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Luxury Apartments Mark New Chapter on Toowong’s Former ABC Site

A stretch of Coronation Drive that sat derelict and underutilised for the better part of two decades has been transformed. Monarch Residences, a $450 million dual-tower apartment development built on the former ABC Queensland headquarters in Toowong, has officially opened, marking the first major redevelopment of the site since it was evacuated in 2006.

Read: Toowong To West End Green Bridge To Utilise Portion Of Former ABC Site

The 224 apartments, spread across two 15-storey riverfront towers, have sold out entirely, with the final residence reportedly changing hands for $4.1 million. The completion represents a striking transformation of a block that sat largely dormant for nearly two decades following its controversial history.

What came before the towers

Photo credit: Google Maps/Monarch Residences

Before the cranes arrived and the concrete was poured, this 1.2-hectare parcel on the Brisbane River was known for something far more troubling than real estate.

The Toowong site served as the home of ABC Queensland’s radio and television operations for more than 50 years. It became the focus of national concern after an unusually high number of female employees were diagnosed with breast cancer. The cluster grew steadily, eventually affecting more than 20 women, many of them young, with a number under the age of 40.

Former ABC sports presenter Ian Eckersley, who spent 18 years working at the site and was among staff involved in a dramatic walkout in June 2006, has said it is important the site’s history not be forgotten as new residents move in. The walkout came after the 12th breast cancer diagnosis among female staff, with employees demanding answers and action from management.

An expert investigation examined soil, water and air quality as well as electromagnetic fields inside the building, but could not pinpoint a definitive cause. What the inquiry did conclude was that the statistical chance of the cluster occurring randomly was roughly one in a million. That finding prompted then ABC managing director Mark Scott to order the evacuation and abandonment of the site in December 2006. The cause has never been definitively established.

Developer stands by safety of the site

Before proceeding with the development, Brisbane developer Consolidated Properties Group (CPG) says it examined the site’s history closely. Executive chairman James MacGinley has stated publicly that the safety of the site was the very first question the company examined during its due diligence process, with the team reviewing every available report and commissioning independent testing before proceeding. The company has maintained the site is safe for residential use.

CPG CEO and chairman Don O’Rorke described the project as one of the most warmly received residential developments in the company’s more than 45-year history, first announced in late 2021 and brought to completion four years later.

A riverfront precinct takes shape

Former ABC site — Photo credit: Consolidated Properties Group

The development was designed by Melbourne-based Wardle Studio alongside Brisbane-founded national practice Cottee Parker Architects, and built by Hutchinson Builders. At the heart of the precinct sits Middenbury House, a heritage-listed residence dating to 1865 that predates the ABC’s occupation of the site by almost a century. CPG has restored the building and is now seeking a boutique tenant to activate the riverfront frontage while respecting its historical significance.

Cr Penny Wolff and Cr Adam Allan attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the completion, both emphasising the development’s contribution to the city’s housing supply. Cr Wolff noted the project as an example of what collaboration between industry and government can produce, while Cr Allan highlighted that Monarch Residences was delivered efficiently at a time when many comparable projects nationally have faced delays.

Read: Petition Launched to Buy Back Old ABC Site for New Toowong Riverside Park

Colliers Director of Residential Andrew Scriven noted that absolute riverfront sites of this scale are extraordinarily rare in Brisbane’s inner west, and that demand for completed premium apartments in the area remains strong.

The site at 600 Coronation Drive has now worn three identities: a heritage homestead, a broadcasting hub, and a luxury residential address. Each chapter has lasted decades. What the latest one will mean for the broader Toowong community, beyond delivering 224 new homes to a suburb already short on housing supply, remains to be seen. For now, the Brisbane River views are the same. Everything else has changed.

Published 15-June-2026

Toowong Hit Twice in Alleged Slingshot Attack Spree Across Brisbane

Toowong has emerged as a key location in a series of alleged drive-by slingshot attacks after two separate incidents in the suburb left members of the public injured and led to charges against four men.

A Paddington woman was among four people allegedly injured during a series of drive-by slingshot attacks across Brisbane’s western suburbs, prompting Queensland Police to appeal for any additional victims to come forward.

Police allege a group of four men used homemade slingshots and pocket-shot style devices to fire metal objects from a moving vehicle at members of the public on multiple nights between May 27 and May 31.

Four People Reported Injured Across Western Brisbane

According to Queensland Police Service, a 22-year-old woman was struck on the forehead in Paddington on May 27. On the same day, a 36-year-old woman was allegedly struck on the hand in Toowong.

Further incidents were reported on May 31, when a 53-year-old man was allegedly struck in the back in Toowong and a 64-year-old woman was allegedly struck in the jaw in St Lucia.

Police believe additional incidents may have occurred during the same period.

Vehicle Stopped in Chapel Hill

Police intercepted a Hyundai i30 on Chapel Hill Road shortly after 11:00 p.m. on May 31.

Investigators allege they located two handmade slingshots, two pocket-shot style devices and a set of knuckle dusters inside the vehicle.

Two men were detained at the scene.

Search Warrants Lead to Further Charges

Queensland Police later executed search warrants at properties in Redbank Plains and Forest Lake.

Police allege officers located items connected to the assaults, along with cannabis and drug utensils.

Three 19-year-old men and one 20-year-old man have since been charged with a range of offences, including assault occasioning bodily harm, serious assault of a person over 60, common assault and discharging a weapon in a public place.

One of the accused was remanded in custody while the remaining three were granted bail.

Police Appeal for More Witnesses

Investigators say enquiries are continuing and are urging anyone who may have been struck by an object thrown from a vehicle in Paddington, Toowong, St Lucia or Chapel Hill to contact police.

All four accused are expected to appear before Brisbane Magistrates Court later this June.

Published 11-June-2026

Nowhere Espresso Gives West Toowong A New After-Dark Dining Spot

Photo Credit: Nowhere Espresso/Facebook

Nowhere Espresso has expanded its role in West Toowong, turning the Bent Street cafe into an evening pizzeria and wine bar while continuing its breakfast and lunch trade from a heritage Queenslander in the suburb’s quiet backstreets.

A Bent Street Cafe Moves Beyond Daytime Trade

The venue at 8 Bent Street has long operated as a cafe, but its latest chapter adds dinner service built around Italian food, wine and relaxed neighbourhood dining.

Kye Smith, Jade Endress and Trong Smith took over Nowhere Espresso in September 2024 with plans to make broader use of the site. The shift has moved the business beyond its established morning and lunch service, giving locals another nearby option for pizza, pasta and drinks after dark.

The change is centred on a new pizzeria and wine bar format, while the venue continues to identify itself as a community cafe and restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

West Toowong Venue Builds A Larger Kitchen

The expansion required more than a menu change. The original kitchen operated from a small section of the heritage Bell’s General Store building, with limited room for the fuller food offering the owners wanted to introduce.

To make the dinner service possible, the team leased the two-bedroom house behind the cafe, connected the two structures and installed a larger kitchen in what had previously been the home’s formal living room. The upgrade gave the venue the space needed to support a broader restaurant-style menu.

Nowhere Espresso introduced its evening offer in late April, with Italian food forming the basis of the new direction.

Roman Roots Shape The Menu

The kitchen is led by Rome-born chef Alessio Fantera, who had previously worked with members of the team at Love Italy on the Gold Coast and also worked as a sous chef at 1889 Enoteca.

The menu brings together entrees, pasta, pizza and desserts. Smaller dishes include cacio e pepe arancini, confit-tomato bruschetta and house-made garlic bread, while the pasta selection includes spaghetti vongole, fettuccine ragu and rigatoni carbonara.

Nowhere Espresso has also highlighted dishes such as slow-cooked beef ragu with fettuccine and spaghetti with clams, garlic, white wine, chilli and parsley.

Pizza sits at the centre of the evening offer, with traditional choices joined by toppings such as gorgonzola with hot honey, mortadella with burrata, and zucchini with prawns. The dough is made with a thicker, airy crust and a crisp base designed to hold its toppings.

Wine Bar Adds To The After-Dark Shift

The drinks list is led by wine, with mostly Australian selections available by the glass and bottle. The range includes wines from regions such as the Clare Valley, the Grampians, the Yarra Valley and Tasmania, along with reserve and imported options.

Cocktails and beers also form part of the evening list, with spritzes, mojitos, chilli margaritas, pina coladas and espresso martinis among the drinks named in the venue’s offering.

The business lists breakfast, lunch and dinner service through its website, with evening trade promoted across selected weekdays and weekends. Recent updates have also pointed to takeaway pizza and wine as part of the expanded offer.

The change gives Nowhere Espresso a second rhythm after dark. The venue remains a daytime cafe, but its new kitchen, Italian menu and wine bar format have turned it into a fuller neighbourhood dining option for locals looking to stay close to home.

Published 27-May-2026

Your Street, Your Say: Toowong Asked to Choose Future of Sylvan Road Cycling Route

Toowong residents and cyclists are being invited to shape the future of one of the city’s most notorious stretches of road, with Brisbane now seeking public feedback on two concept designs for a new separated bikeway along Sylvan Road and Land Street.

Read: Cyclist Safety at Risk on Sylvan Road in Toowong, Awaiting Promised Upgrades

The consultation, which closes at 11.59pm on Sunday 14 June 2026, is the latest development in longstanding efforts to address what local cyclists have described as the weakest link in Brisbane’s active travel network.

The 1.2-kilometre strip connecting the Western Freeway Bikeway and the Bicentennial Bikeway has no existing separation between cyclists and motor vehicles, leaving riders to navigate frequent intersection conflicts and illegally parked cars on a daily basis.

More than 1,000 cyclists and scooter riders already use the route every day, according to Brisbane’s infrastructure chair Ryan Murphy. When completed, the project will deliver the final 1.5 kilometres of what will become a 19-kilometre dedicated bikeway stretching from Brisbane’s CBD all the way to the Centenary suburbs.

It has been a long time coming. A community petition with 700 signatures calling for safer bike lanes on Sylvan Road was presented to council more than a decade ago. Local advocacy groups, including the Brisbane West BUG (Bicycle User Group), have long campaigned for separated bike lanes on the route.

Option 1: Continuous Bi-Directional Bikeway

The first concept design proposes a continuous two-way separated bikeway running the full length of Sylvan Road and Land Street. This option is designed to accommodate riders of all abilities with wider bike lanes, and would introduce one-way eastbound traffic flow on Sylvan Road between Bates Lane and the Croydon Street and Jephson Street intersection.

Under this design, some on-street parking would be retained in targeted locations, with peak hour parking restrictions removed. Footpaths would also be widened, and turning movement changes at key intersections would be made to ensure safety at conflict points.

Option 2: Part Uni-Directional, Part Bi-Directional Bikeway

The second concept takes a different approach by splitting the bikeway into two distinct sections. Between Milton Road and the Croydon Street and Jephson Street intersection, cyclists would travel in a uni-directional bikeway alongside two-way traffic, with the speed limit reduced to 40 km/h along that stretch.

From the Croydon Street and Jephson Street intersection through to Patrick Lane, the route would transition into a bi-directional bikeway. This option would remove all on-street parking along the corridor to safely accommodate the new lane arrangement. It also includes added signalised and raised pedestrian crossings, widened footpaths, and a new shared path connecting Land Street to Coronation Drive.

Where to Have Your Say

Residents who would prefer to engage with the project in person have two opportunities to learn more about the concept designs.

A pop-up information session will be held at Toowong Memorial Park, near the playground, on 27 May 2026 from 3pm to 5pm. A second session will take place at Milton Markets on Cribb Street, Milton, on 31 May 2026 from 6am to 12pm.

Feedback can also be submitted online via Brisbane’s community engagement platform at yoursay.brisbane.qld.gov.au. The survey closes on 14 June 2026.

Read: Petition Launched to Halt Auction of Sylvan Road Greenspace

Intersection upgrades at Milton Road, Croydon Street, and Morley Street have also been confirmed as part of the broader project. The final concept design is expected by mid-2026, with bikeway construction anticipated to begin in 2027.

Published 23-May-2026

Brisbane Boys’ College Swimmer Jacob Algate Turns Fiji Selection Into Oceania Medal Run

Photo Credit: Brisbane Boys' College Co-curricular/Facebook

For Brisbane Boys’ College Year 12 swimmer Jacob Algate, the trip to Fiji became more than an international racing opportunity. It marked the next step in a strong run of results that began at national level and continued on the Oceania stage.

Algate travelled to Suva as part of an Australian Development Squad through Swimming Australia’s NextGen program, after earning selection from his performance at the Australian Age Championships. There, he had claimed two gold medals and added further top-10 placings, building the form that carried him into his first listed Oceania campaign.

The Oceania Swimming Championships, held from 8–13 May, placed Algate among young Australian swimmers gaining international racing experience against athletes from across 15 nations. For the Brisbane Boys’ College student, the meet became a demanding program across breaststroke, medley and relay events.

From National Form to Fiji Competition

Algate’s selection followed a standout campaign at the Australian Age Championships, where his results included gold in the 100m breaststroke and 200m breaststroke. He also reached finals in the 50m breaststroke, 200m individual medley and 50m backstroke.

That national performance helped secure his place in the Australian Development Squad, giving him the chance to move from domestic age-level racing into an international meet in Suva.

Representing the squad in Fiji, Algate carried that breaststroke strength into the Oceania Championships while also showing his range in medley and relay events.

Jacob Algate Builds a Medal Campaign in Suva

Algate’s individual results in Fiji were led by silver medals in the men’s 200m individual medley and men’s 200m breaststroke. He also won bronze in the men’s 100m breaststroke and finished eighth in the 50m breaststroke.

The results gave him podium finishes in both breaststroke and medley racing, adding international medals to the national titles that had helped earn his selection.

His 200m breaststroke result continued the event form he had shown at the Australian Age Championships, while the 200m individual medley silver highlighted his ability across a broader race format.

Brisbane Boys’ College — *Photo Credit: Brisbane Jets Swimming Club/Facebook*

Relay Success Adds to The Journey

Algate, who is listed with Brisbane Jets, was also part of several Australian relay medal results during the Fiji campaign.

He was included in Australia’s gold medal result in the men’s 4x100m medley relay with Isaac Allan, Lachlan Evans and Koa Stotz. He was also listed among Australia’s silver medallists in the mixed 4x50m freestyle relay, men’s 4x100m freestyle relay and men’s 4x200m freestyle relay.

Across the meet, Australia finished on top of the medal tally with 36 medals, including 14 gold. The result placed Algate within a successful Australian squad campaign while giving him valuable experience in an international setting.

The Fiji journey brought together national selection, individual podium finishes, and relay success. It marked a strong step in his development through the NextGen program and added another chapter to a successful few weeks in the pool.

Published 15-May-2026

Toowong Tower Proposal Faces Major Redesign After Planning Review

A heavily scrutinised plan to reshape the centre of Toowong with three high-rise towers is facing major changes after planners raised concerns about building height, traffic, public space and infrastructure impacts linked to the proposed redevelopment.

A “Further Advice” letter issued on 8 May 2026 for DA A006836692 identified 48 separate issues requiring amended plans, revised reports, or further information before the application at 47 High St can continue through assessment.

The proposal, lodged by Toowong Central Investment Holding Pty Ltd through Urbis, includes three towers reaching 49, 55 and 58 storeys on the former Woolworths site near Sherwood Road, High Street and Jephson Street.

The concerns span building height, traffic modelling, bicycle access, waste collection, deep planting, flooding, heritage impacts, construction management and noise.

Tower heights clash with Toowong neighbourhood plan

Building height emerged as one of the central issues in the review.

Planning officers stated the proposed towers depart from the heights anticipated for the site under the Brisbane City Plan 2014 and said Toowong was not intended to take on the same density or built form as Brisbane’s inner-city precincts.

The letter also raised concerns about overshadowing and the impact the towers could have on surrounding development sites.

A revised proposal with building heights more aligned with approved and existing development in the local area was requested.

The six-storey podium facing Sherwood Road also drew criticism for appearing imposing at street level and not contributing positively to the streetscape character expected under the Toowong–Auchenflower neighbourhood plan.

Residents divided over scale of development

Public submissions show many residents support redevelopment of the former Woolworths site in principle, but remain divided over the scale and design of the current proposal.

One submission argued the towers were too tall for the area and would damage the visual character of central Toowong while worsening congestion in an already busy traffic corridor.

Another resident, who said they had lived in Toowong for 30 years, argued the development focused too heavily on increasing residential numbers without delivering enough community infrastructure, sustainable transport planning or environmental improvements.

Concerns were also raised about pressure on childcare centres, schools and public transport services, along with limited deep planting and reliance on private vehicles despite the area’s strong transport links.

Other submissions pointed to the lack of affordable housing within the proposal, arguing planning concessions on height should only be granted if the development delivered stronger public benefits such as lower-cost housing, larger green spaces and improved active transport facilities.

Some residents also argued the towers did not reflect Toowong’s established character or the “village” feel associated with the existing centre.

Supporters say project could help housing supply

Not all submissions opposed the proposal.

One supporting submission argued the project would add more than 1,000 apartments in a well-connected suburb close to major transport links, universities and the CBD.

The same submission said the mix of housing, retirement living and short-term accommodation could help respond to housing demand ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games while supporting Brisbane’s ageing population.

The proposal also includes retail, commercial and healthcare uses alongside public open space elements.

Traffic and heritage concerns remain unresolved

Transport impacts formed a major part of the review.

Planning officers challenged assumptions used in the project’s traffic modelling and questioned the amount of non-residential car parking proposed, describing it as an oversupply compared with planning scheme expectations. Further modelling was requested for nearby intersections including Sherwood Road, High Street, Jephson Street and Benson Street.

Concerns were also raised about bicycle safety, loading areas and refuse vehicle access. The treatment of the heritage-listed Carver and Co building also remains unresolved.

The review criticised plans to remove parts of the upper floor and internal stairs and questioned excavation works proposed beneath the building. Planners stated the development should better respect and restore the heritage place while protecting its visibility within the High Street streetscape.

The Further Advice letter does not amount to a refusal of the project. The applicant must now respond with revised plans, updated technical reports and additional supporting material before the assessment process can continue.

Published 11-May-2026

Baker Interrupts Alleged Break-Ins At Toowong Shopping Complex

Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook

A baker working before dawn at Toowong French Patisserie interrupted alleged break-ins at the Cat & Fiddle Markets complex in Toowong, where several shopfronts were smashed and items including cash, jewellery and shampoo were stolen.

Baker Interrupts Toowong Break-Ins

A baker working at Toowong French Patisserie interrupted an alleged early-morning break-in spree at the Cat & Fiddle Markets complex on Morley Street after hearing glass smashing nearby.

The incident happened shortly before 2am on Monday, 27 April and involved three people allegedly breaking into a clothing boutique, a hair salon and a café. Shopfront windows were smashed as the group allegedly moved through the business strip.

The baker was working inside the patisserie when he heard the noise from the nearby shops. The break-ins were interrupted after the group became aware of him, and police were called. The patisserie was not damaged.

Smashed Glass Left Across Morley Street Businesses

Several Toowong businesses were left with broken glass and damage after the alleged break-ins.

At Timbuctoo, a clothing boutique in the complex, cash and European jewellery were allegedly stolen. Some jewellery was later found outside in the car park area.

Sassi Hairdressing, located next to the boutique, was also targeted. Shampoo was allegedly taken from the salon before the group moved on to a nearby café.

A cash register was also allegedly carried out of the third shop during the incident.

Cat & Fiddle Markets — *Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook*

Small Businesses Confront Overnight Damage

The alleged break-ins left the affected business owners facing smashed windows, stolen goods and the disruption of arriving to damaged shopfronts.

The clothing boutique and hair salon were among the businesses visibly affected at the complex, while the café was also broken into. The incident added a difficult start to the day for small operators at the Toowong business strip.

The baker who interrupted the incident had worked at Toowong French Patisserie for more than 20 years. His workplace was not damaged during the alleged break-ins.

Police Continue To Investigate

Police are continuing to investigate the Toowong break-ins.

No arrests or charges have been reported so far. Inquiries remain ongoing into the incident at the Cat & Fiddle Markets complex.

Published 28-Apr-2026

Luxury Grove Crescent Home Built from ‘Worst House on the Street’ Set for Auction

Grove Crescent in Toowong is a tightly held street known for its character homes, but one address stands apart for a very different reason. One property, once described as the worst house on the street, has been transformed from a derelict shack into a substantial family residence and is now set to go to auction.

Read: Court Rules No to Goldicott House Rezoning and Development in Toowong

Owner Rebecca Kenny first purchased 41 Grove Crescent in 2007 at auction for $827,000. At the time, the property was already in severe disrepair and largely considered uninhabitable in parts. Despite its condition, it was a rare opportunity in a street she was already familiar with, having been living nearby and gradually acquiring adjoining land.

The home had been occupied for around 60 years by its previous owner, Peggy, who had lived there for most of her life. While the property carried decades of history, it had deteriorated significantly by the time it changed hands.

When Ms Kenny took ownership, the extent of the condition became immediately clear. Parts of the house had no floorboards, with carpet laid directly over unstable sections, and the structure was supported in part by a large Chinese elm tree. The interior also required extensive clearing, including the removal of several cubic metres of accumulated belongings before any rebuilding work could begin.

The challenges did not end there. During early works, contractors discovered ammunition believed to have belonged to the previous owner’s late husband, which resulted in the site being temporarily closed for safety. Additional delays were also caused by ageing sewer infrastructure on the block that required careful management and replacement.

Grove Crescent — Photo credit: Ray White New Farm

Because of character requirements, the existing façade of the home also had to be retained and rebuilt rather than completely removed. This added complexity to the project and influenced how the redevelopment progressed over time.

Construction was further affected by broader environmental conditions during the build period. Drought conditions in Brisbane, followed by the 2011 floods, contributed to material shortages and slowed progress across the industry at the time.

Despite these challenges, the project moved forward under the design of architect John Price, who was also a resident of the street. The redevelopment was ultimately completed in 2011, transforming the original structure into a multi-level home designed for long-term family living.

Today, the residence spans four levels on a 1,262sqm block and includes eight bedrooms. It has been designed with multiple living zones to accommodate both family life and entertaining, with spaces that allow separation as well as connection across the home.

Key features include a wellness retreat overlooking surrounding treetops, a wine cellar, office spaces, and a rooftop terrace with views towards the Brisbane city skyline. The property also includes a swimming pool and spa, barbecue pavilion, outdoor cinema with firepit, basketball half court, landscaped lawns, and a dedicated car display area.

From the street, the home presents as a modest cottage-style dwelling, a contrast that has often surprised visitors. Once inside, the scale of the property becomes apparent as it opens across multiple levels, extending well beyond its initial street presence.

Over the past 15 years, the home has been used as a long-term family residence for Ms Kenny and her four children. It has hosted everyday family life as well as gatherings, including poolside summers, outdoor movie nights, and music rehearsals.

Read: Toowong, Then and Now: What a Lifetime in Real Estate Lets You See

Now, after more than a decade as a family home, 41 Grove Crescent is being prepared for auction on May 2 through Reuben Packer-Hill of Ray White. The property’s journey reflects a significant residential transformation, from a severely deteriorated house to a fully rebuilt family home in one of Toowong’s most established streets.

Published 20-April-2026

Survey Works Kick Off on Sylvan Road as Toowong Bikeway Takes Shape

Brisbane West BUG/Facebook

Survey and service identification works are beginning along Sylvan Road in Toowong between late April and late May, marking a tangible step forward in plans to deliver a long-awaited separated bikeway connecting the Western Freeway Bikeway with the Bicentennial Bikeway.

The works will run along Sylvan Road between Milton Road and Coronation Drive, and along Land Street between Sylvan Road and Patrick Lane, on weekdays throughout that period. The findings will feed directly into the project design, with a community update to follow once that work is complete.

Residents and commuters travelling through the area can expect to see workers using survey and service detection equipment, temporary lane closures with minor traffic delays, and traffic controllers and signage managing the flow. Vehicles with reversing alarms and flashing lights will also be operating in the area during works.

A Route That Already Carries More Than 1,100 Riders a Day

Sylvan Road is no stranger to cyclists. The street has served as a key link in Brisbane’s inner-western cycling network for years, sitting on the Queensland Principal Cycle Network and recording more than 1,130 bike and e-mobility trips on a typical weekday. That level of daily use makes it one of the busiest cycling corridors in the western suburbs, and one of the most pressing cases for improved infrastructure.

Sylvan Road bikeway — *Photo Credit: BCC*

The road currently carries a mix of peak-hour bike lanes and lanes that run between parked cars and moving traffic, a configuration that many riders find stressful, particularly at the intersections of Sylvan Road, Croydon Street and Jephson Street, and at the Milton Road junction. The project aims to deliver separated active transport connections that physically divide walking, riding and driving spaces, making the route safer and more comfortable for everyone from confident commuter cyclists to families and newcomers to riding.

Years in the Making, Now Moving

The push for a safer Sylvan Road goes back at least to 2017, when peak-hour bike lanes were introduced as an interim safety measure. Community feedback gathered in mid-2025 through a dedicated consultation process reinforced what many locals had long been saying: the existing setup falls short of what a route this busy deserves. That feedback, combined with technical data and design guidelines, is now shaping the next stage of planning.

The project’s design phase has received grant support, with construction funding now being progressed and the agreement yet to be finalised.

Next Steps for Toowong Riders and Residents

The survey and service works running through late April and May are critical investigative steps. While this stage is focused on data collection, locals can expect early works and site preparation to kick off from mid-2026. These initial activities will pave the way for major construction, with the project team currently targeting full completion of the separated bikeway by 2028.

Residents who want to stay across the project can contact the project team directly on 07 3178 5413 during business hours, or reach the general inquiry line on 07 3403 8888 at any time. Written correspondence can be sent to the Toowong Intersection Improvements and Sylvan Road Bikeway project team at GPO Box 1434, Brisbane QLD 4001. Full project information, maps and frequently asked questions are available here.

Published 17-April-2026

St Ignatius Students Turn Compassion into Action This Easter

Brisbane Catholic Education

Students at St Ignatius School in Toowong have proven that hope is a “doing word” this Easter, marking the season with a vibrant Easter Hat Parade and a major charitable drive for Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion.

The school community gathered on Wednesday 1 April to celebrate the season of renewal, while simultaneously answering a call to support those living on the margins. Families donated a mountain of Easter eggs, soft toys, activities, and stickers to create gift baskets for those experiencing poverty, turning a traditional school celebration into a hands-on lesson in global generosity.

The effort is part of a massive coordinated response from Brisbane Catholic Education, with students across its 146 schools uniting to support the 2026 Project Compassion theme: Unite Against Poverty.

Hope as a Practical Choice

For St Ignatius Principal Benedict Campbell, these activities go beyond simple fundraising; they reflect a core conviction that Catholic education must look outward.

“Hope is not about ignoring the challenges people face,” Mr Campbell said. “Rather, hope invites students to walk alongside others with compassion, trusting that love and faith can bring light even in difficult times.”

St Ignatius School Toowong — *Photo Credit: Brisbane Catholic Education*

He noted that the Easter story provides the clearest blueprint for the school’s commitment to service. “At Easter, we are reminded of Jesus’ example,” he said. “He did not turn away from the suffering of the world but responded with care, generosity and self-giving love. That is the kind of hope we aim to nurture in our students.”

A Tradition of Service

This practical approach to faith sits naturally within the school’s identity. With a history in the Toowong parish stretching back over a century, the school continues to model its outreach on the Ignatian tradition of “faith in action.”

By participating in Project Compassion, which supports long-term development programs in over 100 countries, St Ignatius students joined a national movement of approximately 1,700 schools and 1,200 parishes.

For the students parading in their handmade hats, the message was clear: belonging extends far beyond the school gate. Through these small, shared acts of generosity, the Toowong community is helping to place the dignity of the “global family” at the centre of their Easter celebrations.

Get Involved

Families interested in St Ignatius School can learn more by visiting the school’s website or calling (07) 3371 1094, while those who want to support Caritas Australia’s 2026 Project Compassion appeal can head to caritas.org.au/project-compassion to make a contribution.

Published 6-April-2026.