Pinkenba Archives - Nundah News

Virginia and Pinkenba Businesses Named Finalists in 2025 Lord Mayor’s Business Awards

Two businesses from Brisbane’s northside suburbs have been named among the finalists in the 2025 Lord Mayor’s Business Awards, marking a proud moment for Virginia and Pinkenba. The awards, now in their 20th year, celebrate enterprises that are transforming industries, introducing new ideas and contributing to the city’s future prosperity.

Read: Rino Recycling in Pinkenba: Powering Brisbane’s Green Economic Growth

Sharpe Engineering: Virginia’s industrial innovator

Photo credit: Facebook/Sharpe Engineering

From its origins in Roma about 30 years ago, Sharpe Engineering has grown into a family-owned Australian manufacturer with large-scale operations in Queensland. To meet rising demand, the company established a modern production hub in Virginia, which spans 18,730 square metres and is equipped with advanced machinery including CNC lathes, deep hole boring systems and vertical milling technology.

The Virginia facility is located close to major road, rail, air and shipping networks, enabling efficient management of supply chains and distribution to clients across Australia and internationally. It also houses the company’s well-control products and rental equipment.

In 2025, Sharpe Engineering has been named a finalist in two categories: the Australia Pacific LNG Business Transformation Award and the Accenture Australia Product Innovation Award. These listings recognise the company’s presence in both transformation and product innovation categories.

Austep Eco: Pinkenba’s purpose-driven enterprise

In Pinkenba, Austep Eco combines commercial energy-efficiency work with a stated social and environmental mission. Founded in 2015, the company provides services such as LED lighting, hot water systems and HVAC upgrades for commercial properties. These upgrades help reduce energy costs for clients while lowering carbon emissions.

Austep is certified as a B Corporation, part of a global network of businesses committed to balancing profit with purpose. The company donates half of its profits to charity, embedding community impact into its operating model.

Austep has been named a finalist in the Hutchinson Builders Social Enterprise Award, which recognises enterprises that create measurable community benefits while maintaining financial sustainability.

About the Lord Mayor’s Business Awards

The Lord Mayor’s Business Awards celebrate enterprise, innovation and community impact across Brisbane. Now in their 20th year, the awards have become a showcase of the city’s organisations, spanning start-ups, social enterprises and long-standing industry leaders.

The program features categories sponsored by major partners, acknowledging excellence in areas such as transformation, innovation, sustainability and social enterprise.

Read: What’s in a Name? Future of Pinkenba Terminal’s Identity at Risk

The winners of the 2025 awards will be announced on Thursday, 6 November 2025, at a gala ceremony in Brisbane City Hall. For Sharpe Engineering and Austep Eco, being named finalists recognises their contributions to local industry and community.

Published 30-September-2025

What’s in a Name? Future of Pinkenba Terminal’s Identity at Risk

The very identity of Brisbane’s $158 million international cruise terminal at Pinkenba has been thrown into question for the next century, after its private operator failed to receive exclusive rights to the facility’s name.

A Name Without Protection

The core of the issue surfaced last week when IP Australia, the national body for intellectual property rights, rejected the Port of Brisbane’s application to trademark its brand. An assessor for the agency noted there was not enough evidence to prove that the average Australian was familiar with the brand. This decision came despite the terminal’s prominent branding being in use since it began operating in June 2022. The Port of Brisbane had initially applied to protect two logo variations the following year.

The 99-Year Question

While the trademark refusal has no immediate effect on the terminal’s day-to-day operations, experts suggest it has uncovered a much larger problem tied to the facility’s long-term future. The Port of Brisbane operates the terminal on a 99-year lease from the state government, which is not set to expire until 2109.

According to University of Queensland trademark expert Professor John Swinson, this creates a tricky situation. He explained that without a registered trademark owned by the state, a new operator in 2109 might not be able to use the name “Brisbane International Cruise Terminal.” The outgoing operator, Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd, could potentially own the brand identity, forcing any future operator to buy the name or create a new one from scratch.

Business as Usual, For Now

Professor Swinson, who also serves as an arbitrator for the World Intellectual Property Organisation, clarified that not having a registered trademark does not stop a business from trading. The immediate consequence is that it becomes more difficult for the Port of Brisbane to legally stop other entities from using a similar name or logo. For the thousands of passengers who use the terminal, there will be no change to services.

Port Confident in Resolution

A spokesman for the Port of Brisbane stated that constructive discussions with IP Australia are ongoing. He said the port does not expect any changes to the terminal’s branding and looks forward to registering the trademarks soon. In response to the long-term ownership concerns, the spokesman confirmed that the trademarks would revert to the state at the conclusion of the lease. The original lease agreement, which places the port in private hands until 2109, was announced by the state government in November 2010.

Published Date 21-September-2025

UN Peacekeeping Training Course Begins in Pinkenba

Photo Credit: AFP

A UN peacekeeping course focused on policing in the Pacific has begun in Pinkenba, with officers from various regional countries participating.

Background to the Pacific Initiative

In Pinkenba, a first-of-its-kind UN police training course for the Pacific region is now underway. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is hosting the five-week program at the Pacific Policing Development and Coordination Hub. It was developed in collaboration with the United Nations following calls by Pacific Island Chiefs of Police in 2024 to expand regional involvement in peacekeeping.

Pinkenba peacekeeping training — Caption: Broll UN Peacekeeping training course launch.
Photo Credit: AFP

Structure and Scope of the Training

A total of 100 police personnel from Timor-Leste and ten Pacific Island nations are enrolled in the program. These countries include Samoa, Fiji, Nauru, Tonga, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Timor-Leste. The training is designed to lay the foundation for a Pacific-led, deployable peacekeeping force capable of contributing to UN missions.

*Caption: Eyas Mahadeen, UN Police Division rep, with AFP Commander Phillippa Connell*.
*Photo Credit: AFP*

Training modules combine classroom-based instruction and practical exercises. Topics covered include driving safety, child protection, and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse. The course is being delivered by trainers from countries such as Türkiye, Jordan, Fiji, Uganda, Ghana, Italy, Nepal, and Argentina, alongside the AFP, Fiji Police Force, and Australian Defence Force.

Supporting a Broader Regional Strategy

The course forms part of the Pacific Policing Initiative—an effort led by the region with support from Australia to improve policing collaboration across Pacific nations. The Pinkenba hub, purpose-built for this purpose, includes accommodation for participants and is intended to support ongoing training and coordination efforts.

UN training course — Caption: Phillippa Connell, Chris Goldsmid, Eyas Mahadeen and Caroline Taylor.
Photo Credit: AFP

The initiative is viewed by the AFP as a step towards reinforcing Australia’s role in regional peace and security, while also advancing Pacific nations’ ambitions to contribute more actively to global peacekeeping.

Global and Regional Recognition

The course is expected to conclude with a formal assessment and closing ceremony attended by international dignitaries, including the UN Police Adviser. The program highlights how collaboration between Australia, the United Nations, and Pacific nations can deliver long-term peacekeeping capabilities and increase regional representation in international missions.

Published 20-May-2025

Rino Recycling in Pinkenba: Powering Brisbane’s Green Economic Growth

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.

Read: How Rino Recycling in Pinkenba is Transforming Brisbane’s Circular Economy

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.

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.

Read: New Look, New Era: Brisbane Airport Celebrates Centenary with Brand Refresh

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.

Published 6-May-2025

How Rino Recycling in Pinkenba is Transforming Brisbane’s Circular Economy

Photo Credit: Rino Recycling

Pinkenba is emerging as a key player in Brisbane’s innovation scene, with Rino Recycling leading sustainable waste management and promoting circular economy practices.

Brisbane’s Innovation Drive

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.

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.

Supporting a Greener Brisbane

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.

Published 8-Apr-2025

Pinkenba Quarantine Facility Repurposed as AFP Training Hub

The Pinkenba quarantine facility is set to be converted into an Australian Federal Police (AFP) training centre, sidelining a $10 million state commitment to transforming the site into crisis accommodation.

Initially established for Covid quarantine measures, the facility will now serve as a dedicated training hub for the AFP, as confirmed by Australian Finance Minister Senator Katy Gallagher and Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus.

Senator Gallagher underscored the strategic decision to enhance AFP capabilities by adapting the Pinkenba site, formally named the Centre of National Resilience Brisbane. She noted that the decision followed thorough discussions with multiple government levels, ensuring the site’s optimal use aligns with national interests.

Despite previously announced plans by Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon to convert it into a 500-bed emergency housing unit, the federal directive aligns with the AFP’s operational expansion needs. This move has sparked considerable backlash from local and state officials who argue that the facility could better serve the acute housing shortage affecting thousands across Queensland.

Pinkenba Quarantine Facility — *Photo Credit: AdrianSchrinner/Facebook*

Mix Reactions from Officials, Advocates and Community

Premier Steven Miles expressed frustration over the decision, highlighting the federal ownership of the site as a determining factor in its utilisation, and criticised its initial use as a quarantine centre.

Meanwhile, Housing Minister Scanlon, who had heralded the state’s financial commitment last June, voiced disappointment over the federal pivot, which effectively dismisses efforts to address the housing crisis at a time when the state faces significant accommodation shortages.

The reaction from community leaders and housing advocacy groups has been sharply critical. Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli described the decision as a missed opportunity to mitigate homelessness. Advocacy groups like Q Shelter and the Queensland Council of Social Service, along with the Salvation Army, have all lamented the federal government’s prioritisation of police training over urgent housing needs, criticizing the lengthy deliberation period that led to this outcome.

Housing advocates have consistently pointed out that the facility, whilst not ideal for long-term living due to its layout and lack of essential amenities like kitchens and laundries, could still have provided temporary relief for the homeless, especially during extreme weather conditions or other crises.

Karyn Walsh, CEO of Micah Projects, a social advocacy group, argued that while the facility was not a perfect solution, the urgent need for housing should have overridden concerns about its suitability for long-term residence.

Financial Implications and Resource Allocation

The decision to repurpose the facility involves significant financial outlays, with the federal government committing additional funds to modify the site for AFP training.

This has led to criticism about the allocation of resources, particularly in light of the existing commitments from state and local governments intended for housing relief. Critics argue that this reflects a misalignment of priorities at a time when public funds could be directed towards more pressing social needs.

Published 29-April-2024

QLD’s $10-Million Plan to Transform Pinkenba Quarantine Facility Into Emergency Housing Accommodation

Photo Credit: Cr Vicki Howard / vickihoward.com

It would take $10 million to do it but the Pinkenba quarantine facility will be transformed into emergency accommodations for people in dire need of housing.

The State government’s landmark decision about the fate of the Pinkenba quarantine facility comes after numerous debates and discussions surrounding the site’s purpose, with previous assertions that its management fell under federal jurisdiction.

However, the pressing housing crisis in Queensland has necessitated action, and the facility will now be repurposed for much-needed housing.

Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon unveiled the funding commitment following a housing roundtable, marking a significant turning point in the government’s stance. Partnering with one of Australia’s leading charities, the Salvation Army, the state is determined to ensure the smooth day-to-day operation of the facility.

The charity’s state homelessness manager, Aaron Pimlott, expressed their readiness to provide professional case management and collaborate with all levels of government to address the escalating issue of homelessness and extreme poverty in the region.

Whilst acknowledging that Pinkenba may not be a perfect solution, Pimlott emphasised the importance of expediting the process to provide vulnerable Queenslanders with a safe roof over their heads. He highlighted the worsening housing crisis and the need to explore alternative solutions in times of desperation.

This initiative builds upon the vision proposed by Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, who suggested converting the facility into crisis accommodation for domestic violence victims last year. He has also pledged an additional $1 million to enhance the facility to serve a wider range of emergency housing needs.

Cr Schrinner reiterated the urgent need for the state government to take the lead in activating Pinkenba as crisis accommodation, stressing that many individuals are currently compelled to sleep in cars and tents despite the availability of a brand-new 500-bed facility.

In addition to allocating funds towards the conversion of the Pinkenba quarantine facility, the state will engage with stakeholders, including the Real Estate Institute of Queensland, Queensland Council of Social Service, Tenants Queensland, and the Residential Tenancies Authority, to shape comprehensive rental reforms that safeguard tenants’ rights.

The government’s decision to convert the Pinkenba quarantine facility aligns with its commitment to address the pressing issue of homelessness. It also recently announced that it will allocate $320 million for 500 social homes to address the housing shortage.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk expressed the need to ensure all Queenslanders have housing, considering the influx of people moving to the state. The social housing is expected to be completed by mid-2025.

Published 14-June-2023

Authorities Investigate Suspected Clandestine Laboratory in Pinkenba

An alleged clandestine laboratory was discovered in Pinkenba in March 2023 during a major drug trafficking operation, also known as the “Operation Victor Carpenter.”

Read: Authorities Give Tips To Prevent Break-ins Following Cases In Nundah, Other North Brisbane Suburbs

The discovery of the clandestine laboratory was made following the execution of a search warrant at a property on Lavarack Avenue. Detectives managed to seize a range of illegal substances and equipment, including a commercial pill press and laboratory apparatus believed to be associated with the production of methamphetamine, cocaine, and ketamine.

In addition to these findings, authorities also uncovered a trove of other incriminating items, including an estimated $583,000 in cash, an assortment of glassware, cooking implements, containers, electrical equipment, and various chemicals. Furthermore, the search revealed a cash counting machine, a handgun, and a silencer.

A 38-year-old Albion resident was apprehended at Brisbane International Airport in connection with the case. The individual, whose identity has not been disclosed, is now facing a total of 12 charges related to drug trafficking. He is scheduled to appear before the Brisbane Magistrates Court in June 2023, where the charges will be formally presented.

Detective Inspector John Mison, who oversaw Operation Victor Carpenter, issued a stern warning to those involved in the drug trade, emphasising that law enforcement agencies would maintain an unwavering focus on combating dangerous narcotics in the community.

Speaking about the operation’s success, Detective Inspector Mison expressed his appreciation for the relentless dedication exhibited by all individuals involved in this extensive operation.

Read: Police Taps Nundah Community CCTV Systems to Help Solve Crime

“Our officers work tirelessly to detect, disrupt, and dismantle these types of illegal drug activities, and I commend the diligent efforts of all involved in this substantial Operation,” stated Detective Inspector Mison.

Published 9-June-2023

Brisbane Willing to Commit $1 Million For Crisis Housing at Pinkenba Quarantine Facility

Brisbane is willing to commit $1 million to help fund a plan to convert the 500-bed Pinkenba quarantine facility into crisis accommodations for the homeless.

A petition for the emergency accommodation has been made at the city level and conversations on the cost-effective use of the facility are expected to move forward in the middle of May 2023.

As the housing crisis escalates, a push to open the 500-bed Pinkenba quarantine facility has been laid out, with discussions expected to start at the national, state, and city levels.

Brisbane has announced its willingness to commit $1 million to this plan to help fund further work that has to be done to change the Pinkenba quarantine facility into a crisis accommodation for the homeless.

“We’re all tired of hearing the excuses about why this can’t happen so I’m putting $1 million on the table as a down payment to help make this happen,” Cr Adrian Schrinner said.

“I know this facility wasn’t purpose-built for crisis housing but it’s a whole lot better than living in a car or a tent – and that’s exactly what’s occurring right across Brisbane right now while this 500-bed facility sits idle.”

Meanwhile, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said that the Federal Government, which owns the Pinkenba quarantine facility, is ready to work with their State and Council counterparts. However, they have yet to see a formal approach to this plan.

Karyn Walsh, the CEO of Micah Projects, a charity for the homeless, said that moving people into the facility has to be clearly outlined given the diversity of the population. The solution should also work out a more permanent outcome that would put an end to the struggles of the homeless or rough sleepers.

It comes as more than 50 people living in tents at Musgrave Park in the inner city have been moved to temporary accommodation in time for the biggest cultural event in Brisbane, the Panyiri Festival, on 20 and 21 May 2023. Fences in some sections of the park are expected to go up on 15 May 2023.

Published 15-May-2023

Unfinished Pinkenba Quarantine Facility Proposed for Transformation as Housing for DV Victims

A proposal has been raised to transform the unfinished Pinkenba quarantine facility into a dedicated crisis housing complex for women and children who are victims of domestic violence.

In July 2022, the Queensland government announced that the Pinkenba quarantine facility will no longer be required for COVID-19 amidst its delayed opening. The pandemic Wellcamp facility, which opened in February and housed over 700 individuals in the course of six months, has also been ordered closed as of 1 Aug 2022.

Given these changes, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said that there is now an “opportunity to step-up and ensure their Pinkenba quarantine facility becomes a valuable asset rather than a white elephant.”

The Federal Government owns the site, which was originally set to open in 2021 with an initial 500 beds and was also due for a handover to the State Government in March. Delays due to inclement weather pushed back its opening but the completion date of the facility has not yet been announced.

Mr Schrinner said that a number of organisations that have the expertise in crisis housing may run the site on behalf of the government. However, Micah Projects chief executive Karyn Walsh said that the Pinkenba quarantine facility won’t be a quick fix.

Whilst Ms Walsh backs the mayor’s idea, she said housing accommodation for domestic violence victims should be planned by the right people. She said DV victims will need to have the “security of housing” where the location is near support services as opposed to a quarantine facility in a well-known site.

The quarantine facility was also mainly built for infection control and prevention, supporting the health systems and humanitarian efforts of the government.

A spokesperson for the Federal Government’s Finance Minister and Minister for Women Katy Gallagher said that the $400 million site may instead have future uses for health and emergency situations or as a temporary crisis accommodation following a natural disaster and similar events.

Quarantine facilities in Victoria and Perth have had similar problems and are now vacant or have yet to open.