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Toowong Cemetery Tours from FOSBC Not Shutting Down

Just days after speculation broke out that the Toowong Cemetery tours conducted by Friends of South Brisbane Cemetery (FOSBC) could be shut down, Council issued permission to let the group continue “on the same basis they have been” for years.

The president of the FOSBC, Tracey Olivieri, received the good news in a statement from Brisbane’s Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and Councillor Vicki Howard, which was released during a live radio interview on Breakfast on ABC.

There’s quite nothing like a Toowong Cemetery tour from the FOSBC to learn about the suburb’s past in the most unconventional way, especially the lives of the people who used to be part of the community.

“Our motto has always been, ‘They may be gone but certainly not forgotten,’ and we wanna keep telling their stories,” Ms Olivieri said.

But in a post on Facebook a few days before receiving the good news, Ms Olivieri was informed by a Council staff that they can’t do their monthly tours anymore.

“[The staff] have been told that there is a ‘sufficient number’ of tours there. We ran the only real history night tour at Toowong, once a month, while on the other hand there are 8-9 ‘ghost tours’ run there each month by a private business. We do not know who initiated this move to stop our tours,” the post stated.

FOSCB’s visits to gravestones are not-for-profit and definitely not for just the thrill of it. It’s also a chance to learn about the landscaping, architecture or restoration of the gravesites, with a lot of well-researched factual history added to the mix.

“Our mission is to help people better appreciate historical cemeteries, and hopefully get you more involved in looking after them,” the group’s statement said. “The tours are designed for people who (a) love to hear about real, fact-based history, and (b) want to safely visit a cemetery at night. There is a demand for this kind of tour.”

“To everyone who wrote to Council, or showed their support here, we can’t thank you enough. The people of Brisbane want our type of history tours and you helped save the tours. We love you all! Thanks also to Brisbane City Council for this decision, we really did believe that you’d listen to reasoned argument.”

The FOSCB is also running cemetery tours in South Brisbane, Mt Gravatt and Ipswich.

Spring Hill and Toowong Schools Lead List of Brisbane’s Most Expensive

The pandemic has had nearly half of schools across the country holding back on school fees increase for this year’s term but some private schools in Queensland, including Brisbane Boys College in Toowong, have increased tuition by up to three percent.

EdStart’s 2021 National School Fees Report showed that 40 percent of schools in Australia had no fees increase for the incoming term, whilst the nation’s general increase average dropped from 2.83 percent in 2020 to 1.05 percent this year.

The average increase in Queensland was at 1.19 percent, down from last year’s 1.87 percent.

Brisbane Boys College increased school fees by 2.29 percent to land as the second most expensive school in Queensland, trailing behind Brisbane Grammar School in Spring Hill (2.5 percent increase). The third most expensive school in the region, Brisbane Girls Grammar School, had zero fees increase this year.

Top 10 Most Expensive Schools in Queensland

School	2020 Fees	Increase	2021 Fees
Brisbane Grammar School	$28,230	$1,220	$29,450
Brisbane Boys College	$24,724	$2,444	$27,168
Brisbane Girls Grammar School	$26,555	$0	$26,555
Anglican Church Grammar School	$23,944	$1,990	$25,934
St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School	$24,560	$0	$24,560
The Southport School	$24,438	$0	$24,438
Somerville House	$23,940	$0	$23,940
St Aidan’s Anglican Girls School	$22,120	$1,735	$23,855
Clayfield College	$19,165	$2,665	$21,830
St Peter’s Lutheran College	$20,360	$516	$20,876

EdStart CEO Jack Stevens said this trend was unusual as the standard was to increase fees annually. However, many institutions have acknowledged the realities of household budgets taking a hit due to the current public health crisis.

To get by and manage cash flow, parents have been enrolling in payment plans.

Brisbane Boys College, for instance, has a specific scheme for paying school fees weekly or fortnight whilst companies like EdStart have provided loans for tuition so parents won’t have to take on a mortgage or apply for a personal loan.

But Mr Stevens also said that flat fees will not be sustainable long-term as schools are driven to add staffing and administration or spend on maintenance and acquisition of the facilities. He projects that the majority of schools will go back to increasing fees by 2022.

First ATAR Results: Nearly Half of the Students at 2 Toowong Schools Achieved Above 90

Over 25,000 Year 12 students in Queensland received the very first Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) this December. Amidst a challenging year, the Class of 2020 at two Toowong schools will leave with impressive ATAR results.

Nearly half the students at Stuartholme School in Birdwood Terrace and Brisbane Boys’ College in Kensington Terrace had 90 and above ATAR results.

Stuartholme School Principal Kristen Sharpe has released a statement to congratulate the graduating students. Some 44.30 percent of the girls earned a score above 90, whilst 19 percent had 95 of higher ATAR results.

Ms Sharpe also proudly stated that five of their girls will get “an Academic Commendation from QCAA for achieving straight A results in six General Subjects.”

Photo Credit: Stuartholme School/Facebook

Brisbane Boys’ College, on the other hand, had 44.20 percent of their graduating students with above 90 ATAR results, whilst 9.3 percent scored 99 and above.

“Special acknowledgement goes to Matthew Chen, Cody Fang and Max Foreman who received the highest possible ATAR of 99.95, being three of only 30 Year 12 students across the state to do so,” the school officials said in a statement.

“The Class of 2020 has made history by being the first cohort to graduate through the Senior Assessment Tertiary Entrance (SATE) system. They were the first full cohort of Prep, the first Year 7s into High School and the first group to receive an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) rather than OP in Queensland.”

Photo Credit: Brisbane Boys’ College/Facebook

Other westside schools performing impressively include the St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School in Corinda, where 69 percent of students had above 90 ATAR results, and Marist College in Ashgrove with 27 percent scoring above 90.

“Schools across Queensland introduced the new syllabuses and assessment model with Year 11 students in 2019, and the success of the transition is a credit to the hard work and professionalism of principals and teachers,” Education Minister Grace Grace said.

“And now, despite the disruptions to their schooling caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, the great news is 89 percent of these young people achieved a QCE.”

Ms Grace also advised students whose results are far from their expectations to not be disheartened as they can explore more options to enter the university.

For questions about the ATAR students or parents may phone QTAC on 1300 193 173.

Your Feedback Needed: Council Takes Public Survey for New North West Motorway

With progress comes traffic congestion and as Brisbane’s north west is projected to triple in growth in the next 20 years, experts said that it is time to find solutions to prevent the gridlocks, particularly between Bald Hills and Toowong. Brisbane City Council has a business case study up for consultation with the public for a new North West motorway, among other ideas.

According to the Council’s assessment, the North West Transport Network has not been designed for the kind of traffic volume it’s currently experiencing, compared to the southside or northside routes.

“While public transport could be a solution to reducing demand on the road network, it is not always a viable option due to a range of issues, resulting in reliance on private car trips,” the business case stated. “Ongoing development of new housing within and outside of the Brisbane local government area is placing further pressure on Brisbane’s north west transport network and worsening traffic congestion.”

The case study also includes a lot of promising transport infrastructure ideas below that will also cover surrounding areas in the Moreton Bay region:

Some 10 million in funds have been set aside for this north west motorway by the Australian Government but community feedback is still important in drawing up the solutions that will help shape the transport infrastructure for the years to come.

It comes after the Council sought feedback from residents in late 2019 about their travel behaviours and where best to improve transport services.

The community consultation will run until Monday, 21 Dec 2020 and can be filled out online. By early to mid-2021, Council will present the final business case draft before submission to the Australian Government.

Multi-Age Setting Compass Independent School to Open in 2022

A new multi-age setting school is set to open in the inner western suburbs in January 2022 with an aim to introduce a unique teaching style. For parents looking for a school with a different approach, Compass Independent School might just be what you want for your child.

As the name implies, a multi-age setting class will allow for children of different ages to work together, alongside a teacher who will serve as both an instructor and a coach.

The school will initially admit children between Prep to Year 4 in a small class with less than 24 students. Subsequently, however, Compass Independent School will expand to Year 6, depending on the site.

Founder Alicia Gilbert is still actively looking for suitable locations in the following areas:

Ashgrove
Bardon
Brookfield
Chapel Hill
Indooroopilly
Kenmore
Kenmore Hills
Paddington
Taringa
The Gap
Toowong

Ms Gilbert, a two-degree holder in education, used to work at the St Peters Lutheran College in Indooroopilly and at primary schools in Shanghai and Bangkok. She has formed a team of education specialists to establish composite classes, where the teacher can cultivate a better learning experience for the children.

“Compass utilises three spheres – inquiries, focused learning, and child contribution and play – through which children will explore the Australian Curriculum.”

To learn more about the curriculum and plans for the opening, Ms Gilbert will conduct an information night at the Toowong Library on Tuesday, 24 Nov 2020, at 7:15 p.m. Parents may email hi_compass@outlook.com for enquiries.

A Toowong Riverfront Property Sells for $7.3 Million at Auction, Sets a New Suburb Record

Photo credit: Domain / domain.com.au

A riverfront property in Toowong has been sold under the hammer for $7.3 million, setting a new suburb record for a private home.

A crowd of 100 people gathered to witness bidders battle it out for the prestige of owning the river-front property at 24 Glen Road, Toowong. After the dust settled, a Taringa family purchased the property for $7.3 million, a new suburb record, last 31 October 2020.

The three-storey home, situated on a 1,756sqm flood-free allotment, has 20 metre of river frontage and offers views of the Brisbane River and the city. Built in the 1930s, the abode gives traditional Japanese architectural features a modern twist. Stone walls, water feature, and tropical gardens greet visitors upon entry.

Timber and bamboo flooring and timber features dominate the structure including decorative timber doors, timber framed windows, and timber staircase. The house also includes Japanese-style features in its design which includes sliding screens or what is called “shoji” and high panels, “ranma,’’ above doors and walls.

At the lower level is a large studio that can be used and converted for a variety of purposes such as home office, gym, yoga studio, or game room. Also on this level is a kitchenette, bedroom, bathroom and library that opens on a large undercover deck.

The master bedroom is situated on the upper level with river views. It has a large walk-in-robe and an ensuite with spa bath, double vanity, and a large shower.

Meanwhile, the kitchen boasts of modern features including Gaggenau wall ovens, NEFF induction stove and rangehood, and integrated Liebherr fridge/freezer. There is a large island bench, breakfast seating, stone benchtops, and joinery plus lots of storage.

Agents said that while most riverfront blocks in the area have been converted into high-rise developments, all of the bidders for the site are owner-occupiers. The sellers purchased the property in 1997 for $1.2 million, property records say. They plan to move into the penthouse of a riverfront property in St Lucia currently under construction.

The Aviary: Council Greenlights New Toowong Town Centre

Have you heard about The Aviary? This new lifestyle precinct on High Street and Sherwood Road in Toowong is set to reshape Brisbane’s western suburbs with its apartments, offices, retail shops and shared green spaces.

Brisbane City Council gave the green light for the development of this new Toowong Town Centre in October 2020 (DA A005434525).

Set to start construction in late 2021, the planned development will not just improve the surrounding areas but also create 400 jobs until 2023.

For the last 20 years, Toowong has been behind the development of an urban lifestyle precinct that will cater to the needs of a growing community despite its proximity to the CBD.

Apart from having Toowong Village, much of this side of the suburbs have not changed. But the upcoming 9000-square metre town centre is set to revive the community and make it more liveable for the next generations.

State Development Corporation plans to build sections of The Aviary all at once. The precinct will have 150 residential units, an office tower, and 30 retail shops. Its green spaces and streetscapes have been modeled after the Grove Shopping Centre in Los Angeles.

The precinct will also offer cinemas, fresh food market, outdoor dining, childcare and medical facilities.

“The significant growth of mixed-used developments is a result of community demand for self-sufficient hubs based on walkability and convenience,” State Development Corporation managing director Ross McKinnon told the press.

“If businesses have learned anything from COVID-19, it’s that we don’t all have to be working in the city to maximise productivity,” Mr McKinnon added. “While it’s still early days, we expect to see more office users make the shift to central hubs like The Aviary for the lifestyle benefits, where everything you need is at your fingertips and you don’t have to travel into the CBD.”

State Development Corporation has four other developments in the inner western suburbs. The company is collaborating with Dan White, Partner at White & Partners for The Aviary whilst Nettleton Tribe planned the design. The project is valued at $450 million.

Water Main Upgrade to Impact Toowong Bike Lane

Heads up for cyclists! Queensland Urban Utilities (QUU) has been preparing for the upgrade of the water main on Archer Street and the Bicentennial Bikeway between Sylvan Road and High Street. These upgrades will impact a lot of Toowong bike lane cyclists accessing Coronation Drive.

Some of the water pipes directly below the bikeway will need replacement so temporary bike lane closures will be enforced. The closures, however, won’t begin until November, according to the QUU.

Cr James Mackay informed the public of the forthcoming bike lane changes in a video post on Facebook.

“QUU emailed me to say works would begin Monday 19 October. QUU has said today the works on the bikeway will not commence until early November,” Mr. Mackay said. “I am meeting onsite with QUU to discuss the bikeway closure and the options. QUU has confirmed it will contact cycling groups before the closure, outlining detours, and so on.”

The bike lane closures will be active for two weeks but the QUU prepared a detour plan for cyclists.

For additional details about the Toowong bike lane detour and this water main upgrade, residents may phone 1300 13 13 38.

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

A petition seeking to buy back the old ABC site on Coronation Drive and turn it into a public park is gaining numbers following news that Sunland Group plans to sell the 1.5-hectare site. Local Greens MP Michael Berkman, who has been seeking to build a public park in the abandoned property for years, launched the petition and renewed his calls for the Government to give Toowong its green space.

Sunland Group bought the old ABC site in 2013, years after it has been sitting idle. However, its development plans failed to take off after a back and forth in court until the Supreme Court rejected its three-tower proposal in 2018.

“This 15,000m2 riverfront site should never have been privatised by the former federal Labor government. It has sat empty and derelict for almost 15 years, and now the private developer owner Sunland is putting the site up for sale,” Mr Berkman wrote in his petition, which has since logged nearly 1,500 signatures within 24 hours. “This beautiful riverfront land should be a publicly owned community space, with things we can all enjoy like a park, a public pool, gardens, a community centre and more.”

“This is a golden opportunity: the developer is clearly trying to offload this land during the COVID-19 downturn, so the government could either buy it for a good price now or let it sit empty for years while the new owner waits for better market conditions,” Mr Berkman said in a statement. “Right now this land is sitting vacant and derelict while locals cry out for more public green space to offset growth, with a major 25-story development planned for the former Woolworths site up the road, and the Toowong-West End green bridge proposed to land at exactly this site.”

To increase public awareness and encourage more people to sign the petition, Mr Berkman posted a photo of the Toowong Swimming Pool from the 1960s. The pool was publicly funded and built in 1909 but the Council sold the property in 2001.

Photo Credit: Michael Berkman – Greens MP for Maiwar/Facebook

“Nowadays there would be hundreds of private pools within a few kilometres of this spot, but most people don’t have access to a place to swim locally,” he said on Facebook. “I think it’s time for a public pool for Toowong and the west side, and the old ABC site would be a perfect location.”

Mr Berkman also did a survey among Toowong residents in 2019 and learned that 88 percent want the old ABC site to be a “publicly owned riverside park with things we can all enjoy, like a pool, gardens, a dance hall or a new community centre.”

“This should be a non-partisan issue,” the MP reiterated. “So the local community and I are asking Labor and LNP representatives to work together to return this land into public hands.”

New Housing Complex Development Near Brisbane Boys College Opposed

Brisbane Boys’ College (BBC) plans to sell a section of its land on Union St for a townhouse development consisting of 24 units but residents are opposing the plan mainly because it will increase traffic problems in a school area.

BBC, managed and owned by the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association (PMSA), was supposed to enter into a contract with the developer, Feltham Property Group, to turn 0.8ha of land into a housing complex. The development, however, hit a road bump after the Council required easement and access roads, particularly near the school’s tennis courts.

PMSA, through its chairman and architect Greg Adsett, however, said that the easement is not needed and the said area at the back of the school won’t impact the school’s activities, including traffic.

But traffic has been a major issue on Union St since the beginning of this year, according to the residents. They enumerated some of the causes of traffic in their submission to the Council:

BBC parents am/pm drop off and pick-up of students
Buses taking students to various events and to and from school
Senior students getting their drivers license throughout the year and increase in students parking in Union St

“Local traffic in the street sees the amount of houses, unit blocks, units and duplex in Union Street alone.”

Photo Credit: PD Online/Brisbane City Council

Headmaster Paul Brown said that the land for the development is a school surplus and its sale received approval from the Council. Mr Brown added that the townhouse development, dubbed Oakman Residences, is closer to Oakman Park than the school. Selling the land would help fund the college’s planned developments.

Feltham Property Group plans to build six apartments and 17 townhouses, as well as maintain the Kaieta house, built in the 1890s. Kaieta is currently the residence of the school’s headmaster, which will be refurbished and incorporated in the development.

“KAIETA is a historic Brisbane home. I restored it from a semi-derelict state in 1978. My family occupied it until I sold it to Brisbane Boys’ College,” Dr John Thynne Drewe said. “Their care of it since then has been a disgrace. I would be of the opinion that the PMSA should be required to restore it to a standard befitting such a historic part of Toowong and not be moved and concealed by townhouse clutter. Imagine the traffic access to Moggill Rd if that occurs.”