It took trust, strength and determination for Brisbane Boys’ College (BBC) in Toowong to break a 19-year-drought and emerge victorious at the Head of the River 2021 regatta.
On Saturday morning, 13 March 2021, BBC’s First VIII rowing team managed to beat Anglican Church Grammar School and St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace in the last 250 metres at Lake Wyaralong.
The 10-man squad was trailing behind Churchie at 500 metres but the crew powered on, displaying their strength and teamwork to pull together.
Captain of Boats Sam Crook said that they achieved this monumental win by trusting each other.
“As we sit on the start line all hoping for victory, the unit that has the trust, the belief and that follows the process will be the one that is successful,” Sam said. “In order to achieve glory, you must do something the boat next to you is not willing to do. It is not an option to let down the man in front when the pain cave hits.”
Photo Credit: BBC
Mark Pavone, Brisbane Boys’ College head of co-curricular said that the team shares this victory with the parents, who have sacrificed their time to drive their boys to the training, and to the community that has tireless supported them.
The school’s First VIII rowing team victory comes after BBC’s First XV Rugby and First IV Tennis teams won the 2020 GPS Rugby and Tennis Premiers. The current but outgoing principal, Mr Paul Brown, is the only principal in the school’s 119-year history to have had both rugby and rowing championships during his term of office.
Meanwhile, Churchie received the Old Boys Cup for the quality of its longstanding rowing program. Anglican Church Grammar School Deputy Headmaster Co-curricular John Frare said this was, in itself, a great achievement for the school, which has one of the largest student body participating in rowing in Queensland.
It’s the end of an era for Linden Lea, the Tudor-style historic house standing on Archer Street in Toowong, after workers with excavators proceeded to tear down its structures.
Despite community efforts to stop the demolition, workers have been breaking down parts of the house from the inside as early as Monday, 1 March 2021. On Thursday, some of the outdoor structures have been knocked down as well because the house didn’t have protection as a heritage-listed site.
Originally designed by architect Horace Driver, Linden Lea was built in 1937 for the famous Websters family, which owned Brisbane’s first Shingle Inn.
The six-bedroom house with servants’ quarters boasted of a river frontage and a massive Moreton Bay fig in the backyard. The front section on Archer street had a lovely garden and sat next to other interwar homes. Every feature added to the character of the property.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
But Linden Lea was sold to the current owners in 2013. In 2017, they filed a demolition application with Brisbane City Council, which was rejected. Two years after the rejection, the owners won the appeal with the Planning and Environment Court. Among the reasons for overturning Council’s decision was that the house isn’t located in a character residential zone.
In a last-ditch effort, neighbours filed a heritage-listing application on 10 Feb 2021, citing that Linden Lea has rare architecture and it used to be home to a family with lasting links to Brisbane.
Minister for the Environment Megahan Scanlon MP said that Linden Lea’s heritage application “may likely satisfy the cultural heritage criteria” but she also told the Toowong Residents Group that demolition can proceed, as authorised by a court order. There has been no stop-work order from her office.
Meanwhile, the owner’s development application for the new building to replace this Tudor-style house is still pending with Council.
In order to capitalise on the Regatta Hotel’s primo position by the riverside, the Australian Venue Co aims to give this iconic Toowong establishment some new and exciting renovations.
Toowong’s very own Regatta hotel has provided Brisbane with lodging, beer, wine, and cuisine since 1874. Now, plans are being drawn to expand the hotel’s beer garden, as well as to establish a rooftop terrace along Coronation Drive, between the Regatta’s heritage building and one of their restaurants, The Boatshed.
The Australian Venue Co intends to have the Regatta make better use of its location by giving people more access to the potential views the hotel can offer. A rooftop terrace is perfect for overlooking the Brisbane River. On the other hand, expanding the beer garden would take up more space in Sylvan Rd’s car park in exchange for being able to accommodate more guests.
Render and location of proposed extension. Photo credit: PD Online/Brisbane City Council
In the past, the Regatta has served as the venue for many public events such as the Laneway Vineyard Festival, which showcased some of the most exquisite wine from around the world in 2017 and 2018. The upcoming Spin and Tonic — a sunset session scheduled for April 1, 2021, complete with beverages and live music — will also be held at the Regatta with its venue being The Courtyard, the hotel’s open-air dining and bar area.
Though the plans themselves have not been approved, their development is part of Australia Venue Co’s $53M campaign to renovate and clean up Queensland’s pubs and bars. Renovations are expected to begin either later within the year or early in 2022.
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.
Photo Credit: EdStart
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.
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.
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.”
Photo Credit: Stuartholme School/Facebook
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.
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.
Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council
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.
Photo Credit: Brisbane City CouncilPhoto Credit: Brisbane City Council
“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.
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.
Photo Credit: Cr James Mackay/Facebook
For additional details about the Toowong bike lane detour and this water main upgrade, residents may phone 1300 13 13 38.
Brisbane’s Planning & Environment Court has ruled that the grounds of Goldicott House, located at 65 Grove Crescent in Toowong, cannot be rezoned or subdivided for development.
This has thwarted development plans for the property, in the latest update on a saga that has seen residents and heritage experts voice their protests over the past several years since the property was sold in 2017.
BCC and Residents Objected to Development
In 2019, Brisbane City Council’s City Planning Committee recommended disapproval of the application for subdivision of the 12,340-sqm heritage-listed property.
Photo Credit: QLD Heritage Register Gallery
At the time, City Planning Chairman Councillor Matthew Bourke also cited the developer’s failure to meet the Council’s strict criteria for a use of a Local Heritage Place as the reason for the rejection of the application.
A total of 123 community submissions from locals were considered in the BCC’s decision. “During its assessment, Council considered 123 submissions, including a submission from the National Trust, outlining concerns about heritage implications,” Cr Bourke said.
Residents’ submissions expressed concerns and opposition to the application citing environmental impact and worsening of traffic congestion, including the potential traffic danger to children of the nearby schools.
PHoto Credit: QLD Heritage Register Gallery
Concerns were also raised over plans to subdivide the property, with heritage experts calling for the protection of cultural heritage buildings such as Goldicott House.
About Goldicott House
Photo Credit: Screengrab from YouTube/Andrew Degn
Built in 1885 for Brisbane engineer Charles Lambert Depre, Goldicott House was the first residential home to use poured concrete in its construction. Erecting Goldicott House was a revolutionary innovation in construction at the time.
In 1903, Goldicott was renamed Mount St Mary’s Convent after Sisters of Mercy purchased the property. In 1998, Goldicott was listed in the Queensland Heritage Register.
“The concrete construction was innovative and remarkable for its time. The place is significant for its association with engineer Charles Lambert Depree, and his contribution to concrete construction implementation and technology in 19th century Queensland,” the Queensland Heritage Register citation said.
QLD Academy of Science, Mathematics and Technology announced residents can now access the Vera St Common, after it decided to reopen a gate they had previously locked, leading to the Vera St Community Garden, Toowong Creek, and adjacent grounds.
This development came after numerous letters and social media posts from Toowong residents expressed indignation and displeasure at the blocked access.
Vera St Common is popular among locals because of the access it provides to a Council bike path, the community garden and composting area that gardeners frequent, and the surrounding areas where children and dog walkers spend time.
Like the nearby West Rugby Club’s fields, Vera St Common is widely considered to be a community hub, with activities centred on the use of the grounds, usually on weekends or in the afternoon hours.
QASMT controls access to the controversial gate because the land north of Toowong Creek is part of school grounds and sometimes used for sports, although the organiser of the community garden had been given the gate key to let people in after the initial closure was implemented.
In an open letter to neighbours dated the 8th of May 2020 and sent over the weekend, Principal Kath Kayrooz of QASMT advised neighbours they could resume dog walking and other uses as long as they obeyed set rules.
“After long negotiations with the Department of Education Security and Facilities, I am pleased to advise that we will unlock the gate on Vera St this afternoon,’’ Principal Kayrooz said.
Ms Kayrooz explained that reports of breaches of social distancing rules to the DoE regional office led to the decision to block access to Vera St Common.
Other Concerns
Recently, the area has been the subject of protests because of perceived environmental ramifications to local flora and fauna, brought about by building works undertaken by the school adjacent to the creek.
In 2019, concerns were raised about the need to fell more than 58 trees in the area, including a 300-year-old grey ironbark. Efforts to save the centuries-old, protected ironbark tree led the government, Council, and the school to agree to move one building 11 metres.
A group of environmentalists led by zoologist Iris Hing also lamented the destruction of the native habitat of indigenous species, such as rare, native amphibians that make their home in Toowong Creek.
Other concerns raised by neighbours about the construction works include increased vehicular and foot traffic; decreased on-street parking, increased noise pollution; disruption on native fauna brought about by the construction; and neighbourhood traffic disruption during event nights at the school.
The protests and some instances of vandalism in the past year have raised security concerns which led to 24-hour security details and a proposed security fence that will be completed by the mid-year.
At present though, Principal Kayrooz has said that residents can again access the park and adjacent grounds at will, provided they abide by social distancing rules, use the area on the north bank of Toowong Creek only during daytime hours, keep dogs on leashes, and pick up after their pets.
A compromise on concerns about the school construction has yet to be made.
A $450-million development application for a new Toowong Town Centre has been lodged by State Development Corporation and advisory firm White and Partners.
This proposed mixed-use precinct is located at a 8,982-sqm site on the corner of High Street and Sherwood Road, the site of one of the first Woolworths in the state.
Photo Credit : Urban Developer
Based on an “open street” concept, the proposal creates a central public space which connects Sherwood Rd, High St and Jephson St. The public plaza, which adjoins the Sherwood Rd intersection, will usher visitors into the Toowong Commercial precinct.
Designed to connect public transport routes via train, bus and cycleways, it will also be integrated with the various pedestrian routes through Toowong, to make the site more accessible to the surrounding neighbourhoods.
Source: PD Online A005434525 / NettletonTribe
“Our plans include upgrades to High Street with the building set back further from the street, allowing for a dedicated bus lane for the busy Toowong bus stop. Allowing buses to stop in front of our development without blocking the two inbound lanes will alleviate traffic in the area, especially during peak hour,” Ross McKinnon, Managing Director of State Development Corporation, said
Toowong’s Heart
Source: PD Online A005434525 / NettletonTribe
The site sits opposite Toowong Village and the train station, both built in the mid-1980s. Although not designed to directly rival Toowong Village, the developers said it is intended to be “a public plaza which integrates with the existing urban common,” where “the public spaces will form a distinctive sense of place and vibrant retail centre to the Toowong heart.”
The plaza is intended to be used for community activities, small concerts, outdoor dining and food festivals, and other special events.
Source: PD Online A005434525 / White & Partners | ASdesign
“We see the plaza as being an ever-changing meeting area – an iconic location that changes from day to night, week to week, and season to season,” Mr McKinnon said.
Overall, the site comprises a five-storey, open-air plaza, which includes a theatre, a 20-storey office tower, and a 25-storey residential tower. The retail component of the development is accessible directly from High Street, Sherwood Road and Jephson Street, where there will be a street-level entry into the centre.
“Inspiration for the design has come from one of the greatest outdoor shopping centres in the world, The Grove Shopping Centre in Los Angeles, which incorporates the best characteristics of a high street in the one development,” Mr McKinnon said.
“Brisbane has a similar climate to Los Angeles, and we believe the open street theme along with the open-air plaza is the perfect combination to enhance the existing Toowong area. Now more than ever, Toowong needs a heart – a civic plaza to give the suburb a focal point the neighbourhood and community can identify with,” he explained.
New Design Replaces 2016 Submission
Mr McKinnon further explained that the company decided not to push through with the three-tower design approved by Council in 2016.
Instead, the current design includes only two towers, with more space to open up the site for more effective public areas. Both towers will be positioned for maximum daylight penetration, to the west and south of the public plaza.
The office tower is designed to be a “multi-functional stack,” twisted every three-storeys and offset to express tower movement in the facade as it rises above the plaza. The design statement describes this movement as reflective of “river bends and the reaches it overlooks.”
Meanwhile, the residential tower, has a slender, iconic form which has been designed to complement the curved language of the commercial tower. Splitting the tower form are two green spines which create communal gardens, situated every three to four floors which according to the design statement, also serve as distinctive “visual markers from the key northern and eastern approaches.”
Source: PD Online A005434525 / White & Partners | ASdesign
Approximately half of the site is designated as public space. An open-air plaza which includes a water feature that converts to a stage area constitutes what the designers deem to be “the beating heart” of the precinct.
Once the DA is approved, expressions of interest from commercial and retail tenants will be sought.
“We have developed four projects in the western corridor and understand the Toowong area very well. We’re creating a completely different offer and an entirely new streetscape for Toowong,” McKinnon said.
