Homepage Latest News Archives - Page 22 of 41

Plans for New Inner West Primary School in Toowong Being Reconsidered

Plans to build a new inner west primary school at the former site of the Toowong Bowls Club are being reconsidered due to several concerns raised by locals, such as flooding and environmental impact.

Read: Should the New Inner-West Primary School Be Built at the Former Toowong Bowls Club Site?

Plans for New Inner West Primary School

In December 2021, the Queensland Government announced that the former Toowong Bowls Club near Perrin Park has been earmarked for the new primary school, making it the first inner suburban primary school to be built in Brisbane in more than 60 years.

Previously, the Education Department had said that the two rounds of community consultation and significant studies point to the former bowls club as the preferred site and that it is a great location for the proposed new school.

Photo credit: Queensland Department of Education

Based on plans, a three-level classroom would be built above the 11m floodline, with main access to be located on Heroes Ave. It was anticipated to open in 2024 and will cater to Prep to Year 6 students.

The State Government is investing $90 million towards the new school and construction will support more than 200 jobs for the local economy.

Local Feedback

In a radio interview with ABC Radio Brisbane, Education Minister Grace Grace said she was extremely conscious of negative feedback from the community, especially following the disastrous flooding earlier in 2022.

During the floods earlier this year, the former Toowong Bowls Club was left more than 2 metres under water. Several streets nearby, such as Josling St, were also closed due to flooding.

Aside from listening to the concerns of the community, Ms Grace also asked the department to study the flood problems at the site. Other concerns raised, aside from flooding, included traffic congestion and significant loss of green space, as well as impact on the flying fox colony located in Perrin Park.

Greens MP Michael Berkman welcomed the department’s decision, adding that they still have his support, given that there’s still a need for a new school in the inner west in the very near future.

Mr Berkman is pushing for a site near to where Taringa State School was before being sold off in 1997, that’s close to the train station and other public transport links.

New Inner West Primary School — Inner West map (Photo credit: Queensland Department of Education)

“I’ve been clear from the outset that neither the Toowong site nor ISHS were appropriate, and that the Department should have commenced planning and found a suitable site much earlier. This has consistently been the focus of my submissions and discussions with the Department about the location,” he said.

Mr Berkman is also inviting members of the community to have their say if they have an idea for a new school site in Taringa that’s big enough to allow buildings and play space, close to public transport, and doesn’t result in a loss of public green space. Those who have suggestions can send an email to Mr Berkman at maiwar@parliament.qld.gov.au.

Feedback, which was gathered from 18 April to 8 May 2022, will be considered in the ongoing planning for the school.

Toowong Village Revamps Its Retail Line Up

Photo Credit: Toowong Village / toowongvillage.com.au

Big changes are happening as Toowong Village adds new stores to its retail offerings during its ongoing refurbishment. Shoppers can now expect to see Woolworths, TK Maxx, and Fresco Supermarket, to name a few, open on or before 2022 ends.

Hanaromart Toowong | Photo Credit: Hanaromart / hanaromartonline.com

Asian grocery store, Hanaromart is now open on the ground level in the food court whilst another Asian supermarket, Fresco, is set to open its doors in late 2022. The 4,000-sqm Woolworths and TK Maxx are coming to the centre later this year as well.

“We are welcoming Woolworths, TK Maxx, two international supermarkets and a strong mix of specialty retailers. This will complement the already strong performing Coles, bespoke fresh food precinct, and the intimate village atmosphere,” Retail First, which manages the centre said.

Owners YFG Shopping Centres announced that the shake-up in Toowong Village’s retail lineup comes as the centre undergoes a redevelopment. At the Ground level, the lift at its Sherwood Road entry has been upgraded servicing B1 and Level 2 and will provide street access to Gallery Level once Woolworths, which will replace David Jones, opens in late 2022.

Gallery Level will be transformed into a new Fresh Food and Lifestyle precinct which is set to open in late November this year. ANZ will likewise open on the Gallery Level next to Bed Bath N’ Table in late September whilst Juniper & Co will relocate from Level 1.

Toowong Village will remain open during its redevelopment whilst keeping disruption to a minimum.

Wrex Woolnough of Toowong Parish Celebrates 50 Years Of Priesthood

Father Wrex Woolnough of St Ignatius Parish Toowong celebrated his 50th Anniversary of Ordination with a Mass of Thanksgiving, as he looks back on his journey as a priest which saw him move from Aspley to England to Wavell Heights to Caboolture and then finally, Toowong.

Read: Stuartholme School Toowong To Start Years 5 and 6 Intake, Plans New Precinct

On his golden jubilee mass, Fr Wrex looked back on his journey as a priest which began in Aspley, where he was posted for two years, before spending the next three years in England.

St Ignatius Parish Toowong — Photo credit: St Ignatius Parish, Toowong/Facebook

He returned to the seminary for 13 years, then spent over a decade at Wavell Heights before becoming a Parish Priest at Caboolture for 17 years. From there, he moved to Toowong, where he has spent around four years, also as Parish Priest at the time of writing.

Fr Wrex thanked everyone who showed up in his golden jubilee, sharing how the people’s presence in his life has been significant and how it left a significant mark on who he is.

Wrex Woolnough — Fr Wrex during his younger years (Photo credit: St Ignatius Parish, Toowong)

All the parishioners at St Ignatius Parish are also grateful for all the things Fr Wrex has done for their Parish community since his appointment in 2018.

“We give thanks for the gifts you have shared so freely with the Catholic community of Queensland for 50 years. We celebrate your scholarship, teaching, steady friendship and gentle purpose and offer our loving blessings for the years ahead,” a social media post from the St Ignacius Parish reads.

St Ignatius School Principal Duncan Maitland congratulated Fr Wrex on his golden jubilee, describing him as an important part of the parish and school community.

Always generous with his smiles and hi-fives, Mr Maitland said Fr Wrex is a common face in the playground.

“He has touched so many people’s lives in so many ways. We value his generosity, kindness, joy, ability to have a good laugh and of course, the enthusiasm he shows for the learning happening at St Ignatius,” Mr Maitland said.

St Ignatius Catholic Primary School Toowong had a double celebration that day. Aside from special celebrations for Fr Wrex’s Jubilee, the school also held their annual St Ignatius Day.

Police Investigating Gruesome Anzac Park Animal Slaughter

The discovery of more than 20 mutilated and decapitated animals, including a koala and a Border Collie, in Anzac Park has caused much distress among Toowong residents. A police investigation is underway.

The RSPCA and the Queensland Police Service are already investigating and scouring a number of CCTV footage around Anzac Park after Council workers found dumped plastic bags two 44-litre drums on the scene. The bags and drums contained the remains of the animals, which were discovered on the evening of Thursday, 28 July 2022.

The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services and a scientific unit have also been called to investigate, where an established zone was determined for testing. However, the tests have not returned any significant readings.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner condemned the sick act and said he’s “saddened, disturbed and appalled” by the discovery. The Council workers who stumbled upon the remains have been offered counselling. Anyone with information or leads may also contact QPS or Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.

“Hurting defenceless animals usually escalates to hurting humans. Please, if anyone knows who is responsible for this, please contact the police,” a local said.

Most visitors to Anzac Park, however, were mostly unaware of the discovery as activities around the area have remained normal by the weekend. Anzac Park has dense bushland in the northern boundary with heaps of beautiful Queenslander homes in its surrounding.

The maximum penalty for an individual convicted of cruelty to animals is $275,700 or 3 years imprisonment under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001. However, the offender may also serve seven years in prison under the Criminal Code Act 1899 for severe animal cruelty.

Stuartholme School Toowong To Start Years 5 and 6 Intake, Plans New Precinct

Stuartholme School, a leading private school in Toowong, has begun its Years 5 and 6 intake and is planning a new precinct for its Junior School students.

Read: Brisbane Boys’ College Finalises Purchase Of The Iconic Goldicott House

Starting 2024, the school will welcome students in Year 5 as the first intake in its new Junior School. By 2025, it will also start accepting Year 6 students.

“The addition of Years 5 and 6 will bring a wonderful new community to Stuartholme. In a safe, caring, and warm environment, these students will have an opportunity to understand who they are, how they belong and learn, alongside their own leadership capabilities,” said Acting Principal, Danny Crump.

Stuartholme School toowong — Photo credit: Stuartholme School (official)/Facebook

“As a leader in girls’ education, we know that the early years of education provide the foundation for successful and lifelong learning. With the introduction of Years 5 & 6, our students will have a seamless progression from the Junior School into the Secondary School.”

To accommodate the additional students, the school has also announced plans for a new dedicated Junior School precinct, on the Main Campus, which will include classrooms, toilets, and an outdoor play and recreation area.

Mr Crump said the new precinct will maximise students’ learning outcomes. The construction of the new precinct is scheduled to start in 2023.

“At the same time, students will have access to Stuartholme School’s already expansive range of facilities including swimming pool, netball and tennis courts, Library, Technologies Precinct, Art studios and design technology rooms,” Mr Crump added.

Established in 1920, it’s going to be the first time that the Catholic school for girls will add Years 5 and 6 to its year level. At the moment, the school caters to Years 7 to 12.

To learn more, visit Stuartholme School’s website.

350-Year-Old Eucalypt Trees Cut Down in Toowong

Residents in Toowong were unnerved by the sight of bulldozers at a large vacant lot by the old theological college along Elizabeth St, where workers apparently cut down and cleared a number of Eucalypt trees believed to be over 350 years old.

The site, comprising 4,307 square metres of natural habitat for birds and other wildlife, does not seem to be covered by a development application yet but it was sold in March 2022 by Savills.

Touted as a “significant land holding” for six adjoining lots, the location is within the Low-Density Residential Zone of the Indooroopilly District Neighbourhood Plan.

No VPO for the properties?

Locals believe the lots are currently not under a protected mapping overlay and residents think that the clearing allegedly received verbal approval from Council.

Greens MP for Maiwar Michael Berkan said he previously alerted Council regarding the sale of the six lots when it was advertised. He said he wrote the Lord Mayor asking to purchase the land using the Bushland Acquisition Fund. However, Mr Berkman was told that the property is not a “significant natural asset.”

“Because our laws don’t automatically protect trees of historical significance, the clearing was likely lawful (although still inappropriate),” Mr Berkman said.

“I own the property in Elizabeth Street directly opposite this land. From 1962 this was part of my childhood playground. Elizabeth Street had not been pushed through to Emerson Street until the 1970s. I was told a bulldozer was there, and went to check on Sunday. I am devastated by the destruction of these ancient trees..the birds were standing silently on the shredded remains of their homes,” neighbouring property owner Melissa McGhie said in a comment on a post in the Toowong and District Historical Society group page.

Botanist confirms trees were centuries old

Meanwhile, a botanist who has worked on the trees found data showing that they were over three centuries old, and would have likely qualified as a “significant natural asset.”

“This is going to come as a shock. I am the botanist that made the initial estimate of the age of this tree. I was basing my estimate of around 144 years old for this eucalyptus on some general data found on the internet, but new information has come to light and it is actually closer to 350 years old,” said Rob Price.

“My original estimate was based on some data from eucalypt plantation growth rates of a different species in a different location, not for tallowwood growth rates, and not in the local context specifically. I’ve just been able to obtain a paper from Queensland’s foremost eucalypt expert about the growth rates of specific species of eucalypts in the SE QLD context and my revised estimate is that this tallowwood was about 350 years old based on a 0.41cm annual diameter growth rate.”

“So this tree actually predates Captain Cook’s charting of the east coast of Australia by 108 years as it germinated around the year 1672. Let that sink in.

“It is only replaceable on a 350-year timescale, so it will be the year 2372 before a sapling in the neighbourhood reaches this size. So it was a sapling during the American revolutionary war and predates the US constitution by 11 years.”

Mr Price urges locals to contact Councillor Mackay at Walter.Taylor.Ward@bcc.qld.gov.au and the Lord Mayor at lord.mayor@brisbane.qld.gov.au regarding the razing of old trees, whilst Mr Berkman urged locals to nominate a VPO “if there are any trees that you think should be protected.”

“While a VPO won’t necessarily stop developers from being able to chop it down, it adds a layer of protection in cases like this where there is no development application,” the MP said.

Plans To Upgrade Section Of Toowong To Darra Gets $10M In Funding Commitment

The Centenary Motorway, which stretches from Frederick St in Toowong to Ipswich Mtwy in Darra, could receive some much-needed upgrades soon, to help increase traffic flow in the area, through a $10-million masterplan.

Read: Heritage-Listed ‘Dovercourt’ to Undergo Major Restoration

This comes after the Department of Transport and Main Roads announced that they are updating previous planning for the Centenary Motorway between Toowong and Darra.

The high volumes of traffic between the Ipswich Motorway interchange in the south and Toowong in the north result in road congestion and poor trip reliability and road safety.

toowong to darra — Photo credit: www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au

The masterplan, which already received a $10million commitment from the Federal Government, will involve outlining measures to improve safety, travel-time reliability and efficiency on an arterial road. It will also identify the most effective “staging approach’’ to deliver the motorway upgrade.

Additional options to improve capacity along the motorway might include intersection and on-ramp and off-ramp improvements, implementing smart freeway technology, and road widening.

Groups, especially the RACQ, welcomed the announcement given that they have been campaigning for the said upgrades to the section for several years now.

Gregory Miszkowycz, traffic and safety engineering manager at RACQ, said the section of the thoroughfare is one of the slowest highway commutes in southeast Queensland.

According to RACQ, it’s the Brisbane road with the lowest inbound peak hour speed, with vehicles moving at an average speed of 39.9 km/h on the motorway.

With regard to the planned Centenary Motorway upgrades, TMR said it would be upgraded in stages as funding becomes available.

“When completed, the fully upgraded motorway will cater for the transport demands along the corridor in the medium to long-term with upgrades focusing on safety, improving travel-times, and active transport facilities,” TMR announced.

For more information about the Centenary Motorway upgrades, visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au

Approved Development for Heritage-Listed Sherwood Road Mansion Site Under Appeal

Photo Credit: realestate.com

It looks like the planned restoration of the historic ‘Dovercourt’ on Sherwood Road may be up for further discussion, with some locals appealing to the Planning and Environment Court to overturn the approval of its development application.

On 26 May 2022, Andrew Newman and Christine Newman lodged a Notice of Appeal seeking, among others, the Planning and Environment Court to issue an order/judgment to:

allow the appeal;
refuse of the development application;
instruct the respondent to reinstate the waterway designation to the dry creek as contained in the previous Brisbane Town Plan including its attendant Riparian Amenity;
instruct the respondent to ensure the owner the properly replace the Moreton Bay Fig tree which has recently been allowed to die with a like tree in the same location

There were 15 grounds mentioned in the appeal including:

Aboriginal Cultural Heritage has not been assessed. Aboriginal peoples are culturally connected to the area and an Aboriginal Scar Tree and stone tools were identified in the last few years along Toowong Creek within less than a kilometre from 124 Sherwood Rd, Toowong
The ecology of the site has not been adequately investigated or reported. No suitably qualified person has reported on the ecology of the well-established, heavily vegetated site.
The application and approval did not address that the site is ecologically important in terms of its relationship to the surrounding environment.
The design, mass and siting of the proposed dwellings are unsympathetic to the local heritage residential character and will significantly reduce the visual amenity of the neighbouring properties.

Sitting on a 7,036sqm property at 124 Sherwood Road in Toowong, ‘Dovercourt’ was approved for redevelopment on 26 May 2022.

Acquired by Kirsty Faichen in 2020, the heritage-listed homestead was planned for a renovation involving major repairs on the south-side verandah, plumbing and electrical installations, ceilings, walls and roof.

To fund the renovation, Ms Faichen plans to subdivide the property, excluding the 4,000sqm on which Dovercourt sits, where five new dwellings and a new driveway will be built on the rear portion of the property.

proposed plans on Sherwood Road site — Proposed plans on Sherwood Road site | Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au/

Even before the property was sold, some locals were already voicing concerns over a possible loss of tree cover at the site should the property get acquired by developers. They called for Brisbane City Council to intervene and buy the property instead but it didn’t materialise.

“Despite not mentioning anything about selling or developing the property when they bought it, the new owners are now proposing a subdivision for four new lots on the rear part of the site, and to build four new townhouse-style homes and a new driveway. This development would cause a loss of up to 16 out of the 29 mature trees on the site,” Michael Berkman – Greens MP for Maiwar’s social media post reads.

“While I’m pleased to see the heritage house will be protected, I’m disappointed it looks like we’ll lose this significant urban bushland, and I still believe this was a massive missed opportunity by Council.” he added.

The proposed plans, however, says that several of the mature trees will be maintained.

“Regardless of the clear disconnect between the lower portion of the site and the heritage building, the design maintains several mature trees that could be associated with heritage significance of the premises,” the Assessment Report said.

“The pre-1946 aerial image illustrates trees associated with the heritage significance of the site. These trees are all identified for retention. Furthermore, additional vegetation has been detailed for retention around the heritage building.”

Brisbane Boys’ College Finalises Purchase Of The Iconic Goldicott House

Brisbane Boys’ College and the Presbyterian Methodist Schools Association (PMSA) have finalised their acquisition of the heritage-listed Goldicott House in Toowong.

Read: What is to Become of Toowong’s Goldicott House?

According to PMSA, the contract of sale for the 1.23ha site adjoining BBC was due to settle on 12 May 2022.

“Together, we are driven by our vision to build caring school communities, by providing world-class teaching and learning environments and create new and exciting educational precincts that inspire our students to be the best version of themselves,” PMSA stated in a media release.

Previous reports indicate that the private school in Toowong is eyeing to extend their boarding house at the site.

Pikos Group, the previous owners of the site, also announced the news on social media.

“We are pleased to announce that Pikos has sold heritage-listed Goldicott House in Toowong to Queensland private school Brisbane Boys’ College. With support from the local community, BBC are planning to retain the 1800s homestead as an education asset,” the Pikos Group has shared on a Facebook post.

The heritage-listed home has been spared from demolition twice, one in 2018 and another one just two years later after the Planning & Environment Court ruled in 2020 that it could not be rezoned and subdivided.

About Goldicott House

65 grove st toowong — Photo credit: QLD Heritage Register

Goldicott House was constructed in 1885 for Brisbane engineer Charles Lambert Depree, who lived there until 1890 before returning to England.

The iconic house is recognised as the first poured concrete slab in a Queensland building. Erecting Goldicott House was a revolutionary innovation in construction at the time.

In 1903, Goldicott House was renamed Mount St Mary’s Convent after the Sisters of Mercy acquired the property.

It was listed in the Queensland Heritage Register in 1998. Goldicott House was purchased by property developers in 2017 before becoming available again recently.

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

Pikos Group acquired the property a few years ago for $8 million. In March 2022, the group sold it to the Brisbane Boys’ College for $17 million.

Heritage-Listed ‘Dovercourt’ to Undergo Major Restoration

Photo Credit: realestate.com

Heritage-listed ‘Dovercourt’ is set for a major makeover to bring the 1860s-era brick mansion to life after years of being in a state of disrepair.

Dovercourt sits on 7,036sqm land at 124 Sherwood Road, Toowong. The homestead was built by English architect William Henry Ellerker sometime in the 1860s to his own design before it was auctioned off in 1867. At the time, it had just four rooms and a detached kitchen and servant’s room. It also had a three-stalled stable, coach house, corn room and fowl house.

Dovercourt was also used as a residence for the boarders of Mr Mark’s School and had been owned by several of Brisbane’s affluent families. After being home for three generations of the Bigge family, the house was put on the market in 2020. Amid calls by locals for Brisbane City Council to acquire the property, Dovercourt was eventually sold to Kirsty Faichen.

Heritage-listed ‘Dovercourt’ interior — Photo Credit: realestate.com

Ms Faichen plans to live in the house with her two daughters after it undergoes renovations with the original features of the house she wants to be restored to its former glory. To bring one of Brisbane’s greatest mansions back to life, however, would require huge funding. And so, she had the property subdivided into five lots where five houses would be built whilst the remaining 4,000sqm would undergo a major makeover.

Dovercourt verandah — Photo Credit: realestate.com

Ms Faichen, who also tried to purchase heritage-listed ‘Endrim’, stressed that restoring the homestead is an enormous project which would involve extensive repairs on the south-side verandah, plumbing and electrical installations, ceilings, walls and roof.

Locals were not happy, though, with the subdivision of the property and are already raising funds to challenge the Council’s decision.