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Cyclist Almost Hit on Sylvan Road in Toowong: Are BCC’s Bike Lane Upgrades Enough?

Sylvan Road in Toowong has long been the subject of controversies, particularly for cyclists. The road was under a 12-month trial of peak period bike lanes until the Brisbane City Council made it permanent in September.

The initiative allows the bike lane to be free of vehicles for three hours until 9:00 a.m. and three hours until 7:00 p.m. five times a week. However, during its trial period, business owners have already complained about the lack of parking that has affected several businesses on the road. Cyclists are also not keen on the idea as they think that this is not a solution for their safety on the road.

Space for Cycling Brisbane spokesman Chris Cox was quick to address the issue and has asked the local community for more patience.

Recently, a cyclist called for a separate bike lane on the road after getting nearly hit by a car. The cyclist was able to capture the accident on camera and the video was shown to the police and Mr Cox. Mr Cox again stressed the importance of a separated corridor that links the Western Freeway and Bicentennial Bikeways.

As of now, they are urging the council to drop the speed limit on the road to 40kph and Land Street to Patrick Lane.

Public and Active Transport Chairman Adrian Schrinner, on the other hand, said that they have gotten majority votes on the peak-hour lanes that they have implemented. He said that they have also seen a 20% increase in cyclists using the road on a daily basis. In light of this, the trial is considered successful in balancing the needs of the cyclists along with the local community, which is why they are do not see the necessity for a separated bike lane.

However, he said that the council will upgrade the bike lanes with clearer markings and install new signages such as flashing warning signs.

Queensland State Government Backs Up Brisbane City Council’s Pre-1911 Homes Protection in Auchenflower & Nearby Suburbs

Following the Brisbane City Council’s action on preventing the demolition of 30 pre-1911 homes in various suburbs, including three homes in Auchenflower, the State Government followed through by supporting the council’s move.

Twenty-eight homes were submitted to the Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) list in August that puts the properties under protection until they are added to the City Plan through a major amendment.

As early as last year, a report appearing in other media has indicated that the past decade has seen the demolition of about 900 character homes and heritage areas in Brisbane and its suburbs, largely due to the development boom in key areas.

The Rathdonell St Home Demolition

In Auchenflower, the recent demolition of a pre-1946 home has outraged neighbours. The home was located on Rathdonnell St, and its demolition has created tension between Environment Minister Steven Miles and BCC’s City Planning Chairman, Julian Simmonds.

Mr Miles expressed his anger towards the demolition by saying that the council should do their job to protect heritage homes. Mr Simmons, quick to fire back said that the State Government should then change their state planning laws if Mr Miles believed they are not doing their job to protect heritage homes.

He also said that the house isn’t a representative example of a pre-1946 architecture and wasn’t consistent with the surrounding homes. The site where the house used to sit made way for a new development of a three-storey home.

The owners of the house, John and Susan Gallagher weren’t able to prevent the demolition but they couldn’t afford to continue with their appeal. Still, they expressed their sadness over the growing number of heritage homes, not only in Auchenflower, but in the rest of Brisbane that are being demolished.

Mr Simmonds said that this is the first time that pre-1911 homes that are not already protected in character overlay were now being protected individually. He also said that the new Planning Act that replaced the Sustainable Planning Act will prevent a 2016 situation, which saw three Highgate Hill homes demolished because the council wasn’t able to secure immediate protection.

Toowong Hands & Hearts Fair 2017 Showcases Culture Diversity

On the 21st of October, Toowong State School will be holding the Hands & Hearts Fair from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the school grounds.

One of the oldest public schools in Queensland, Toowong State School has been hosting the Hands and Hearts Fair since 2013. The event has attracted thousands of people. The fund it has generated has helped the development of significant school infrastructure projects. It also helped strengthen special programs such as the Bilingual Bicultural education that the school offers. Known for their diversity, the school is the only primary program in Queensland that has a bilingual/bicultural co-enrolment program.

The event promises amazing rides for kids and adults such as the Giant Slide, The Sizzle and the Big Splash. There is also going to be a side-show alley.

Photo credit: Toowong Hands and Hearts Fair / Facebook

Community market stalls, including a preloved market, will be set up, for those who are looking for some unique finds for great prices.

For those who have a green thumb, there is also going to be a garden expo.

There will be a scrumptious spread at the International Eat Street, which will showcase food from around the globe.

Adults can chill by the Beach Bar whilst those who wants to chill with some good tea and scones can go to Nanna’s Nook.

An event will not be complete without novelty events such as face painting and of course, a raffle and a silent auction as well.

Another highlight that sets this fair apart from the other school fetes is that since the school is known for their diversity, there are going to be deaf theatre performances and an international costume parade. Toowong State School has played host to 40 different cultures, plus they have a deaf student cohort

You are also in for a Bollywood Dance Performance and so much more! This event will really highlight almost every culture.

Regatta Hotel in Toowong Celebrates German Festival

Come on and join the fun as the German festival spirit invades Toowong at the Regatta Hotel from 13 October to 15 October, starting at 4:00 p.m. on the 13th.

The hotel will be transformed into a German Beer Hall. Overflowing authentic German beer such as Hoegaarden and Blue Moon will be available for everyone for three days.

If you’re not in the mood for beer, there will also be a curated selection of wines and other German liquer available.

This event isn’t just about the beer and beverages, though! Good German food is coming your way as well. The festival will feature German favourites like the weiner schnitzel, pork knuckle, and the Regatta’s very own German bratwurst burger.

Of course, no one should go home without trying the Apple Strudel. Definitely not to be missed.

It wouldn’t be a festival without music! There will be live musicians at the festival who will also play German music.

Don’t miss out on this event and have a great time “chillen!”

Is It Really Jack the Ripper’s Grave in Toowong Cemetery?

Toowong Cemetery holds a lot of mysteries — with the rows and rows of tombstones that hold interesting stories and mysteries waiting to be unraveled. One particular tombstone in the cemetery seems to be part of speculations regarding one of the most notorious criminals responsible for some of London’s most horrific killings.

All Signs Point To…

A Walter Thomas Porriott, known to police as Andrew John Gibson, is buried in Toowong cemetery. There is speculation that Walter Thomas Porriott is Jack the Ripper.

Who “gave him away?” His own great-grandson, Steven Wilson in 1997. What made Mr Wilson think it? Apparently, his great-grandfather lived in Limehouse, near Whitechapel in Eastern London where the killings took place.

Mr Wilson also revealed that his great-grandfather had an abhorrence for prostitutes. Jack the Ripper killed five prostitutes during his “killing spree.” It seems that Mr Porriott wrote about his hatred for prostitutes. Mr Wilson saw the writings and believed that his great-grandfather’s handwriting is very much similar to Jack the Ripper based on the alleged letter the killer sent to a London newspaper during the killings.

This is not the first time that Mr Porriott was speculated to be Jack the Ripper himself. Reports about him have surfaced over the years. Still, there is no concrete evidence for this.

Coincidence?

Mr Porriott died in 1952. He was a self-proclaimed “doctor” with no medical background or education. From the manner of killings, Jack the Ripper was theorised to have some medical background or knowledge.

Another point of circumstantial speculation is the timing. The killings of Jack the Ripper stopped at around the same time that Mr Porriott left for Australia.

Mr. Porriott married a woman named Bessie and was buried with her. In fact, the gravestone doesn’t even bear his name. Instead, it reads “Bessie, died 25th June 1957, and her husband.”

Suggestions for obtaining a DNA sample have actually been made. However, since the basis exhuming the remains from the grave for DNA testing remains purely speculative, such suggestions have remained as merely that.

The identity of Jack the Ripper, up to this day, remains a mystery. Still, the grave in Toowong remains an object of speculation. What if…?

Toowong Overflows with New Developments, Australia’s Biggest Property Company Puts a Halt To Upcoming Development in the Suburb

Toowong has been the the centre of many property developments these days. The champagne flute towers on Grace on Coronation Drive have been approved, whilst the Endrim House, a heritage-listed home is in danger to be turned into a childcare facility. There has also been rumours going around that the Goldicott House will be turned into an aged-care facility. Currently, a newly-approved student accommodation development is being built as well.

Also Read: Toowong Champagne Flute Towers Still a Go
Also Read: Newly-Approved Student Accommodation Development in Toowong Ditches Residential Parking, Promotes Car-Sharing Scheme
Also Read: Historical Endrim House in Toowong In Danger, residents’ Appeal Being Reviewed By the Council
Also Read: Toowong Development Dreams Turning Into a Nightmare?

Reserve Bank Governor Philip Lowe
Photo credit: afr.com.au

Just recently, Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe released a warning that rental growth in Australia is weakening and demand for Australia property has slowed. In fact, growth has slowed enough to put spell caution for Australia’s biggest property company, Stockland, which has put an upcoming project on hold.

Stockland’s 530-Apartment Plan in Toowong Photo Credit: afr.com.au

The chief, Mark Steiner, said that they are holding off on building properties in Brisbane’s inner city. His company has a development application to the Brisbane City Council for Toowong — a 520-unit that will include a supermarket and childcare centre, 4km from the CBD and near the University of Queensland.

Even though Mr Steiner believes that Toowong is a great sub-market, an overlap with the wider Brisbane city market is seen. He also thinks that Toowong has “all the ingredients” for success, but they want to be comfortable that they are going in the right direction, and at the right point of their cycle. They want to have an overview of the settlements being built whilst slowly assessing the market.

This is not the first time that a multi-million dollar property development company has put an upcoming project on hold. Walker Corporation also shelved its plan of a 433-apartment twin-tower project in Fortitude Valley. They replaced it instead with a $400 million office plan due to the market slowdown, that they point towards a “cyclical oversupply.”

Walk Through the Old Lang Farm Estate in Toowong in August

Toowong and District Historical Society (TDHS) is conducting a walking tour of the Lang Farm Estate on Sunday, 6 August 2017

Dubbed “When Houses Had Names,” the walking tour will lead attendees to explore the past with a heritage tour around some of the historic homes in Lang Farm Estate.

The activity is part of the Children’s Book Week celebration led by Brisbane City Council Library. The Book Week theme is “Escape to Anywhere,” so TDHS is providing a tour for an escape into the past.

Event Details:

What:	“When Houses Had Names” Walking Tour
When:	Sunday, 6 August 2017 9:45 a.m. assembly, 10:00 a.m. start
Meeting Place:	Flagpole in front of the Toowong Bowls Club, Toowong
Cost:	FREE
Booking:	Book by Friday, 4 August 2017 Call: 0401 180 092 Email: tdhsoc@gmail.com

Attendees will go through a route just south and east of High Street in Toowong. Lang Farm Estate was located on the land originally owned by Robert Cribb. Cribb named the property Lang Farm in honour of Rev John Dunmore Lang, who advised Cribb to migrate to Australia.

In the 1870s, Architect and developer Richard Gailey bought Cribb’s extended local land holdings and subdivided the lot for residential use.

The walk will take around 1 ½ to 2 hours and will include a few low hills. Attendees are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen and hats. It will be good to bring water and a bit of snack during the walk.

The Toowong Bowls Club will be open later in the morning and can serve coffee, tea, cold drinks and lunch.

The heritage walk is free. However, any donations are welcome and will be used to fund further research into the Lang Farm Estate.

Toowong Development Dreams Turning into a Nightmare?

Photo credit: http://www.my-property-report.com/

The suburb of Toowong has been hounded by development plans, and to make matters worse, these plans are hitting the suburb’s heritage areas.

The champagne flute towers on Grace on Coronation Drive have been approved; the Endrim House on Woodstock Road is in danger to be turned into a childcare centre; and recent unconfirmed reports have raised apprehensions have sparked an online petition about the possibility of Goldicott House being turned into an aged-care facility.

Also Read: Toowong “Champagne Flutes Tower” Still a Go
Also Read: Historical Endrim House in Toowong in Danger, Residents’ Appeal Being Reviewed by the Council

Goldicott House
Photo credit: https://www.realestate.com.au/

With all of these developments happening in the area, leaders of the community are actively campaigning against further “development.” According to them, these developments are compromising the suburb’s character. Such developments are apt for high-density living, while to them, Toowong clearly is not.

Elizabeth Handley, the president of Brisbane Residents United said that they weren’t consulted about these developments at all.

Elizabeth Handley
Photo credit: Brisbane Residents United / Facebook

The Walter Taylor Ward councillor said that the suburb is an ideal place for growth, and residents will see significant amounts of it in the coming years. The suburb’s easy access to shopping centers, medical facilities, and high-frequency public transport makes it attractive to development investors and would-be residents.

Endrim House
Photo credit: The Interior Styling Studio / Facebook

It seems that Toowong is ripe for more developments, but residents think otherwise. The clamor comes from residents who are lobbying to maintain the heritage character of the suburb in the midst of further urbanisation.

City Planning chairman Julian Simmonds, on the other hand, has yet to give a comment on the residents’ take on these potential and current developments.

Toowong Bus Strike Delivers Wake-up Call to Improve Driver Safety

Unfortunate events have been very rampant towards bus drivers in Brisbane since last year. In light of this, a bus strike has taken place in Toowong and other areas on 18-19 July.

Around 35,000 commuters during the early morning rush hour were warned to expect major delays due to the bus driver strike. On 18 July from 4:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m., bus drivers in Sherwood, Willawong and Virginia went on strike.

In Toowong and other areas such as Carina, Eagle Farm and Garden City, bus drivers went on strike in the morning of 19th July. This affected all services, including school buses until 7:30 a.m.

Their Demands

The Rail, Tram, and Bus Union has been pushing for pay and rostering adjustments. Furthermore, they are also pushing harder to improve safety for bus drivers in the city.

A review was released last year, which was supposed to be due in March of this year, in a bid to make drivers and passengers safer citing security upgrades.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk quickly responded and released an independent expert review highlighting five recommendations to improve safety measures. These recommendations include additional emergency buttons, a new rear exit window, and better driver and passenger education. There is also a recommendation for putting safety barriers for bus drivers.

According to Cr Quirk, they will be making a program that will involve 600 buses to get the much-needed emergency facilities.

The review was then submitted to the State Government for consideration. However, the union knows that it would take months before the recommendations were implemented and they are seeking action now.

The Last Nail in the Coffin

In September 2016, the State Government has reported 350 bus drivers were assaulted in Queensland in just six months. In October 2016, Manmeet Alisher, a Moorooka bus driver was killed. A man allegedly threw an accelerant into the bus, which set it alight at a bus stop. The man was charged for the death of Mr Alisher along with the attempted murder of 14 passengers.

Photo credit: http://www.rtbuvic.com.au/

They Want More

Tom Brown, the secretary of the union said that they are very grateful for these recommendations but they want more. The union wants to see extra security guards but the Council’s response to this request has so far been disappointing.

The RTBU believes that this bus strike would give them the results that they have been seeking for years.

Brisbane’s Steepest Street in Toowong Continues To be Habitable

When it comes to being Brisbane’s steepest street, Gower Street in Toowong remains unbeatable. With a 1 in 3.2 incline, 17.4-degree angle and 31% slope, the residents that live on the street take pride in their street’s fame.

Some might expect that there have been plenty of accidents on the street. Surprisingly, only a few accidents have happened here. Most of them, such as incidents of cars turning, happened before work on the bitumen had been completed. Residents in the area are happy to live in Toowong. What seems to be their only problem is that the bus stop is at the top of the hill, making a walk to the bus stop quite an aerobic exercise.

Photo credit: https://www.domain.com.au/

New homes continue to be built on the street despite its terrain condition. A recent builder recounts his experience building a home there. Kirk Hawkins of Hawkins & Co., said that his staff and subcontractors risked their lives just by simply building a home on Gower Street.

Mr Hawkins said that the steep incline posed a hazard to the trucks that deliver to the area. It came to a point that the trucks refused to deliver to them. Interim solutions were proposed, such as pumping concrete from Stanley Terrace. Eventually, all their efforts were deemed to have been worth it. The house was sold, after more than a month, for $1.675 million, largely due to its 180-degree views of the city and Mount Coot-tha.

According to Dixon Family’s Jack Dixon (the one who sold the house), despite the obvious challenges, focusing on the positives has helped the home sell. The home has now been nominated for the sloping build category in the Master Builders awards.