundah Village. Entry is listed at $4.

For one evening, the regular Nundah market site will take on a night-time format, with more than 120 stalls planned across food, drinks and artisan offerings. The event will also include neon-themed decorations, glowing installations and bonfires.

Neon Nights at Nundah — *Photo Credit: Supplied*

Food vendors will operate throughout the evening, alongside a pop-up bar serving local brews and Glühwein. The event information also lists a gourmet hamper giveaway worth more than $200, with entry details available through its online registration page.

Entertainment will include two stages of live music, with Soul Cutz listed to perform on the main stage. The program also includes roving performers, juggling acts, circus performers, children’s activities and a live spray paint artist.

Nundah Farmers Markets — *Photo Credit: Supplied*

Regular Sunday Markets Continue In Nundah

Nundah Fresh Farmers Markets usually operate on Sundays at the Nundah Train Station car park, below Nundah Village.

The regular Sunday markets are free to attend and include coffee and breakfast options.

Goodwill Projects, which is connected to the Nundah market program, began with Brisbane farmers markets in 2006 and now coordinates 12 markets across South East Queensland.

Neon Nights at Nundah will use the same local market setting for a six-hour evening event, centred on food stalls, live entertainment and market traders along Station Street.

Published 13-June-2026

‘Count on a Queenslander’: Brisbane’s Thomas Sugget Recognised for Years of Volunteering With St John Queensland

A Brisbane volunteer whose work with St John Queensland has taken him from the front lines of major public events to emergency evacuation centres has been recognised in this year’s QLD Day Awards with the Count on a Queenslander award.

Read: Nundah Father Scores Life-Changing $2-M Windfall

Thomas Sugget received the honour at a ceremony in Brisbane, one of six award categories recognising individuals and organisations whose contributions reflect the values, resilience and community spirit Queenslanders are known for. The award is a fitting title for someone who has given 13 years of voluntary service to St John Queensland, the organisation whose state headquarters is located in Nundah.

For Mr Sugget, the recognition points firmly back to the people around him.

St John Queensland — Photo credit: LinkedIn/Thomas Sugget

“From being a First Responder at large scale events to working in evacuation centres, to developing programs, I’ve had the opportunity to see Queenslanders during periods of excitement and joy, as well as during significant adversity,” he said in a statement released alongside the awards announcement.

“One of the biggest things that continues to make me want to volunteer my time is my fellow volunteers, who give their time to support others.”

It is a grounded reflection for someone whose service record spans emergency response, program development and community support across more than a decade. St John Queensland’s Nundah headquarters serves as the base for this kind of volunteer work across the state, giving Mr Sugget’s contribution a local dimension that resonates close to home.

Recognising Queensland’s Finest

The 2026 QLD Day Awards drew more than 600 nominations from across Queensland, with recipients selected across six categories: Local Legends, Count on a Queenslander, Philanthropic Great, Posthumous Great, Institution Great and Individual Great. The awards are presented ahead of Queensland Day on 6 June, marking the date in 1859 when Queensland was proclaimed a separate colony.

Mr Sugget was one of four recipients in the Count on a Queenslander category, joining Alina Graham from Quilpie, Russell Wall from the Sunshine Coast and Natalie Jarrott, also from the Sunshine Coast. Other notable recipients across the broader awards included Major General Stephen Day DSC AM as Individual Great and the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland, recognised as Institution Great in the Ekka’s 150th year.

Premier David Crisafulli presented the awards at the Brisbane ceremony and praised all recipients for the consistency of their commitment.

“They show up, year after year, for their communities without being asked and without expecting anything in return,” he said.

Read: The Therapy Dogs Turning Brisbane Airport Into a Happier Place to Travel

A Local Connection Worth Celebrating

For Nundah, Mr Sugget’s recognition carries a particular local resonance. Whether responding at large scale events, supporting communities in evacuation centres or developing programs, Mr Sugget has demonstrated what it looks like to genuinely show up for others.

The full list of 2026 QLD Day Awards recipients is available at www.qld.gov.au/qldday.

Published 8-June-2026

Nundah Father Scores Life-Changing $2-M Windfall

A Nundah father has suddenly become a multi-millionaire following a routine afternoon stop at his local hotel where he won a massive two million dollars.

The North Brisbane resident secured the jackpot on Tuesday, 19 May 2026. The fortunate dad took home a total win of $2,026,759.60. When speaking with game officials the next morning, the man explained that he was completely overwhelmed and shocked by the sudden turn of events, admitting he felt a bit lost about what steps to take next.

The winning ticket was purchased at the Prince of Wales Hotel, located at 1154 Sandgate Road in Nundah. The man noted that he and a friend had just finished a nearby work shift and decided to pull over at the venue before making their way home. While unwinding at the hotel, he decided to buy a ticket and put on a game.

Checking the ticket against the live numbers proved to be a surreal experience for the pair. The winner mentioned that he initially expected a much smaller payout. Realisation slowly hit when they saw the full two million dollar figure, leading to an extended back-and-forth exchange of disbelief between the two friends as they tried to confirm the news was actually real.

Though the life-altering sum has yet to fully sink in, the Queensland father has already mapped out a few clear goals for his newfound wealth. He stated that the windfall arrived at an ideal time and that he intends to secure the future of his children by helping them out financially. He also plans to use the funds to clear outstanding bills and handle regular ongoing living expenses. A proper celebration with his loved ones is on the cards as soon as the cash is officially transferred into his bank account.

The local business shared in the excitement of the major win. Hotel spokesperson Nick Stein stated that the entire venue experienced an incredible wave of energy after the announcement, making the staff and patrons feel as though they had all shared in the victory. He added that the team always finds it highly rewarding to see a regular customer take home a major prize.

The Nundah win adds to a busy period for the game across the region. Throughout 2025, mainland players in the eastern states enjoyed over 78 million winning tickets that distributed more than $1.2 billion in total prizes. That period created 17 millionaires, including three major winners from Queensland. Among those state wins was a Biggera Waters resident who secured a $4.4 million payout. In total, Queenslanders walked away with more than 28 million winning tickets worth upwards of $466.5 million at local pubs and clubs during 2025.

Published Date 04-June-2026

The Therapy Dogs Turning Brisbane Airport Into a Happier Place to Travel

Photo Credit: Brisbane Airport/Facebook

Suitcases roll past departure gates while children gather around fluffy puppies at Brisbane Airport, where therapy dogs have become part of the school holiday rush.

The therapy dogs will return to Brisbane Airport during the June and July 2026 school holidays, bringing another round of wagging tails and puppy cuddles to both the Domestic and International terminals.

Sessions at the Domestic Terminal will run from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on selected Tuesdays and Thursdays, while International Terminal visits are scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on selected Fridays.

Where Airport Stress Meets Puppy Cuddles

Holiday travel can turn even the calmest traveller into a bundle of nerves. There are crowded check-in queues, delayed flights, teary goodbyes, and children running low on patience before the plane even leaves the ground. It’s exactly the kind of environment Therapy & Support Animals Australia had in mind when the organisation partnered with Brisbane Airport to launch the country’s first airport therapy dog program.

Since then, the dogs have become a familiar sight during busy travel periods. Labradoodles, cavoodles, groodles and labradors now spend their school holiday shifts moving through the terminals with handlers, greeting travellers looking for a lighter moment before boarding.

Photos and videos shared across Brisbane Airport’s Facebook and Instagram pages show passengers lining up for photos, puppies sprawled across terminal floors and airport workers stopping by for a quick visit during shifts.

The Dogs Travellers Remember After the Flight

The therapy dogs may only work two-hour sessions, but for many travellers, the interaction stays with them long after take-off. Over the past three years, the dogs have comforted nervous children afraid of flying, grieving families travelling for funerals, and FIFO workers missing their own pets after weeks away from home.

Brisbane Airport Corporation communications executive Sarah Whyte previously said the airport expected the dogs to be popular, but the response quickly grew beyond what staff had imagined. Airline crews, retail workers and airport staff now regularly stop by the therapy dog areas alongside passengers.

The program also includes puppies in training, some just over 10 weeks old, giving young dogs early socialisation in a busy public setting filled with rolling luggage, loud announcements and constant movement.

A Holiday Tradition Taking Over the Terminal

The airport’s first therapy dog sessions were introduced as a short trial in the Domestic Terminal back in July 2023. Within months, the program expanded into the International Terminal after receiving strong feedback from travellers and staff.

Now, many passengers actively look forward to the dogs returning during school holiday periods. According to Brisbane Airport’s own travel advice page, the dogs are there specifically for public interaction under handler supervision. Unlike assistance dogs travelling with passengers, these therapy dogs are brought into the airport to mingle with the public and help ease stress during busy travel periods.

And in an airport handling tens of millions of passengers each year, those few minutes of connection seem to be leaving a lasting impression.

Published 28-May-2026

Nundah Looks Ahead As Toombul’s Next Chapter Takes Shape

Photo Credit: Toombul by Irvine

For many in Brisbane’s north, Toombul was more than a shopping centre. The long-vacant Nundah site is now being shaped for a new chapter, with plans for a retail-led precinct that would bring shops, dining, open space and stronger connections back to one of the area’s most familiar locations.

Toombul’s Next Chapter Begins In Nundah

For decades, Toombul was part of everyday life in Brisbane’s northern suburbs. It was a place for groceries, errands, food court stops, bus connections and casual catch-ups, sitting beside Kedron Brook and close to surrounding neighbourhoods that had long relied on it as a local hub.

That role changed after the 2022 Brisbane floods, when the former Toombul Shopping Centre closed and was later demolished. The large site at 1015 Sandgate Road has remained one of Nundah’s most closely watched vacant properties, with many locals waiting to see what would happen next.

A new direction is now taking shape, with Irvine Group preparing a master plan for a staged redevelopment of the flood-affected site. The proposal is being framed around a renewed retail precinct, public spaces, dining, transport links and flood-resilient design.

Irvine Group acquired the site in late 2025 and is working with Urbis on the planning process. The master plan is intended to set the broader structure for the precinct, including future land uses, building areas, public spaces and how people would move through the site.

The first-stage application has not yet been lodged. Current project details indicate it is expected to be lodged in late July 2026, with assessment to follow before any construction can begin.

Toombul redevelopment — *Photo Credit: Toombul by Irvine*

Retail Remains At The Heart Of The Toombul Plan

The proposed first stage is focused on bringing retail back to Toombul. Current details point to a department store, supermarket or grocery store, food court and specialty retail tenancies as part of the initial retail precinct.

No specific tenants have been confirmed. The final mix of shops is expected to be settled closer to each stage of delivery, once detailed designs are further progressed and market conditions are clearer.

The broader plan also includes dining areas, public spaces, landscaped areas, pedestrian links and residential components. While residential uses are proposed as part of the wider site, the main focus remains on restoring Toombul as a place for everyday shopping, services and social activity.

The site has been identified as serving a primary catchment that includes Nundah, Clayfield, Kalinga, Hendra and Northgate, reflecting its long-standing role across Brisbane’s inner north.

Flood Resilience Shapes The Future Site

Any return of Toombul must also respond to the site’s flood history. The former centre was heavily affected by major flooding, and the new proposal places flood resilience at the centre of the design approach.

The future precinct is expected to consider building form, site levels, layout and landscape treatments to improve how the site performs during major rain events. The project is planned as a multi-year redevelopment, delivered progressively in stages.

Green and open space is also proposed along the Kedron Brook edge of the site. Plans point to landscaped areas, shaded spaces and improved pedestrian movement, with the precinct intended to feel more open and easier to navigate than a traditional enclosed shopping centre.

The proposal also includes stronger links through the site and better connections to existing transport, including the Toombul bus interchange and nearby Toombul Train Station.

Nundah Toombul site — *Photo Credit: Toombul by Irvine*

A Familiar Local Hub Reimagined

Community feedback is now part of the planning process, with residents being encouraged to register for updates and share what shops, services and public spaces they would like to see included.

The project team has acknowledged strong local interest in the return of everyday retailers similar to those that operated at the former centre. However, no retailers have been formally named.

Construction is being targeted for April 2027, subject to the first-stage application being lodged and assessed. Until then, the project remains in the planning phase, with the master plan intended to guide Toombul’s gradual return as a retail, dining and community-focused precinct.

The proposal marks a significant step towards a renewed use for a site that has carried both practical and personal importance for generations of locals.

Published 26-May-2026

Banyo Researcher Sounds Warning as AI Chatbots Land in Every Queensland State School

Every Queensland state school will have access to a state-built artificial intelligence chatbot by the start of June 2026, but a Brisbane-based education researcher is warning that students need structured guidance to use the technology effectively.

Read: Music and Arts Boost for Banyo School with New Hall Upgrade

Dr Luke Rowe, an AI in learning expert from Australian Catholic University’s National School of Education, based at the McAuley Campus in Banyo, says the evidence is clear: handing students a chatbot without structure or purpose is unlikely to produce meaningful educational outcomes. Students need structured guidance about what AI is, how it works, and what it should and should not be used for.

Photo credit: Google Maps/Australian Catholic University, Brisbane Campus

Dr Rowe argued that conversations about AI need to begin early and happen regularly, covering not only its potential benefits but also its environmental impact and the ways it can be misused. He draws a firm distinction between learning with AI and learning about AI, and believes schools need to carve out dedicated time for the latter rather than simply folding the technology into existing subjects.

When students lack the foundational research and critical thinking skills that proper AI use demands, he warns, they risk outsourcing their learning rather than deepening it. The teacher and fellow students remain rich resources in any classroom, he says, and should not be ignored just because a new tool has arrived.

What is Corella AI?

Photo credit: LinkedDepartment of Customer Services, Open Data and Small and Family Business

Corella AI is a $1.5 million chatbot program developed in-house by the Queensland Department of Education. So far, access has been limited to Year 9 and 10 students, with parental consent required. From June, Year 7 and 8 students will also be brought on board, and the department is in discussions with the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority about integrating the program into senior schooling.

Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek described Corella as a tool for the future, saying the rollout was designed to help students engage with AI responsibly and think critically about the information they encounter.

According to the department, students will be able to use Corella to brainstorm ideas, check, draft and revise work, conduct research, and summarise information. Because the software is hosted on the department’s own infrastructure, the department says students can safely upload material they would ordinarily access in the classroom.

For teachers, the picture looks somewhat different. Corella gives staff access to training modules that support lesson planning and the creation of assessment tasks, though it cannot be used for grading. Dr Rowe sees real value in this: when AI handles time-consuming administrative work like building assessment rubrics, teachers can redirect that effort toward activities that more directly benefit their students.

Not everyone feels the rollout has been handled transparently. P&Cs Queensland, the peak body for parents and citizens associations, released a formal position on AI in schools this week. Chief executive Timothy Horne said parents feel they have not yet been brought into the conversation, and that while there is genuine interest in AI among Queensland families, there is also real concern about how much the technology is creeping into the classroom.

Read: Speed Awareness Monitors Back on Duty as Nundah Students Return to School

For families in Nundah, Banyo, and the surrounding suburbs, the Corella expansion is worth keeping a close eye on. With an AI in education expert based right here at ACU’s Banyo campus, the local community is well placed to be part of the broader conversation about what responsible AI in schools actually looks like.

Published 25-May-2026

Nudgee Angler Lands Monster Fish During Aussie Junior Fishing Classic

“Time spent fishing is time well spent” has become a guiding motto for Nudgee teenager Nate Willcox, whose love of Brisbane waterways is now leading to big catches in a national junior competition.

The 15-year-old recently landed several standout catches during the April round of the Aussie Junior Fishing Classic, including a 122 cm threadfin salmon and a 105 cm jewfish caught in local waters.

Run by Queensland organisation 2 Bent Rods, the competition gives young anglers aged between 3 and 17 the chance to fish anywhere in Australia while competing across multiple categories.

Growing Up Around Nudgee’s Waterways

Nate said he has loved fishing for as long as he can remember, with many of those early experiences happening alongside his mum, stepdad and relatives.

“My whole family loves going fishing,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter if we catch anything or not, it’s always good to spend time together and have a bit of rivalry on who catches the biggest fish.”

Fishing trips around Nudgee Beach and the Port of Brisbane eventually turned into something more serious as Nate began targeting larger species including jewfish, threadfin salmon and giant trevally.

He said the Port of Brisbane remains one of his favourite places to chase jewfish and threadfin, while Nudgee Beach is his preferred spot for whiting and flathead using yabbies and soft plastics.

Monster Catches During National Competition

During the April competition, Nate reeled in a 122 cm threadfin salmon using live herring and 20 lb leader. On the same night, he also hooked a 105 cm jewfish while chasing cod using live tailor bait.

Photos shared from the event also show Nate holding an 85 cm flathead caught in shallow water near Bribie Island, along with a giant trevally landed on a topwater stick bait.

His favourite species, however, remains the mulloway, also known as jewfish.

“My favourite fish to catch is the Mulloway/Jewfish, especially when they get over that metre-10 mark,” he said.

Junior Fishing Event Continues to Grow

The Aussie Junior Fishing Classic started as the Queensland Kids Fishing Classic before expanding into a national competition over the past two years. According to 2 Bent Rods, the event was created to encourage young people to spend more time outdoors while building confidence through recreational fishing.

The competition now includes categories covering fish species, crab catches and environmental activities such as rubbish collection while fishing.

Organisers say the event has attracted families from across Australia as interest in youth fishing continues to grow.

Photo Credit: Supplied

More Than Just Catching Fish

While Nate’s catches have attracted attention online, he said one of the best parts of the competition is the chance to spend more time outdoors with mates and family.

“I can’t wait for the next AJFC so I can have an excuse to go fishing more but also to spend time with mates and get off screens,” he said.

Another quote that has stayed with him is simple: “Chase fish, not drama and attention.”

The next Aussie Junior Fishing Classic will run from June 27 to July 12. The competition allows young anglers aged between 3 and 17 to fish from almost anywhere in Australia, provided they are fishing legally within local rules and regulations.

Participants can enter catches across 15 categories, including species divisions, crab catches, most species caught and even a rubbish collection category designed to encourage care for waterways and the environment.

The event began as the Queensland Kids Fishing Classic before rapidly expanding into a national competition as more families joined from across the country. Organisers say the competition was created to give young people a fun and supportive way to enjoy the outdoors, spend time with family and build confidence through recreational fishing.

More information is available through the 2 Bent Rods website and the AJFC Facebook group.

Published 25-May-2026