Small businesses in Nundah are being given the chance to learn how artificial intelligence can grow their online presence, without spending a cent. A free, full-day masterclass in AI-powered social media strategy is coming to the suburb on 26 June, as part of a Brisbane City Council initiative to help local businesses improve their digital skills.
The Nundah session will run on Thursday, 26 June, led by Brisbane consultancy Social Mediology. Each workshop is capped at 15 people to keep it hands-on and is open to small business owners of all experience levels, including beginners.
The program teaches businesses to use AI to connect with their audience, covering market research, customer personas, and a 90-day social media plan. Participants will also learn to create content in their brand voice and take home reusable templates and tools.
A Focus on Community-Based Business Support
Brisbane City Council is backing the workshops to support small and home-based businesses in the digital space. Eligible applicants must be in the Brisbane LGA, have a current ABN or ACN, bring a laptop and attend the full day.
The program aims to boost the local economy by equipping business owners with practical tools they can use immediately. It’s open to all, with no AI experience needed, and suits sole traders, retailers, creatives, and service providers.
Applications for the Nundah workshop, and sessions in Eight Mile Plains, Keperra and Carina, close Sunday, 11 May. Applicants will be notified by Friday, 16 May via the Council’s business events page.
Social Mediology is led by Kate vanderVoort, a digital strategist with over 30 years of experience. The company has helped more than 3,000 organisations across Australia use AI in practical, ethical ways.
What Participants Can Expect
The sessions feature hands-on demos, group activities, and real-time content creation with AI tools. Participants leave with a ready-to-use strategy and custom materials.
The workshops aim to make AI more accessible for everyday use, helping small businesses boost visibility, save time on content, and build confidence with digital tools.
As Brisbane’s economy surges toward a projected 34 percent growth by 2031, the city is rapidly emerging as a centre for innovation, investment, and sustainable development. While the Queensland capital is known for its lifestyle appeal and natural assets, it’s the city’s bold push into advanced industries and green technologies that is now capturing national attention.
Among the growing wave of forward-thinking enterprises contributing to this momentum is Rino Recycling—a standout example of how Brisbane is nurturing next-generation businesses.
Photo credit: Rino (Headquarters)/Google Maps
Established in 2021, Rino Recycling is reimagining what’s possible in the waste and construction sectors. Far from a traditional recycling centre, the company operates more like a high-tech manufacturing facility, using cutting-edge automation to turn construction and demolition waste into high-quality, reusable materials such as road base, sand, and soil products.
Photo credit: Rino (Headquarters)/Google Maps
With ambitions that extend beyond the city’s borders, Rino Recycling is diverting an impressive 95–96 percent of incoming waste from landfill, with plans to push that figure even closer to total recovery. Its facility is believed to be the first in the world to fully integrate wet and dry waste processing under one roof, making it a trailblazer in an industry often slow to evolve.
Brisbane’s unique blend of economic momentum, infrastructure investment, and policy support for sustainability provides the ideal backdrop for such innovation. The city’s commitment to achieving net-zero waste, alongside its preparations for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, creates fertile ground for forward-thinking enterprises. For Rino, the alignment between its mission and Brisbane’s strategic direction has created the perfect platform for growth.
Rino’s impact extends beyond waste recovery. By embracing a circular economy model, the company is setting a precedent for other industries—demonstrating that profitability and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. Its success is emblematic of Brisbane’s wider shift toward high-value, future-focused industries, including advanced manufacturing, logistics, and clean technologies.
As highlighted in the 2024 State of the City report by the Brisbane Economic Development Agency and Deloitte Access Economics, it is precisely this kind of innovation-driven activity that is fuelling the city’s economic transformation. With more than 140 innovation hubs and the nation’s fastest-growing working-age population, Brisbane is not just growing—it’s evolving.
In a city increasingly defined by its ambition and agility, Rino Recycling is one of many companies helping reshape the future of urban development—where innovation meets impact and sustainability drives success.
Residents across the city, including those in Banyo and nearby areas, are being asked for ideas on a 20-year plan to improve Kedron Brook by boosting flood protection and enhancing community spaces and lifestyle.
Council has started early community talks for the Kedron Brook Vision and Master Plan. This long-term project aims to revitalise the well-loved waterway and its surrounding areas over the next two decades.
Key goals include making the area more resilient to floods and improving the liveability and lifestyle of residents using the brook. Council sources are keen to understand what the community wants to see happen over the next 20 years to help create a transformative plan for the Kedron Brook catchment area.
How Residents Can Share Their Views
People can share their thoughts and ideas to help shape the plan. Feedback can be given online through the Council website by completing a survey or by using an interactive map to place pins with comments about specific locations along the brook.
Residents can also speak directly with the project team by attending planned information kiosks in local parks. Feedback is being collected until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, June 29, 2025.
The first information kiosk is scheduled soon for those wanting to learn more in person. Council staff will be available to chat and answer questions at Dash Street Park in Keperra on Thursday, 1 May, between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. More details about this session and any future events can be found by searching ‘Kedron Brook Vision and Master Plan’ on the Council website or by phoning the Council directly.
The plan covers the entire Kedron Brook area, from its beginnings to where it meets Moreton Bay. The upper catchment includes suburbs like Upper Kedron, Keperra, Ferny Grove, Mitchelton, Arana Hills, Ferny Hills, Everton Park, and Everton Hills.
The middle section, which is largely developed with homes, businesses, and industry, includes Alderley, Enoggera, Gordon Park, Grange, Kalinga, Kedron, Lutwyche, Stafford, Wavell Heights, and Wooloowin. This part also features regional parks and popular bikeways between Webster Road and Sandgate Road.
Further downstream, the lower catchment area includes communities such as Banyo, Clayfield, Hendra, Northgate, and Nundah. This section features heritage areas, established industries, the Brisbane Airport, and ends in an engineered channel next to the Boondall Wetlands flowing into Moreton Bay.
Next Steps for the Plan
Council has indicated that all community contributions will be considered alongside technical studies and Council requirements. This combined information will help prepare a draft version of the Kedron Brook Vision and Master Plan for the future.
The ongoing legal dispute over toxic chemical pollution at Brisbane Airport has been delayed after Airservices Australia was allowed to file new expert evidence.
Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) is pursuing legal action against Airservices Australia (ASA) over contamination linked to firefighting foam used at Brisbane Airport between 1988 and 2010. The firefighting foams contained per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often labelled as “forever chemicals” because they remain in the environment for extended periods.
The case was initiated in 2017 and is considered one of Queensland’s most complex environmental legal proceedings. BAC is seeking to recover clean-up costs from ASA.
On 24 April 2025, the Supreme Court of Queensland ruled that ASA could submit two additional expert reports, one from an environmental chemist and the other from a hydrologist, by 31 August 2025. These reports are expected to support ASA’s defence ahead of the scheduled 12-week trial in August 2026.
BAC maintained the reports should be submitted by 2 June 2025 to minimise additional delays. However, the court opted for a later deadline to ensure the completeness and reliability of the evidence.
Delays and Criticism of ASA
The court noted ASA’s repeated failures to meet deadlines, including missed document submissions in late 2024. The delays have placed pressure on BAC’s lead expert witness, who is 71 and expected to retire by the end of 2025.
Justice Paul Freeburn criticised ASA’s conduct but concluded that a fair trial required allowing the new evidence. He acknowledged the potential for further procedural delays due to dependencies between expert reports.
The court will next consider formal orders and which party should bear the legal costs associated with ASA’s late application. The trial remains listed in the Supreme Court’s Commercial List and is scheduled to commence in August 2026.
She covered over 12,700 kilometres on a surf ski around Australia.
Over 254 days at sea.
In the modern world where resilience in children is under question, Bonnie is a wonderful example of the highest standards of mental strength and resilience.
She started nippers at Sawtel from the age of five, and dreamt from the age of 12 to become Karla Gilbert (she won the Kelloggs Ironwoman Series seven years in a row from 1995 to 2003) and at the age of 17, she became a professional Iron Woman competitor, as did her sister, Courtenay. She waitressed through uni and trained every day, 6.5 km in the pool every morning under the eye of legendary coach, Denis Cotterell. After uni each day she would do 10-20 km on the surf ski, and some running on the soft sand to complete her day that tended to be complete by 7:00 p.m., with competitions at the weekends. That gruelling schedule shaped her life daily until the age of 25.
She then evolved from Iron Woman competitions into a ski paddler on an 18 kg craft, typically racing over five-minute races, whilst embarking on a career as a dietician.
Her ultra endurance journey began at Broadbeach Library, reading a book about a lady who had written a biography about it. She had 25 rejections for sponsorship before she signed her first sponsor.
Her incredible journey paddling around Australia for over 254 days began when she paddled 73 km on her first day. Then, after about a week in, the daily target was scheduled to be 90 km on that day; but half way through a few hours, she was told it had to be increased to 120 km that day as it was decided she had to go around an island. After a month of constant paddling she had bulging discs and various other illnesses, but nothing would stop her, including the crocodiles encountered.
The mental hurdles she smashed through were endless. “Being prepared to adapt your plan” was front and centre in her amazing journey. Everytime a headwind came, she became stronger, and she would realise that when the headwinds dropped.
Lemons into Lemonade!
In the interview, Bonnie talks about a lot of the challenges along the way, including some good and bad decisions she made, how she developed her work ethic, and the joy of working to a plan.
This included a discussion around parenting and sport, managing finances, how she got into ultra endurance and many other fascinating anecdotes.
It’s an amazing story.
You can watch the interview with Barry Wilkinson of Milton based SW Brokerage here:
Barry’s podcast series is full of some great information about life and finances. It covers many things including little-known tips and tricks around finance.
Brisbane para-swimmer Airlie Davis, representing Nudgee College Swimming, is achieving national success and targeting Paralympic Games selection after hurdling major spinal surgery and while managing an autism spectrum diagnosis.
Airlie Davis faced health difficulties from early life, being born prematurely at 35 weeks. Around the age of four, she was diagnosed with traits on the autism spectrum, which can involve sensitivities to noise and smells, a direct communication style, and related anxiety. She also manages hyperflexibility and reduced muscle tone, leading to joint dislocations, including both knees.
At age 10 or 11, she underwent major spinal surgery for idiopathic scoliosis, requiring bone fusion supported by two titanium rods and eighteen screws. Despite these hurdles, she began swimming around twelve months old. She showed remarkable resilience by competing in the Pacific School Games in Adelaide shortly after her back operation, winning gold and breaking a record as part of the Queensland 10-12 years Mixed Multiclass Medley Relay team, an event she recalls as highly memorable.
Competing in the S14 classification for intellectual impairment, Davis consistently represents Nudgee College Swimming in Brisbane. She is currently coached by Michael Gould, having previously trained under Matthew Wilson at Nudgee; she was also listed under coach Tom Noblett for a specific Brisbane representative team selection in 2022.
She made her international debut for Australia at the 2022 Virtus Oceania Asia Games held in Brisbane, followed by competing at the 2023 Virtus Global Games in Vichy, France, her first world international competition.
Nationally, she has achieved significant success, winning gold in the Girls 16-18 years 100 metre Backstroke S14 at the 2025 Australian Age and MC Age Championships with a time of 1:14.50. This followed a gold medal in the 100 metre Backstroke S14 (1:16.38) and a silver medal in the 50 metre Backstroke S14 (35.37) at the 2024 championships. She also secured a bronze medal in the Women’s 50 metre Backstroke Multi-Class at the 2024 Australian Open Championships (35.96).
Her talent was recognised early, leading to her selection for Swimming Australia’s Futures Camp in October 2023, which aimed to identify swimmers with potential for the LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games. Davis has also performed well at the state level, earning medals at the Queensland Championships, including bronze in the 50-metre Freestyle Multi-Class in December 2024 (30.70) and bronze in the 13-14 years MC 100-metre Butterfly in 2020.
Davis has clearly stated her ambition to represent the Australian Dolphins swim team at future Paralympic Games, with the 2028 Los Angeles and particularly the 2032 Brisbane Games being key targets. She has also previously mentioned the 2024 Games as a goal.
Airlie Davis draws inspiration from fellow Australian Paralympic swimmers Brenden Hall and Lakeisha “Lucky” Patterson, viewing them as proof that disability does not prevent reaching ambitious goals. Alongside her demanding training schedule, she pursued her education at Mount Alvernia College in Brisbane; as of March 2023, she was undertaking studies for the Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement and a Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways.
Her journey and the challenges faced by developing para-athletes regarding funding and support were highlighted during work experience she completed with organisation OBE Organic in 2023.
From cozy local gems to buzzworthy hotspots, Nundah and Wavell Heights are serving up some seriously impressive dining. We sifted through the rave reviews to find the places people can’t stop talking about—whether it’s the flavors, the vibe, or that one dish they dream about. Here are the standouts you need to try!
Gab Garde ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Everything we had was delicious and fresh. It was very exciting to taste regional dishes that aren’t very common to find in Australia. I particularly loved the tigelle with the guanciale spread! The pastas were excellent. Can also recommend the light and fluffy crescentine. The homemade almond biscuits and Vin Santo dessert wine were the perfect end to the meal. Service was attentive and friendly, too.
Andrea Martel ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We had lunch at Rustichella and everything was delicious. We had the Burrata on Heirloom Tomatoes, Tomato Bruschetta, Potato Gnocchi with Free Range Chicken Ragù Bianco, Spaghetti Carbonara, Infused Pappardelle with Polleo Beef Ragù, and the Affogato. Dishes were fresh with good portions and service was excellent. Looking forward to going back and trying other dishes.
Belinda Anstey ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The food and service is always fantastic. Can’t fault it. Would highly recommend if you love authentic Italian and pasta. For Entree, we had the Tigelle with Modena Pork Pesto and Crescentine with Prosciutto and Parmesan. I had a special for my Main. I can’t recall the name but it was fantastic. Their Limoncello cocktails were also great. A more expensive option, but absolutely worth it. I’ve seen some reviews saying portions are small, but I disagree. Pasta is very filling so it was enough and I didn’t feel overstuffed 🙂
Ranjana Bhandari ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Just wow🤤 . I really enjoyed and amazed by the food and services of the restaurant especially dumplings which I really can’t explain about it. Thank you google for the genuine reviews on the site which help for incredible experience at Nundha today. Very satisfied
Pravalika uppala ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
This spot is fantastic for veg fried rice and chilli momos. The service is commendable, and the atmosphere is excellent. However, the prices are slightly on the higher side compared to other places.
Pichook ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I have been to this place multiple times. The food is amazing and staff are friendly and helpful. Out of all the food I definitely recommend the chicken momo platter, Chow main and fried rice. They also serve drinks including alcoholic drinks.
Nokkie Chaya ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Papaya salad with soft shell crab Whole fish with sweet & sour sauce Whole fish with green apple salad good quality and so delicious
Rich A ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The best Thai food we’ve had in Brisbane. We enjoyed the Phuket style Fried Rice, Pad See Ew and a Red Curry. The Pad See Ew had that proper wok charred flavour to it and the ingredients in all dishes were fresh and of high quality. You can really tell that the chef takes pride in their cooking. Lychee iced tea was also really nice and refreshing. We’ll be back!
Arianna Freeman ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We have been ordering from Siam Sensations for a few years and it has NEVER disappointed. Last night we had the BEST Yellow Curry and Cashew Nut Stirfry. Absolutely delicious! Thank you!
Patrick Saure ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I’ve visited this place is extremely amazing a Japanese cuisine,really enjoyed the food is flavourful,fresh and the quality is excellent. The staff are accomodating with a smile,food service is on time delivered on the table,and the price is affordable.I especially love the sizzling wagyu teryaki sauce it was perfect and impressed.Highly recommend this japanese cuisine sushi Honke.👌thanks.
Lia Eungyeong Song ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ You shouldn’t go there thinking about Korean sushi, but it’s the best in Brisbane! The staff are all friendly, the food comes out quickly, and best of all, it’s a great ice cream restaurant 🥰 They also have gluten free options.
K Bell ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Hands down my favorite sushi train restaurant. dishes are always fresh and they will always make things fresh for you if you ask. wide range of entrees, small sushi rolls, large sushi rolls, a aburi, nigiri, hand rolls, noodle dishes, platters, drinks, and desserts. My go-tos are always the California rolls, the gyoza and anything with fresh salmon. Star for always very, very friendly and helpful and provide great and quick service. sometimes there’s a line but it isn’t too much of a a white until there is availability. ordering through an iPad with pictures so you can see what you get. take away also available. parking is not quite that easy. atmosphere is lively and friendly.
Karlee McNamara ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Always good service from staff here! We got two steaks, unfortunately only had pepper sauce or gravy options but the salad that came with had a very tasty dressing. My steak was a little chewy but my partners seem done well. They also have guava cruiser on tap which is random but definitely a thirst quencher. Very prices here. We’d only come down for specials or if we get $ off in the app
Lola Chin ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great food and service. We had pan fried barramundi and parpadelle marinara with Morten bug. It’s super yummy and we will definitely be back again!
C D ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We got the chicken parma and sirloin steak. Both chips and salad and was top notch. About time a salad doesn’t come with raw onion. We loved how it came pickled. The chips both had good crunch and texture. I had the parma and I like to think I’m a parma connoisseur, I will definitely be back for it. I mean the cheese, the chicken wasn’t dry and all round good meal 🤤 The size of it was fantastic too! My partners steak was cooked to exactly how a med rare should be cooked. Had great char flavour and came with bone marrow butter 🤤 we also got the garlic bread and salt and pepper squid to start. Yum yum yum. We will definitely be back. Not sure before the renovations what the establishment looked like, but I definitely think it’s a great feel.
Pinkenba is emerging as a key player in Brisbane’s innovation scene, with Rino Recycling leading sustainable waste management and promoting circular economy practices.
The “Alive with Opportunity” campaign highlights Brisbane as a hub for innovation, attracting business leaders and investors. The city’s knowledge corridor features advancements like needle-free vaccine technology from Vaxxas. It also includes Hypersonix Launch Systems’s sustainable aviation.
The Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA) reports over 140 innovation hubs in the city, marking Australia’s highest per capita density. This focus on innovation supports Brisbane’s goal to grow its economy by 68% to $275 billion by 2041.
Rino Recycling: A Leader in Sustainability
Rino Recycling, established in 2021 through Queensland Recycling Technologies (a joint venture between Alceon Qld and DCP), acquired recycling assets from a company in Eagle Farm. It has transformed its Pinkenba facilities into an automated recycling and resource recovery plant. Partnering with Turmec and CDE, the facility processes wet and dry waste at 475 tonnes per hour, or 1.5 million tonnes annually.
Driving the Circular Economy
Rino diverts over 95% of waste from landfills. The company produces aggregates, road base, soil, and sand to support sustainable construction. Located near Brisbane’s CBD and transport routes, it is a strategic waste management hub. Rino’s product range, including Road Base CBR80 and various aggregates, meets Australian standards. Rino is focused on promoting greener infrastructure.
Photo Credit: Rino Recycling
Investment and Growth
In April 2023, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation committed $75 million to boost Rino’s capabilities. This investment supports Rino’s five-year plan to expand infrastructure, improve product quality, and reduce landfill waste.
Rino Recycling’s initiatives align with Brisbane’s goal of becoming an economic and environmental leader. By advancing sustainable waste management from Pinkenba, Rino supports the city’s economic growth and commitment to innovation.
Three rising stars from the Norths Devils in Nundah have earned a prestigious opportunity to represent their club and region in the upcoming Under 17 City vs Country representative matches.
Lincoln Dalton, Hayden Polson, and Taoso Taoso have all been selected to take part in the showcase event, which forms part of the Queensland Rugby League’s elite development pathway. The trio will join other top talents from across the state in a four-day high-performance camp ahead of the matches, scheduled for Wednesday, April 16.
Lincoln Dalton (right) Photo credit: Norths Devils Rugby League Football Club/Facebook)
These matches – featuring both male and female Under 17 teams – are more than just a clash of City and Country pride. They mark the first official step in the QRL’s Origin-eligible representative program, offering players a vital chance to impress selectors and work with experienced coaching and performance staff.
For the three Norths Devils, it’s a significant milestone. The players will benefit from on-field training sessions, as well as off-field education in areas such as nutrition, career planning, and personal development.
Photo credit: Norths Devils Rugby League Football Club/Facebook
Adding inspiration to the experience will be the presence of FOGS (Former Origin Greats), who will share their insight and help connect the next generation of talent to Queensland’s proud rugby league heritage.
The City vs Country matches play a crucial role in identifying and nurturing emerging talent, helping shape future Queensland Maroons. Beyond the scoreboard, the event strengthens the connection between regional and metropolitan areas, and highlights the depth of rugby league talent throughout the state.
Brisbane Airport is celebrating its centenary this year not just by looking back—but by looking forward. As part of the 100th year milestone, the airport has revealed a dynamic new brand identity, reflecting years of transformation ahead and the growing role of Brisbane as a global city.
The refreshed look, launched on April 2, introduces a sleek new logo featuring ribbon-like jet streams that evoke motion, freedom, and the journey from land to sea to sky. The design replaces the previous corporate-style logo with something more expressive, aiming to capture the energy and optimism of Brisbane’s future.
Photo credit: Brisbane Airport/Facebook
“Our previous logo was designed to be quite corporate and business-like,” said Sarah Whyte, Head of Communications & Brand Marketing at Brisbane Airport. “But today, we want to signal anticipation, excitement, and the limitless possibilities that aviation brings.”
The visual overhaul launched in time for the Brisbane Airport centenary also comes during a major redevelopment phase. The airport is currently investing $5 billion through its ‘Future BNE’ transformation, which includes major upgrades to both Domestic and International terminals, alongside improvements to passenger experience and infrastructure.
Photo credit: Brisbane Airport/Facebook
The new brand system—developed with creative agency Traffic—draws on the forms of the airport apron to create dynamic design containers for signage and digital platforms. These will soon be visible across terminal screens, social media, and bne.com.au.
“I’m very aware that our passengers care about their experience of travelling through the airport far more than they care about our logo,” Whyte said. “But in addition to all the work we’re doing to make using the airport better, it’s important we also send a visual message about the optimism and excitement that is pervading Brisbane right now.”
A Century in the Sky
Photo credit: bne.com.au
Brisbane Airport’s story began in 1925 when the Commonwealth Government officially opened the Eagle Farm Aerodrome on 36 hectares of farmland. At that time, Brisbane was only just beginning to connect with the world by air.
In 1928, a crowd of 25,000 gathered to witness history as Sir Charles Kingsford Smith’s Southern Cross landed in Brisbane.
The Southern Cross (Photo credit: bne.com.au)
In 1988, ahead of Expo 88, the airport was relocated 5 kilometres towards Moreton Bay, making space for future growth. Since then, it has become one of the busiest airports in Australia—and a hub for innovation.
In 2012, it opened a $180 million, nine-storey car park with 5,000 spaces, smart parking technology and direct undercover access to terminals. In 2017, it was recognised as Australia’s first dementia-friendly airport. And in 2020, Brisbane Airport opened a new parallel runway—one of the largest aviation construction projects ever completed in the country.
Now, with the launch of a bold new brand and an ambitious vision for the next decade, Brisbane Airport is once again charting a course for the future—one that stays rooted in its heritage while embracing what lies ahead.
