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Building Height Limits to Increase in Toombul, Other Shopping Precincts as Part of Growth Strategy

Did you know that building height limits will increase in Toombul and five other suburban shopping centre precincts, as part of a new Sustainable Growth Strategy being implemented to address the ongoing housing crisis?

The initiatives were announced as part of the city’s plans, which aim to deliver thousands of new homes in areas like Carindale, Chermside, Garden City, Indooroopilly, Toombul, and Toowong.

By potentially increasing the building height limits in these areas, Brisbane City Council hopes to facilitate the construction of more apartments and units near the shopping centres, which already boast significant public transport connections.

In addition to the height limit changes, Brisbane City Council plans to incentivize build-to-rent developments by allowing developers to pay their infrastructure charges over time rather than in one lump sum. This change aims to reduce upfront costs and promote the construction of rental properties, which are in high demand.

Sustainable Growth Strategy Toombul — Photo Credit: BCC

To streamline the approval process for build-to-rent projects, a special unit dedicated to overseeing these developments will be established by Council. The goal is to unlock the potential of various sites across Brisbane that are currently held back due to market conditions.

Furthermore, Council intends to expand residential zones to include previously used commercial areas, thereby increasing housing options. Around 70 hectares across 14 sites in Brisbane have been identified as suitable for mixed-use opportunities.

Mr Schrinner emphasised the importance of balancing housing demand with preserving the character and green space in Brisbane. The new Sustainable Growth Strategy also aims to guide growth toward popular areas, particularly those surrounding the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games venues, whilst protecting the city’s unique lifestyle.

This plan has received praise for opening up more land for high-rise residential development. However, critics argue that the plan falls short of creating more affordable housing.

The Queensland Council of Social Service believes government intervention is necessary to ensure the delivery of social and affordable housing. Urban planners and experts also expressed concerns that the focus on supply and demand principles may not effectively address housing affordability issues.

Published 8-June-2023

Banyo Selected for ‘Growing Precincts Together’ Initiative

Photo Credit: Facebook / Councillor Adam Allan

In an exciting development for the Banyo Village business community, Banyo has been selected as one of two suburban precincts to participate in the ‘Growing Precincts Together’ Program. This Council-led initiative aims to invigorate local retail precincts and foster a sense of community within them.

Following the success of a similar initiative in Nundah and recognising the pivotal role that local retail precincts play in our communities, the Growing Precincts Together program aims to provide comprehensive support to businesses, empowering them to promote their precinct as a vibrant and attractive destination.

By establishing a partnership between Brisbane City Council and local businesses, the program works towards realising a shared vision for the precinct.

Facilitated by the Council’s Economic Growth team, the program does not follow a rigid structure but instead tailors assistance and support based on the specific needs and priorities of each precinct. The support provided can range from one-on-one business coaching to specialised training in digital marketing and visual merchandising. Additionally, shopfront makeovers and specialised food business coaching are offered to enhance the overall appeal and functionality of the precinct.

“Local retail precincts are the heart of our communities. Through the Growing Precincts Together program, Council provides hands-on support to key shopping precincts to help tenants and owners of businesses to promote the precinct as a vibrant and attractive destination. The program develops a partnership between Council and local businesses to achieve the vision for the precinct,”
Councillor Adam Allan

The Growing Precincts Together program unfolds in three stages. It commences with the “understanding phase,” which involves a comprehensive business audit conducted by the Council’s Economic Development team. This audit helps stakeholders gain a deeper understanding of the existing business and vacancy mix within the precinct.

The second stage, the “engage phase,” begins with a kick-off event where the precinct analysis, survey findings, and inspirational ideas are presented. Attendees have the opportunity to network with other business owners, ask questions, and interact with Council officers.

Finally, the third stage introduces the “precinct playbook,” a framework that outlines the opportunities available for businesses to activate, beautify, and connect their local centre.

Situated around St Vincent’s Rd and Royal Parade, Banyo precinct is divided by a train line and station. With approximately 60 businesses and stakeholders in the area, mainly comprising cafes and restaurants, the precinct currently experiences a vacancy rate of 6.5 per cent. The program seeks to cultivate a harmonious working relationship among these businesses to ensure the continued success and prosperity of the precinct.

Published 4-June-2023

From Fries to Franchise, This Macca’s Nudgee Superstar Takes Charge!

Photo Credit: Quartzla from Pixabay

Nudgee local Lizzy is a friendly face recognised by many. What started as a part-time job to support herself during university is now a professional milestone for her as she takes on the role of restaurant manager at Macca’s, bringing her infectious warmth and passion for the community to the forefront of her career. Know more about her Macca’s journey here.

Three years ago, Lizzy joined the McDonald’s team in Nudgee, hoping to find a means to support her studies. Little did she know that her experience at Macca’s would be so fulfilling that it would steer her towards pursuing a long-term career with the fast-food giant, even after completing her university degree.

Recently, Lizzy proudly graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sport Science. Whilst she had initially planned to continue her education and pursue a master’s degree, fate had different plans for her. An exciting opportunity arose for Lizzy to step into the role of a restaurant manager, and she eagerly seized it without hesitation.

Lizzy’s genuine love for people and her natural inclination to engage with customers have made her a beloved figure at the Nudgee store.

The location has become a popular pit stop for truck drivers travelling up the Sunshine Coast, and Lizzy has formed lasting friendships with these early-morning regulars. Since her early days at Macca’s, she has greeted them with a friendly smile and a warm conversation, brightening their mornings with her cheerful demeanour.

When asked about her most cherished memories at McDonald’s, Lizzy enthusiastically mentioned her involvement in various charitable endeavours. Last year, she took the initiative to organise a Disney-themed McHappy Day at the Nudgee store, spreading joy among customers whilst raising funds for a good cause.

Additionally, Lizzy has actively supported the work of the Ronald McDonald House Charity (RMHC) by volunteering her time to prepare dinners for families staying at the local Ronald McDonald House.

Lizzy now embarks on a new journey as a restaurant manager at Nudgee’s Macca’s, confident that she will continue to make a difference in the lives of those she encounters.

Published 30-May-2023

Brisbane Willing to Commit $1 Million For Crisis Housing at Pinkenba Quarantine Facility

Brisbane is willing to commit $1 million to help fund a plan to convert the 500-bed Pinkenba quarantine facility into crisis accommodations for the homeless.

A petition for the emergency accommodation has been made at the city level and conversations on the cost-effective use of the facility are expected to move forward in the middle of May 2023.

As the housing crisis escalates, a push to open the 500-bed Pinkenba quarantine facility has been laid out, with discussions expected to start at the national, state, and city levels.

Brisbane has announced its willingness to commit $1 million to this plan to help fund further work that has to be done to change the Pinkenba quarantine facility into a crisis accommodation for the homeless.

“We’re all tired of hearing the excuses about why this can’t happen so I’m putting $1 million on the table as a down payment to help make this happen,” Cr Adrian Schrinner said.

“I know this facility wasn’t purpose-built for crisis housing but it’s a whole lot better than living in a car or a tent – and that’s exactly what’s occurring right across Brisbane right now while this 500-bed facility sits idle.”

Meanwhile, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said that the Federal Government, which owns the Pinkenba quarantine facility, is ready to work with their State and Council counterparts. However, they have yet to see a formal approach to this plan.

Karyn Walsh, the CEO of Micah Projects, a charity for the homeless, said that moving people into the facility has to be clearly outlined given the diversity of the population. The solution should also work out a more permanent outcome that would put an end to the struggles of the homeless or rough sleepers.

It comes as more than 50 people living in tents at Musgrave Park in the inner city have been moved to temporary accommodation in time for the biggest cultural event in Brisbane, the Panyiri Festival, on 20 and 21 May 2023. Fences in some sections of the park are expected to go up on 15 May 2023.

Published 15-May-2023

Nundah Teen Kate Kindleysides Gets Top Prize at Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s Class Clowns

Nundah local Kate Kindleysides has emerged as the winner of the highly anticipated 27th annual Class Clowns National Grand Final, an event held as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2023.

Read: Get To Know the Man Who Lent His Name to Nicholson Place Parkland

At just 16 years old and a student at Northside Christian College in Everton Park, Kindleysides captivated the judges with her impeccable dry wit, commanding stage presence, and unwavering confidence.

As the deserving winner, Kindleysides was bestowed with a substantial cash prize of $1,500, a coveted $1,000 workshop package for her school, and the illustrious Class Clowns trophy.

About the Class Clowns Program

Far beyond a mere competition, the Class Clowns program affords participants in Years 9 to 12 exclusive access to seasoned comedians who serve as mentors.

This unique opportunity allows aspiring young talents to engage in workshops and showcase their comedic prowess before live audiences at local, state, and national levels.

This year’s edition witnessed a staggering turnout of over 150 contenders from all corners of Australia, each vying for a spot in the heats and state finals. Ultimately, 15 finalists comprising 12 acts were selected from across the nation, gracing the stage in front of a captivated audience and a distinguished panel of industry experts.

Their performances encompassed a wide range of comedic styles, including stand-up, sketch, and parody, as they battled it out for the highly coveted title of the funniest teenagers in the country.

The eagerly anticipated 2023 Grand Final event took place at the prestigious Forum Melbourne and was expertly hosted by the talented Lizzy Hoo. The evening was further enlivened by a special guest performance from the acclaimed comedian, Sam Campbell.

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In addition to Kate Kindleysides, the judging panel recognised the exceptional comedic talents of three outstanding runners-up: Kevin Farrell, Jarvis Watson, and Jahrahn Neal-Yeatman (The Wrong Country) from St Teresa’s College Abergowrie; Max Simpfendorfer from Trinity Grammar School in Victoria; and Rebecca Elphicke from Alfred Deakin High School in ACT.

Published 12-May-2023

Nundah’s The Royal Undergoes a Million-Dollar Makeover

Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / heritage.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Nundah’s Royal Hotel is set to receive a million-dollar upgrade, with renovations now underway. The revamp will include the venue’s bistro, terrace, front bar and alfresco area, as well as the introduction of a new first-floor entertainment space.

The Royal, located on Sandgate Road, becomes the latest historic venue to undergo a major revamp with Australian Venue Co overseeing its transformation. Constructed in 1888, the venue has played a key role in the social life of Nundah locals for many years.

The renovations will offer a refreshed bistro and terrace, a new first-floor entertainment space, and a revitalised front bar and alfresco area. The new first-floor entertainment space is where live bands and comedians will take centre stage, performing in front of up to 200 guests. The space will also be available for private events.

Meanwhile, the bistro and terrace are transforming into a family-friendly dining space that can accommodate up to 120 people, complete with marble-look tables, checkerboard floors, and wooden accents. The front bar and al fresco area are being revitalised too, with space for up to 80 patrons and TV screens showing live sports.

Whilst the venue will remain open, patrons planning a visit to The Royal should note that the bistro section is temporarily closed and scheduled to reopen in mid-May. The sports bar section follows and will remain closed until mid-June.

The gaming will then undergo a week-long renovation and will also reopen in mid-June. The upstairs entertainment room is the last to receive the upgrades, however, the exact reopening date is yet to be announced.

The revamped venue will be relaunched as Royal Hotel in mid-July, with an exact date to be announced later.

Published 2-May-2023

Plant Shops Struggle To Survive: Nundah’s The Plant Lounge Among Those Forced To Close

The Plant Lounge, an established plant shop in Nundah, was among the plant shops in Brisbane compelled to shut down permanently despite doing well during the Covid pandemic.

Read: Mirvac Reveals Outcomes of Community Consultation for Its Toombul Renewal Plans

The Plant Lounge, a boutique nursery which opened at Buckland Road in 2019 has announced its closure in social media, leaving some of its patrons feeling disheartened.

“When we started, we were excited to bring indoor plants into your lives, and that enthusiasm is still with us. However, owning a retail business in these times of instability has been challenging,” the post reads.

“We will miss our community dearly, and we hope you will continue to support small businesses. Unless you make use of your locals, they will keep disappearing,” owners Rhiannon and Dave Meertens shared on a Facebook post.

“It pains us to say it, but YOU HAVE TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESS! Otherwise, we will end up with a monopoly on pricing and no point of difference,” they added.

The reasons behind the closure of many plant shops in Brisbane include concerns about interest rate hikes and other issues affecting small businesses.

The Plant Lounge revealed that their current earnings are approximately one-tenth of what they were making two years ago.

The Covid-19 pandemic resulted in a surge of customers for plant shops as people spent more time indoors, had more disposable income, and were motivated to enhance the comfort of their living spaces.

With the closure of their beloved Nundah plant shop, the owners are now shifting their focus to their full-time jobs.

A survey during the Covid-19 pandemic suggests 75 percent of respondents were spending more time in their gardens, with many embarking on new projects.Around 98 percent of all the respondents say spending time in the garden improved their mood.

Read: What’s The Story Behind The World War 2 Ammunition Found Near Nundah Years Ago?

Customers are encouraged to take advantage of their final sale by visiting the store before it closes on 30 April 2023. Gift vouchers will be accepted.

The Plant Lounge is located at 90 Buckland Road, Nundah. They are open daily, except on Mondays.

Published 17-April-2023

Toombul Shopping Centre Update: Mirvac Lodges Plans for Demolition

Mirvac will soon proceed with pulling down the Toombul Shopping Centre more than a year after it was shut down due to severe flooding damage.

In a statement on the Toombul Renewal site, Mirvac announced that it has lodged the development application (DA A006248810) for the demolition. The developer expects the demolition to take place in late 2023 and will span 12 months to complete.

“We will provide updates as our DA progresses, including a demolition start date,” the company announced. “Residents will receive advance notice of the start of works, and ongoing updates thereafter. If you would like to receive direct updates by email about the future demolition program, please register online at toombulrenewal.com/register

Mirvac also said that future plans for the site have yet to be finalised and a masterplan will be out for review by the community at the end of the year. However, speculations point to a possible mixed-use site with a residential precinct.

The company bought Toombul Shopping Centre in 2016 for $223 million and adopted a $35-million upgrade in 2019. The February 2022 flooding, however, brought down the site’s value to $90 million because of the extent of the damage. In May 2022, the company said that the building was beyond repair.

“The Council Planning team will be working closely with Mirvac to assess this application and provide a prompt response. This will allow Mirvac to commence demolition activities as quickly as possible to support renewal of the Toombul site,” Cr Adam Allan, the Council’s City Planning chair said.

Meanwhile, the bus interchange and park and ride will remain open during the demolition, but with safety measures in place.

Published 13-April-2023

What’s The Story Behind The World War 2 Ammunition Found Near Nundah Years Ago?

Did you know that around 20 years ago, some World War 2 ammunition was found buried near Nundah during the early site works for the Airport Drive Roundabout? Here’s a brief history of those ‘hidden weapons.’

Read: Nundah: A Sought-After Suburb for Singles

The pieces of World War 2 ammunition were dug up near the Airport Roundabout off-ramp, located at 18 Navigator Place, Hendra in 2003. Supervising engineer Jason Harley and his team discovered the expended rifle cartridges and mortar rounds packing rings.

The cartridges they found were .303 bullets, which were believed to be used during the Second World War.

The WW2 ammo found at the site (Photo credit: Jason Harley/ozatwar.com)

Interestingly, the Small Arms Ammunition Factory in Rocklea, which operated from 1942 to 1945 is just a 30-minute drive away from the spot where the old weapons were discovered.

At the time, the Australian government ran ammunition manufacturing plants, with nearly all of the production for domestic use by the military, the police forces, and government-appointed agents.

Women bundling ammunition in a Commonwealth Small Arms Ammunition Factory, circa 1944 (Photo credit: Collection Database of the Australian War Memorial, ID Number 043969)

The one in Rocklea, also known as the Small Arms Ammunition Factory No. 5, manufactured .303 rifle ammunition, .380 Enfield and .455 Webley revolver ammunition, .45 ACP submachine gun ammunition, smoke shells for 2-inch mortars and machined 25-Pounder Q.F. gun shell casings.

During the 1940s, the nearby Eagle Farm housed military camps and served as training grounds for the Royal Australian Air Force. During the war, the site became part of the planned airports and fields nationwide, intended to provide a launching pad for the allied military forces back into Asia.

Read: Australia’s Oldest Person Born in Nundah, Dexter Kruger, Dies Peacefully at 111

When the Second World War ended, many unused or unwanted weapons and machinery were buried and scrapped.

Published 30-March-2023

Chemical Leak at Virginia Factory Forced People to Evacuate

Photo credit: Facebook / Queensland Fire and Emergency Services - QFES

Police declared an emergency declaration under the Public Safety and Preservation Act (PSPA) on Thursday afternoon, 9 March 2023, due to a chemical leak at a Virginia factory forcing the evacuation of people within the exclusion zone.

At 2.35 pm, an emergency declaration was declared due to a chemical spill at a factory located on Newton Street in Virginia. People within the exclusion zone were asked to evacuate and police asked the members of the community to avoid the area while emergency services responded to the emergency.

The exclusion zone included the intersections of Newtown Street and Robinson Road, Hadley Street and Robinson Road, Bilsen Road and Robinson Road, Lisgar Street and Pritchard Road and Newtown Street and Pritchard Road.

Eight crews from the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services attended the scene. A QFES spokesman said that a scientific team also conducted air monitoring tests to determine what type of chemical leak it was and what caused it.

The police revoked the PSPA declaration at around 4 pm and declared the emergency situation no longer exists with no injuries reported.

QFES advises people to always call Triple Zero (000) first for any life-threatening emergencies.

Some of the types of emergencies, according to QFES’ guidelines for hazardous industry, include:

Fire (including the generation of toxic combustion products)
Explosion (including BLEVE)
Spill (of hazardous solids and liquids)
Gas leak (flammable, toxic, asphyxiant, pressurised or refrigerated liquid)
Structural failure
Natural events (including floods, earthquake, storms, storm tides, etc)
Impact event (road vehicles, railways, aircraft, ships)
Subversive activities (bomb threat, vandalism, sabotage)
Transport incident

Published 13-March-2023