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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.

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

“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.

Service Station with Retail Showroom Proposed on Sandgate Road in Virginia

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Must Read! ‘The First Ashore’ Book About Gallipoli Landing Heroes

Author Peter Burgess has published ‘The First Ashore,’ a collection of stories about the brave men who were the first ashore in Gallipoli.

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.

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.”

“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.

Have Your Say on Proposed Changes to Banyo Rail Crossing Traffic Movement

Photo credit: Google Street View / google.com/maps

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.

Pinkenba Quarantine Facility’s Capacity May Be Reduced By Half

Artist’s impression of Pinkenba quarantine facility (Photo credit: Luke Howarth/Facebook)

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.

Read: New Renewable Energy Training Facility Set for Construction in Pinkenba

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.

Effective 13 December, QLD will allow fully vaccinated people to travel to the state without quarantining under certain conditions.

About the Pinkenba quarantine facility

Army Barracks in Pinkenba (Photo credit: https://defence.gov.auf)

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
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) August 16, 2021

“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.

Northgate Park ‘n’ Ride Preferred Design to Add 350 Car Parks on Ridge Street

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.

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.

TMR has been actively planning the expansion since the 2018-2019 financial year.

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas at Nundah Twilight Markets

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.

Style Workshops, Fashion Consultations, and More at Toombul Fashion Festival

Check out the Fashion Festival, currently running at the Toombul Shopping Centre, where women from all over town can gather for 50 days of one-on-one consultations, workshops, and events!

Read: Inside Ferns On The Brook, The New Neighbourhood In Nundah

Hosted by fashion app Mys Tyler, the Body Positive Fashion Festival has been launched in collaboration with Mirvac to help women feel confident in their bodies by merging professional advice and tips with the latest fashion trends from Toombul’s most popular retailers.

On 18 November 2021, they will hold a panel discussion titled “Size Inclusivity and Diversity in the Fashion Industry: Why Representation Matters” where guests can listen to a range of local stylists, influencers, and fashion experts discuss size-inclusivity and diversity in the fashion industry, and why representation matters.

This body-positivity panel will break down barriers and open up important conversations so if you wouldn’t want to miss this discussion, head to Toombul Shopping Centre before it starts at 6:00 p.m.

Fashion blogger and makeup artist Julz Elizabeth will be the moderator whilst the panelists will include influencer Curvy Sam, stylist Amy Grant, fashion and lifestyle blogger Sonia Space, mental health awareness advocate Suzanne Dang, and Steve and Nadia from size-inclusive activewear brand Active Truth.

Then on 20 November 2021, don’t miss the chance to join Mys Tyler’s Fashion Parade which celebrates the final week of the event with a size-inclusive and diverse runway show.

To secure your tickets for the events, visit Eventbrite.

Nundah Property Market Shows Consistent Price Growth and Brisk Turnover

The Nundah property market, along with several other suburbs of Brisbane, has remained steady in 2021, showing modest but consistent growth and brisk turnover amidst the economic uncertainty wrought by the pandemic.

Highlights

Unimpeded by the impacts of the pandemic, Nundah’s property market rose by 13.14 per cent in Q2 of 2021, contributing to a 1.83 per cent growth overall for the period July 2020 to June 2021.
The unit market posted a 3.71 per cent growth over the period July 2020 to June 2021.
119 houses and 406 units were sold during this time period, with average days on market of 37 and 58 days, respectively.

House Price Growth

For the period covering July 2020 to June 2021, Nundah’s house price growth reflected a modest 1.83 per cent, putting the median house price at $835,000, per Property Market Updates. However, the market is slowly but steadily ramping up, as shown in the second quarter performance figures which saw the median house prices grow by 13.14 per cent over the previous quarter, ending with a median house price of $919,250.

Market listings stayed an average of 37 days on the market, showing brisk activity with 119 properties sold for the said time period. Nundah buyers were hustling to buy three-bedroom houses, which took up half of the market.

An attractively positioned 607-square metre property on an elevated section of Oxford Street, one of Nundah’s most desirable locations, sold the highest price for $1,900,000. The renovated Queensland home, with its family-friendly layout, impressed the buyer during an auction for its modern sophistication and charming original architecture.

The house’s location is a short walk to St. Joseph’s School and the Nundah State School. It’s also conveniently close to all public transport, including the Brisbane Airport.

Unit Price Growth

Unit sales in Nundah saw an average of 406 properties sold during this 12-month period, at an average of 58 days on market. 140 of the 406 properties were sold during Q2 2021. Half of the stocks acquired were for two-bedroom units as keen investors took advantage of a high-demand market.

The influx of demand in the area has driven the median unit price up by 3.71 per cent for the 12-month period, settling at $405,000.

About Nundah

Nundah was the site of Queensland’s first public housing project along Surrey Street in the early 1900s. Decades of development, however, turned this endearing suburb into a contrasting mix of housing styles, from rustic Queenslanders to impressive modern homes and brick and timber cottages that reflect its rich history.

In recent years, however, apartments have been filling the demands of young families, single-income dwellers, as well as retirees looking for a beautiful but low maintenance space. More than half of the residents in Nundah are renters.

Popular with the working class for its reasonably-priced houses, Nundah is ideal for those who want the conveniences of living not too far from the city for work but distant enough from the busy CBD.

Increased infrastructure improvements allowed Nundah to become a major suburban centre in the north, opening up heaps of businesses, cafes, and restaurants. For leisure and recreation, residents have the Nundah Farmers Market every Sunday and the improved Toombul Shopping Centre for meals, movies, and other activities.

“Lived here two years, I love the variety of shops with Toombul at your fingertips. Transport is excellent, with several train lines passing through both Nundah and Toombul stations you have trains every 15 minutes, or if you drive the Tunnel is very close by. Would suit fly-in fly-out workers with the airport very close. Walking tracks are abundant around town and along the creek, fisho’s – don’t expect to catch any edible fish in there.”
Chris

“Hello, I’ve lived in Bridge Street, Nundah for the past 12 yrs. I am so glad Lord Mayor Jim Soorely proceeded with Sandgate Road traffic diversion around the Nundah shopping area, creating the fantastic streetscape of the up and finally coming Nundah Village. My street has period homes and worker cottages which look great as most are now renovated. It is a quiet street, very little traffic and only 250 metres nice and flat stroll to Nundah Train Station and the village.”
Jackson W

Category: Homepage Latest News

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