Homepage Latest News Archives - Page 25 of 39

Modern Boxed Units to Replace Linden Lea in Toowong

Losing Linden Lea still leaves a sore spot among the residents of Archer Street in Toowong but there’s more local outrage about this controversial inner west site as a new development plan reveals what’s going to replace one of the last Tudor-style homes in Brisbane.

Town Planning Alliance has lodged a development application (DA A005505915), on behalf of Linden Lea’s owner, Klinkert Investments, detailing plans to construct modern boxed units on the demolished site.

The developer said that the proposed structure goes in line with the Auchenflower-Toowong Neighbourhood Plan and has been designed and reconfigured to be consistent with the streetscape.

Photo Credit: Developmenti/Brisbane City Council

The modern boxed units appear to have six levels — basement, lower ground floor, actual ground floor, level one, level two and rooftop — to accommodate four apartment units. On the other hand, the front side takes up the space that used to be a garden.

However, locals and heritage lovers alike object to the development, describing the planned new building as “worlds apart” from the majestic character house. They wonder how the modern house could be assimilated with the rows of character houses on Archer Street.

Further issues were raised following a meeting with the owner, Mr Stephen Klinkert, and the architect of the apartment unit. The neighbours informed them that the construction could impact the stability of the pre-war houses next to it given the bulk and the proximity of the building to the other structures.

Neighbours failed to save Linden Lea from demolition in March 2021 amidst a last-minute bid to list the house as a heritage site. However, the Queensland Heritage Act did not have authority over the development and could not issue a stop-order.

Linden Lea’s owners filed for full demolition in 2017 and Brisbane City Council rejected the application. They submitted an appeal with the Planning and Environment Court, which overturned Council’s decision in 2019.

The development application is still undergoing review as of press time. The Toowong community is hoping that all issues will be considered prior to the approval.

Toowong, St Lucia to West End Green Bridges Confirmed After Overwhelming Support

After a four-month consultation period and more than 4,000 responses from the locals, the locations of the third and fourth green bridges to link West End to Toowong and St Lucia have been confirmed.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said that the bridge from Toowong to West End will have its landing sites at the former ABC property on Coronation Drive and Forbes Street in West End. About 83 percent of the residents agreed to this proposal, whilst 64 percent supported the plan to have a green bridge at Guyatt Park in St Lucia to connect to West End’s Orleigh Park.

Mr Schrinner said that the new owners of the former ABC site, Consolidation Property Group, have been aware of the proposal, which will become part of its upcoming development plans.

Council will soon be working on a detailed business case that will carefully map out the estimates and benefits of the Toowong to West End and St Lucia to West End green bridges, including the funding and time frame for construction.

“We will now proceed to develop business cases for each of these bridges and commence detailed design work. The rise of e-mobility is illustrating just how important major infrastructure like this is to connect communities and reduce our reliance on motor vehicles,” Councillor Ryan Murphy said.

Meanwhile, Council said that the Toowong to West End green bridge will be able to cater to 3,400 trips a day in 10 years. Per the residents’ response, the Toowong site is third on the priority list after the construction of the green bridges in Kangaroo Point and Breakfast Creek. These bridges are earmarked for construction by late 2021 and should be completed in 2023.

Only the fifth bridge’s location has yet to be determined.

Cue Up: One of the Hottest Billiard Lounges in Toowong

Come unwind with some drinks, shisha, and a few friendly games of pool at Cue Up, one of the hottest billiards venues on High Street in Toowong.

For $25, Toowong’s very own Cue Up lets people compete against one another from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. with unlimited games of pool and table football.

The venue doubles as a lounge which closes at 2:00 a.m., where people are free to stick around and hang out after their respective games have ended. Drinks are free and plentiful between 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., as a special promotion. Did we also mention that BYOB is also allowed?

Photo credit: Instagram/Cue Up (Billiard Lounge)

Shisha, in a variety of flavours, is also available at the venue. Cue Up also has 12 different flavours of Peters Ice Cream so customers literally can pick their pleasure.

Based on customer reviews, visitors like the ambiance and value for money that the lounge provides. One person refers to it as the “Best pool hall in Brisbane.”

The billiard and shisha lounge can be found at 27 High St, Toowong, open every day from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Follow their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates on deals, dates, and other special announcements.

Toowong ABC Site: New Developer Plans a Waterfront Residential Precinct

The former ABC site in Toowong has been sold to another developer which has plans to build a waterfront residential precinct sometime in mid-2022, pending the submission of a development application.

Consolidated Property Group bought the prime riverside property from Sunland for $43.5 million after months of negotiations. Sunland, which purchased the ABC site in 2013 for $20 million, also proposed a residential development, which was rejected at the Supreme Court in 2018.

James MacGinley of Consolidated Property Group said that they are hoping to have two or three residential buildings with 200 to 250 dwellings on the 1.5-hectare lot. The development will also include a waterfront open space and wider cycle paths to link to St Lucia’s Bicentennial Bikeway.

However, the design still hinges on Council’s upcoming Green Bridge development, which is still in the public consultation process. Mr MacGinley said that they will “welcome the bridge on our site” and look forward to transforming the precinct into a luxury riverfront community.

Don O’Rorke, the chief executive of Consolidated Property Group, said that they have a more “conventional vision” for the former ABC site and will follow a code-assessed application. Potentially, the heritage-listed Middenbury House could be transformed for public use as well, either as a spa or restaurant.

Maiwar Greens MP Michael Berkman has staunchly called on the Council and the State Government to buy back the ABC site to develop as a public community space. He said that this new deal between Sunland and Consolidated Property Group was a missed opportunity “to return this site to public hands.”

“I do think it’s positive that the green bridge could still land here, as my understanding from hundreds of conversations with west side locals is there’s overwhelming community support for this,” Mr Berkman said in a statement. “I’m concerned the developer hasn’t specified how much of the land will be public space, and how accessible it’ll be, or what form that might take.”

“Under our incredibly broken planning laws, the community has no genuine consultation or appeal rights on this development because it’ll be Code Assessable. This is exactly why we need to overhaul the Planning Act and make all major developments impact assessable.”

“The developer has indicated they’ll seek community input on planning the site, so my focus now is ensuring residents’ voices are heard. Stay tuned for next steps.”

West End’s The Gunshop Cafe Expands With New Location In Toowong

Photo credit: The Gunshop Cafe/Facebook

One of Brisbane’s most popular all-day breakfast cafes, The Gunshop Cafe has opened a new location in a 300-sqm space in Toowong.

The new location, launched in January 2021, takes over the space once occupied by Maria Caribbean Kitchen. It will be the second for the cafe – its original store opened at a former pistol peddler at Mollison St in West End nearly two decades ago.

The Gunshop Cafe’s omelette (Photo credit: The Gunshop Cafe/Facebook) The Gunshop Cafe’s omelette (Photo credit: The Gunshop Cafe/Facebook)

The Gunshop Cafe in Toowong has the same rustic feel of the original cafe. The space bathes in natural light, thanks to the giant windows plus there are banquet seatings and touches of wood everywhere.

But one of the highlights is its open kitchen design, which allows diners to see the food being prepared. There’s a coffee bar at the center, where baristas prepare the coffee using their own blend of beans. A spacious dining area is also waiting for those who prefer al fresco dining.

The cafe, known for its all-day breakfast menu, features customer favourites from the existing restaurant, such as the pork, apple & sage sausage, quinoa & soy bread, and their perfectly poached eggs, that’s included in many of their items, such as the pulled pork and benedict.

The menu comes with a “something special” section which features items like cookies and cream hotcake, breakfast bowl, lambs fry and bacon, pulled pork, and omelette.

The Gunshop Cafe team (Photo credit: The Gunshop Cafe/Facebook)

A visit at The Gunshop Cafe will not be complete without tasting their coffee, though iced drinks and tea are also on offer. Alcohol is not yet offered but they announced that it will be added soon.

The new Gunshop Cafe is located at 48 Jephson St, Toowong and operates seven days a week. The all-day breakfast menu is served 7:00 am to 3:00 pm whilst lunch is available from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. You can check them out on Facebook or on Instagram @thegunshopcafe for updates.

Toowong Village Basement Upgrades Begin Stage 2

Good news for shoppers of Toowong Village! The replacement of the old travelators are now halfway through completion as Stage Two of the basement upgrades has begun.

Work on the second stage has been underway since 7 April 2021 with the full replacement of travelators 2 and 3 found at the centre’s first and second basement levels.

Earlier, customers at Toowong Village were disrupted by the first stage of basement upgrades, which actually commenced in February 2021, as it cut off access from the parking to the ground floor level. Unfortunately, the Basement 2 carpark area has been temporarily closed as well.

Frequent visitors on the site, especially the elderly, said they will not be going to the stores whilst this facility cannot be used. The operators of Toowong Village explained that they had to replace the travelators as it was almost at the end of its lifecycle. The facility was never replaced since the building opened in 1986.

To compensate for the loss of parking spaces, Toowong Village opened more rooftop and Level 8 multi-deck parking spaces.

“The best place to park is the multi-deck carpark, as centre access has remained unchanged,” the shopping cente operators said. “We do understand the inconvenience caused by these works, but wish to assure you the new equipment will improve reliability and efficiency in the future.”

“If you have parked in the Basement levels, the travelator from Ground Level going down to Basement 1 or 2 levels will be in operation. You can also bring prams and strollers down the Ground level and Basement level travelators. If you have parked in the multi-deck, all travelators and lifts from Ground level to Rooftop level will be in operation.”

The centre has also offered concierge services and weekday parking validations for the temporary parking space at the ground level near Fruity Capers.

Toowong Village’s basement upgrades are expected to finish in June 2021.

What is to Become of Toowong’s Goldicott House?

Photo credit: balmainprivate.com.au

A number of residents in Toowong are concerned about the prospect of having a residential aged care development at the current location of heritage-listed Goldicott House.

Goldicott House already survived a development plan in 2018 when Goldicott House Pty Ltd ATF Goldicott House Trust proposed to subdivide the 2,340-sqm heritage-listed property located at 65 Grove Crescent, Toowong.

Source: Facebook/Toowong’s Heritage – worth fighting for

Finance group Balmain is currently seeking investors for this site. A prospectus released by Balmain reads: “The borrower is considering multiple development strategies which are consistent with planning objectives for the property, including an aged care facility comprising 150 beds and 150 independent living units.”

The document also stated that the borrower has engaged experienced town planners to assist with the planning and development process to transform Goldicott House into a residential aged care development. Balmain, describing the grand house as a ‘mixed-use property with redevelopment potential’ is currently utilised for office purposes.

It’s tagged as a fully invested property, which means it’s fully funded and settled by Balmain or a Balmain managed entity before being offered to investors. The Target Return is 7.45% p.a., net of fees and expenses, and is paid to Investors monthly in arrears.

Despite their subdivision being rejected, the owners are still trying to push forward with the development of a massive…Posted by Toowong’s Heritage – worth fighting for on Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Pikos removed the music room in February 2021, with residents claiming they were only given 12 hours’ notice before the demolition of the music room took place.

Read: BCC Saves Toowong’s Cultural Heritage Building – “Goldicott House”

Brisbane City Council’s City Planning Committee recommended disapproval of the development, after having received a total of 123 submissions from residents. Some of the issues raised by the community are environmental impact and worsening of traffic congestion, including the potential traffic danger to children of the nearby schools.

Pikos’ plan to subdivide the property was eventually rejected in 2018, with Planning Chairman Councillor Matthew Bourke stating that it failed to meet the Council’s strict criteria for a use of a Local Heritage Place.

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

About Goldicott House

Mount St Mary’s Convent in 1995 (Photo credit: apps.des.qld.gov.au)

It was built in 1885 for Brisbane engineer Charles Lambert Depree. Goldicott House was known as the first residential home to use poured concrete in its construction. Building the house was considered a revolutionary innovation in construction at the time.

Depree resided in the Goldicott House until 1890, before he returned to England. Although his family was not able to come back to Queensland following Depree’s demise in 1893, Goldicott House remained their property until 1902.

The Sisters of Mercy acquired the property in 1903 and renamed it Mount St Mary’s Convent. One of the former bedrooms, located at the northeast corner of the house, was turned into a chapel. In 1998, Goldicott was listed in the Queensland Heritage Register.

Parents Petition to Retain QASMT in Toowong in New Primary School Debate

Parents of students attending Queensland Academy for Science (QASMT) in Toowong do not support the proposal to merge with and move the school to Coorparoo Secondary College, amidst the search for an ideal location to build a new primary school in Brisbane’s west.

Education Queensland is considering this option for its space versus the student population. If QASMT moves to Coorparoo, the Toowong site would be refitted and redeveloped to accommodate the new primary school. Some 1,500 students in QASMT whilst fewer than 400 students in Coorparoo Secondary College will be affected by this merger.

But QASMT P and C President Winand D’Souza said in the radio program 4BC said that they “want to keep it where it is” as the move and merger will not be beneficial to most of the students.

Mr D’Souza said that the State Government has just spent $33 million of ratepayers’ money on QASMT’s expansion and upgrades with top-notch and state-of-the-art science and math facilities. The improvements have sealed the school’s reputation as the “STEM flagship state school specifically for high performing Queensland students.”

“It is important not to disrupt what we’re trying to do [for the kids] by keeping the school where it is.”

Following the community meeting on 15 March 2021, Education Queensland representative Helen Kenworthy reiterated the need for a new primary school in the westside to address the overcapacity in Indooroopilly State School and Ironside State School. However, the parents said QASMT will not be a good location for families with kids going to these two schools.

This isn’t the first instance QASMT’s move and the merger has been brought to the table. A councillor also suggested merging the school with the University of Queensland but the parents held their ground and insisted that the STEM-focused school has to remain in Toowong.

There were also suggestions to build the school at the former Toowong Bowls Club on Gailey Road in Taringa but Ms Kenworthy said there could be some restrictions on the use of the land as it was a gift to the community from the Perrin family.

Meanwhile, Mr D’Souza opened a signature campaign addressing the parliament to retain QASMT in its current location. The petition has drawn over 3,500 signatures as of press time and will remain open until 18 April 2021.

Brisbane Boys’ College Clinches Head of the River 2021 Rowing Victory After 19 Years

It took trust, strength and determination for Brisbane Boys’ College (BBC) in Toowong to break a 19-year-drought and emerge victorious at the Head of the River 2021 regatta.

On Saturday morning, 13 March 2021, BBC’s First VIII rowing team managed to beat Anglican Church Grammar School and St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace in the last 250 metres at Lake Wyaralong.

The 10-man squad was trailing behind Churchie at 500 metres but the crew powered on, displaying their strength and teamwork to pull together.

Captain of Boats Sam Crook said that they achieved this monumental win by trusting each other.

“As we sit on the start line all hoping for victory, the unit that has the trust, the belief and that follows the process will be the one that is successful,” Sam said. “In order to achieve glory, you must do something the boat next to you is not willing to do. It is not an option to let down the man in front when the pain cave hits.”

Mark Pavone, Brisbane Boys’ College head of co-curricular said that the team shares this victory with the parents, who have sacrificed their time to drive their boys to the training, and to the community that has tireless supported them.

The school’s First VIII rowing team victory comes after BBC’s First XV Rugby and First IV Tennis teams won the 2020 GPS Rugby and Tennis Premiers. The current but outgoing principal, Mr Paul Brown, is the only principal in the school’s 119-year history to have had both rugby and rowing championships during his term of office.

Meanwhile, Churchie received the Old Boys Cup for the quality of its longstanding rowing program. Anglican Church Grammar School Deputy Headmaster Co-curricular John Frare said this was, in itself, a great achievement for the school, which has one of the largest student body participating in rowing in Queensland.

Mistakenly Thrown Textbooks From Toowong School Will Find Their New Homes In Charities

Photo credit: Dr Christian Rowan/Twitter

Toowong’s Queensland Academy for Science, Maths and Technology finally released a statement after ‘mistakenly’ dumping quality textbooks and causing some members of the community to raise concerns.

One of the people who expressed their disappointment is LNP education spokesman Dr Christian Rowan who said there must be a better way of providing the books to disadvantaged students or those who need access to educational resources rather than dumping them.

Dr Rowan, who is also the Shadow Minister for Education and Shadow Minister for the Arts, reiterated the huge financial expense of compiling these significant educational resources.

Why is the .⁦@QLDLabor⁩ Palaszczuk Government wasting such educational resources? #qldpol pic.twitter.com/NtRVVRpx4N
— Dr Christian Rowan (@DrCRowanMP) March 6, 2021

Regarding the matter, a spokesperson from the school said those books were originally offered to staff, students, and local International Baccalaureate schools. A significant number of books were accepted but because of a miscommunication between staff, the remaining books were placed outside rather than offered to charities as originally intended.

Queensland Academy for Science, Maths and Technology assured the books have been removed from the bin and will be repackaged for distribution to charities.

Where You Can Donate Books

There are many organisations in Australia that accept book donations and send them over to those who might need them. The Aboriginal Literacy Foundation is one of the organisations that appreciates all donations of new and used children’s books. The books are delivered to Indigenous communities throughout Australia that desperately need help.

Then there’s Share-a-book, a program run by the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation, that provides new and quality pre-loved books to Indigenous, refugee and marginalised communities in need of resources.

For further information on where to find organisations which donate books, visit the National Library of Australia.