Toowong Village Archives

Toowong Village Car Park Part of Wider Brisbane Parking Debate

Parking is often a key part of the shopping experience, and at Toowong Village it has become a topic of discussion among Brisbane locals. The centre’s car park, which serves a busy retail and transport hub, is frequently mentioned in online forums where shoppers share their experiences of navigating its layout.

Read: Toowong Village Stepping Up to Help Domestic Violence Victims

A Complex Layout

Some drivers describe the car park’s design as challenging, particularly because of its one-way system. Social media posts note that motorists can feel as though they are being channelled in specific directions, with limited opportunities to loop back if they miss a space. In some cases, this has resulted in drivers unintentionally exiting the car park before they were ready.

Tight Ramps and Narrow Turns

Comments also highlight the ramps between levels, which feature narrow corners that can be difficult to navigate, especially for larger vehicles. A number of drivers have admitted to scraping their cars on tight turns, while others recall moments of confusion at small internal roundabouts and intersections.

Part of a Wider City Conversation

Toowong Village is far from the only shopping centre to generate such feedback. Across Brisbane, drivers often raise concerns about congestion, steep ramps or crowded designs in suburban car parks. These conversations, while informal, point to the ongoing challenge of balancing convenience, safety and space in busy retail precincts.

Read: Toowong Village Named State’s Top Retail Property After Major Makeover

For regular visitors, Toowong Village remains a convenient shopping and transport destination, with parking experiences varying widely depending on the time of day and individual familiarity with the layout.

As Brisbane continues to grow and redevelop its suburban hubs, parking design is likely to remain a talking point for shoppers and planners alike. For centres like Toowong Village, the way motorists experience car parks can shape not only how people shop, but also how they move through and interact with the surrounding precinct.

Published 28-August-2025

No Weapons Found During Police Wanding at Toowong Village

Photo Credit: QPS

Police included Toowong Village in a series of public weapon scanning operations across Queensland, though no weapons or charges were recorded at the site.

Background and Context

Toowong Village was one of several public sites scanned under the expanded provisions of Queensland’s Jack’s Law. The law, named after 17-year-old Jack Beasley, was introduced following his fatal stabbing in Surfers Paradise in 2019. It permits police to use handheld metal detectors to search individuals in public without requiring reasonable suspicion. Initially trialled in designated precincts, the law was later expanded across the state. From April 2023 to June 2025, police scanned over 122,000 individuals and seized more than 1,100 weapons.

Jack’s Law Queensland — *Photo Credit: QPS*

Wanding Operation Data: Toowong Among Low-Detection Sites

Between January and March 2025, Queensland Police scanned over 12,400 people across various locations including shopping centres, public transport hubs, and nightlife precincts. At Toowong Village, 10 individuals were scanned—seven adults and three juveniles. No weapons were detected, and no charges were laid. Other Brisbane locations, such as Chermside and Westfield Mt Gravatt, recorded multiple detections, in contrast to Toowong.

Overview of Police Powers Under Jack’s Law

The Making Jack’s Law Permanent Act 2025 amended the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000, granting Queensland Police authority to conduct random scans in shopping centres, transport stations, entertainment venues, and other public places. Officers may also seek approval to scan in non-designated locations for up to 12 hours. This shift marks a significant increase in police search powers, removing the prior requirement for reasonable suspicion.

Community and Expert Perspectives

The expanded law has received mixed responses. Some academics and legal experts expressed concern over the low rate of weapon detection and the potential for misuse, noting that only 2.4 per cent of scanned individuals were charged with weapons offences between January and March 2025. Others cautioned that the law may lead to discriminatory practices. Police maintain the primary purpose is deterrence, and that the removal of more than 1,100 weapons under the law indicates success.

Future Implications for Toowong

Although no weapons were found at Toowong Village, its inclusion in the wanding operation reflects the broader application of Jack’s Law across all public areas in Queensland. The ongoing implementation of these powers suggests continued surveillance in shopping centres and similar venues, with future outcomes dependent on ongoing data and public safety assessments.

Published 29-July-2025

BOQ Transitions to Digital, Toowong Branch Among 16 Closures

The Bank of Queensland (BOQ) has announced a sweeping closure of 16 branches across Australia this February, with significant implications for its customers. Among the closures, seven are in Queensland, including the BOQ Toowong branch, a key location serving both individual and business clients in the area.

Read: Toowong Village Hosts Star-Studded Bra Art Exhibition and $500 Shopping Spree

This decision comes as BOQ continues to pivot toward digital banking channels, part of an ongoing strategy to adapt to changing customer preferences. The closures will impact approximately 900,000 customers nationwide, adding to a broader trend of bank branch shutdowns that has swept across Australia in recent years.

According to the University of Western Australia, over 2,000 branches have shuttered since 2017, leaving many communities, particularly rural ones, with limited access to in-person banking services.

boq — Photo credit: BOQ Toowong/Facebook

The closure of the Toowong branch at the first level of Toowong Village, scheduled for February 27, has sparked concern among local residents and businesses who rely on face-to-face banking services. The branch has long been a cornerstone for customers seeking personal assistance, from setting up accounts to securing loans.

The Broader Impact

BOQ’s decision to close branches spans multiple states, with five closures in Victoria, three in New South Wales, and one in Western Australia, alongside the seven in Queensland. The move reflects a growing trend in the banking industry as institutions encourage customers to adopt digital platforms and services like Bank@Post, a partnership with Australia Post allowing basic banking transactions.

In a statement, BOQ emphasised its commitment to enhancing digital offerings, noting that the closures are part of a broader strategy to “meet the evolving needs of customers.” However, the rapid shift has not been without criticism, as it risks alienating older customers and those less comfortable with technology.

Read: Centuria Finalises Sale of Premier Toowong Office for Over $37 Million

As the banking landscape continues to evolve, the closure of the Toowong branch underscores the need for a balance between digital transformation and maintaining accessibility for all customers.

Published 27-January-2025

Toowong Village Hosts Star-Studded Bra Art Exhibition and $500 Shopping Spree

Get ready for a dazzling display of creativity and compassion this October in Toowong!

Toowong Village shopping centre is hosting “Bras By The Stars,” a captivating display of bras creatively adorned by well-known Brisbane personalities from the entertainment, sports, and media worlds.

This initiative, reminiscent of a similar event held in 2004, aims to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research and patient care through The Wesley Hospital Choices Cancer Support Centre. Celebrities such as Christian Hull, Susie O’Neill, Alastair McLeod, and Melissa Downes have contributed their artistic talents to the project, transforming ordinary bras into unique works of art.

Triumph Lingerie, a key partner in the original 2004 exhibition, has again supplied the bras for this worthy cause. The exhibition is free and runs throughout October at Toowong Village.

But that’s not all! Toowong Village also offers shoppers the chance to win a $500 gift voucher at the centre. After enjoying the “Bras By The Stars” exhibition, visitors can try their luck in the draw and potentially indulge in a shopping spree.

This exciting event offers a wonderful opportunity to appreciate creative expression, contribute to a vital cause, and enjoy some retail therapy, all in the heart of Toowong.

Published Date 14-October-2024

‘Better Uses’ Than Parking at Toowong Central Site, Say Residents

A debate is unfolding over plans to construct a temporary parking station at the former Woolworths site in Toowong Central.

Read: Stalled Development at Toowong Site Sparks Community Debate

When public consultations came to a close on May 14, nearly 30 submissions from Toowong residents were received, mostly objecting to the development application.

Aerial photograph of site (Photo credit: Brisbane City Council/Urbis)

“I believe there are better uses for the space, such as creating a communal area,” said one resident. “There is an opportunity here to enhance the Toowong neighbourhood and benefit the community – something yet another car park will not achieve.”

Plans call for 86 standard parking spaces, four disabled spots, and four motorcycle spaces accessed via existing crossovers on Sherwood Road, High Street, and Jephson Street. The parking station at Toowong Central would operate 24/7 under third-party management.

The site lies adjacent to the Toowong Tower, Village Shopping Centre, Royal Exchange Hotel, Toowong Train Station and other residential and commercial developments at the core of the Toowong Centre Precinct.

“The intersection of High Street and Coronation Drive is regularly congested – even outside peak traffic hours – from cars entering Toowong village, and traffic on Jephson street and Sherwood street is regularly backed up due to the various intersections around the block of Toowong Village,” another resident wrote in their submission.

“Adding even more traffic – especially around peak times – by adding a carpark would render the entire area to be unusable for cars, and would mean that public transport (specifically the many buses that travel along High Street and Moggill Road) is severely impacted,” the resident added.

Planners claim the temporary parking will “assist with the activation of the site” and improve accessibility for nearby businesses and commuters until further development occurs.

However, Greens MP Michael Berkman questioned the need, stating “Pretty baffling given there’s a giant multi-level car park just across the road at Toowong Village.”

Read: Toowong Village Named State’s Top Retail Property After Major Makeover

As the discussion continues, the Toowong community finds itself divided between developers seeking to provide convenient parking and residents hoping to preserve greenspace and community amenities in one of Brisbane’s most rapidly densifying suburbs.

Published 14-May-2024

Toowong Village Named State’s Top Retail Property After Major Makeover

Toowong Village has been named Retail Property of the Year at the 2023 Queensland Retail Property Awards, recognising the shopping centre’s innovative repositioning and marketing efforts following a major redevelopment.

Read: Toowong Village Revamps Its Retail Line Up

The property, owned by YFG Shopping Centres and managed by Retail First, underwent significant renovations over the past year to revitalise the complex. The project added new dining and entertainment options to create a lively restaurant precinct.

In 2022, they welcomed Woolworths, TK Maxx, two international supermarkets, and a mix of specialty retailers.

According to the Property Council of Australia, which hosts the awards, Toowong Village stood out for transforming a ‘land-locked vertical asset’ through creative thinking.

“Toowong Village has been a strong performer across all Awards they entered this year, but it was their work in repositioning a land locked vertical asset through innovative development thinking and a corresponding marketing campaign that drove visitation, sales, and positive feedback that saw them take out the top prize,” the Property Council of Australia has stated.

One highlight of their marketing campaign was the Heart Gallery, a two-month exhibition from March to May 2023 showcasing works by local artists. The free event supported the community and arts whilst drawing customers to the reimagined property.

Retail First’s ‘The Heart Gallery’ campaign also won the Community Award at this year’s Retail Property Awards for Queensland.

Property Council of Australia said the campaign was a unique drawcard, driving traffic and sales whilst fostering connections with community and charities and shone a light on local talent.

About Toowong Village

The site where Toowong Village now stands has a long history intertwined with the development of Brisbane’s inner west. In the early 20th century, the land housed Patterson’s Sawmill, which relied on the adjacent railway to transport timber and products.

Toowong Sawmill about 1916-17, sawing Queensland hoop pine logs from Brookfield-Enoggera area. This mill was burnt down in 1918 (Photo credit: John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland)

After the sawmill closed down, the prime location beside the Toowong train station was ripe for redevelopment. In 1986, the Toowong Village shopping centre and office tower opened on the former sawmill property.

Spanning over 40,000 sqm, Toowong Village transformed the old industrial site into a major retail and commercial hub.

In 2015, Toowong Village underwent a major $50 million redevelopment to modernise the dated complex.

The $50 million modernisation of Toowong Village dramatically updated the shopping experience. Interiors were revamped with a simplified mall layout to improve navigation. The parking system was overhauled to make entering and exiting more efficient.

Read: Check Out These Brilliantly Painted Fiberglass Hearts at The Heart Gallery Exhibition In Toowong

The tired food court was refurbished with fresh dining options. An alfresco restaurant precinct was added along the front side of the complex on High Street. This new area allows patrons to enjoy dining outdoors along the bustling Sherwood Road.

Published 11-October-2023

Check Out These Brilliantly Painted Fiberglass Hearts at The Heart Gallery Exhibition In Toowong

Around 10 magnificent fibreglass hearts, adorned with breathtaking paintings by talented local Brisbane artists, are on display in an extraordinary exhibition at The Heart Gallery in Toowong Village that also seeks to support charitable causes.

Read: Toowong Village Revamps Its Retail Line Up

On display from 31 March to 31 May 2023, each work of art represents a local charity. Toowong Village will help share the love through an online auction, donating 100 percent of the proceeds raised from sales of each piece to its designated charity.

One such masterpiece, “Everything Old is Blue Again,” crafted by Michelle Grayson of Sprout Gallery and representing The Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust, encapsulates the enchantment of blue and white artwork alongside captivating botanical drawings and paintings of flowers and plants.

Ms Grayson, primarily known for her expertise in watercolour art, occasionally ventures into the realm of acrylics as well. A few years ago, she ventured into the realm of textiles, establishing her own range, and she aspires to expand her creative endeavours into the realm of wallpaper in the future.

For over two decades, Michelle has been showcasing and selling her original watercolour artwork, as well as prints, through Sprout Gallery, fostering her artistic journey.

The Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust has been a stalwart supporter of countless grassroots charitable initiatives in Brisbane for decades now. Each year, the trust conducts multiple grant rounds to provide assistance to those in need.

The Trust’s

support extends to various causes, including distributing toys during Christmas, donating Easter eggs to vulnerable children, aiding domestic violence refugees, assisting the homeless population, and supporting families facing food scarcity.

Read: Toowong Village Shopping Centre Site to Get New Lease on Life

The Heart Gallery at Toowong Village is sponsored by Retail First. Those who are interested in bidding in the auction can go to https://oktion.com.au/.

Published 27-April-2023

Woolworths Opens New Toowong Site After 5 Years

A new Woolworths site has finally opened at the Toowong Village on Sherwood Rd five years after the supermarket chain closed its stand-alone outlet on the opposite side of the road.

The 4,000-sqm location, which officially welcomed shoppers on the 7th of December 2022, offers the full line and will have about 100 staff members to assist the customers. It’s the first new supermarket to open in Brisbane’s inner west after more than a decade.

In 2017, the old Woolworths opposite Toowong Village, which had been one of the very first supermarkets in the precinct, had to permanently close as the property was up for redevelopment as a multi-level residential and commercial centre.

Toowong Village, which recently revamped its retail lineup, has Coles on the ground floor and just welcomed The Source, a grocery store for bulk purchases. The shopping centre has two Asian supermarkets as well, Hanamart and Fresco.

For the first time in 36 years, Toowong Village also upgraded its travelators and glass lifts to improve accessibility, especially for its senior customers.

The refurbishments and update come as Coles is also in the midst of an inner west expansion with Coles Local in Taringa and plans lodged for Bardon and Milton.

Woolworths Toowong has taken over the space formerly occupied by David Jones at the gallery level of the shopping centre.

The supermarket includes a new onsite bakery that serves freshly-baked bread, gourmet pastries and bespoke cakes. The outlet also features a large deli section and a sushi bar from Sushi Izu.

Woolworths Toowong is open as early as 7:00 a.m. amidst the Christmas rush. Incidentally during this holiday season, Toowong Village is offering ticketless free parking for the first three hours effective the 1st of December 2022.

Absolutely incredible, words cannot describe how delighted I am for Woolworths to bless me with it’s presence, I have been counting down the days and staying up all night in anticipation for the opening. And Woolworths has delivered above and beyond, absolutely pogchamp, to say the least.
Angus

Beautifully presented store with really fresh produce and friendly staff. Smaller floor area than Woolworths Indooroopilly yet surprisingly had items I can’t find at Indro. Makes the Coles downstairs look like a Bi-Lo (sorry Coles!)
Nick

I have been looking forward to this Woolworths since it was announced. So excited to see it finally open and be just as good as I imagined. Very well presented store that I will be going to everytime I need groceries.
Matthew

Toowong Village Revamps Its Retail Line Up

Photo Credit: Toowong Village / toowongvillage.com.au

Big changes are happening as Toowong Village adds new stores to its retail offerings during its ongoing refurbishment. Shoppers can now expect to see Woolworths, TK Maxx, and Fresco Supermarket, to name a few, open on or before 2022 ends.

Hanaromart Toowong | Photo Credit: Hanaromart / hanaromartonline.com

Asian grocery store, Hanaromart is now open on the ground level in the food court whilst another Asian supermarket, Fresco, is set to open its doors in late 2022. The 4,000-sqm Woolworths and TK Maxx are coming to the centre later this year as well.

“We are welcoming Woolworths, TK Maxx, two international supermarkets and a strong mix of specialty retailers. This will complement the already strong performing Coles, bespoke fresh food precinct, and the intimate village atmosphere,” Retail First, which manages the centre said.

Owners YFG Shopping Centres announced that the shake-up in Toowong Village’s retail lineup comes as the centre undergoes a redevelopment. At the Ground level, the lift at its Sherwood Road entry has been upgraded servicing B1 and Level 2 and will provide street access to Gallery Level once Woolworths, which will replace David Jones, opens in late 2022.

Gallery Level will be transformed into a new Fresh Food and Lifestyle precinct which is set to open in late November this year. ANZ will likewise open on the Gallery Level next to Bed Bath N’ Table in late September whilst Juniper & Co will relocate from Level 1.

Toowong Village will remain open during its redevelopment whilst keeping disruption to a minimum.

Toowong Village Shopping Centre Site to Get New Lease on Life

Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au

A childcare centre, with indoor sport and recreation area and community use facility, may soon open at Toowong Village Shopping Centre, if development plans are approved.

TTP Management Pty Ltd has lodged a development application seeking to transform the site, which is the former location of Sizzler – Toowong which permanently closed in 2016.

The development plans include the installation of three indoor spaces, three simulated play spaces, a dining area, a kids store, a canteen, an office space, and a reception area.

Proposed childcare center at Toowong Village Shopping Centre — Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au

The new childcare centre at Toowong Village plans to operate from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Meanwhile, the area for indoor sport, recreation, and community use will operate after the childcare centre’s operating hours. The facility may also include 24-hour operations on Saturdays and Sundays.

Interior of childcare centre — Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au

“The development is identified as being consistent with the purpose and overall outcomes of the Centre or mixed-use code and compliant with section A of the Centre or mixed-use code. A Code assessable development application is triggered as the proposed Child care centre is located in the A and B sub-categories of the Transport air quality corridor overlay,” a portion of the development application states.

Play area of childcare centre at Toowong Village Shopping Centre — Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au

“As a result, the development is only assessable against section A of the Major Center zone code and section A, section B and PO2 of the Transport air quality corridor overlay code,” says the planners at Town Planning Alliance.

Recreation area at Toowong Village Shopping Centre — Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au

All construction works will occur indoors and there are no plans to increase the gross floor area of the tenancy or alter the current building footprint.