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Steps Taken to Acquire Toowong Green Bridge Landing Site

Despite a pause in the construction of the West End-Toowong Green Bridge project, steps have now been undertaken to acquire a portion of the property owned by the Consolidate Properties Group along Coronation Drive in Toowong as it will become the bridge’s landing site.

The developer has plans to build a residential complex near the West End-Toowong Green Bridge project. However, roughly 2,365 square metres of the 1.2-hectare apartment development will need to be resumed to the government for the green bridge.

The Toowong landing site will be built on the southeast corner of the property near the Middenbury House. The plans indicate that the area will include a small riverside park with seating and landscaping. The landing site is also going to connect to Archer Street via walking and riding routes, allowing bikers to ride toward the Bicentennial Bikeway from Coronation Drive.

“We have paused our two green bridges connecting to West End while we concentrate on Brisbane’s rebuild and recovery following the devastating floods,” Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said in a statement.

“However, we remain committed to building these two bridges which are strongly supported by local residents.

“Buying the Toowong location now so it is available when we are ready to proceed just makes sense.

“While this is just a small section of the site, the riverside property isn’t going to get cheaper in the long term so making this purchase now is in the best interests of ratepayers.”

Council’s move to acquire the land has downplayed fears that the pause on the West End-Toowong Green Bridge project would be permanent. However, Schrinner also said that Council is working to secure funding for the project.

The preliminary business case for the West End-Toowong Green Bridge project cites that mobility will be much improved in this part of the city once it’s completed.

Meanwhile, a West End-St Lucia green bridge construction has also been paused as funding needs to be secured.

Josie North in Toowong Now Open Late at Night for Wine Lovers

Did you know that Josie North, a popular breakfast and brunch place at the Clements Arcade in Toowong is now operating on extended hours three nights a week as a wine bar?

Matt Roggenkamp, the owner of Josie North, has introduced the wine bar concept to his specialty-coffee destination after realising that Toowong was missing such pleasure. In fact, a customer once kidded Roggenkamp that he should host wine nights at the coffee shop.

From Thursday to Saturday, the coffee shop opens late to serve vino from small-scale producers in Australia, France, and Italy. At least six bottles are on regular rotation and can be ordered by the glass, like Fistful of Flowers Vermentino from Momento Mori or Bloody Hill shiraz from Mayer.

Once in a while, however, the wine list will have rare bottles for returning diners who may be on the lookout for something new.

As for the food, the wine bar offers a small selection on the menu, such as ‘nduja toast with tomato and basil oil, burrata with broad bean and herbs, or the chicken cotoletta with Italian slaw and truffle hot sauce. Though short on choices, these flavourful food go well with the wine list.

Josie North’s layout and seating arrangements remain the same for wine nights, except with dimmer lights and louder relaxing music. Though coffee is still its star product, the after-dark crowd has embraced this refreshing change so far.

Follow Josie North on Facebook for updates.

“Love this Cafe. A bit hidden away in the back of an arcade type alley so can easily miss it, but the coffee they serve here is always high quality. Service is impeccable.”
James Cameron

“A must try if you’re in the area! The customer service was exceptional, as was the iced oat latte and avocado smash! Will definitely be back!”
Jack Smith

“A nice little spot for speciality coffee and a quick catch up. Had a share serving of the filter coffee with a friend. Would recommend sitting inside on very sunny days as the outside/walkway seating can get fairly warm from the skylights.”
Anna

Toowong’s Linden Lea, Two Other Cases, Sparked Review of Qld’s Heritage Protection System

Photo credit: Google Maps

The demolition of Linden Lea, a Tudor-style historic home in Toowong, and several other similar cases have triggered a review of the effectiveness of the Queensland heritage protection system. Here are the findings and recommendations of the Queensland Heritage Advisory Panel.

In 2021, a group of residents sought the protection of the 85-year-old Linden Lea on Archer Street in Toowong from demolition through a heritage register application. The effort, however, proved to be too late as the historic home was eventually knocked down which prompted calls for legislative changes.

The Queensland Heritage Advisory Panel (QHAP) was established in April 2021 to develop recommendations to better protect heritage places in Queensland by examining the effectiveness of the current heritage protection system.

“…Limitations of the current system, including those within the Heritage Act, have been brought to light through cases like “Home” (Lamb House) at Kangaroo Point and the Broadway Hotel at Woolloongabba. Both properties, included in the QHR and locally listed in the Brisbane City Plan 2014, have been at risk in recent years, the report said.

“Linden Lea, an interwar period house in a Brisbane City Council (BCC) character area was demolished in March 2021 despite considerable community concern and a reactive heritage register application. This illustrates that approved development cannot be prevented by current Heritage Act provisions and that a strategic approach to community heritage register applications needs to be encouraged.

Linden Lea Toowong — Google Street View of Linden Lea, September 2020 | Photo Credit: Google Maps

“…Given these recent high profile incidents involving heritage places and that the Queensland Heritage Act is now nearly thirty years old, an examination of the heritage legislative framework is timely.”

The panel’s recommendations focused on three themes: legislative reform and strengthening Qld’s heritage framework; support for heritage stakeholders; and better communication, understanding and engagement.

Some of the key issues identified through the QHAP process include:

Additions to and removals from the QHR rely on applications from the public or place owners, resulting in an ad hoc approach to which places are considered for entry in the QHR, and leading to underrepresentation of Queensland’s diverse heritage places.
An increasing number of stop order requests and community-led QHR applications are seeking to prevent approved development or development applications proceeding; however, the QHR application process cannot override an existing development application or approval.
The range of local heritage processes provides flexibility for local governments, but has resulted in an inconsistent approach across Queensland and created confusion

The QHR registration process and stop orders cannot overturn existing development approvals or change the outcome of development applications, despite community expectations to the contrary.
Queensland’s lack of interim protection for heritage places at State and local levels is not best heritage practice and puts it well behind other Australian jurisdictions.

The recommendations include:

Undertake gap analysis of the QHR to determine under-represented place types.
Engage with local councils and key advocacy agencies to establish a more strategic heritage listing approach for State and local heritage places informed by gap analyses and thematic research data.
Engage with the community to encourage strategic community applications for local and State heritage places.
Revise Heritage Act provisions relating to essential repair and maintenance work to meaningfully allow for the protection of at-risk State and local heritage places and align them with current standards across Australia.
Explore legislative options to provide appropriate interim protection for places that are the subject of a QHR application, and align interim heritage protection with other jurisdictions across Australia.

The Queensland Government recently adopted all 22 recommendations of the QHAP’s report in relation to heritage places and the effectiveness of the Queensland Heritage Act 1992(Qld).

Following the release of the QHAP report, the Toowong Residents Group, who campaigned against the demolition of the Linden Lea noted that “problems are continuing.”

“Unfortunately, the problems are continuing – for example, Bundaberg has recently lost its historical Anzac Memorial Pool due to its belligerent council rushing to demolish the pool while recommended heritage classification was being formalised.

The group’s and former Queensland Health deputy director-general Dr John Scott likewise underscored the importance of policy-makers focusing more on what would be best for a neighbourhood rather than the dictates of the market in their planning decisions.

Toowong has been undergoing a transformation in recent years and the group has been advocating for the preservation of the suburb’s character amid a slew of development applications since 2015.

Inside West Brisbane’s New Cafes Mis.spelt And Riser Bread

Misspelt and Riser Bread, two of west Brisbane’s newest cafes, have been featured in a local magazine’s best openings for 2022. Here’s what to expect with these newly opened cafes, and what to grab on your visit, based on locals’ recommendations.

Read: Where To Go In Toowong For Sweet And Savoury Treats

Riser Bread

From a sourdough subscription service, Riser Bread has evolved into a cafe, serving their pastries from a charming space in a historic Queenslander in Toowong.

The Queenslander, located in Miskin St, was given a bit of makeover to feature an open kitchen and plenty of space where diners can enjoy their bread, pastries, and coffee.

The first thing you will notice when you enter is the amount of natural light that illuminates the space, which accentuates the cafe’s rustic interiors.

Take your pick from their house blend and a rotation of filter coffee courtesy of Coffee Supreme, to go with your choice of comfort food like their croissants, Kouign-amann, and Fruit Danish.

Riser Bread is open Thursday to Satursday, from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on Sundays, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Check out their Instagram @riserbread for updates.

The danishes & croissants here are out of this world! They are soo crunchy & buttery. They also use fresh ingredients on their fruit danishes which I love. I can’t stand when places use canned or frozen goods. Maybe the best place in Brisbane!
Jasmine Strelkoff

Everything about this place is top notch! There are too many delicious-looking things to try in one visit (seasonal danish and sausage roll are particularly good), with excellent coffee and lovely staff in a beautiful space.
Georgie O’Brien

Misspelt

Misspelt is a lovely little cafe in Paddington, with room enough for a table and a few chairs by the window and a pink hued pastry cabinet filled to the brim with sweet and savoury treats.

They have an extensive menu of mouthwatering treats, from sourdough to loaves, which you can wash down with a cup of coffee from their sibling, Blackout Coffee, which is located right next door.

The cafe is the brainchild of Eli Rami and Sam Holman, the same hospitality duo who brought Brisbane some of its most unique destinations, such as Noir Wine Bar which is in Given Terrace, and Uh-Oh Spaghetti-o, a pasta bar in Fortitude Valley.

Read: Sumptuous Vegan, Vegetarian Options Now Up At Regatta’s River Road Cafe

Mis.spelt Paddington is open seven days a week. You can follow them on Instagram @mis.speltbakery.

THIS IS MY NEW FAVOURITE MORNING SPOT! Paddington has been seriously lacking in the baked goods department, it’s so refreshing to have a cute spot with a great selection of pastries, local produce and great coffee next door. The staff and manager are so friendly and fun, great vibes and energy
Kat H

Mis.spelt blew me away! Couldn’t pick between the almond croissant and that mouth watering sausage roll, so I got both. Verdict: delicious. The space and the staff compliment each other with awesome personality to make this place the perfectly scrumptious twin to Blackout. The bread is also brilliant. Definitely a dangerous place to be a loaf of sourdough…
Rory Freemantle

Woolworths Opens New Toowong Site After 5 Years

A new Woolworths site has finally opened at the Toowong Village on Sherwood Rd five years after the supermarket chain closed its stand-alone outlet on the opposite side of the road.

The 4,000-sqm location, which officially welcomed shoppers on the 7th of December 2022, offers the full line and will have about 100 staff members to assist the customers. It’s the first new supermarket to open in Brisbane’s inner west after more than a decade.

In 2017, the old Woolworths opposite Toowong Village, which had been one of the very first supermarkets in the precinct, had to permanently close as the property was up for redevelopment as a multi-level residential and commercial centre.

Toowong Village, which recently revamped its retail lineup, has Coles on the ground floor and just welcomed The Source, a grocery store for bulk purchases. The shopping centre has two Asian supermarkets as well, Hanamart and Fresco.

For the first time in 36 years, Toowong Village also upgraded its travelators and glass lifts to improve accessibility, especially for its senior customers.

The refurbishments and update come as Coles is also in the midst of an inner west expansion with Coles Local in Taringa and plans lodged for Bardon and Milton.

Woolworths Toowong has taken over the space formerly occupied by David Jones at the gallery level of the shopping centre.

The supermarket includes a new onsite bakery that serves freshly-baked bread, gourmet pastries and bespoke cakes. The outlet also features a large deli section and a sushi bar from Sushi Izu.

Woolworths Toowong is open as early as 7:00 a.m. amidst the Christmas rush. Incidentally during this holiday season, Toowong Village is offering ticketless free parking for the first three hours effective the 1st of December 2022.

Absolutely incredible, words cannot describe how delighted I am for Woolworths to bless me with it’s presence, I have been counting down the days and staying up all night in anticipation for the opening. And Woolworths has delivered above and beyond, absolutely pogchamp, to say the least.
Angus

Beautifully presented store with really fresh produce and friendly staff. Smaller floor area than Woolworths Indooroopilly yet surprisingly had items I can’t find at Indro. Makes the Coles downstairs look like a Bi-Lo (sorry Coles!)
Nick

I have been looking forward to this Woolworths since it was announced. So excited to see it finally open and be just as good as I imagined. Very well presented store that I will be going to everytime I need groceries.
Matthew

Remembering Wallace Bishop: Successful Jeweller and Brisbane Boys College Alumnus

Wallace Bishop may have passed but his legacy lives on in the company that is now one of Australia’s oldest and most successful jewellery businesses.

The beloved Brisbane jeweller who made the family business a national brand, died peacefully at home on the 17th of November 2022, at the age of 88.

The grandson of his namesake, Wallace Bishop, who came to Queensland in 1909 and opened the family’s first store in the city, is a third-generation family jeweller. He joined his grandfather’s company after sitting for his Year 10 examinations at Brisbane Boys College, where he was Dux of his class in 1950.

At that time, the family had two stores, including the Wallace Bishop Arcade on King George Street, which would become a Brisbane landmark for over seven decades.

In 1976, Wal, as he was fondly called, became the chief executive officer of the Wallace Bishop company and ran the family business from day to day. The jewellery brand was already established name in Queensland, supporting 160 workers.

Two decades later, under his guidance, Wallace Bishop bought the Hardy Brothers Jewellers, a 166-year-old Australian company marketing high-end products. The jeweller also secured the opportunity to design and deliver the handcrafted Melbourne Cup for 17 years.

Today, the family business has over 50 stores and more than 500 employees and Wal’s son, Stuart, has taken the reins. Stuart said his father succeeded because he believed that “what goes around comes around” and had always given back to the community.

Wal also surrounded himself with loyal associates and believed that luck is paid off with hard work.

In 2018, Wal was awarded the Order of Australia membership for his significant contribution to retail business. A year later, he was also inducted into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame.

‘Heartbreaking’: Dozens of Native Animals Kept in Poor Conditions in Toowong Home

The animals, including possums, were allegedly kept in poor conditions | Photo credit: Department of Environment and Science / des.qld.gov.au

A joint compliance operation has seized 110 native animals and 25 carcasses from a Toowong home. The animals were found to be living in very awful conditions, with many so sick that they needed to be euthanised.

“It’s heartbreaking.” – RSPCA spokesperson Emma Lagoon

Armed with a search warrant, Queensland Police Service (QPS), the Department of Environment and Science (DES) conducted the raid at a Toowong residence where They found more than 100 live animals.

Many of the animals found in small cages that have no access to sunlight and fresh air. A closer inspection showed that 85 of the animals were found to be sick and required immediate veterinary treatment.

It took officers from QPS, QPWS and a large team of RSPCA Inspectors, wildlife staff, and several vehicles to transport all the remaining native animals to the RSPCA Wacol facility where they were assessed and treated.

Unfortunately, 67 of the animals taken to Wildlife Hospital were in such a bad state of health and had no chance of being rehabilitated and released to the wild that they had to be euthanized.

“Wildlife officers and police searched the house in relation to a number of wildlife offences that were alleged to have been committed,” Compliance officer Warren Christensen said.

“Our investigation has shown the person may be allowed to conduct native animal rehabilitation activities under a group rehabilitation permit, but it is clear the person had taken too many animals into care.”

The animals included birds and they allegedly did not receive adequate treatment | Photo credit: Department of Environment and Science / des.qld.gov.au

RSPCA spokesperson Emma Lagoon said that the state of the animals and the living conditions that they were required to endure has left their team in a state of shock and disbelief.

“It’s weighed heavily on our team. We’re here to save our wildlife and so many of these patients were beyond saving.

“The whole investigation has been emotionally taxing for the RSPCA team and we would like to commend QPS and DES for their hard work in this investigation so the animals involved could get the appropriate care they needed,” Ms Lagoon said.

The police also discovered 25 deceased animals stacked inside the freezers located beneath the house, with some already unable to be identified, and believed to have been euthanized due to illness and disease.

The animals that were seized include:

Ringtail and brushtail possums
Birds – magpie, kookaburras, crow, currawong, bush turkey, curlew, butcher bird, pigeons, barn owl, pacific black ducks, tawny frogmouth, rainbow lorikeets, noisy minor
Reptiles – pythons, turtles, eastern water dragon
Phascogale

After the early November raid, the case remains under investigation with QPS and DES as they work towards the filing of appropriate charges.

“Our investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information about offences under the Animal Care and Protection Act or breaches of wildlife rehabilitation permits is encouraged to call 1300 130 372,” Mr Christensen said

“Wildlife carers provide a vital service throughout Queensland, and most of them are extremely diligent when it comes to the care and rehabilitation of their animals.

“Under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, carers and wildlife groups are required to hold permits to rehabilitate sick, injured, or orphaned protected animals so they can be returned to the wild.

“Wildlife carers must comply with strict animal welfare requirements under the Code of Practice Care of Sick, Injured or Orphaned Protected Animals in Queensland.

“As the environmental regulator, DES will take strong action against anyone operating unlawfully or putting the conservation or welfare of our native wildlife at risk.”

Who Should Fix Damaged Headstones at Toowong Cemetery?

Observations of damaged headstones at Toowong Cemetery have raised questions about who is responsible for fixing them after some locals called on authorities to intervene in repairing them.

Read: Historian Asks For Preservation Of Burial Sites In Toowong Cemetery

With a history dating back to 1875, Toowong Cemetery is now already home to around 117,000 graves. Many of the headstones at the cemetery have fallen and a number of the grave surrounds have collapsed.

Finding graves at the cemetery can also be extremely difficult. Since most of the graves at the cemetery are quite old, the majority of headstones do not have numbers markings on them. This is due to the fact that the practice of marking numbers on headstones was not introduced until the late 1900s.

Under the Queensland Cemeteries Act 1865, the burial rights holder and their descendants are responsible for maintaining individual graves.

There are locals who believe this law should be updated; however, others believe taxpayers’ money would be put to better use providing housing for the ‘living’ instead of being spent on graves.

Jack Sim, a historian and member of Friends of Toowong Cemetery, noted that repairing and maintaining headstones can be very expensive, highlighting the fact that the cemetery is home not just to hundreds but thousands of headstones needing repair.

Mr Sim, who is famous for his ghost tours at Toowong Cemetery and other cemeteries across the city, said in 2021, that restoring deteriorating burial places would require Brisbane City Council to have an emergency fund, since the cost of repinning a headstone is estimated to be around $3,000.

Meanwhile, Council has made it clear that maintenance of headstones and plaques, including the restoration of old and dilapidated headstones, is the responsibility of the family and descendants.

BCC currently maintains 12 cemeteries across the city and this includes Toowong Cemetery.

Whilst Council is working with community groups like Friends of Toowong Cemetery to improve the cemetery’s condition, they are only responsible for maintaining the cemetery grounds.

Read: What You Need To Know About the Toowong Cemetery Ghost Tour

Council’s responsibility for the cemetery, according to law, only includes mowing, whipper snipping, tree care, topping-up dirt levels in graves, lifting and levelling subsided plaques, and cleaning-up old and unwanted flowers off gravesites.

Brisbane Boys’ College Scores Major Coup, Names John Buchanan as First XI Coach

Photo Credit: Facebook / Buchanan Success Coaching

Brisbane Boys’ College has just scored a major coup, naming John Buchanan, the most successful cricket coach in history, as its First XI Coach for the 2023 season.

Brisbane Boys’ College (BBC), a school with a proud cricket progeny in the likes of rising Bulls star Matt Willans, plus Chris Hartley, Jack Clayton, and Craig Philipson, has officially appointed the record-breaking coach as the squad’s mentor for the 2023 GPS First XI, a competition that he participated in when he played for The Southport School from 1969 to 1970.

Mr Buchanan also represented Queensland playing seven Sheffield Shield matches between 1978 to 1979.

Coach Par Excellence

In 1994, Mr Buchanan was appointed coach for the Queensland Bulls, a position he held for five years. During that period, the state squad won the Mercantile Mutual Cup twice and acquired its first-ever Shield since competing in the Sheffeld Shield in 1926-27.

He then went on to coach the Australian Cricket Team for eight years, beginning in 1999, leading the team to one success after another.

During his time as coach, the Australian Cricket Team set a world record by winning 16 straight Test Matches, as well as achieving 29 undefeated World Cup matches and winning One-Day International 14 consecutive times.

By the time he retired from coach duties, the team had become World Cup Champions, Test Cricket World Champions, and holders of The Ashes, thanks to his unmatched mentoring skills.

Former Australian Coach Appointed Brisbane Boys’ College First XI Coach — Photo Credit: Facebook / Buchanan Success Coaching

For the upcoming GPS First XI season foray of the BBC, the legendary coach said he would focus on making sure that the BBC squad has the best skills they could possibly have, a sentiment he also expressed when he voiced his excitement over his latest appointment.

Brisbane Boys’ College’ First XI Captain Jamie Alexander was just as pleased for an amazing opportunity for the boys to work with the highly acclaimed coach, who has a win record of over 75% since 1999.

What You Need To Know About the Toowong Cemetery Ghost Tour

The Toowong Cemetery Ghost Tour is a fun, chilling, and educational tour that is not for the faint of heart. If you’re ready to hear spooky stories such as The Statue That Moves, Ghosts of Paddington Cemetery, Mayne Murder, and The Black Prince, here are a few things you need to know before booking your tour.

Read: Historian Asks For Preservation Of Burial Sites In Toowong Cemetery

It’s presented by Jack Sim

Jack Sim, Director of Ghost Tours Australia, has been hosting true crime tours around Brisbane for over 25 years, in hopes of raising awareness of some of the city’s most terrible crimes.

Sim, a dark historian, authored Ghost Trails, a collectors’ series for fans of Haunted Heritage consisting of creepy collections of several hundred sites based on a theme.

Those who will join the Toowong Cemetery Ghost Tour will get a copy of The Ghosts of Toowong Cemetery written by Jack Sim.

You can take photos only

Filming is strictly not permitted. However, you can take some photos whilst on tour, as long as it’s done whilst the guide is not speaking to avoid distraction.

Wear a pair of comfortable shoes

The tour is going to last for two hours. With that in mind, it’s best to wear flat-soled enclosed shoes. Please note that thongs, sandals, and high heels are not permitted on tour.

Ghost hunting is not allowed

Hence, guests are not permitted to use Ouija boards, pendulums, video and still photography, psychic, medium and clairvoyant channeling of spirits, as well as apps for ghost hunting or paranormal investigation during the tour.

Those who are interested in Paranormal Investigations are encouraged to join Ghost Tours Australia’s ghost hunting tours at the Goodna Cemetery and Ipswich Cemetery.

Certain Level of Fitness is Required

Because steep hills are involved in the tour, it’s important that guests have moderate to high levels of fitness. Make sure to check the disability requirements for the tour, just to be sure.

You can bring the kids

Kids over the age of 10 are allowed to join the tour. However, parents and guardians are being reminded that the tours usually feature strong content in the form of true historic ghost stories.

The stories may include gruesome and macabre material including murders, crimes, violence, deaths, executions and suicide. The stories can be frightening, scary and distressing especially for young children.

Read: Toowong Cemetery Tours from FOSBC Not Shutting Down

Bring your own torch

Each guest at is required to bring their own torch. Torch apps on smart phones are suitable.

To learn more about the Toowong Cemetery Ghost Tour or to buy your tickets, visit https://ghosttoursaustralia.com.au/.