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Heritage Listed Public Toilet at Nundah

Do you know that a public toilet in Nundah has been classified as a state heritage site by the Queensland Heritage Register?

Yes, that’s right! A public toilet located at Sandgate Road in Nundah is included amongst Queensland’s heritage-listed sites due to its historic role as an air raid shelter back in World War Two.

Nundah Air Raid Shelter

Brisbane’s population increased dramatically during the Second World War. This population growth was brought by the different military headquarters and supply facilities that were set up in the area in aid of the ongoing war.

Given its strategic position and the number of people dwelling in Brisbane, the Brisbane City Council then took responsibility for the different Air Raid Precaution (ARP) activities to cover the area. The council established an Air Raid Warden system, which include a firefighting operation system and provision of air raid shelters.

The Nundah air raid shelter was designed by Council Architect Frank Gibson Costello, and it was built in 1942 by the Brisbane City Council. This shelter was built in preparation for the possible bombing raids by the Japanese in Nundah. Nundah was seen as a potential target during that time because of its close proximity to the Petroleum Warehouse built by the United States Army in Brisbane.

Renewed Purpose

Majority of the structures built for wartime purposes, such as military camps and munition factories, were removed shortly by the end of the Second World War. However, some of the structures that had survived, including Costello’s public surface shelters, were given a secondary purpose. Amongst these wartime structures that still exist even at present day are the Story Bridge Hotel, Howard Smith Wharves, and the Nundah Air Raid Shelter.

The Nundah Air Raid Shelter at present is a rectangular structure that accommodates public toilets. The toilets are enclosed by block walls and a mural is placed around the exterior walls of the structure. Its original floor slab has now been covered with pebbles and tiles. For lighting, wires have been placed inside the structure and skylights have also been cut into the roof slab.

Significance of Nundah Air Raid Shelter

On the 6th of April in 2005, the Air Raid Shelter in Nundah was listed amongst the heritage sites in Queensland after successfully meeting the following criteria:

The place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland’s history. The Nundah air raid shelter had a significant role during World War Two. It was part of Brisbane’s implemented Air Raid Precaution activity that provided protection to the civilian population of Brisbane in the event of an air raid attack.
The place demonstrates rare, uncommon or endangered aspects of Queensland’s cultural heritage. There were many structures built for wartime purposes by the Brisbane City Council during World War Two, however only very few of these structures have survived. This air raid shelter is amongst those structures that have lasted until today.
The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a particular class of cultural places. Given its shape, siting, and solid construction, this structure demonstrates the principal attributes of a pubic air raid shelter in Brisbane during the World War Two.
The place is important in demonstrating a high degree of creative or technical achievement at a particular period. With its secondary purpose, from an air raid shelter to a public toilet, it then possesses an innovative and durable design using concrete technology available during the World War Two.
The place has a special association with the life or work of a particular person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland’s history. This structure is an important example of the wartime work of the City Architect’s Office, and particularly the work of Architect F.G. Costello.

Spend Your Sunday Mornings at Nundah Fresh Farmers Markets

The Nundah Fresh Farmers Markets is a great place to spend Sunday mornings with the family, enjoying freshly roasted coffee and hearty breakfast treats such as steak burgers, croissants, crepes, and donuts.

Of course, after you’ve had your fill and before heading back home, you can support local farmers and suppliers by picking-up some fresh farm produce and crafts — and there’s definitely lots to choose from.

GFree Donuts

Two Busy Bees – Raw Honey

Nundah’s Fresh Farmers Markets offers the freshest produce such as seafood, local prawns, farm-fresh eggs, gourmet meats, herbs and spices. Also, there’s a great assortment of fresh flowers and plants, artisan baked breads and pastries, arts and crafts, health and lifestyle products, and home decors.

Did we mention that there’s live music too?

Breakfast Shack

Loose Leaf Specialty Iced Tea

The Nundah Fresh Farmers Markets is located in the Nundah train station car park, below Nundah Village. This all-weather market runs every Sunday from 6 a.m. to 12 noon, closing only for four weekends a year — Christmas to early January.

No need to worry about parking because free parking at Nundah Fresh Farmers Markets is aplenty. This farmer’s market is also conveniently located just across the Nundah Rail Station, so going there by public transport is not a problem.

Don’t forget to check out Nundah Fresh Farmers Markets’ social media page to catch up on the latest happenings and events.

Issues Still Hound Sandgate Road, Nundah Proposed Development Despite Amendments

After submissions on the proposed development on Sandgate Road in Nundah closed last year and despite the changes made to the plan, issues still hound the controversial development proposal.

The proposed development is for a multiple dwelling of 72 units above 12 retail tenancies on the site of a local heritage place and involving a partial demolition of a commercial character building.

Original proposed design

*Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / pdonline.brisbane.qld.gov.au*

Proposed new design

The proposal met strong opposition from the residents and sparked an online petition that saw over two thousand individuals supporting the petition. By the end of the consultation period, over 150 submissions have been lodged by the locals as well.

An information request by the Council was issued on March 2018 asking the applicant to respond to the issues that were brought up such as the “heritage impacts, building height, architectural design, streetscape interface, traffic impacts, parking, air quality, amenity impacts, landscaping, unit sizes and land use mix.”

In their response to the information request submitted 16 October 2018, the applicant amended their plans and changes to the key design elements they summarised under the following:

Provision of a strong, two-storey podium element which is designed to provide an architectural rhythm in keeping with the retained Local heritage façade. This also integrates apartments into the second level, akin to shop-top-living, and removes any double height glazing along the ground level, providing better articulation and a stronger village feel to the street frontages.
In terms of the number of storeys, the building is now six storeys to Sandgate Road and seven storeys to the rear of the site. This is a significant reduction of 2 to 3 storeys from the 9 storeys as noted by Council in the Information Request. This provision of stepped height from Sandgate Road to the rear of the site is due to the top storey being set back significantly from Sandgate Road, with rooftop communal area now overlooking Sandgate Road.
The ground level and access have been amended to ensure that all access and servicing are provided for on site, with servicing hours limited to mitigate any potential amenity concerns for nearby and proposed residents. A designated and clearly identifiable residential lobby is also provided off Chapel Street, as is a pedestrian pathway to the rear tenancies.
Additional landscaping is provided along the Chapel Street frontage, as well as throughout the communal open space.
The retention of the Local Heritage building has been further considered with the design now providing for consideration and retention of both the ground and upper storey, and a more significant extent of the depth of the building also, with the tower above set back by up to 7m from Sandgate Road.

Despite the changes in the plan, Councillor Adam Allan still has concerns about the project including the micro apartment —which he considers very small — that was added to the proposal, and the inadequate number of parking and common areas. Overall, he thinks that the proposal is not the kind of development that is right for Nundah.

Find the updates on the development application DA004831430 here.

Kallangur and Banyo Homes Win 2018 4KQ Christmas Lights North

From the category with the most participants, Kallangur and Banyo homes win the top spot of the 2018 4KQ Christmas Lights North Category.

This year, John and Kaye Baker’s home was Best North winner of the 2018 4KQ Christmas Lights Competition. Located at 12 Elm Drive, Kallangur, the Baker’s residence impressed the judges with their fantastic Christmas lights display.

The winning home embraced the Christmas spirit as it features various displays of Santa with his reindeers and so much more. Check out the following photos to see why the Kallangur home was the best in the North.

Named as this year’s Runner-Up in the 4KQ Christmas Lights’ North Category is Jeanette Meyer’s Grandma’s Christmas Garden. Located at 4 Huron Street, Banyo, Meyer was able to transform her house into a joyful Christmas garden featuring a Nativity scene, storytime with Santa, and more holiday vignettes.

Take a look at the Banyo home’s Christmas lights display below.

Proving that the North category is amongst the most competitive ones, six more houses impressed the judges. This year’s recipients of the Judges Commendation are the following:

Barwick Family, 27 Minimine Street, Stafford
Carolyn and Troy Ebsworth, 81 Froude Street, Banyo
Lights on Daisy, 48 Daisy Street, Grange
Lights on Long St, 1 Long Street, Clontarf
Michael and Vanessa Saccasan, 26 Cockatiel Court, Deception Bay
St Gerard Majella Catholic Church, 146 Maundrell Terrace, Chermside West

Christmas Lights Tours

Seeing these beautifully lit home is surely much better when viewed in person. Why not go on a trip around town with your family and friends and experience these magical lights yourself?

The Council’s Christmas lights bus tours will still be running until the evening of Friday, 21 December 2018. Just remember that each tour leaves at 6:45 p.m. sharp and will go for approximately three hours. Refreshment stops also included.

Alternatively, you can have your own Christmas lights tours. Check out the complete list of this year’s 4KQ Christmas Lights Competition participants so you can plan for your trip. Don’t forget to bring some snacks and play some lovely tunes whilst having your own Christmas lights tour.

Did You Know that Nundah Cemetery is Queensland’s Oldest Surviving Cemetery?

Popular for hosting a number of ghost tours annually, the historic Nundah Cemetery remains to be an important landmark in the suburb. In fact, it is one of the stops at the Nundah Heritage Trail.

Serving the suburb for more than 170 years, Nundah Historic Cemetery is currently Queensland’s oldest surviving cemetery and the first to be associated with free settlement in Queensland.

History of Nundah Cemetery

A small group of German Lutheran missionaries founded Queensland’s first free settlement, at Zion’s Hill above Kedron Brook in 1838. They named the settlement area German Station which was later changed to Nundah after the Aboriginal name for ‘water holes’.

German grave in Nundah Historic Cemetery. Photo credit: Kerry Raymond/Wikimedia Commons

The missionaries later established the German Station Cemetery (former name of Nundah Cemetery) in the 1840s. By 1845, only one death had been recorded on site. Unfortunately, several children died the following year, and the cemetery is indicated on an 1846 sketch by missionary Carl Gerler.

None of the wooden crosses marking the earliest graves has survived, but the oldest headstone dates to March 1855. Some of the earlier gravestones in the cemetery have German inscription.

In 1914, J MacDonald built a small shelter pavilion designed by architect John Henry Burley at the cemetery.

In the 1930s, Brisbane City Council took over the management of the cemetery from the local trustees. Council closed the cemetery by 1963.

Formed in 1982, the Nundah Historic Cemetery Preservation Association helped tend and restore the site in 1982. Following the restoration of the cemetery, it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

Notable People Buried in Nundah Cemetery

Modern plaque for George and Mary Bridges, founders of the Nundah township, 2005. Photo credit: Kerry Raymond/Wikimedia Commons

Here is a list of the notable residents buried in Nundah Cemetery:

George Bridges and wife Mary (née Brightman) – they are the pioneers who developed the Nundah township.
Thomas Bridges, Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electorate of Nundah
James Dickson, Premier of Queensland and Commonwealth Minister for Defence
John McMaster, the “Father of Brisbane”, four-time mayor of Brisbane, member of both the Queensland Legislative Assembly and Queensland Legislative Council

Cyclists to Race from Queens Garden to Nundah to Break Cycle of Domestic Violence

Cycling enthusiasts are once again gathering to race from Queens Garden to Albert Bishop Park in Nundah as part of the annual advocacy to end the cycle of domestic violence.

The White Ribbon Day 2018 event organised by Lifecycle Cycling Club Nundah and supported by Queensland Police Service (QPS) is happening on Sunday, November 18, 2018.

Participants will sign-on at Queens Garden from 6:30 a.m and will ride 15 km to the Nundah Criterium Track at Albert Bishop Park starting 7:00 a.m.

This huge annual event is open to all and is open free for spectators. Last year, more than 150 riders joined the race.

This year, there will be several timed races for participants, who will have the chance to have their bike’s serial number recorded in QPS records, in case the bike gets stolen or lost.

Male-Led Movement

White Ribbon is the largest male-led movement in the world pushing for the end of men’s violence against women.

The campaign emphasises the positive role of men in preventing violence against women. Through the movement, the group encourages men to lead in preventing violence against women.

It is rooted in the core belief that most men are not violent and that they can influence positive behaviour in other men.

To many members of the White Ribbon movement, the race has a personal significance. For White Ribbon Ambassador Tim Classuliff, this race is close to his heart.

“I became a white ribbon ambassador when unfortunately my family were devastated by the loss of my sister-in-law to Domestic Violence, 10 years ago,” Mr Classuliff said.

For more information, contact the following people:

Tim Classauliff – White Ribbon Ambassador tim.classauliff@gmail.com
Ceran Nilsen – secretary@lifecycle.org.au
John Arrowsmith (Junior contact) – johnarrowsmith@icloud.com

Find out more about White Ribbon.

Take a Nostalgic Stroll Through Nundah Heritage Trail

Brisbane City Council’s Nostalgic Stroll Through Nundah Heritage Trail helps locals and visitors discover the rich history of one of Brisbane’s most historic suburbs.

With its 18 points of interest, Nundah Heritage Trail takes its guests back in time and shares the stories of the events that helped in shaping the suburb.

The Nostalgic Stroll starts at Toombul Shire Hall and heads along Sandgate Road to the Royal Hotel, then to the Nundah Baby Clinic, and passing Nundah State School. It also includes a visit to the Nundah Cemetery and concludes at the Toombul shopping centre.

Highlighting significant heritage trails and historic sites, the Nundah Heritage Trail travels through the following spots:

Toombul Shire Hall

Located at 1141 Sandgate Road, this iconic building dates back to 1891. John Hall and Son designed the Toombul Shire Hall that served as a municipal office for the Toombul Divisional Board as well as a public hall.

Sandgate Road

Sandgate Road played an important role in the business of the famous Australian coach company, Cobb and Co. carriages. From 1875 Cobb and Co. began running their coaches from Brisbane to Sandgate. The route they have chosen was along Sandgate Road and through German Station.

Royal Hotel

The Royal Hotel was built in 1888 for John North when Nundah was a flourishing town. Gerald Maloney, an Anzac veteran who had fought at Gallipoli later owned the license of the hotel.

Imperial Picture Pavilion

Opened in 1918, the Imperial Picture Pavilion originally showed silent films and served as a social centre in Nundah. The establishment, however, was demolished in 1965.

First Free Settlers Monument

Located at the Corner of Sandgate Road and Nundah Bypass Tunnel, the stone cairn honours the first free European settlers of Queensland at Nundah’s Zion Hill.

Nundah Air Raid Shelter

Built in 1942, this air raid shelter is a preparation for the possibility of Japanese bombing raids. Nundah was a potential target because the United States Army Petroleum Warehouse was just one kilometre away from the Nundah Railway Station.

Nundah Baby Clinic

Built in 1934, the Nundah Baby Clinic played a big role in the lives of many families in Nundah. The clinic provided new mothers with free advice on the care of babies as well as education on maternal and children’s health.

The Salvation Army Hall

This is the Salvation Army’s second hall in Nundah. The new hall was constructed in 1952 to replace the previous hall that was destroyed in a cyclone in 1948.

Nundah State School

This state school is one of Queensland’s oldest schools. It was established in 1865 as the German Station National School. The school was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 15 July 2016.

Tufnell Home Orphanage

The Anglican Church established the home in 1901 under the care of the Sisters of the Sacred Advent, as a memorial to Brisbane’s first Anglican bishop, Edward Tufnell. The orphanage operated from 1901 to 1970s.

Corpus Christi Catholic Church

Photo credit: Shiftchange/Wikimedia Commons

The Corpus Christi Catholic Church is one of the best examples of Romanesque Revival architecture in Queensland and remains to be one of Brisbane’s most distinctive church buildings.

Nundah Memorial Park

Governor of Queensland, Sir Matthew Nathan officially unveiled this war memorial on 12 November 1921 and dedicated it to all the men and women from the district who fought in World War I.

Nundah Fire Station

Fire observation tower at Nundah. Photo credit: John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland Negative number: 83896

In 1914, the Nundah Volunteer Fire Brigade was formed and its equipment was purchased with community donations. Lacking a fire station, the brigade stored their equipment in the coach house at the Royal Hotel.

Three years later, the first fire station in Nundah was built on a property along Buckland Road.

Pineapples

Interestingly, pineapples played a major role in Queensland’s agricultural history. Nundah was the first site where German missionaries began to cultivate the fruit as early as 1838.

Zion Hill

One of the most historic places in Nundah, Zion Hill is the site of the first free European settlement located several kilometres away from the penal settlement at Moreton Bay.

Aboriginal History

The word ‘Nundah’ comes from an Aboriginal word meaning ‘a chain of waterholes’. Nundah has been home for many Aboriginal people as the creek and nearby waterholes provided them with a fresh supply of food and water.

Nundah Cemetery

Photo credit: Rocketrod1960/Wikimedia Commons

Another iconic landmark in the suburb, Nundah Cemetery is Queensland’s oldest surviving cemetery. The Zion Hill missionaries established the cemetery in the 1840s.

Toombul Shopping Centre

Established after the war, Toombul shopping centre opened in 1967 and was the first shopping centre built in Queensland with air-conditioning.

Boomerang Bags Nundah Co-Coordinator Rachel Long Recognised at Cleaner Suburbs Awards 2018

In recognition of her contribution to environmental efforts, Boomerang Bags Nundah co-coordinator Rachel Long was awarded the Councillors’ Clean Green Choice Award at the 2018 Cleaner Suburbs Awards.

Rachel was part of the group that established Boomerang Bags Nundah, a local branch of the Queensland-based group Boomerang Bags.

Rachel Long Councillors’ Clean Green Choice Award — Photo credit: Rachel Long/Facebook

Boomerang Bags Nundah is made up of volunteers who sew reusable bags from recycled materials. They meet regularly every 2nd and 4th Thursday evening each month at Nundah Neighbourhood Centre.

Aside from the Nundah-based group, Rachel also created the first ‘Burbs to the Bay’ Kedron Brook Bikeway litter clean-up event. This event followed Kedron Brook across six council wards to clean up the waterways.

Green Army

Aside from Rachel, this year’s Cleaner Suburbs Awards also hailed the efforts of schools, community groups and individuals. The event recognised groups and individuals for their efforts in litter prevention, waste innovation, and clean-up efforts.

“The Cleaner Suburb Awards champion the achievements of residents and groups who are working together for a clean and green city and today we have recognised 14 individuals, groups and businesses for their dedication to sustainability,” Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said.

This year’s winners share in a prize pool of $4,000.

See the full list of winners.

Intersection At Widdop Street and the Toombul Shopping Centre At Nundah To Get An Upgrade

Plans to upgrade Widdop Street, Nundah at Walkers Way intersection and at the Toombul Shopping Centre have been announced by the Brisbane City Council.

“Brisbane City Council is pleased to announce plans to upgrade Widdop Street, Nundah, at the Walkers Way intersection and at the Toombul Shopping Centre. The upgrades aim to improve safety in the area for all road users, and ensure the intersection can cater to future demands,” the Brisbane City Council announcement said.

Councillor Adam Allan said that the new signalised intersection will include a signalised pedestrian and cyclist crossing to make the junction safer for all users, including motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. Once the intersection is signalised, he said, cyclists can safely cross the road while vehicle traffic is stopped at the lights. Cyclists will only need to wait for about 80 seconds during peak time or even less during off-peak hours.

*Photo credit: Google Maps/google.com/maps*

The project is part of Brisbane City Council’s $1.3 billion commitment to more than 90 road improvement projects. The road improvement projects aim to solve congestion through upgrades on the existing road network.

“Brisbane City Council has identified the intersection at Widdop Street and the Toombul Shopping Centre at Nundah as a location that requires upgrading to improve safety for all road users. The intersection currently experiences a variety of cyclist, pedestrian, motorist and heavy vehicle movements,” the Council’s announcement stated.

The Council said that the intersection has become increasingly dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists and signalising will help make it safer. The new signalised intersection along with the signalised pedestrian/cycle crossing ensures “continued safety and efficient operation of the local transport network.”

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

Key features:

Installation of new traffic signals at the intersection of Widdop Street and the Toombul Shopping Centre, including a signalised pedestrian/cycle crossing
Constructing an additional northbound lane
Bridge widening
Reconfiguring loading dock access via a new driveway off Widdop Street
Re-configuring access to Walkers Way to left-in left-out from Widdop Street
Minor relocation of the adjacent northbound bus stop
New line marking

“The Widdop Street Bridge is proposed to be widened with an additional through lane, and Walkers Way, off Widdop Street is also proposed to be reconfigured to left-turn in and left-turn out only to ensure safety.” concludes the announcement..

Sandgate Road at Nundah Development Proposal Met Strong Opposition From Locals

Over 2,000 residents responded to a petition to deny approval of a proposal for development of multiple dwellings and shopfronts on Sandgate Road at Nundah.

Petitioners requested for the denial of the development application “based on the negative impact to the aesthetic and economic value to Nundah and its residents.”

“This development does not fulfill a need for our suburb as there are already hundreds of unoccupied/unsold units in the area. Furthermore, it will negatively impact the Nundah community and its ‘village lifestyle’. This lifestyle is a large part of what makes this suburb so unique – including residents supporting local businesses.

The increase of units in the suburb and its saturation may also negatively impact the value of property in the area as has occurred in surrounding suburbs such as Chermside. While there may be a need in the future for increased housing or a change in commercial properties, this is not the case at the present time. We must protect and preserve our suburb and continue to support small businesses,” the petition said.

Artist impression

The development application was lodged in January and is currently under assessment. The proposed development at the corner of Chapel Street and 1180-1192 Sandgate Road at Nundah is for a multiple dwelling consisting of 72 residential units above 12 retail tenancies. Designed by Mondo Architects, the proposal also includes the partial demolition of the former Henry Thomas Chemist Building, a local heritage place and a commercial character building.

Artist Impression North elevation

Artist impression North East elevation

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

“An Information Request was issued by Council on 6 March 2018 stating that the proposal is not supported in its current form. The Information Request asks the applicant to respond to the matters raised including heritage impacts, building height, architectural design, streetscape interface, traffic impacts, parking, air quality, amenity impacts, landscaping, unit sizes and land use mix. The applicant has not yet responded to the Information Request,” says the Council’s response on the petition.

There have been 31 submissions as of 11 September. Most of the concerns raised were about the impact of the proposed development has on the character of the Nundah Village area and volume of traffic.

For updates regarding this development application DA004831430, click here.