toowong Archives - Page 12 of 15

Access to Vera St Community Garden and Nearby Grounds Reopened

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.

Proposal Lodged for $450-M Toowong Town Centre

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.

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

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.

Photo Credit : PD Online A005434525 / NettletonTribe

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.”

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.

For more details on the development application, check PD Online Application No. A005434525.

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.

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.

Toowong Cemetery Open House: Learn the Mystical Stories of Brisbane’s Largest Burial Site

If you’re curious about the mystical stories of the Toowong Cemetery then here’s your chance to hear about it from those who know it best. On Saturday, the 12th of Oct 2019, the Council is sponsoring an open house and a bus tour of Brisbane’s largest burial site.

Cemetery staff will be sharing what they know of the Toowong Cemetery’s rich and fascinating history, from tales told and passed down to them for generations. Happening from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., this event should be an unforgettable weekend of fun, what with Halloween celebrations coming up soon!

Since this massive burial ground on Frederick Street opened in the mid-1800s, there have been hundreds of stories about the Toowong Cemetery. Some are true and some don’t make a lot of sense, whilst the rest have become urban legends that should be interesting to hear directly from the workers.

The tour will also highlight the burial grounds of notable personalities in Queensland, which includes politicians, sportsmen, war heroes, and even notorious murderers.

The open house is free for all but you’ll need to register for tickets ahead of the event.

The guided tour is part of Brisbane City Council’s intiative to showcase significant sites that celebrate the architecture, engineering and history of the city. Follow this link to find other walking tours during the open house, which has been carried out since 2010.

Old Collegians Association in Toowong Celebrates 99 Years with Old Boys’ Day 2019

Brisbane’s Old Collegians Association (OCA) is celebrating its 99th year with a host of competitive sports at the Brisbane Boys College (BBC) in Toowong. Old Boys’ Day 2019 aims to strengthen the brotherhood and reap support for the association’s various causes.

Taking place on Saturday, the 24 of Aug 2019, Old Boys Day 2019 will pit the Brisbane Boys College against The Southport School (TSS). The event will run from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and will feature the following activities:

TIME	WHAT	WHERE
12:00 p.m.	Tours of the College	Outside Main Administration Building at Kensington Terrace
	Basketball Open First	Court 1, Barbara Helen Thomson Sports Complex
3:15 p.m	Rugby First XV Match	Miskin Oval
After the games	Post-match celebration	P&F Oval

Drinks and sausage sizzle will be available at the post-match and guests may unwind with live music. This is generally a child-friendly event so you might want to bring the whole family to watch the games. The bar area, however, is open to guests 18 years old and above only.

*Photo Credit: Brisbane Boys’ College (BBC)/Facebook*

The Old Collegians Association was officially founded in the 27th of Aug 1920 by Mr Arthur (Barney) Rudd, who opened Clayfield College in 1902. He had the vision to foster fellowship and touch base with former students, whilst also providing scholarships and endowments for the sons of its members.

Mr Arthur (Barney) Rudd
Photo Credit: Old Collegians Association

In 1918, the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association purchased Clayfield College and renamed it to Brisbane Boys’ College. The institution moved to a bigger site in Toowong in the late 1920s with Mr Rudd as its deputy headmaster. OCA remained active as it inducted new members every year.

*The official opening of the new Brisbane Boys’ College at Toowong*
by the Governor of QLD Sir John Goodwin on 16 March 1931.
Photo Credit: Old Collegians Association

Several of BBC students were servicemen and heroes in the Second World War. They have also become pillars of the development and progress of the Queensland community.

Today, apart from the scholarship grants and financial assistance, the OCA also holds mentoring programs for Year 12 students. Members may also advertise on the business directory to gain leads and referrals for their products and services.

Meanwhile, BBC’s student body has increased to an average of 1,550 students a year.

A Diverse, Colourful and Flavourful Restaurant Showcasing Caribbean Cuisine Opens in Toowong

Caribbean cuisine is a fusion of different cultures from Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad and Tobago. In Toowong, you can sample and experience the taste of these islands at the newly opened restaurant, Maria Caribbean Kitchen.

Found on Jephson Street, Maria Caribbean Kitchen serves a diverse selection of dishes created from authentic family recipes that Colombian restauranteur Camila Mendieta has collected over the years. Growing up in a family-owned boutique hotel in the Caribbean, Ms Mendieta had a grand plan of connecting her roots to the Australian scene after moving to Brisbane several years ago.

The result is a spacious restaurant with colourful murals and weaved decorations indoors and outdoor seating with an abundance of greenery. This foodie hive imbibes the vibrant energy of the Caribbean.

*Photo Credit: Maria Caribbean Kitchen/Facebook*

The kitchen, on the other hand, is manned by Colombian chefs Jenny Quintero and Andrea Garcia. Food choices are prepared using locally sourced ingredients and served in large portions.

To start off, the plantain chips sourced from a farm in up north of Queensland would pair nicely with hogao (creole sauce), sour cream and guacamole. The grilled corn on the cob has a hint of Mexican flavours, while the sweet plantain poppers with pineapple chilli jam bring a delightful burst of tangy taste.

Maria Caribbean Kitchen’s main favourites on the menu include the Jamaican jerk chicken paired with toasted coconut rice, the fried barramundi dish with Colombian creole sauce, and the chargrilled meat in skewers known as the chuzo, a Central American street food fare.

Veggie diners will love this restaurant’s KFC or Krispy Fried Cauliflower. It’s seasoned to perfection and comes with the diner’s choice of side dish.

The dessert choices are also varied with guava and cheese empanadas, coconut lemonade mousse, and the iconic churros.

Maria Caribbean Kitchen opened its doors in Toowong in June 2019. Its trading hours begin at 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. It’s also open from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. except on Thursday.

“I love Caribbean food! The bold flavours are delicious. I used to go to Queenies all the time when I lived in Sydney so I was thrilled to find a Caribbean place in Brisbane.

My partner and I went there tonight for my birthday. I had the jerk chicken which was perfect. My partner had cauliflower and pumpkin curry which he really enjoyed.

But the regular serving size is very big so make sure you’re hungry. And it was busy – almost a full house – so it’s not a bad idea to book ahead. We’ll be going back again soon!”
~ Elliott Bledsoe, Facebook

“Fabulous new restaurant! We were a large group and the staff was so accommodating with a last-minute seating change and split billing. Everyone enjoyed their meals, which were super tasty. I had a seafood dish, and the produce was very fresh. Highlights of the night were the cocktails and vibrant mural. Will definitely be back!”
~ Emma Knights, Google Reviews

“Great menu. The Carribean ‘slaw is SO refreshing. Really tasty bowls of jerk chicken and coconut rice. The space is super cute with great lighting, decor, and crockery. The vibe is laid back. The staff was all engaged and helpful. I had a lovely rose to drink and my son went mad for the homemade lemonade. Will definitely be going again and bringing friends as I didn’t get a chance to sample any of the intriguing rum cocktails!”
~ Lily C, Open Table

Toowong Kerbside Collection: Can You Take Your Neighbor’s Stuff?

Toowong residents, mark your calendars for another kerbside collection, which will happen on Monday, the 20th of May 2019, beginning 6:00 a.m.

This annual practice of disposing of old stuff like carpets, rugs, furniture, small household appliances, and electronic items, is part of a green waste management initiative. However, if you happen to see stuff that may still be of use to you from your neighbour’s kerbside, will it be alright to take it home?

In Toowong and other suburbs in Brisbane, it is actually encouraged to salvage and recycle items meant for kerbside disposal. Other councils strictly prohibit this practice but kerbside collection is generally fair game in Brisbane as there is no law prohibiting neighbours to pilfer through someone else’s kerbside collections stuff.

What should you do if you like the neighbour’s kerbside stuff?

Ideally, neighbours must seek permission from each other before they take out items from the kerbside collection pile. Asking your neighbour if it’s okay to look into their stuff is a matter of courtesy and proper etiquette.

If your neighbour is fine with this, then it is advisable to properly pick up the stuff you want to take home. When you rummage through their items, make sure to put things back the way they were because your neighbour may have likely separated and categorised these stuff carefully.

Also, be careful when handling your neighbour’s breakables. Though these are for disposal, this doesn’t mean that it’s okay to break things. Besides, the collectors may not pick up broken items and leave this by the kerb. Your neighbour could be liable for illegal dumping because of your carelessness.

*Photo Credit:* *ArtisticOperations/Pixabay*

What should you do about negligent kerbside crawlers?

It is common to find kerbside crawlers in Brisbane and you do hear stories about people finding treasures from someone else’s trash pile. But there are kerbside crawlers who don’t observe the proper etiquette of foraging through another person’s things. Because there is no law against this practice, the system can actually be abused.

Some homeowners in Toowong bring their stuff for disposal out too early only to find these scattered all over the street due to negligent kerbside crawlers. To prevent this incident, it’s best to put your things out close to the pick-up time.

The Council also encourages donating useable things to charities or recycling organisations first before considering kerbside collection. This way, you don’t have to put out more items by your kerb that will be too attractive to irresponsible scavengers.

Travel Through Space at Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium in Toowong

Photo credit: Brisbane City Council

Toowong is a great choice for family-friendly trips, but if you are looking for a place where everyone could learn while having fun, head to the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium on Mount Coot-tha Rd.

A five-kilometre drive from the city centre, the planetarium adjacent to the captivating Brisbane Botanic Gardens is home to a number of attractions: the Cosmic Skydome, Display Zone, Mini Theatre, Observatory, Galaxy Gift Shop, and Sundial Courtyard.

Can’t wait to see all these attractions? Here are the things to make the most of your family trip experience:

Top 10 Things to Do

Check out Brisbane’s Night Sky. The highlight of your planetarium visit is a show in the Cosmic Skydome, which boasts a 12.5m diameter projection dome that recreates a stunning realistic night sky. You will have a guided tour of the Brisbane sky, when the astronomer will point out planets, stars, and constellations which are visible that night.
Visit the foyer at Display Zone. The zone has a foyer area where interesting artefacts and displays await. Take a closer look at fragments of asteroids, spacecraft models and a well-known replica of Neil Armstrong’s Apollo spacesuit.
Explore the Milky Way and the Moon’s cratered surface. Whilst it’s just an interactive display, it lets you learn about astronomical history and technology in an exciting way. The display can be found on the gallery section, where you can also find modern telescopes and ancient instruments alike.
Have a detailed view of many wonders of the Universe. Head to the observatory, where you can see the Moon, planets, and star clusters through the eyepiece. Such night tours occur on selected Saturday nights and are subject to weather condition.
Be enthralled with sci-fi adventures. Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium features entertaining and informative shows for all ages. General audience shows include Starlight, Passport to the Universe, and Tales of a Time Traveler while children’s shows include the Perfect Little Planet and Tycho to the Moon.

Photo credit: Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium/Facebook

6. Get to know more about Sir Thomas Brisbane. Apparently, the city of Brisbane was named after him. But are you wondering why the planetarium was also under his name? That’s because he’s an astronomer himself and he is Australia’s first patron of science! Get to know more about his life and the astronomical observatory he built at Parramatta when you visit the planetarium.

7. Shop project kits and space-themed books. When you have the penchant for star charts, books, spacecraft models, and fossils, you can find all of them in the planetarium’s Galaxy Gift Shop. They also have souvenirs and novelty items to remind you of your little space adventure.

8. Have a unique date night on Friday nights. If you only have the weekends to spare but worried that the planetarium will be crowded on Saturdays and Sundays then go out on a Friday night!

9. Learn about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The Brisbane City Council acknowledges the traditional owners of the land, the first Australians or the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Get to know more about some of their leaders in an exhibit curated by astronomer and academic Dr Duane Hamacher.

10. Sit and relax at the Sundial Courtyard. Finally, after hours of exploring the planetarium, there is this spot where you can rest those tired feet. Yet the fun does not stop there because the Sundial lets you tell the time by applying a correction factor given on the plaque on the column.

The planetarium opens Tuesdays to Sundays and closes on Mondays and holidays. They highly recommend bookings, especially during Queensland school holidays. For enquiries about reservations, venue hire, school bookings and general or observatory enquiries, use the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium booking enquiry form.

Toowong Legacy Way Expansion to Foil Gridlock In Planned $62 Billion Infrastructure Project

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Advanstra

The Council of Mayors in South East Queensland (SEQ) has submitted a proposed $62 billion infrastructure project that would expand motorways and rail lines in the region. Toowong’s Legacy Way stands to benefit from this plan, along with 46 other roadworks expected to be rolled out from 2019 to 2041.

Three roadworks identified in the SEQ People Mass Movement Study, which was released last January, will significantly impact Toowong traffic gridlocks once the road constructions are underway.

The North-South Link (Inner Western Bypass) will comprise a tunnel corridor linking from Toowong (Centenary Motorway and Legacy Way) to the North-West Transport Corridor at Everton Park. The East-West Link will entail the construction of a tunnel connecting Toowong from Legacy Way to the South East Freeway. The Centenary Motorway Bypass, on the other hand, will cover Sumners Road Interchange to Legacy Way at Toowong and link to North-South Link at Everton Park.

In an interview with the media, Council of Mayors Chairperson and Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said that South East Queensland needs to get these infrastructure projects started to cope with rising demands. Population growth in the region is expected to increase in the coming years and the current transport strategies will not be enough to sustain SEQ’s global competitiveness and livability.

“As the population continues to grow, this plan is an important step towards protecting the quality of life we currently enjoy in SEQ,” Mr Quirk said. “[This is] ensuring that we can safely and efficiently move residents, tourists and freight throughout our region.”

Photo Credit: South East Queensland Council of Mayors

The Council of Mayors expects all levels of government to increase infrastructure spending to $3.5 billion a year for the key projects until 2031. After this, spending may lower to $2.7 billion a year to complete all 47 motorway and railway projects by 2041.

Mr Quirk said that the projected numbers are realistic, economical, and efficient compared to the infrastructure spending in cities like Melbourne and Sydney.

During a BCC meeting held on the 5th of February, however, Labor opposition leader Peter Cumming questioned the validity of the study. The Council of Mayors apparently commissioned French company Lagardère Sports, through its specialised team Event Knowledge Services (EKS), to conduct the study. This is the same group that did a feasibility study for the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

Since 2018, SEQ expressed plans to bid for the 2023 Olympics to be held in Brisbane. Mr Quirk said that the bid cannot push through if the infrastructure projects are not approved.

The mayor also said the study collected multiple data on the federal, state and council levels. There hasn’t been a comprehensive infrastructure report that identified the possible road problems affecting all sectors of government. Thus, attempts to invalidate the report “would be a very bad move,” according to Mr Quirk.