Toombul Shopping Centre Archives - Page 2 of 3

Toombul Shopping Centre Redevelopment a Possibility, Community Will Have a Say

Photo Credit: Google Maps

Once plans are ready, community drop-in sessions will be held to provide opportunities for locals to have their say on plans for the redevelopment of Toombul Shopping Centre. This was Mirvac’s commitment after discussing the possibility of rebuilding the flood-damaged northside shopping precinct with local representatives.

Mirvac expects to come out with the redevelopment plans in the second half of 2023 but a concrete timeline has not been outlined just yet, according to MP Leanne Linnard who met with the company’s executives alongside MP Anika Wells in mid-October 2022.

“Mirvac has confirmed … their commitment to retail, green-space, and ongoing access to public transport in any rebuild,” Ms Linnard shared.

“We have also been advised that there will also be opportunities to attend drop-in sessions to provide your direct feedback on what you would like to see at the site.”

A spokesperson from Mirvac also confirmed that they will come up with a community consultation program and keep the public up to date, beginning with the shopping centre’s demolition to prepare for the rebuilding.

Northsiders have been asking Mirvac to reopen Toombul Shopping Centre following the February floods, especially with the approaching holiday season.

However, the damage from the floodwaters has resulted in moulds all over the building. According to reports, Mirvac has begun stripping these moulds, a process which is expected to go on for weeks.

Meanwhile, PRAX Studio has come up with its own masterplan for Toombul Shopping Centre. The company said they are a “stakeholder in the future of Toombul” and thus wanted to engage the developer, Mirvac, by sharing their ideas about the future of the precinct.

“Our masterplan vision for Toombul prioritises the community’s needs and desires while taking maximum advantage of this once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver an open, green and accessible community heart for the enjoyment of future generations,” Prax Studio said.

“By advocating for the community and articulating a vision in which their views a better represented, our vision will contribute to achieving a development outcome that will be an enduring piece of public architecture befitting this wonderful site.”

Mirvac Doubles Payment for Eligible Toombul Shopping Centre Retailers

Some of the embattled shop owners of the flood-ravaged Toombul Shopping Centre will receive a further cash boost after Mirvac announced it will double their payments for eligible small businesses.

Mirvac chief executive Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz said that retailers with an annual turnover of less than $50 million a year will get another three months’ worth of rent payments on top of the three months’ rent payments already promised in June 2022.

Ms Lloyd-Hurwitz said that they have been meeting with these retailers, who communicated their challenging experiences after the February floods that shut down the Toombul Shopping Centre permanently. Mirvac’s decision to terminate the leases placed many of the retailers in debt.

The company determined that it was no longer practical to reinstate the site given its risks of immense flooding. Ms Lloyd-Hurwitz said that the flood caused significant damage to their electricity, electricity, fire and air-conditioning systems, lifts and escalators. Mould has also impacted the shopping centre, which was declared hazardous for people’s health.

Toombul tenants — Meeting with tenants and lawyer Brian Noble
Photo Credit: LeanneLinardMP/Facebook

In June, Cr Adam Allan said that a decision was reached to demolish the existing shopping centre and construct a new one.

“The site is zoned Major Centre zoning under the Brisbane City Plan 2014. This type of zoning provides for a wide range of uses including retail, commercial, residential, entertainment, government, residential care, retirement, and community uses to name some,” Cr Adam sad.

“While Mirvac are only in the early stages of their planning on the future of the site the uses above provide a high level guide of some potential uses.

“There will be some outcomes from the site that Brisbane City Council will be keen to see delivered or retained such as a bus interchange, public space, better connectivity, improved flood resilience, a better interface to Kedron Brook etc

“There will be many discussions between Council’s Development Services team and Mirvac over coming months as their plans for the site are formulated.”

Mirvac Offers Support Package for Toombul Retailers Equivalent to 3 Months’ Rent

Over 100 Toombul retailers are going to receive a support package from Mirvac following its decision to shut down the shopping centre permanently due to flood damage.

Mirvac CEO Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz said that the tenants will be compensated worth three months’ rent, alongside other measures already in place. The company has waived the debts incurred by Toombul retailers during the lockdowns and it has also not charged rent since the February floods.

Tenants have also received assistance with the removal of their fit-outs and stocks as Mirvac plans to demolish the property and rebuild it anew. Mirvac said that they are also in touch with other organizations with free spaces so their former tenants could move in.

The support package is welcome news, after the criticism Mirvac received from the public for their initial announcement of no compensation for tenants. Some retailers have explored legal options in the face of looming financial ruin due to the closure of their businesses at the Toombul Shopping Centre.

Darren Bain, the owner of Function Well, said that their lease has a demolition clause that underscored a “reasonable compensation” but Mirvac said there is another clause stating no compensation for “impracticable or undesirable” repairs.

Prior to the announcement of the support package, Mirvac wasn’t able to attend the scheduled dialogue with the tenants and MPs Anika Wells and Leanne Linard. Ms Wells and Ms Linard have been calling on the property giant to engage with the local community.

Ms Lloyd-Hurwitz said that she has been arranging meetings with the retailers in the coming days and has heard their frustrations.

Ms Lloyd-Hurwitz’s full statement below:

Tenants Still Hoping to Meet With Mirvac Over Planned Demolition of Toombul Shopping Centre

Tenants of Toombul Shopping Centre have expressed disappointment at the cancellation of a requested meeting with Mirvac to discuss previously announced plans to demolish the shopping centre.

The meeting was originally scheduled to take place via Zoom on 7 June 2022. However, not all the Mirvac attendees were available so the meeting did not push through as originally planned

In a statement, MP Leanne Linnard said that she and MP Anika Wells will keep trying to engage with Mirvac for the tenants, who were told that they will not likely receive compensation for losses as a result of the February 2022flood that has rendered the shopping centre too badly damaged.

They have also arranged for the tenants to receive pro bono legal advice on compensation from Brian Noble of Noble Advice. So far, 10 retailers have reached out to discuss the Retail Shop Leases Act.

Prior to the scheduled meeting, Cr Adam Allan stated that Mirvac has decided to completely demolish Toombul Shopping Centre.

“I met with Mirvac executives last week to have an initial discussion about their plans. There will be many discussions between Council’s Development Services team and Mirvac over coming months as their plans for the site are formulated,” Mr Allan said.

“The site is zoned Major Centre zoning under the Brisbane City Plan 2014.

“This type of zoning provides for a wide range of uses including retail, commercial, residential, entertainment, government, residential care, retirement, and community uses to name some.

“While Mirvac are only in the early stages of their planning on the future of the site the uses above provide a high level guide of some potential uses.”

No Rent Collection

Meanwhile, Mirvac said that rents and other expenses were not collected from the traders since the February flood and their debts, including those incurred during the COVID closures, have been waived. The company has also not charged retailers for the cost to de-fit and remove their stocks and store equipment and furniture.

Mirvac also said it has been coordinating with each of the retailers on the ongoing issues at hand.

Some tenants have relocated to other vacant sites in Ascot, Taigum, Stafford, Lutwyche, and Newstead. However, for many locals, Toombul was always the hub where everyone could shop and run errands and where the retailers have become longtime friends.

Electrical Issues Delay Bus Interchange Normal Operations at the Toombul Shopping Centre

The recommissioning of the bus interchange at the Toombul Shopping Centre has been marred with delays and electrical issues on top of the temporary closure of the shopping area.

The Toombul Shopping Centre bus interchange is one of the largest in Brisbane’s northside. Currently, the buses that service the site have been queueing along the busy Sandgate Rd without any shelter or proper seating for commuters, especially during peak hours.

In April 2021, signages were set up to help commuters identify the routes and stops. A few temporary seatings were also in place at the Sandgate Rd centre, where buses 300, 301, 307, 308, 321, 326, 327, 369 and 590 have been bringing commuters to their destinations, especially students from the Australian Catholic University.

However, with existing electrical problems caused by the flooding, the interchange is still unable to provide safe access for the commuters.

Mirvac, the developer, has not given any clear date on when the interchange’s operation will resume to normal. A spokesperson for the shopping centre believes that the interchange, as well as the carpark, have to be closed indefinitely because contractors are still doing critical decontamination works.

While this has inconvenienced Brisbane’s northside community, the safety of the commuters is the priority.

After the February flooding, Mirvac confirmed that Toombul Shopping Centre will be closed for six to eight months of refurbishment. However, may traders believe it will likely be a year before the shopping centre fully reopens without any more issues.

Toombul Shopping Centre Could Take Up to 8 Months Before It Could Reopen

Photo Credit: Leanne Linard MP / Facebook

Initial assessments of the devastation that the recent flooding has caused at Toombul Shopping Centre revealed that many of the 140 shops could remain closed for six to eight months and the cost of rebuilding may force some tenants to close permanently.

“We can confirm the centre and car park are closed and will remain this way for some time. Our specialist consultants have assessed the damage and the initial assessments show that the inundation has caused extensive damage,” the Mirvac statement posted on social media reads.

“This is the worst flood we have seen at Toombul and the impact is devastating, not only for us, but for all our retailers, many of whom are small business owners. Our priority is working with and supporting all our retailers.”

The rain bomb that battered the city for days has hit Toombul Shopping Centre hard, leaving dozens of shops with mud-ruined equipment and stocks. Toombul retailers say that the recent inundation was different from the 2011 flood in that it is the first time that flood water has penetrated the shopping centre’s ground-floor shops.

Mirvac said that it is too early to ascertain when the centre could reopen but estimates a 24- to 32-week window. However, many small retailers fear that they may not be able to afford the cost of rebuilding considering the extent of damage which could mean that they would need to start from scratch.

Some of these tenants do not have insurance either because of the cost or because no insurer was willing to cover flood risk. Other store owners who do have insurance fear that their insurers might classify the event as a flood, making them unqualified to claim for storm damage.

For now, some traders have reopened on temporary premises whilst major shops had employees deployed to other locations. But the closure of the Toombul Shopping Centre not only impacted shop owners but their loyal customers as well who are now forced to shop elsewhere.

To mitigate the impact on Toombul Shopping Centre customers, particularly the elderly shoppers, Council’s cab services have been adjusted to provide other destination options including Westfield Chermside and Lutwyche Shopping Centre. Customers will be advised of the available alternative at the time of booking.

Toombul Shopping Centre was opened in 1967 by Westfield Group and was Brisbane northside’s largest shopping centre then. Mirvac acquired the centre in 2016 and opened Upstairs Toombul, a new dining precinct anchored by Archie Brothers.

Coles Toombul Trials New Dog Food Pick ‘n’ Mix

Supermarket chain Coles is trialing a new method of selling dog food to its customers in Nundah by allowing them to purchase pick ‘n’ mix bags of treats via special snack dispensers.

With the new addition of special pick ‘n’ mix snack dispensers, the Coles branch at the Toombul Shopping Centre allows dog owners to mix and match some of their pet’s favourite treats. Following the pandemic, many Queensland residents found themselves stuck at home. Given the complications that came with spending time with friends and family, people opted to stave off loneliness by taking on canine companions.

As a result, the pet market has boomed, and Coles aims to cater to dog owners by providing them with more convenient ways of purchasing the food and products necessary to keep their pups pampered and happy.

Some of the food items up for grabs at these dispensers include kangaroo tails and crocodile sausages, as well as a variety of training treats to facilitate dog training sessions. Training treats in particular play an important role in teaching dogs new behaviours, and having a variety helps owners discover their favorites while simultaneously preventing the dog from getting tired of having the same old snacks.

Pick ‘n’ mix pet food was previously trialed at one of Coles’ branches in Melbourne in 2019. Following its success, other pet food dispensers were set up at select venues — with Coles’ Toombul being one of the first in all of Queensland.

For more details on Coles, visit their website. Follow their social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates on deals, dates, and other special announcements.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Show-Stopping Archie Brothers Cirque Electric to Open in Toombul Shopping Centre in November

A fantastic and show-stopping amusement park/restaurant is set to open at the Toombul Shopping Centre. Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq promises to soon become the top entertainment and leisure destination in the area once the site is completed in November.

Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq will be the main star of UPSTAIRS by Toombul, a revitalised dining and entertainment precinct that features at least 10 new restaurants on Sandgate Road. This unique food hub has two other sites in Australia, in Alexandria in Sydney and in Melbourne.

So, what can you expect from Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq Toombul?

Basically, this amusement park/restaurant is exactly like a theme park with heaps of familiar traditional arcade and ticket games, bumper cars, and a bowling alley. However, there are also modern-day interactive activities like virtual reality and XD Motion Theatre.

*Photo Credit: Archie Brothers Cirque Electric/Facebook*

Enjoying these games and rides will enable visitors to collect tickets to trade for fantastic prizes, such as a gaming console or vinyl records. The choices are pretty generous and highly coveted.

Meanwhile, Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq’s restaurant is designed like a circus carousel with seats patterned after Tea Cup ride to match its creative and colourful food and drink selections. They serve all-time carnival favourites like popcorn, fries, tater tots, waffles, pretzels, pizza, hotdogs and burgers.

Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq is perfect for kids of all ages. Expect bookings for this venue to be full and packed when the venue begins trading by November, in time for the Christmas holiday season.

Ongoing Widdop Street Upgrade in Nundah to be Completed End of 2019

Good news! Upgrades to Widdop Street in Nundah, which have been ongoing since May 2019 and are expected to provide road access improvements around the Toombul Shopping Centre, are expected to be completed by the end of 2019.

Included in the Widdop Street upgrades is the installation of a new signalised crossing that will help pedestrians and cyclists using the Kedron Brook Bikeway to access the busy intersection safely. The project also entails the expansion of the bikeway’s western side with a larger paved path in anticipation of the volume of people that will be using it.

Widdop Street’s northbound lane, as well as the bridge at the Schulz Canal, will be widened to improve traffic flow. The northbound bus stop will be relocated closer to the shopping site for easier access to commuters.

While the roadworks are ongoing, temporary lane closures are expected to impact motorists and pedestrians since major constructions are taking place day and night from Monday to Sunday. Residents near the area might also experience increased noise and dust as the workers target to finish the project by its planned completion date.

For information and concerns about the Widdop Street upgrade, phone the Council at 1800 669 416 (working hours) or 07 3403 8888 (after working hours) or send an email at cityprojects@brisbane.qld.gov.au.