Did you know that the North Brisbane Vegan Markets, a monthly foodie event that started in late 2021, is back at the Toombul Shopping Centre in Nundah?
If you missed the relaunch in January 2022, you can still mark your calendars for the upcoming North Brisbane Vegan Markets schedules for two Sundays — 20 February and 20 March!
Organised by Brisbane Vegan Markets, this monthly Sunday event will feature some 30 stalls for vegan eats, drinkies, shopping, and charities. Seize the chance to sample a variety of healthy choices, guaranteed without animal products, and score some cruelty-free merchandise as well.
During the relaunch, regular favourites like Vegan Yumm, an all-vegan, dairy-free and egg-free bakehouse based in Everton Park, and Grass Fed Vegan, a vegan burger and ice cream house from South Brisbane welcomed patrons in long lines.
The North Brisbane Vegan Markets opens from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with no entry free. Families may bring their pets as this obviously an animal-friendly event. To spice up the mood, live music will be playing as patrons do their vegan shopping.
Photo Credit: BrisbaneVeganMarkets/Facebook
According to research from Roy Morgan, the number of vegan adults in Australia has increased to almost 11.2 per cent of the general population in 2016. Choices of plant-based food sources and meals have been rising as well as more people adopt a healthier lifestyle.
“The food industry has responded with an increase in the range of products that are available and the labelling of vegan-friendly products as well,” said Queensland Public Health Nutritionist Mathew Dick.
The Chocolate Factory experience that has been making waves in Paris and Barcelona has finally reached Brisbane! Happening from 17 February 2022 at the Toombul Shopping Centre, here are five reasons why you must not miss this sweet sensation that’s coming to town.
Ever wondered what it feels like to get inside one of the most surreal chocolate factories in the world? Make it a day to remember by taking chocolatey photo experiences with all kinds of chocolate and candies, from the giant biscuits and marshmallows to lollipops and cupcakes. Take the best picture and upload it on social media for a chance to win special prizes.
The Cupcake Room, where you can find a giant trampoline, will have you jumping up and down for joy. Check out Cloudland, The Ball Pit, and the Gingerbread Town too.
Kids (or kids at heart!) can play at the ball pit and simply have fun. The experience will last for 45 minutes to an hour so there’s enough time to play and take all the selfies you want.
Guests will not only be able to admire the magical sweets because they will be able to eat some, too! If the treats are not enough, there will be vending machines to allow for purchase of food and drinks.
For everyone’s safety, government health guidelines will be strictly implemented, including wearing a mask in indoor spaces and placing hand sanitising stations throughout the venue.
Happening Thursdays to Sundays from February 2022 at the Toombul Shopping Centre. For more information, including where to buy your tickets, visit their website.
Brisbane Airport Corporation is seeking Expressions of Interest from reputable businesses and groups to become the track and event operator of BNE Auto Mall, its largest non-aviation project.
Video Still: Brisbane Airport / YouTube
Situated on a 51.3-ha site next to the International Terminal, the BNE Auto Mall is a $1-billion mixed-use project that is envisioned to become a vibrant, new research, retail, and events hub, as well as a business precinct. The development has the potential for 24/7 operations.
The centrepiece of the project is a 2.4-km performance track co-designed by motor racing legend Mark Skaife and motorsport circuit designers iEDM. There will be a dedicated slalom area, skid pan, kickplate, handling and off-road circuits, as well as an off-road 4WD demonstration course.
Video credit: Brisbane Airport / YouTube
BNE is asking for Expressions of Interest (EOI) from potential partners who would like to be considered as Track and Event Operator. The role will include managing and maintaining the performance track.
The Track and Event Operator will also enjoy these commercial opportunities:
Hosting driver experiences, leveraging a range of features and facilities within the precinct
Facilitating vehicle test drives on the performance track
Providing automotive branded and themed events, launches and media events
Facilitating corporate events and functions on and off-track
Facilitating automotive research, innovation and development in a controlled environment
Providing unrivalled advertising and marketing within the track area
Partnering with education providers and tertiary institutions
Fostering advancements in sustainable automotive technologies
Leveraging retailing and branding possibilities to enhance reputation and awareness
Photo credit: BNE Property / bneproperty.com.au
“Opening in 2024, BNE Auto Mall is the largest, most visionary, and eagerly anticipated mixed-use development of its kind in Australia, and it will be a game-changer when it comes to the way in which people buy and experience motor vehicles,” Gert-Jan de Graaff, BAC CEO said.
“While Aviation is our primary purpose, we have always strongly believed that Brisbane Airport is a destination within itself and so much more than just an airport.
“This landmark automotive precinct is proof of that, as it will provide exponential benefits for Brisbane and for Queensland well into the future.
“I have no doubts that the expansive scope of this Expression of Interest will generate excitement and encourage innovative thinking that will help shape this unique, world-class automotive destination.”
If you are equipped with the experience and capability in managing entertainment, hospitality, events and track facilities you may contact David Oatley through email: david.oatley@bne.com.au. The EOI officially opened on 1 December 2021 and will close on 28 January 2022.
A development application has been submitted for a new service station next to a single-storey retail showroom at the site of a large warehouse and vacant lot on Sandgate Road in Virginia.
The development proposal, DA A005871526, also includes the creation of a shared driveway along Radley Street, which will open the space up for the existing buildings on the site.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
Possible occupants for the retail area include a home store or an outdoor and camping brand. Meanwhile, the existing showrooms found on the southern section of the precinct, such as Drummond Gold Virginia, Big Swing Gold Virginia, National Tiles Showroom, and Christmas Shack will remain.
Photo Credit: Developmenti/BCC
Some structures will be demolished to make way for the service station, two retail tenancies (spanning 2,400 square metres and 900 square metres), and a forecourt fuel canopy.
Photo Credit: Developmenti/BCC
The showroom area will have 110 car parking spaces, four motorcycle bays, and three parking spaces for persons with disabilities. The proposal also includes landscaping and other improvements.
Photo Credit: Developmenti/BCC
Local Opposition
Even though public notification isn’t applicable for this development, neighbouring businesses on Sandgate Road have collectively made a submission to oppose the plans for the service station and showroom.
“We feel this will have a catastrophic impact to the 7/11 Fuel and Convenience on 2009 Sandgate Road,” landowner Jim Petrocitto said on behalf of other fuel providers in the area, such as bp Truckstop, Shell Coles Express Virginia, Freedom Fuels Geebung, Puma Zillmere, Caltex Zillmere Diesel Stop, and Caltex Woolworths.
“There is sufficient/oversupply of fuel retailers and we feel that this proposed addition would greatly impact our tenancy and location.”
The development application was filed on 1 November 2021 and is currently under assessment.
The book launch will be held on Saturday, 18 December 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at the Banyo Library. The author will be joined by twelve families from Queensland who are proud descendants of the “first ashore.”
Australia’s National Day of Remembrance for the fallen heroes of the war is deeply rooted in the Gallipoli campaign. The book is a tribute to Mr Burgess’ grandfather, Private Syd Davies, who served in Queensland’s 9th Battalion and the memory of the first men ashore.
Photo Credit: Supplied
Mr Burgess said that his grandfather had many tales about the war, particularly about the first men to land at Gallipolli.
“Despite being unable to prove his claims, my research progressed, and I soon realized that, despite our World War 1 Diggers bestowing much esteem on this small but unique group of soldiers, in official and popular history they had been largely overlooked.”
“Yet, for many Queensland families and Queensland communities, they represent a proud and strong connection to the Anzac Legend.”
The author believes that recognition for these men has been long overdue. That thought motivated him to write and publish their stories.
“These men were ordinary Queenslanders whose lives inspire and provide us with an intimate understanding of the tragic war experience of ordinary citizens.
“They were no more courageous than the 16,000 other Anzacs that landed that day but, in almost every aspect of human endeavour, the universal custom is to bestow some level of recognition for the first achiever.”
Photo Credit: Supplied
“The First Ashore” is the culmination of years of hardwork for Mr Burgess, who used to work as a school teacher. The author hopes that this book will fill the gaps for other Australians interested in the history of the Gallipoli campaign.
To ease congestion, traffic movement changes are being proposed on Banyo Rail Crossing. Residents in Banyo, Nudgee, Nudgee Beach, and part of Virginia are invited to provide community feedback.
Apart from the traffic congestion heading north toward Tufnell Rd, another traffic hotspot that has been identified is the area heading south towards St Vincents Rd.
This busy artery is said to be more problematic, as motorists who go this route are primarily heading towards Toombul Rd can attest. Due to this, necessary changes to one of the traffic movements on the western side of Banyo Rail Crossing are being proposed.
Beginning 29 November 2021, residents in Banyo, Nudgee, Nudgee Beach, and part of Virginia will receive flyers explaining the proposed changes, providing additional information about the ongoing project on the eastern side of the rail crossing, and seeking community feedback.
The ongoing project aims to enhance the existing traffic movement by realigning the road markings, creating a wider lane where traffic turns right into Tufnell Road.
Note that the work currently being done on the Royal Parade’s eastern side does not require consultation; however, the proposed project on the western side does.
Photo credit: Councillor Adam Allan / Facebook
“The proposal that I am seeking your feedback on is that we remove the option of southbound through motion on Royal Parade western side at the intersection and make it a left turn only across the rail lines as outlined in the diagram on the following page. As per the State road rules, these left turning vehicles have right of way over right turning vehicles,” Cr Allan said.
Whilst the proposed changes will help ease congestion and enhance safety at the said intersection, it also comes with corresponding impacts.
When the proposal is implemented, over 400 vehicles taking this route between 5:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. will have to use Elliot Rd, then to Blinzinger Rd, Downfall Rd, and Wellington Street. This change could potentially increase Elliot Road’s volume of traffic by up to 17%.
Concerned residents can submit their feedback on the proposed change to the Banyo Rail Crossing by visiting this site.
The construction of a quarantine facility at Pinkenba is already progressing, but a sizeable reduction in capacity seems to be in the cards for the purpose-built facility.
The initial plan was to build a centre with capacity for up to 1,000 beds, with the first 500 beds to be built in the first quarter of 2022.
However, the federal government has confirmed they will review the plan, out of concern whether the next 500 beds will still be reasonable to build as Australia opens up sooner than expected.
At present, permanent residents and their immediate family have been given permission to enter Australia through NSW and Victoria without needing to stay in a quarantine facility. Plans are also being reviewed in the context of QLD having reached its vaccination target for border reopening.
The Pinkenba quarantine facility is one of the two regional accommodation centres being developed in Queensland. The other one is located in Toowoomba, on private land that will be leased to the State Government.
The facility, which will be built on a 30-ha Army Barracks in Pinkenba, is close to all necessary medical facilities, including three major hospitals. It’s located 3 km from the Brisbane airport and approximately 7km to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
The Queensland Government previously worked with the Commonwealth to address a number of concerns with the Pinkenba site. A feasibility study by AECOM on the Pinkenba site raised a number of concerns that need to be addressed. These include issues relating to noise mitigation; environmental issues including the site being subject to flooding; and its historical use as a defence storage site.
A dedicated 1,000-bed quarantine facility will proceed in Qld on a 30-hectare Army barracks located in Pinkenba, just metres from Brisbane Airport.
The Qld Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Australian Government’s Pinkenba quarantine facility. pic.twitter.com/UM4ymqgmKL
“Whilst it will be used for any ongoing quarantine requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic, it will also be there in the years to come to support responses to natural disasters or other crises,” said Finance Minister Simon Birmingham.
Despite the issues with the land in Pinkenba, the site’s contractor Multiplex, is now ramping up work according to the federal government. The company has also been selected to deliver the purpose-built quarantine facility in Victoria.
“Multiplex is making strong progress in its work to deliver a similar purpose-built quarantine facility in Victoria, and I am pleased that we will be able to draw on their experience and expertise to deliver this centre in Queensland,” said Minister Birmingham.
A preferred design has been chosen for the planned expansion of the Northgate Park ‘n’ Ride facility. After the presentation of four options during the planning phase, feedback for Option D, which offers a multi-storey parking facility along Ridge Street, emerged as the most popular choice.
Once approved and completed, Option D will provide commuters with 350 extra car parks, including disabled parking, new bike storage facilities, CCTV security, and better lighting for safety purposes.
Per studies and investigations by the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), Option D was chosen because it has the following features:
large, rectangular shape (which is more efficient and reduces construction costs)
separated entry and exit points, minimising localised congestion and traffic delays
close proximity and good access to the train station, local bus stops and major roads
existing adjoining land use (mostly light commercial), which would impact less on the community.
Other sites considered for Northgate Park ‘n’ Ride are all on the western side of the existing facility but have smaller and irregular shapes. These areas (Option A, B and C) also have low to medium residential densities.
Photo Credit: TMR
Photo Credit: TMR
The community consultation for Option D was completed on 18 November 2021 and TMR is moving on to finalise planning and to seek approval for the business case by the end of the year.
In the last few years, residents around the Northgate Park ‘n’ Ride have complained of traffic, blockages in their driveway, and lack of street parking spaces amidst the increase of people using the park ‘n’ ride. This station has been a popular and busy junction for the Caboolture and Shorncliffe lines.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas as the Christmas Twilight Markets makes a comeback in Nundah. Get ready for a wonderful time for mingling, dining, and shopping in one of Brisbane’s best Christmas markets.
Happening on the 4th of December, the Nundah Christmas Twilight Markets will feature over 140 stalls and an incredible line-up of live acts. This year, guests may also enjoy a seat at the North Pole bespoke pop-up bar whilst they rock the night away to the beat of the live music.
Partygoers may also expect these exciting offerings:
Artisan Handmade Gifts that you won’t just find anywhere
Countless Gourmet Eats and Drinks
Spectacular Christmas Cheer and Decorations
Snaps with Santa
Pop-Up Bar plus DJ
Kids Activities and Entertainment
Needless to say, Nundah Markets will be bringing together some of the best food trucks, gourmet eats, boutique fashion, rustic homewares, locally designed jeweller and all things Christmas for this year’s edition of the much loved Nundah Christmas Twilight Markets celebrations.
Doors will open at 4:00 p.m. with a $2 fee at the entrance. The Nundah Christmas Twilight Markets will run until 10:00 p.m. There is plenty of free parking at the venue.
