Homepage Latest News Archives - Page 28 of 39

Toowong Among Popular Suburbs for First-Home Buyers, New Research Says

Aided by the government’s First Home Loan Deposit Scheme, more first-home buyers are now climbing into the Brisbane property market, with Toowong ranking among the suburbs that had most inquiries for units, a new research said.

The latest report from the REA Group said that in terms of inquiries for houses from first-home buyers, Rochedale South was the top suburb followed by Springfield Lakes, Bracken Ridge, Morayfield, and Forest Lake.

Meanwhile, Brisbane City and Toowong had the most inquiries for units, followed by Taringa, Nundah, and West End.

Since the scheme was introduced on 1 January 2020, there have already been more than 700 people who gained pre-approved place in First Home Loan Deposit Scheme (FHLDS) in Queensland. Almost 6,000 of the 10,000 places have been guaranteed nationwide, whilst another 3,000 places have moved to the pre-approval stage.

Consequently, a rise in first-home buyers have been observed in Brisbane, an increase of more than a third in January from the same month in 2019, data from realestate.com.au said.

Experts were also quick to note how the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme has generated interest among first-home buyers, even before it started; a trend which was last observed in 2009.

As revealed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics data, the number of first-home buyer loan commitment have risen 6.2 percent in seasonally adjusted terms in December 2019. The annual percent change for owner occupier first home buyer commitments was also up 21.3 percent from December 2018.

About First Home Loan Deposit Scheme

The First Home Loan Deposit Scheme is an Australian Government initiative that aims to help eligible first home buyers purchase a home with a deposit of as little as five percent. The scheme allows NHIFC to guarantee part of the first-home buyer’s home loan from a participating lender, beginning 1 January 2020.

National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC) has already released 10,000 First Home Loan Deposit Scheme places and another 10,000 will be made available from July 2020.

The loan guarantee is subject to criteria including a taxable income of up to $125,000 per year for singles or a taxable income of up to $200,000 per year for couples; incomes would be assessed for the financial year preceding the one in which the loan is entered into.

The list of participating lenders can be found here.

See the Largest Showcase of Exotic Garden Plants in Brisbane

The largest showcase of exotic garden plants is all set at the Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens Auditorium. If you’re a keen gardener on the hunt for beautiful plants that will make your garden stand out from the rest, be at the National Palm and Cycad Show to find a range of unusual varieties.

The National Palm and Cycad Show from the Palm and Cycad Society of Australia takes place on the 7th and 8th of March 2020. This annual event has the best display of native and exotic tropical plants that are easy to cultivate and grow.

Some 40 palm varieties and rare cycads with different leaves, shapes and sizes will be up for sale. Aside from the sale of palm and cycads, this annual event is a chance to talk face-to-face with gardening experts.

*Photo Credit: Palm and Cycad Societies of Australia*

If you’re planning a new green space in your backyard or front yard, you can score good deals at the National Palm and Cycad Show. All visitors will also receive a list of 20 drought-tolerant palms to cultivate so they’ll have an idea of what to look for at the showcase.

A few educational displays and market stalls with discounted items specific to gardeners will be set up as well.

The exotic garden plant showcase will open at 9:00 a.m. General admission is for $3 per guest.

For more information, phone Daryl O’Connor at 0488 125 555.

Learn How to Apply Forest Learning Mastery at this Workshop

Here’s a shoutout to educators who would like to incorporate and implement Forest Learning in their programs. Grab the opportunity to learn the best techniques. Nature Play QLD is conducting a full-day workshop at the Mt Coot-tha Botanical Gardens, where participants can discover tried and tested principles and practices to benefit the kids.

The workshop, led by Education Coordinator Anya Imhoff of Nature Play QLD, will run on Thursday, the 19th of March 2020 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Regardless of the educational centre setting, this workshop could bring significant results for educators of various approaches — home school, early childhood, out of school hours care, family daycare and primary school. The techniques are designed for educators who work with kids from the ages of two to 10.

Along with understanding the ethos of Forest Learning, participants of the workshop will also take part in helpful activities to identify and overcome restrictions of Forest Learning.

Does your program have routines in place, including assessments of risks and benefits? The workshop will include planning and strategising to come up with a suitable outdoor play setting specific to the needs of the kids attending your centre.

*Photo Credit: Nature Play QLD/Facebook*

Participation in this workshop includes a free start-up pack of resources to use in your program. These include a Forest Learning Handbook, a USB of various documentation on policies, procedures, session planning, risk management and more.

To register for a slot, register and secure your ticket online. Participants are expected to wear appropriate and protective outdoor clothing. Refreshments will be served but bring a packed lunch.

Your Simpler New Year Guide to Achieving the Same You – Just a Bit Healthier

Around this time of the year, when the holidays slide into the first few weeks at work and pyjama pants are no longer an acceptable all-day attire, a word begins to whisper through the trees. It’s plastered on billboards and across Facebook, Instagram and the front cover of magazines. It’s a one-word reprimand from the depths of the fridge as you reach into the box of Favourites. The word is ‘Detox,’ usually followed by the phrase: New Year, New You.

Well, what if it’s just New Year, Same You – but just a bit healthier?

The fact that you’re expected to work again can come as a bit of shock, especially when the only decisions you’ve been having to make over Christmas and New Year are whether 8:00 am is too early for mimosas (it isn’t) and if trifle counts as dinner (it does). Add to this shock, the pressure from media and news outlets to be the new, improved version of yourself. The stress of the start of the year can make those morning mimosas pretty appealing.

The New Year. ‘Tis the season for juice fasts, laxative teas, heat wraps and liquid diets as we let the guilt of that five-letter word get to us. And sure, some of these methods do work for a while. But, don’t we do this every year? Get to the 1st of January and go through the same fad detox and diet cycles all over again?

I present to you a simple, yet much more sustainable alternative: caring for our physical and mental health for the entire year. I don’t mean that you have to live on laxative tea or cut out chocolate all year round. Instead, implement small changes that will keep you healthy, so when the inevitable holiday binge occurs, you won’t feel so guilty that you decide to live on celery juice for two weeks.

1. You are What You Eat

Make sure you’re eating enough fibre so that you don’t need the laxative tea and ensure that you’re eating whole foods that will nourish your body. Top up your fruits, vegetables, and protein. Implement protocols that help your body naturally detox all year round. Try a daily dose of super greens to support your overall health, and a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in the morning to help aid weight loss, digestion, blood sugar issues and more.

*A dose of apple cider vinegar and Vitalgreen can make a big difference to your health. ( Photo credit:* *WholeLife Pharmacy & Healthfoods*)

2. Look After Your Gut

Gut health is central to your mental and physical health. We need the gut to work so that it can produce the hormones we need to keep us happy, as well as to keep our digestion functioning properly. Incorporating a variety of fermented foods and probiotics into your diet will keep your gut bacteria healthy.

*Photo credit:* *WholeLife Pharmacy & Healthfoods*

3. Get Moving (Just a Little Bit)

Go for a morning walk or an afternoon swim at the local pool. Exercise is imperative to keeping you healthy. Start slow, you don’t need to become a heavyweight champion, but you’ll feel the physical and mental health benefits of daily exercise.

4. Be Kind to Yourself

Most important of all is your mental health. Looking after your physical health will help your mental health, but most of us need extra support from time to time. Set clear boundaries and prioritise a work/life balance so you don’t burnout by March. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help.

If you don’t believe me, trust the science on this one. We are wired to adapt better to change when it is implemented slowly over time. These changes may seem small now, but wait until 2021 when you wake up on the 1^st of January without a guilt hangover.

Come see us instore at Toowong Wholelife Pharmacy. We have a wide selection of products and whole foods that will help to keep you healthy the whole year-round.

Katie Robertson is a writer, editor, and avid health researcher, paving her own way to wellness. Katie has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in writing and is the retail manager at WholeLife Pharmacy & Healthfoods. When she’s not working, Katie lives in the world of fiction and you can often find her hiding in her herb garden with a good book.

85 Miskin St Reinvents Fine Dining

Maple glazed confit duck leg with charred carrots, pine nut dukka and smoked goats chèvre (Photo Credit: 85 Miskin St/Facebook)

Fine dining without much fuss? It’s possible. Visit 85 Miskin St, a restaurant in Toowong serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant, now a longstanding institution in its neighbourhood, has reimagined the fine dining experience by offering great food in an unpretentious setting.

Established in a quaint old Queenslander in 2005, 85 Miskin St features a low-key and minimalist decor. The casual atmosphere is best for an intimate meal or an informal catch-up with friends. Menu is split between French and Asian influences, so it will suit almost any palate. There are around 150 wines to choose from, ranging from champagne and sparkling wine to Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc.

In charge of running the restaurant is Chef Brent Farrell, who showcases his signature dishes and techniques through a degustation menu, an array of small dishes served one after the other.

Chef Farrell, who now has a growing number of followers, loves using local and seasonal ingredients. He worked in Walnut Restaurant inside the Royal on the Park Hotel before opening his own venture in Toowong. From “Brent’s, The Dining Experience,” he changed it to the site’s current name and refurbished the two storey suburban building to give it a new look.

Favourites from the current menu include the citrus-cured salmon, marinated sicilian olives, and deer milk and vanilla panna cotta. Their slow cooked rib fillet with caramelized onion puree, charred zucchini and chimichurri is best paired with a glass of sparkling wine.

85 Miskin St is open daily, except on Mondays. They also serve breakfast on weekends. They are open for lunch and dinner on 3 January 2020, and for breakfast, lunch and dinner on the 4th.

They will be closed for annual holidays from January 5 – 17. They will reopen for normal trade on the 18th with revived dishes from the 70’s. Further information or updates can be found on 85 Miskin St’s website.

Twin Towers up to 31 Storeys Proposed for Coronation Drive

A development application seeking to establish a mixed-use twin tower development at 57 Coronation Drive in Brisbane City has been lodged.

The site for the proposed development measures approximately 3,287sqm and is located at 57 Coronation Drive within the Quay Street Precinct bound by the railway line to the north, William Jolly Bridge to the east, Brisbane River to the south, and to the west by Merivale Rail Bridge.

Twin Towers on Coronation Drive — *Photo credit: Brisbane City Council – Urbis – Near Map / pdonline.brisbane.qld.gov.au*

The proposal will involve the demolition of the existing building located on Coronation Drive and the restoration of the heritage-listed Davidson’s Residence, located at 64-66 Quay Street, and its adaptive reuse as a reception for the serviced apartments within the development.

The application seeks approval to establish two towers of 30 and 35 storeys high that will offer short term accommodation and multiple dwelling. A mix of uses such as commercial office, short term accommodation, multiple dwelling, food and drink outlet and shop is also included under the proposal.

*Photo credit: Brisbane City Council – Rothelowman / pdonline.brisbane.qld.gov.au*

“The proposed development represents a highly considered contextual response to the site and its characteristics as well as surrounding development, including challenging topography, interface with major rail infrastructure, frontage to an arterial road, a dilapidated local heritage building, and irregular shaped allotment,” the Urbis Town Planning report said.

“The site benefits from an unrivalled location, within walking distance to South Brisbane and West End, the Caxton Street entertainment precinct including Suncorp Stadium and The Barracks, and the emerging opportunities of City West including future Cross River Rail and Brisbane Live. The collaboratively designed proposal capitalises on the opportunity to deliver a landmark design which will shape the western approach to the Brisbane CBD.”

The development covers a total of 42,785sqm gross floor area with 922sqm dedicated to retail and 2,147sqm allocated for office floor space. Tower 1 will be 30 storeys high and will contain 168 serviced apartments: 63 one-bedroom and 42 two-bedroom suites.

Tower 2 will be 32-storeys high and will contain 255 residential apartments: 56 one-bedroom, 140 two-bedroom, and three four-bedroom units.

A total of 371 car parking spaces will be provided across four basement levels, ground, and mezzanine: 69-serviced apartments, 265-residential, 22-visitor, 3-retail, and 12-commercial.

Did You Know Mushrooms Can Help You Deal with Holiday Stress?

‘Tis the season to be jolly! The season of Christmas movies, fairy lights and too much food. However, as merry as Christmas is, the silly season can sometimes get a little too… well, silly. Social commitments, overstretched budgets and overindulgence in food and alcohol can lead to or exacerbate existing stress and anxiety issues.

Being sensible is obviously not an option. So what can we do to make the holiday season as stress-free as possible?

Stress and anxiety can wreak havoc on your body and vice versa. When you’re stressed, your health is compromised, and when your health is compromised, it can lead to stress, a real Catch 22.

In periods of additional stress, your body needs support to keep functioning properly. The best remedy for stress is often lifestyle change, but this isn’t always possible, especially when there are Christmas parties to attend and cocktails to be had.

Mighty Mushroom Trend

A current rising trend in the health industry is the often-overlooked modest mushroom. The increasing popularity of the mighty mushroom is becoming known as ‘the fungal renaissance.’ Particular mushrooms are known adaptogens, which support the nervous, adremal, and endocrine systems. These systems get burnt out when we’re stressed.

Ayurvedic and Chinese Medical practitioners have been using adaptogens as medicine for centuries. Adaptogens are non-toxic plants and mushrooms that help the body resist stressors, whether they are chemical, physical or biological. Although these aren’t magic mushrooms per se, they are magic in that they ‘adapt’ to what your body needs at the current time.

For instance, cordyceps, reishi and lion’s mane are clinically proven to help manage stress. They’re also a great mood stabiliser, if you’re strung up high and dry, they’ll ground you, if you’re feeling sluggish, they’ll give you a bit of pep in your step.

And there’s an added bonus to keeping your stress as low as possible. You might just avoid the extra pounds that creep on around Christmas. Recent studies show that heightened cortisol levels (the stress hormone) can actually make you gain weight. This is because when we perceive a stressful event or when we are anxious, our adrenal glands secrete cortisol, in a phenomenon often referred to as the fight or flight response. Too much cortisol can lead to irritability, depression and weight gain. It also disrupts carbohydrate metabolism which leads to digestive issues.

If you’re feeling stressed and anxious as the year wraps up, adding adaptogenic mushrooms and herbs such as ashwaghanda and passionflower to your diet can make a real difference to how you feel.

At this time of year, we all need a little bit of extra support, so after you rewatch Die Hard for the fourteenth time, make yourself a magical mushroom brew or a cup of passionflower tea.

Wholelife Toowong stocks a wide range of medicinal mushrooms and supplements to keep you cool and calm this Christmas season.

Come in and have a chat with the team – we’re already playing Christmas carols! We also have a Christmas giveaways up to the 23rd of December!

Council Seeks Feedback on North West Transport Network

Council has started the development of a business case to help ease traffic congestion on the north-west transport network, covering areas from Bald HIlls to Toowong.

Following the Transport Plan for Brisbane – Strategic Directions consultation held in late 2017 to April 2018, the north-west transport network business case will look into the future of transport in the city, identify opportunities to improve its reliability, convenience, and transport options.

North west transport network
Video Credit: Brisbane City Council / YouTube

Through the help of a $10-million funding commitment from the Australian Government, the business case study will cover the suburbs of Toowong, Ashgrove, Enoggera, Everton Park, Stafford Heights, Chermside, Bridgeman Downs, and Bald Hills.

Council Seeks Feedback on North West Transport Network — *Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / brisbane.qld.gov.au*

Council is inviting the public to have their say by 11:59 p.m. 7 February 2020 and share their current travel behaviour and where transport services and infrastructure could be improved by:

completing the online survey or quick poll
emailing the project team
writing to Council:

Transport Planning and Operations

Brisbane City Council

GPO Box 1434

Brisbane Qld 4001

Locals may also attend any of the community consultation sessions at these locations, dates, and times.

Date	Time	Location
Wednesday 4 December 2019	3 – 6 pm	Chermside Library
Thursday 5 December 2019	5 -8 pm	Brookside Shopping Centre, 159 Osborne Road, Mitchelton
Saturday 7 December 2019	9 am – 12 pm	Ashgrove Library
Wednesday 11 December 2019	3 – 6 pm	Grange Library
Thursday 12 December 2019	3 – 6 pm	Everton Park Library
Saturday 14 December 2019	9 am – 12 pm	Mt Coot-tha Library
Monday 20 January 2020	9 am – 12 pm	Stafford City Shopping Centre, 400 Stafford Road, Stafford
Tuesday 21 January 2020	9 am – 12 pm	Toowong Village, 9 Sherwood Road, Toowong
Wednesday 22 January 2020	9 am – 12 pm	Aspley Hypermarket, 59 Albany Creek Road, Aspley
Friday 24 January 2020	9 am – 12 pm	Taigum Square Shopping Centre, 217 Beams Road, Taigum
Thursday 30 January 2020	5 – 8 pm	Carseldine Central, 735 Beams Road, Carseldine

Council will publish the consultation report in mid-2020. The next phase will involve the assessment of the community feedback and identification of potential solutions. By June 2021, Council will finalise the preferred transport options and publish the business case based on community feedback.

Transport Strategies Targeting QASMT Safety and Accessibility Concerns Discussed

Stakeholders met at a consultation organised by Greens MP for Maiwar Michael Berkman to discuss possible transport strategies that will address QASMT safety and accessibility concerns.

MP Berkman organised the meeting following a previous meeting with Queensland Academy of Science, Maths & Technology (QASMT) P&C where the school community raised concerns about traffic and transport, as well as safety issues, following a road accident at the corner of Morrow St and Moggill Rd involving a student.

“It’s great to see the local school community proactively working to improve public and active transport options for its students,” State Greens MP, Michale Berkman said.

“Getting kids out of cars and into buses, trains, walking and cycling will bust congestion, keep kids healthier and make our cities cleaner and quieter.

A recent study showed that it takes about an hour and a half for QASMT students from southern suburbs of Brisbane to travel to and from school, with the busiest hubs being the Cultural Centre and Roma St Station bus stops.

Mr Berkman said that providing the right infrastructure to make public and active transport safe and attractive for families is essential. He suggested for the Transport Minister to consider a shuttle service to QASMT from Roma Street Station, along with additional solutions such as bike lockers at train stations and steps to reducing rat running in surrounding streets.

“I’m also asking Brisbane City Council to improve pedestrian crossings near the school and investigate a reduced speed limit on Stanley Terrace, as well as putting interim safety measures in place like signage and yellow lines.”

Mr Berkman plans to host a public meeting in early 2020 and take the matter to Translink during their February 2020 review of school transport routes.

Toowong Men’s Health Advocate Peter Dornan AM Wins 2020 Senior Australian of the Year Award

A sports medicine and injury expert from Toowong was named the 2020 Senior Australian of Year. Peter Dornan AM is a physiotherapist by profession for over 50 years and his work as a proponent of prostate cancer awareness earned him the prestigious recognition.

Using his knowledge and expertise in human anatomy, Mr Dornan developed a successful management program for prostate cancer patients dealing with incontinence, a common complication during cancer treatments. He won a grant to thoroughly research the relationship between prostate cancer and incontinence and came up with a globally-recognised system for helping men with pelvic pain manage their condition.

Mr Dornan was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1996. After a series of treatments, he placed an ad in the newspaper inviting other patients to meet, discuss and gain support for their experience.

Since then, he has been working with fellow prostate cancer patients and founded the largest prostate cancer support group in Australia. By 2011, Mr Dornan was named in the Board of the Cancer Council Queensland, where he succeeded in raising funds for the organisation.

*Photo Credit: Australian of the Year/Facebook*

Mr Dornan published the book “Conquering Incontinence: A New and Physical Approach to a Freer Lifestyle,” where he detailed a comprehensive approach to the consequences of prostate cancer. At age 60, he celebrated his recovery from prostate cancer by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

Through his proactive response to his devastating condition, the men’s health advocate continues to earn much professional success as a physiotherapist by co-founding the Queensland Branch of Sports Medicine Australia and the Australian Sports Medicine Foundation. Sports teams like the Queensland Reds, the Wallabies and Kangaroos consult on his expertise as well.