Habitat Early Learning Centre Opens in Nundah

A full-service childcare centre with an on-site general practitioner and a chef is holding its Open Day in Nundah on Saturday, the 4th of Jan 2020. Habitat Early Learning at 79 Bage Street is giving parents and their kids the chance to experience the difference of this facility, which promises to go beyond childminding. 

The Open Day will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Aside from a tour of the centre and a chance to ask the staff questions about their services, parents and children may also join the yoga session at 10:30 a.m. and receive food samples from the in-house kitchen. 

Photo Credit: Habitat Early Learning Nundah/Facebook


Habitat Early Learning Programs

The Nundah site, with its beautifully designed amenities, is the second for Habitat Early Learning. The inaugural facility was established in Ferny Grove in 2009. 

The centre provides various educational programs to support a child’s learning and development, such as: 

  • Emergent Curriculum 
  • Montessori Program
  • Kindergarten Program with Long Day Care Service (approved under the Queensland Kindergarten Funding Scheme
  • Inclusive Extra-Curricular Programs
  • Performing Arts (under Disney star and opera singer Kirby Thompson) 
  • Mandarin Language
  • Happy Habits (yoga and mindfulness)

The classes are spearheaded by a master qualified leadership team trained to focus on child’s education, nutrition and health.

Photo Credit: Habitat Early Learning Nundah


Habitat Early Learning Amenities 

As mentioned, the centre has its own kitchen, where a chef serves freshly prepared food for the children and its staff in the al fresco dining area. Parents may also order packaged meals if they do not have time to cook at home.

Come March, the facility will have a GP and a nurse to tend to sick children and give parents peace of mind. 

Murray and Toni Thornton had the vision to build an early childhood facility that will enhance the learning experience of children between three to five years old. After listening to feedback from parents and staff, the Thortons developed a full-service model for Habitat Early Learning

In 2016, National Quality Standards recognised Habitat Early Learning for its building design. A similar design has been carried over to its Nundah site, which has five classrooms for its Emergent Curriculum and three for its Montessori and Kindergarten programs. 

Habitat Early Learning in Nundah will welcome 40 kids as it begins its classes on Monday, the 6th of Jan 2020. 

Banyo-Northgate Neighbourhood Plan Included in Brisbane City Plan

Brisbane City Council has officially adopted an amendment to Brisbane City Plan 2014 to include the Banyo-Northgate Neighbourhood Plan, which will take effect on 28 February 2020.

The Banyo-Northgate Neighbourhood Plan will serve to guide development and coordinate land use in the areas covered by the neighbourhood plan, including Banyo, Northgate, and parts of Nudgee, Nundah, Virginia and Hendra.

The boundaries of the Banyo-Northgate plan area include: Nundah Creek and the Virginia Golf Club to the north; the East-West Arterial Road to the south; Southern Cross Way and the Gateway Motorway to the east; and Sandgate Road and the Toombul-Nundah Neighbourhood Plan to the west.

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

The amendment package includes a new neighbourhood plan code for the neighbourhood plan area, revised precinct, zone and overlay mapping, and consequential amendments to City Plan.

The six precincts under the Banyo-Northgate Neighbourhood Plan:

  • Northgate Station precinct
  • Bindha Station precinct
    • Bindha Station north sub-precinct 
    • Bindha Station south sub-precinct 
  • Banyo Station precinct
  • Nudgee Station precinct
  • Nudgee north precinct
  • Blinzinger Road precinct

Key highlights of the Banyo-Northgate Neighbourhood Plan: 

  • extending protections to 119 additional properties to maintain traditional building character
  • protecting five additional heritage, four additional pre-1911 and nine additional commercial character buildings
  • creating more space for businesses to expand and host up to 5,000 new jobs, and support two future employment precincts at Northgate and Virginia (around Bindha station)
  • ensuring that industrial activities important for Brisbane’s jobs and economy can continue to thrive in the area
  • allowing the Banyo centre to expand and provide more local services
  • increasing opportunities to provide housing diversity.

Timeline

In late 2016, the neighbourhood planning process commenced with the launch of an online survey, information kiosks, and the formation of a CPT, which met four times between April 2017 and October 2017.

The  Banyo-Northgate Neighbourhood Plan strategy was released for public consultation, from 27 October 2017 to 8 December 2017. The public consultation had nine submissions sent by email, letter, or submitted in person; 64 online survey responses including a mix of “ratings” and comments; and 18 survey responses including satisfaction ratings.   

In early mid-2018, the first draft of the neighbourhood plan was prepared which the Queensland Government reviewed and approved for public notification and final community submissions.

From 2 November to 17 December 208, the draft neighbourhood plan was released for final community submissions which had received 85 submissions. The community feedback were instrumental in the number of changes to the draft plan which was then submitted for a second review by the State Government.

Council adopted the amendments in late November, to take effect beginning 28 February 2020.



Eat Your Way Through Italy at Il Gancio Restaurant in Nundah

Hungry for cheese wheel pasta, risotto or wood-fired pizza? If you have a love affair with Italian cuisine, you will not want to miss Il Gancio, the newest pizzeria and bar in Nundah.

Positioned within the highly anticipated UPSTAIRS at Toombul Shopping Centre, the exquisite restaurant is a destination in its own right, attracting locals with their chic-industrial interior. Food is crafted from the finest fresh and local produce and they have an impressive list of drinks, ranging from classic cocktails to tap beers.

Photo Credit: Il Gancio/Facebook

With its inviting ambience, you’ll want to stick around and try a wood-fired pizza with toppings such as mushrooms, housemade sausage, cherry tomatoes,  zucchini, beetroot puree, salami and provolone cheese. Or indulge in their signature scallops, served with herb butter and flying fish roe, or maybe go for their handmade pasta.

Photo Credit: Il Gancio/Facebook

Brought by the team behind Il Verde in Bowen Hills and Il Vento in Mooloolaba, Il Gancio translates to “The Hook.” Owners Ibrahim Haddad and Dom Barakat wanted to come up with a place that will have people hooked from the moment they pass through UPSTAIRS.

Photo Credit: Il Gancio/Facebook

Il Gancio is open seven days a week. Walk-ins are welcome but bookings are essential if you are more than 10 in the group. As for the cheese wheel pasta, they only have 10 exclusive seats so you better book your spot ahead if you want to experience it. 

The cheese wheel pasta is only available at their intimate pasta bar every Wednesday at 6:00 pm. Like the trading hours of UPSTAIRS, Il Gancio opens at 11:00 am daily until late, ready to serve lunch or dinner. 



Service Station and Warehouse on Toombul Road, Northgate Proposed

A development application seeking to establish a service station and warehouse on Toombul Road, Northgate has been lodged.

Located at 185 Toombul Road, Northgate, the subject site has an area of 7,994 sqm currently occupied by a large industrial building which used to be a foundry on the easter half and a large hardstand area with two smaller ancillary buildings (patternmaking shed and works office) on the western half.

Service Station and Warehouse on Toombul Road
Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / pdonline.brisbane.qld.gov.au

The site is accessible via a single crossover to Holland Street and is located approximately 200 metres from the Northgate Train Station. Two new crossovers to Toombul Road are proposed, which will provide left in and left out movements. 

Service Station and Warehouse on Toombul Road
Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / pdonline.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Designed by 77 Architecture, the proposal seeks approval to construct a service station, including a canopy and 8 bowsers, and two-storey warehouse building. To facilitate the development, all structures and hardstand areas on-site will be demolished.

Service Station and Warehouse on Toombul Road
Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / pdonline.brisbane.qld.gov.au

The service station will have a gross floor area of 246 sqm and will have 15 car parking spaces whilst the warehouse building will have a gross floor area of 1,655 sqm with 27 car parking spaces, along with the existing 15.

“Proposed development is of a built form, mass and setback that contribute to a high standard of amenity and complies with relevant provisions within the Industry Code relating to building height, site cover and setbacks,” the Urbicus Urban Planning report said.



Australia’s First Cinnabon Confirms Grand Opening Date in Nundah

The luring fragrance of cinnamon will be filling the Christmas air in Nundah as American bakery chain Cinnabon announces the grand opening date of its very first Australian store at Toombul Shopping Centre.

Cinnabon in Nundah will officially begin rolling out fresh batches of its popular cinnamon rolls every 30 minutes on Saturday, the 14th of Dec. 2019. News of the opening date was confirmed in Cinnabon Australia’s Facebook page

“Life is about to get sweeter Brisbane Cinnabon lovers. We can confirm we’re rolling into Toombul Shopping Centre at Nundah on December 14.” 



The first Cinnabon Australia layout will be a kiosk, based on the 3D rendering shared on the Facebook page. It will take over the site vacated by Donut King.

Photo Credit: Cinnabon Australia/Facebook

Bansai Group, which brought U.S. burger brand Carl’s Jr. to these shores, is behind Cinnabon Australia. The company also confirmed its plans to roll out a second store in Mt Gravatt by January and two more outlets to be located in Chermside and Mt Ommaney. 

Over the next five years, Bansai Group foresees at least 50 Cinnabon outlets across the country. Cinnabon has over 1,500 other outlets globally since launching nearly 35 years ago.

Cinnabon customers trooping to the store at the Toombul Shopping Centre can expect to order its perennial favourites: 

  • Classic Makara Cinnamon Roll, which has the finest Makara cinnamon from Sumatra and signature frosting 
  • Chocobon, its chocolate-filled roll
  • Caramel Pecanbon, a twist on the classic with caramel frosting and pecan toppings

Cinnabon also serves classic coffee, warm or iced drinks, as well as blended beverages. 



Hendra Police Stages Nudgee Summer Safety Expo for Families

A summer safety expo at the Nudgee Boat Ramp will be conducted by the Hendra Police on Sunday, the 17th of Nov 2019. The event will provide safety guides and tips for families who will be spending a lot of their time at the beach this summer. 

Experts will be present to answer questions and concerns about water safety and keeping your home safe during the summer season. The officers of the Crime Prevention Unit and Water Police will be sharing information about: 

  • summer preparedness
  • vessel safety
  • vehicle and personal safety


Photo Credit: Leanne Linard MP/Facebook

The event is made possible by MP Leanne Linard who will be present on Sunday to hand out free sausage sizzles and coffee for the guests. Also expected to be present are the members of local SES and Volunteer Marine Rescue, Brisbane City Council and the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads. 

The Nudgee Summer Safety Expo will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 

What to Find at UPSTAIRS by Toombul in Its November 2019 Opening in Nundah

Nundah’s highly anticipated playground for adults will finally open its doors! On Thursday, the 14th of Nov 2019, UPSTAIRS by Toombul, Brisbane’s unique urban dining and entertainment hub, will be launching a different kind of experience to satisfy your taste buds and awaken all of your senses.

UPSTAIRS by Toombul, which will open daily from 11:00 a.m. until late, will feature 10 new restaurants serving mouth-watering eats and refreshing drinks. You’ll have plenty of options to enjoy dining at this precinct because of the variety. 



Everything is going to be insta-worthy and trendy at UPSTAIRS by Toombul whether you pick a bustling and exciting eatery or a cool and relaxing spot. Here’s what Nundah locals will find on opening day.

Niku Ramen 

Niku Ramen is for diners craving to slurp some hot bowls of broth, or bite into tasty stir-fried meals and freshly prepared authentic Japanese food. This restaurant is managed by the team behind Umaya in Parramatta.  

Photo Credit: UPSTAIRS Toombul/Instagram

Little Red Dumpling

This Chinese-style restaurant at UPSTAIRS by Toombul will be its seventh store. Little Red Dumpling is famous for its handmade bao, wontons, rolls, buns and other dumplings prepared in-house daily. They also serve warm noodle soup and traditional Chinese desserts. 

Photo Credit: UPSTAIRS Toombul/Instagram

Dapple+Waver

Dapple+Waver is perfect for friends or groups who want to hang around and enjoy craft beer, coffee or wine. This modern and sophisticated restaurant is from the same people behind Beyond the Pale in Coorparoo. 

Photo Credit: Toombul/Facebook

Espresso Max

Espresso Max will be serving all-day cafe brunch staples like avocado smash and eggs benedict. This high-quality cafe is pegged to become the hive of coffee snobs in Nundah. 

Photo Credit: Espresso Max/Facebook

Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq

It’s a circus, an arcade, a bar and a foodie spot and it’s the first of its kind in Queensland! Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq is the place for kids and adults to let loose. The amusement park/restaurant is the main star of the revitalised Toombul shopping centre.

Photo Credit: Toombul/Facebook


UPSTAIRS by Toombul is still gearing up for additional restaurants that will capture what this precinct is all about —- a lifestyle centre for indulging, entertainment and socialising. In the coming months, Hello Harry, a funky burger joint, and Il Gancio, a European restaurant, are also going to launch alongside the revamped and upgraded cinema.  

New Book by Nundah Psychologist Takes a Look At Empathy, Compassion, and Conquering Anxiety From Canine Point of View

A new illustrated book by Nundah psychologist Dr Karla Johnston encourages kids to see things from a dog’s perspective and learn to “share and care for each other under all circumstances.” 

Illustrated by Dr Julia Pike, “Vizby: The Naughty Dog” is a three-part book series about an energetic Hungarian Vizsla dog’s real life adventures in New Farm with her Ma and friends. 

The book tackles many of the challenges that children face, such as dealing with cultural and language differences and anxiety. Through Vizby’s fun adventures, the book helps its readers view things from different perspectives and to understand the whole person — looking beyond the superficial.

book by Nundah psychologist Dr Karla Johnston
Photo credit:Johnston, Simons & Pike 2019 / vizbytales.com

The book also fosters academic and emotional intelligence which are critical to problem solving, as well as promote ways to stay mentally flexible to be able to work your way around challenging situations, overcome anxiety, and find the courage to embrace the things around you.

Co-authors Dr Karla Johnston and Dr Roland Simons said the book “reinforces concepts like: safely helping neighbours resulting in positive friendships; being brave enough to try new activities to expand your world experiences; the benefits of sharing; self-soothing routines as helpful coping mechanisms; compassionate caring of others as well as the self; and learning to think about others’ thoughts and feelings (theory of mind).”

book by Nundah psychologist Dr Karla Johnston
Photo credit:Johnston, Simons & Pike 2019 / vizbytales.com

“We hope that children (particularly those in big cities) would come to understand that while dogs can be unpredictable, sometimes resulting in feelings of anxiety, it is important to step back and see things from the dogs’ point of view too (empathy) and learn ways to communicate with dogs that are less threatening for both sides. This is a parallel process for encouraging understanding between humans as well!”

About Dr Karla Johnston

Dr Karla Johnston is a clinical psychologist from Nundah Village Family Practice. She has been counselling adult and older adults for the past 19 years. Dr Johnston is also dog mum to three Hungarian Vizslas.



The Plant Lounge in Nundah is A Plant Lover’s Paradise

Raring to cultivate a green thumb, decorate with plants or grow a nice garden in your home? For a good variety of indoor plants that could thrive in Queensland’s unique climate, the best place to find lush greens if you live in Nundah or the nearby suburbs is at The Plant Lounge on Station Street.

Operated and owned by Rhiannon Campbell, the woman behind Brisbane’s plant subscription Botanic Box, The Plant Lounge is more than just an extension of her online store. Here, you can check the plants up close and in detail before making a purchase or you can also talk to the owner and her staff to learn valuable tips on how to grow beautiful, leafy plants in your house. 

As a plant lover’s paradise, The Plant Lounge also offers a range of pots or containers to mix and match in your home decoration. You can find heaps of botanical wares to feed your green hobby in this store as well.

Photo Credit: The Plant Lounge/Facebook


Ms Campbell regularly hosts workshops for budding and seasoned plant lovers who might want to branch out into making a terrarium or learning pottery for personalised pots. 

For the rest of October, here are the classes scheduled at The Plant Lounge:

WHATWHEN
Terrarium WorkshopThursday, 24 Oct
Botanical Watercolour WorkshopFriday, 25 Oct
How to be a Plant ParentThursday, 31 Oct

*All workshops begin at 6:00 p.m.

Photo Credit: The Plant Lounge/Facebook

The store is open from Tuesday to Sunday and closed on Mondays. Trading hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Monday, Wednesday and Saturday), 11:00 a.m. to 7:0O p.m. (Thursday and Friday), and 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Sunday).



“AMAZING selection of indoor plants, accessories and homewares! I wanted to take the entire store home. Rhiannon is so helpful and friendly which makes for and even better shopping experience. I already can’t wait to come back – those prices are insanely good! Can’t believe how beautiful and well taken care of all the plants are.”

~ Alex Mayock, Facebook

“Dreamy store of plants and all kinds of gifts for plant lovers! Rhiannon is so lovely and helpful too!”

~ Jenica Smith, Google Reviews

Milton Brewery Set to Officially Launch New Taproom in Northgate

Milton-based Aether Brewing is set to officially launch a new taproom at their brewery in Northgate this month. This was after owners Dave Ward and Jimmy Young finally got Council approval to launch a brand new taproom and give their visitors a more complete experience.

The new 353-sqm venue, which will be called Aether Brewing HQ, will have 80 seats. It will have its main access via Melton Road and will be located next to the train station and bus stop. 

Aether Brewing in Railway Terrace currently has a 3,000-litre capacity. But the business partners will be upping their game by moving their equipment from the Sunshine Coast to Northgate and adding more tanks. Dave and Jimmy are eyeing to produce as much as 200,000 litres of beer a year at their new location.

Drinkers will have 12 taps to choose from alongside a range of core beers. The fridges will also be stocked with new seasonal beers like the mango sticky rice IPA and the crowd-favourite Ginger Beer’d which returns a year since it was recalled due to issues of excess alcohol content.

Aiming to offer the freshest beer in Brisbane, Dave and Jimmy are planning to brew beers on-site. 

The duo is officially launching the taproom mid-October at 340 Melton Road, Northgate, with an opening date to be announced soon. Once open, Aether Brewing HQ will operate Friday to Sunday.


Read: The Chapel Park Cafe in Nundah is A Coffee Lover’s Dream