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Toowong Has One of the Highest Numbers of Complaints About Unmanaged Vehicles

Did you know that Toowong ranks among the suburbs with the most complaints about unmanaged vehicles, specifically abandoned, unsightly, hazardous, or unregistered vehicles, alongside Coorparoo, Moorooka, New Farm and Rocklea?

For a 14-month period from January 2022, Brisbane City Council has received over 9,100 complaints and removed 280 of these vehicles, including trailers, utility vehicles, vans, caravans/campervans, and trucks.

According to a council spokeswoman, parking registered trailers, caravans and even boats on the road is permissible as long as the owners abide by road rules, parking signs and any other rules applicable to the location. However, road parking for unregistered vehicles is unlawful.

The Heavy and Long Vehicle Local Law 1999 specifies that vehicles over 7.5 metres long should not be parked within 100 meters of any residential area, or for more than one hour, unless parked according to a permissive parking sign. However, some exceptions may apply to broken-down vehicles and those used for delivering goods, undertaking construction or maintenance, or carrying out emergency work.

Council has tasked personnel to remove abandoned, unsightly, or unregistered vehicles as soon as possible, especially if these may impact public safety. Council will also attempt to identify the owner of these unmanaged vehicles and work with them to achieve voluntary compliance.

Locals have told the “Afternoons” show that this parking issue is widespread across South East Queensland. Some expressed leasing out their garages for someone to use as a bedroom and park their cars on the street.

Other locals mentioned that they could not park by their front gates because they do not own that area, whilst some complained that Council painted yellow lines in front of their houses, preventing them from parking in front of their homes.

Another resident shared that people park in their driveway as if it’s public property, and they had to tow these cars away.

Published 29-April-2023

Check Out These Brilliantly Painted Fiberglass Hearts at The Heart Gallery Exhibition In Toowong

Around 10 magnificent fibreglass hearts, adorned with breathtaking paintings by talented local Brisbane artists, are on display in an extraordinary exhibition at The Heart Gallery in Toowong Village that also seeks to support charitable causes.

Read: Toowong Village Revamps Its Retail Line Up

On display from 31 March to 31 May 2023, each work of art represents a local charity. Toowong Village will help share the love through an online auction, donating 100 percent of the proceeds raised from sales of each piece to its designated charity.

One such masterpiece, “Everything Old is Blue Again,” crafted by Michelle Grayson of Sprout Gallery and representing The Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust, encapsulates the enchantment of blue and white artwork alongside captivating botanical drawings and paintings of flowers and plants.

Ms Grayson, primarily known for her expertise in watercolour art, occasionally ventures into the realm of acrylics as well. A few years ago, she ventured into the realm of textiles, establishing her own range, and she aspires to expand her creative endeavours into the realm of wallpaper in the future.

For over two decades, Michelle has been showcasing and selling her original watercolour artwork, as well as prints, through Sprout Gallery, fostering her artistic journey.

The Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust has been a stalwart supporter of countless grassroots charitable initiatives in Brisbane for decades now. Each year, the trust conducts multiple grant rounds to provide assistance to those in need.

The Trust’s

support extends to various causes, including distributing toys during Christmas, donating Easter eggs to vulnerable children, aiding domestic violence refugees, assisting the homeless population, and supporting families facing food scarcity.

Read: Toowong Village Shopping Centre Site to Get New Lease on Life

The Heart Gallery at Toowong Village is sponsored by Retail First. Those who are interested in bidding in the auction can go to https://oktion.com.au/.

Published 27-April-2023

Discover the Authentic Taste of Tokyo at Genkotsu Ramen

Photo credit: Genkotsu Ramen / Instagram

To find an authentic Japanese dining experience in Toowong, you need not look any further than Genkotsu Ramen. This gem of a restaurant is located at the end of a shopping arcade in this western suburb spot.

Inspired by their childhoods in Tokyo, the partners Yasu Ikeda, Kaoru Hiranuma, and Yoshi Nagumo designed a cosy ambience reminiscent of 1960s Tokyo, departing from the modern Japanese style. The restaurant’s interior features red brick walls, hand-burnt timber panels, rustic communal tables and bar counters, and floor-to-ceiling frosted louvres with warm hanging lights.

Black Garlic Ramen | Photo credit: Genkotsu Ramen / Instagram

Genkotsu Ramen does not just aim to create an ambience that transports diners to Japan; their chefs also employ time-honoured Japanese techniques to prepare every dish with great care. For instance, the tonkotsu broth is boiled for over 12 hours to ensure maximum taste, while the nitamago – flavored boiled eggs – are half-cooked and marinated overnight in Genkotsu’s original recipe sauce.

In addition, the chefs handle the bamboo shoots and black garlic with care to remove any excessive saltiness or bitterness. The noodles are also meticulously crafted and tasted multiple times in order to attain the perfect flavor and texture.

You can choose from a selection of classic ramen options such as shio (salt), shoyu (soy), miso, and gyokai (fish), or you can try their special chashu, black garlic, karaage, or tsukemen ramen. Additionally, there’s a premium option that comes with soft-shell crab or prawn.

Gyokai (Fish) Ramen | Photo credit: Genkotsu Ramen / Instagram

Toppings such as Dried Seaweed, Takana Pickles, Bamboo Shoots, Pork Chashu, and Original Chilli Paste are available to enhance the flavours. In addition to the ramen, there are also side dishes like Chuka Wakame (seaweed salad), Spring Rolls, Gyoza, Prawn and Chicken Karaage, Takoyaki, and mini rice dishes like teriyaki chicken, Kara (hot) Miso and Mentaiko (cod roe), or Yuzu Tuna Rice.

Google Reviews:

“Popular ramen joint in the area serving up good stuff! The queue can get long but it shouldn’t take too long to wait in line. Place your order via the digital kiosk and wait for your turn to be called! Get the chicken karaage sides – btw!: – Jan Wong

“Ramen lovers must try, had their Black Garlic Ramen and Cold noodles and are both fantastic. Fantastic little gem in the alley of Toowong. You will need to purchase your order at the front first then find a spot inside, brings back memories of Japanese style dining in Japan.” – Reneinei L (Nei)

“My first ever ramen experience & it was great! Word in town is this place has the best ramen & for my first time, it was really tasty & flavoursome. I think the long line up outside the door everytime I pass it confirms this. Hidden at the end of a little arcade, it’s a gem if you find it!” – Alofa

With its authentic Japanese cuisine, warm atmosphere, and attentive service, Genkotsu Ramen has quickly become a local favourite. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner every day except Monday, from 11.30 am to 2.30 pm and then again from 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm. If you haven’t visited them, head down to Toowong and discover the hidden gem that is Genkotsu Ramen.

Published 26-April-2023

Proposed Toowong Tower Gets Upsized and Reimagined for Build-To-Rent Development

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

Plans for a residential tower site on High Street in Toowong have been given a strategic redesign, with the proposal now aimed at the booming build-to-rent market. The project will see an increase in height and the number of apartments, as well as design changes to accommodate the new scheme.

An approved tower site in Brisbane’s inner-west is set to undergo a redesign and expansion of its proposed plans that is now geared towards a build-to-rent development. The 1571sq m site located at 60 High Street, Toowong, will now feature a 25-storey tower, a significant increase from its originally approved 20-storey height, and an expanded apartment count of 326 units, up from 125 under the revised plans.

Proposed Toowong Tower Gets Upsized and Reimagined for Build-To-Rent Development — *Photo credit: Brisbane City Council /* developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au

The project which features a ground-floor lobby, commercial tenancies, a two-level podium, three basement levels, and a rooftop recreation area across a 20-story residential tower had already received approval.

Changes are now being proposed in response to the adoption of a Build to Rent scheme, where units will be collectively rented out for long-term rentals and managed on-site. The removal of the podium car park is a significant design change that will enhance the building’s aesthetic appeal, particularly along High & Ebor Streets.

The new design includes units on all podium levels except for the ground level, a revamped residential lobby with an expanded mail room and reception area, and minor alterations to the tower elevations and rooftop recreational area.

It will also see the two-level podium scrapped, and the basement levels increased to four. Whilst car parking spaces would be cut from 184 to 156, bike spaces will increase from 163 to 408.

Moreover, the design changes will include minor changes to the podium and tower floor plates, and the provision of internal common recreational areas on Levels 2 and 25. Other minor changes include the internal design of the basement car park and changes to servicing arrangements at the lower ground level.

Build-to-rent (BTR) is a model where an entire apartment complex is built with the sole purpose of leasing out all its dwellings, a well-established concept in the US and UK but still in its early stages in Australia.

As the rental housing shortage in Australia worsens, experts see BTR as a potential solution to address the growing demand for rental accommodation and the need for a more secure and stable lease.

With the forecasted population growth in Australia over the next decade, experts suggest that BTR developments could play a crucial role in boosting housing supply and affordability.

Published 24-April-2023

Lesley Trotter Case: ‘Items of Interest’ Discovered At Rubbish Tip Not Linked to Toowong Woman

Heaps of “items of interest” found at a waste site in Swanbank in Ipswich have been confirmed as unrelated to Lesley Trotter, the 78-year-old Toowong woman whose disappearance in late March has prompted a massive police search.

Investigators said that the preliminary examination of the items of interest discovered at the rubbish tip were not tied to the ongoing investigations and that efforts to find Ms Trotter’s body will continue.

The Toowong woman disappeared on 28 March 2023 while her wallet, mobile phone and car were still at home. The police believe that she was killed around midnight and her body was dumped inside a wheelie bin, which was collected and compacted at two possible landfill sites.

Police started their search in Swanbank, where 3,000 tonnes of waste had to be sifted thoroughly, using rakes and other tools, from a landfill measuring 30 centimetres deep. Until her body is recovered, the police plan to examine over 200 tonnes of rubbish daily. Det Supt Massingham said that the process might take more than three weeks. Once recovered, Ms Trotter’s remains will still undergo forensic examination.

Meanwhile, Ms Trotter’s neighbours told “A Current Affair” that she was always “out and about” in their neighbourhood despite her age. They said they were shocked to learn about the strange circumstances surrounding her death.

“Toowong’s a very nice suburb (with) a lot of affluent people and properties,” said one neighbour, Kirby. “(It’s) very scary to think about what the sinister implications could be of this case.”

Ms Trotter was planning to move to a retirement facility after selling her unit, where she had lived for over 40 years.

Published 24-April-2023

Toowong Honours ANZAC Day with Dawn Service and Gunfire Breakfast

Photo credit: RSLQueensland / rslqld.org

Toowong residents will gather early on the morning of 25th April, 2023, to mark the 108th anniversary of the ANZAC troops landing at Gallipoli. The service, which will be hosted by the RSL Toowong Sub Branch, will take place at the Cenotaph on the hill of the Toowong Memorial Park adjacent to the West Bulldogs sports fields.

ANZAC Day is a significant date for Australians and New Zealanders alike. It commemorates the landing of troops at Gallipoli during World War I, and the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers who fought there.

On 25 April 1915, before the break of dawn, Australian forces made their first major military action during WWI with the landing at Gallipoli. Despite the ultimate failure of the battle, the bravery and determination of the ANZACs made a significant impression on the national consciousness that continues to this day.

*Australian and New Zealand soldiers in a frontline trench on the Gallipoli Peninsula, 1915 |* *Photo credit:* *RSL Australia / lightupthedawn.com.au*

The ANZAC Day Dawn Service is a sombre and respectful ceremony that pays tribute to the ANZACs as well as all individuals who have served or given up their lives in wars and conflicts since World War I. The ceremony serves as a moving reminder of the immense sacrifices made by our brave servicemen and women.

The Toowong Dawn Service is expected to be well-attended, with locals gathering at the Cenotaph in the early hours of the morning. The service will be conducted with due solemnity, with wreaths laid and the Last Post played. The minute’s silence is expected to be particularly moving, as attendees reflect on the sacrifices made by those who have served our country.

After the conclusion of the service, the West Bulldogs Rugby Clubhouse will host a Gunfire breakfast exclusively for all medal wearers and uniformed ADF personnel. Meanwhile, all other attendees are invited to contribute a gold coin donation in exchange for refreshments.

The Toowong ANZAC Day Dawn Service is an important event on the local calendar. It provides an opportunity for residents to come together to pay tribute to our servicemen and women, and to reflect on the sacrifices that have been made in the name of our country.

Published 23-April-2023

Stuartholme School To Represent Australia In First Rugby Heritage Cup In France

Did you know that Stuartholme School in Toowong has been selected as the only girls’ school in Australia to compete in the inaugural Rugby Heritage Cup 2023 to be held in France in September?

Read: Brisbane Boys’ College Named State Champion At 2023 Tennis Queensland Primary Schools Cup

The announcement was met with excitement and anticipation as the 12 students from Years 8 and 9 prepare to compete against 24 international teams in Pontlevoy, France, in the week leading up to the Rugby World Cup.

Dan Crump, Principal at Stuartholme School, expressed pride in the school’s Rugby Sevens program, which was introduced only in 2020. He mentioned that the girls who have a passion for rugby and are prepared to compete will be given the opportunity to participate in the tournament.

Rugby Heritage Cup — Photo credit: Stuartholme School (official)/Facebook

“This is certainly an unprecedented sporting event,” said Mr Crump.

“Over the coming weeks we will be selecting our team based on their exceptional athletic ability and ready them for this epic tournament on the world stage.”

The school’s French heritage, coupled with the tournament’s celebration of the 200th anniversary of Rugby, makes this a momentous occasion for the school. The Society of the Sacred Heart, an international congregation of Catholic religious women established by Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat in France in 1800, operates Stuartholme School.

About the Rugby Heritage Cup

The 2023 Rugby Heritage Cup, which will take place in Pontlevoy, France one week before the 2023 Rugby World Cup kick-off, is the first-ever world tournament for school rugby world for boys and girls.

To qualify for the tournament, the 12 players must be under 15 years of age and born between 8 September 2008 and 7 September 2010. They will be accompanied by three team officials on their trip.

Read: Toowong’s Max Harding Named Brisbane’s Best Hockey Player

The Stuartholme students will travel with Iona College, the Australian representative schoolboys’ team.

Published 20-April-2023

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

As part of the Toowong to West End green bridge project, a segment of the former ABC site will be repurposed for the bridge’s northern landing.

Read: New Development Plans for Former ABC Site on Coronation Drive in Toowong

This was confirmed by Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner when he graced the opening of the Monarch Residence’s display office on the riverside site in March 2023.

Cr Schrinner revealed that Brisbane City Council will proceed with the acquisition of a 2217 sqm segment of the high-end residential complex to construct the bridge landing.

Artist’s impression of the West End landing for the Toowong to West End Green Bridge (Photo credit: Brisbane City Council/Flickr)

According to Cr Schrinner, Council has allocated funds for the acquisition and is currently progressing with the process.

The green bridge project has received a $550 million commitment from the Council. However, the cost of acquiring the land for the bridge landing has not been disclosed by the Mayor, as discussions with Consolidated Properties Group, the company responsible for the luxury residential development, are still ongoing.

West End green bridge — Artist’s impression of the bridge’s rest point with seating and viewing opportunities (Photo credit: Brisbane City Council/Flickr)

Cr Schrinner added that they are appealing to the federal government to back the bridge’s construction. The Council has gained support from RACQ, which is endorsing its proposal to the federal government for funding towards the construction of the bridge.

The cost of obtaining the land for the bridge landing will be made public once negotiations are finalised with Consolidated Properties Group.

About the Toowong to West End Green Bridge

The bridge is one of the four new green bridges for Brisbane. The green bridge would make it easier to walk or ride between the growing West End community and the Toowong Centre, rail and ferry services.

The Council has suspended the planning phase of the Toowong to West End Green Bridge to prioritise flood relief activities throughout Brisbane. Despite this, the Council has revealed the community consultation results on the project’s concept design.

Read: It’s Official: A New Inner-West Primary School Will No Longer Be Built at the Former Toowong Bowls Club Site

Council undertook community consultation on the concept design between November 2021 and February 2022.

To learn more about the project, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au.

Published 19-April-2023

Reviving History: Monarch Residences to Bring New Life to Middenbury House with 224 Luxurious Apartments

Photo credit: Monarch Residences / monarchresidences.com.au

The heritage-listed 150-year-old Middenbury House is set for restoration under Consolidated Properties Group’s $450 million project called Monarch Residences, which will also deliver 224 apartments across two buildings, once completed.

Consolidated Properties Group, a prominent Australian property development company, acquired 600 Coronation Drive for $43.5 million from Sunland in March 2021, and the development application was approved in July of the same year.

The project is a joint venture with funding partner Qualitas and will comprise two 15-level towers, featuring 224 apartments ranging from 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom units, including penthouses.

Reviving History: Monarch Residences to Bring New Life to Middenbury House with 224 Luxurious Apartments — Photo credit: Monarch Residences / monarchresidences.com.au

“Monarch Residences is a contemporary and luxury addition to a place of heritage. The history of this prominent riverfront land should be celebrated and thus termed; Monarch. True to everything that embodies a sense of place, this unique location combines heritage, prime absolute river frontage and gorgeous city and mountain views all within an expansive garden setting.” — Monarch Residences

Built in 1865 as a private residence, the heritage-listed Middenbury House will be carefully restored, conserved, and transformed into a riverfront restaurant and café. It will be situated on 1.2 hectares of beautifully landscaped gardens, which will also include the proposed landing area for the new green pedestrian bridge connecting Toowong to the West End.

With over 3,000m2 of open space, the project’s riverside area provides an excellent opportunity for the community to enjoy the stunning river views. The residences are also carefully designed to maximise the unbeatable river and city views, along with natural light and outdoor space.

The rooftop amenities of the Monarch Residences are exceptional, featuring a heated infinity pool, private dining area, relaxed lounge, sauna, ‘Winter Den,’ and several private BBQ seating areas.

Construction of the Monarch Residences began in March and is expected to take approximately two and a half years, with Hutchinson Builders overseeing the project.

Published 18-April-2023

Australian Unity Set to Build $100M Retirement Village in Auchenflower Following Approval

Australian Unity is set to build its $100M retirement and aged care village in Auchenflower after securing approval for the project.

Read: The Wesley Hospital in Auchenflower Launches New Initiative for Lonely and Vulnerable Patients

The retirement and aged care village in Auchenflower will consist of three buildings. The buildings will be three, seven, and ten storeys high, respectively, and will be constructed on a 6897 sqm property owned by the Catholic Church at 9-17 Harriett Street.

To transform the development into a community-focused living precinct, Fender Katsalidis has been engaged to enhance the previously approved plans for the project.

Revised plans presented by Fender Katsalidis indicate a slight reduction in the total number of homes in the proposed retirement and aged care village.

The new plans for the buildings now include 87 independent living apartments, which is one unit less than the previous approval.

In addition, the development will have 108 residential aged care units, which is two suites less than previously proposed. The total area of the development is 18,242 sqm.

However, there is a significant increase in the amount of communal space planned for the aged care village. The communal space will now nearly double in size, from 570 sqm to 1139 sqm, providing more shared spaces for residents.

According to planners at Urbis, the proposed changes to the Auchenflower retirement village are a response to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

The new design has been enhanced to ensure a higher quality of resident care and well-being, with a particular focus on the ‘small household’ model of care encouraged by the Commission.

Read: Locals Raise Concerns About Proposed Freers Redevelopment of Stuartholme School

The Holy Spirit Catholic Church situated on the property will be conserved. Australian Unity purchased the property, which was part of the Greengate portfolio, for $65 million in 2021.

Published 12-April-2023