toowong brisbane Archives

Energex Substation Upgrades to Boost Power Supply in Toowong

Work is progressing on the approved upgrade to a local Energex substation in Wool Street, Toowong. The upgrade will help increase the reliability of power supply not just in Toowong but also in its surrounding suburbs, like Taringa, St Lucia, and Auchenflower.

Now in its second stage, the $4 million project will involve the installation of a new transformer along with associated electrical work. It’s part of the State Government’s investment in infrastructure for Queensland communities to support current and future growth.

According to Energy Minister Dr Anthony Lynham, these upgrades are designed to cater for current and future electrical needs of Toowong and surrounding suburbs, which have experienced steady growth over many years.

“This is an investment in current and future jobs, with major employers like Toowong Village in the area, and major redevelopment expected on the former Woolworths site,” Dr Lynham said.

Aside from increasing the substation’s capacity and improving its technical capabilities, the upgrades will be particularly handy during storms and emergency power outages when Energex staff can shift power around remotely, getting supply up and running faster.

“While people are the heart of any community, infrastructure is the backbone and a quality electricity network certainly breathes life into the things people do every day,” Dr Lynham added.

Work has already commenced and subject to site and weather conditions, the upgrades are anticipated to be completed by mid-2020.

ANZAC Day Activities In Toowong Cemetery

A week of Anzac-themed events is coming up in Toowong Cemetery. If you’re looking for some activities to commemorate the day, you can check out these activities from 19-28 April 2018.

Hundreds of servicemen who died whilst on active duty or after the war were laid to rest in this cemetery. The place is considered to be highly significant for Anzac history, so it is but fitting for the cemetery to be the venue to commemorate the sacrifice of the country’s heroes.

Guided Theatrical Tours

One of the Anzac events at Toowong Cemetery is the nightly guided theatrical tour. The tour will guide participants through the lights to tell the stories of the Anzacs buried at the cemetery

The tours will run from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. every night. However, on movie night on Saturday 28 April, the tour will start early at 6:00 p.m.

Interested individuals should come at least 15 minutes before the scheduled tour.

Lighting Installation

At the ‘Soldiers Corner’ at Portion 10 in the cemetery, there will be a lighting installation from 6:00 p.m each night. The light display will run from 19-28 April.

Concerts

The South Brisbane Federal Band will perform at the entrance of the cemetery. Make sure to bring a blanket with you so you can sit on the grass whilst you listen to free entertainment.

On 28 April, the Australian Military Wives Brisbane will fill the cemetery with music from the war era.

Movie Night

After the concert on 28 April, catch the War Horse movie with your loved ones. The screening will be at the Canon Garland Place from 7:30 p.m.

No bookings are required and there are also no seating arrangements. Feel free to bring picnic rugs, camping chairs, beanbags or cushions for seats.

Each event is FREE and will run from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The Anzac-themed events are made possible with the help of Backbone Youth Arts Inc.

Fat & Overly Long Noodles Are Taking Over The Toowong Scene

If you’re looking for the biggest and fattest noodles here in the west, there’s no better place to go but Biang Biang Fresh Noodle in Toowong.

Situated at the corner of High Street and Sherwood Road, you will see a lit yellow sign. It’s a small takeaway place with a few tables and chairs and bar seating for those who want to dine in.

Their simple menu offers fresh, handmade and traditional Northern Chinese noodles. The kitchen is headed by Chef Kieran Zou of Sichuan Bang Bang in Paddington and Kenmore.

For first-timers, it would be splendid to try their Sichuan pork. Those who have a liking for spicy goodness must not miss their Sizzling Chilli Oil. There are also noodles with curry flavours.

“Biang Biang,” also known as you po che mian in Chinese is a type of noodle famous in the cuisine of Shaanxi Province in China. It is acclaimed as one of the “eight strange wonders of Shaanxi.” They are described like a belt due to their thickness and length.

Originally, it was a poor man’s meal in the countryside but it became popular in restaurants because of their unique character. Usually, they are topped with plenty of red hot pepper.

Address: G6 23 High Street

Free Compost and Worm Farm Workshop in Toowong

On 11 March, learn how to turn your kitchen scraps into rich nutrients for your garden at the Vera Street Community Garden in Toowong from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

The workshop is part of Brisbane City Council’s program to keep the city clean, green, and sustainable. With the free workshop, locals will get to learn more about organic waste recycling.

Benefits of Organic Waste Recycling

Organic waste recycling helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the garden’s health.

For a city burdened with landfill problems, Brisbane is in need of strong community commitment to minimise waste. The composting and worm farm workshop is one way of educating residents on how to lessen food waste.

In Brisbane, food waste is reportedly a huge part of what goes to the city’s bins that go to the landfills.

Mulch and compost also provide significant benefits to your garden. Using these organic soil additives, you get to:

Spend less time weeding and watering your garden;
Have less need for artificial fertiliser;
Produce healthier soil;
Save more time and money.

The free compost and worm farm workshop is also available in various times and areas in Brisbane. It is open to all ages.

The council reminds participants to wear a hat, flat enclosed shoes and to BYO sunscreen and drinking water.

Bookings are essential. Call 3403 888 for to reserve a slot.

Find out more about Vera Street Community Garden.

Enjoy Good Rum at The Walrus Club in Toowong

Step into a 1920-30’s prohibition at The Walrus Club in Toowong. Just underneath the Regatta Hotel, enter through the black cellar door and take in the richness of the place that is brimming with so much history forever frozen in the 1920s.

Mind you, the bar is very atmospheric despite its dimly lit rooms. It has quiet alcoves and corridors that emit a dark sense of belonging. Bricked archways add more personality to the bar. Vintage leather couches, barrels, crates and candelabras serve as the perfect adornment to keep the prohibition vibe going.

The bar gets its name from the SS Walrus, a floating rum distillery on a boat that journeyed through the Queensland rivers between 1869 and 1884.

Serving over 300 kinds of rums along with 30 different types of Cuban cigars, it’s heaven for rum-loving Brisbanites.

The house-spiced rum is truly a-must try even if you aren’t a fan of rum.

Photo credit: The Walrus Club / Facebook

They also have a list of cocktails and craft beers that you can enjoy.

Also, you might want to take your date here for an interesting night.

Watch out for the tiny stencilled Walrus Club graffiti to lead you to the bar.

Toowong RSL Sub-Branch To Finally Have Its Own Headquarters

In the coming months, the Toowong RSL Sub-Branch will officially open a permanent new home at the Wests Bulldogs Rugby Union Headquarters on Sylvan Rd.

Mr Kerry Gallagher, the RSL president is delighted that the sub-branch is working on a permanent home, perfect for its centenary celebration next year. He is also hopeful that on this year’s Anzac day, more people will come to celebrate the centenary of Armistice Day.

Since 1991, the sub-branch has been holding their meetings at the Toowong Library and in a few months, the sub-branch will finally have its own headquarters. Mr George Vaivarins, the sub-branch executive committee member also said that they are starting to grow in members again. They also have included social members who haven’t necessarily served but supported them such as Cr Peter Magic and former Channel Nine reporter, Spencer Jolly.

The group is also calling out to the public for memorabilia since they have lost theirs during the 1974 floods. To donate, loan memorabilia, or to join, you can call 3870 1379.

Aged Care Facility Proposal Submitted For Salvos Site in Toowong

The Salvation Army’s student accommodation in Toowong has finally been sold and Aurrum, an aged-care developer based in Sydney, has just submitted a proposal for the site.

Located at 15 Jephson Street, a two-storey brick student accommodation currently stands on a 5248-square-metre block. The accommodation has been closed since November 2016 after being sold in June of last year. It was finalised on 20 December and the next day, the Brisbane City Council received a development application from Urbis on behalf of Aurrum.

The development application is proposing a five-storey 120-unit aged care facility on the site. Three levels will house 120 residential units, whilst the ground level will be for facilities and a drop-off area and a 21 basement car parking. There will be an amenity area on the rooftop for the staff.

Should the council approve the development, this will be the first Queensland project for the developer. Currently, they have 1,000 operating facilities in Victoria and NSW.

Development Across Toowong Village Finally Gets Go Signal From Brisbane City Council

As 2018 rolls around, so does the continuous stream of development proposals pour into what is said to be one of the best sub-market in west Brisbane, Toowong. One of Australia’s biggest property companies, Stockland, has just received the green light from the Brisbane City Council for their 25-storey triple-tower development just across Toowong Village.

It was in October of 2016 when the property developer lodged a submission for the three towers with plans of demolishing establishments on Sherwood Road and Jephson Streets.

Negotiations went on for over a year as the property developer and Council addressed issues, including the ones raised by the local community. These issues include the design, parking, tower separation, staging and open space. Throughout the entire negotiation process, the property developer acknowledged and responded to the concerns making adjustments accordingly.

They also provided a traffic engineering advice from TTM group responding to parking and traffic concerns.

For construction to begin, existing establishments will have to be closed for demolition including the Newsroom Cafe, Mountain Designs, Subway and Timbuctoo clothing store.

The new development will have over 500 apartments, a laneway cafe, restaurant precinct and green spaces.

The Newsroom Cafe in Toowong Continues To Bring Comfort to Locals

An institution in Toowong, Newsroom Cafe has been around for years. Located on High Street just opposite Toowong Village, this cafe consistently serves great food and coffee.

The cafe isn’t that big but there’s one thing that they are really big on: comfort. A cosy setting, hearty meals, and unforgettable caffeine brews all conspire to keep their customers, mostly uni students and young business types, coming back for more.

Offering an all-day breakfast menu, they also have several vegetarian options.

Don’t forget to try out their special homemade gnocchi as well with a choice of delicious wild mushroom soup or traditional bolognese paired with a side of cumin and lentil sourdough.

Their new lasagne that comes with bolognese cause and two slices of Turkish bread is also a-must try for those who have bigger appetites or those who are looking for something filling to last them through the day.

Coffee is delicious and you can also have thick milkshakes and other refreshments.

Mornings are the busiest so come early or be prepared to wait to get some good seats.

Stuartholme School Students in Toowong Use ArcGIS to Develop Solutions To Traffic Congestion in Lambert Rd.

Year 12 Geography students of Stuartholme School in Toowong might have a solution for the traffic congestion in Brisbane.

The students have surveyed parent drivers and mapped pick up congestion hot spots around Lambert Rd. in Indooroopilly using technology. This project is part of Esri Australia’s $100 million GIS for Schools program that provides educators in the nation with free access to their ArcGIS software.

According to the students who have tried it, the results that they have accumulated from the survey have helped them interpret data from the traffic sites better. Their results also showed that traffic is worse from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., which corresponds to peak school pick-up times.

With clearer data using GIS, they were able to identify patterns and come up with several solutions such as staggered pick-up times for schools and a foot bridge over Lambert Rd. They also want to share their findings with the Brisbane City Council.

The GIS (Geographic Information System) program is designed to promote a deeper learning experience around spatial sciences by providing access to different ready-to-go projects, which have been developed to link with the curriculum of the school. It was launched early this year. Since its launch, over 240 schools all over the nation have requested for a free ArcGIS Online Account. This technology is being used for learning Science, Mathematics, History, Geography, and more.