Upgrades are underway at the Bellbowrie Sports & Community Club, one of nine community clubs across Brisbane to receive a grant that will help improve facilities and sustain ongoing club projects.
The Bellbowrie Sports & Community Club received $86,875.00 from a $1 million grant earmarked for the Better Suburbs Grants program in Brisbane.
The club was tasked to submit a master plan to determine the improvements needed. The process entailed consultations and discussions with experts in urban design and landscape architecture. Stakeholders were also asked for their input and expectations on the project.
“Our community clubs are run by locals for locals and we know how challenging it can be for our community clubs to fund and deliver upgrades,” Cr Greg Adermman said.
“… these grants had proven extremely effective in getting much-needed funds to community groups so they can improve their facilities for all to enjoy,” he added.
The Bellbowrie Sports & Community Club is a non-profit club where locals get together for fun, entertainment and great food. Activities like Bingo Nights, Dart Competitions, Live Music and regular raffle draws for members take place at the facility.
Prof Bass lived in Kenmore and then Pullenvale from the 1970s to his passing in 2022. He raised his children to enjoy the park grounds along Pullenvale Rd and he was a familiar presence among the locals as he was also frequently seen walking the family dogs at Rafting Ground Park.
As mentioned in the proposed naming, the professor made daily visits to the park following his retirement in 1984. He forged friendships among the local community and was the “centre of everything at that park” for more than 50 years.
Prof Bass advocated having a footbridge built on the park grounds to connect two sides of the land and he used this daily until his passing in October 2022.
There is a community consultation about the naming proposal running until the 3rd of March 2023.
“Professor Bass was instrumental at the time of convincing Brisbane City Council of a need for a bridge between both sides of the park and nobody was happier when it was built,” Cr Adermann wrote.
“The request appropriately is for the footbridge to be named in his honour and has the support of his family. So we’re hoping through this consultation process that it is supported by the community.”
He was a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Queensland and had his postdoc with Erwin Schrödinger in Dublin.
He also collaborated with Denmark biomathematicians and researchers and was part of the Foreign Fellow of the Royal Danish Academy. He authored over 30 research papers which were published until 2018.
Calls for a new bridge in Brisbane’s west side have surfaced anew after the area had been cut off yet again for the third time in 2022 due to heavy rains. The move comes as the proposed Bellbowrie Green Bridge was scrapped due to a lack of support from locals.
In late October 2022, Colleges Crossing and Kholo Road (Bells Bridge) remained closed for days due to dam water releases, causing delays in travelling to and from school. It was the same situation that residents were in last February and May.
Residents, hence, are calling for the council to investigate and allocate funds for a much-needed infrastructure to help mitigate congestion and provide a public transport and emergency evacuation route option during a fire or flood event.
Council said that roads that lead to and from Moggil and Bellbowrie are state-controlled and that the matter of building a new bridge in the area would be decided by the State Government.
The proposed Bellbowrie Green Bridge was scrapped because a majority of locals from the Pullenvale Ward and Jamboree Ward were opposed to the idea, thus, no funding was allocated for the proposed project.
Initial consultation, however, revealed that most residents prefer a bridge that could accommodate all modes of transport, whilst many suggested that the bridge alignment be extended to Birkin Road or Booker Place Park at Bellbowrie, to Sumners Road at Riverhills.
The green bridge, Council said, would have connected Bellbowrie and Moggill residents to walking and cycling options as well as public transport services on the eastern side of the Brisbane River. It would have also improved emergency access during major flood events.
Other than building a new bridge, locals also supported the establishment of more services in the Moggill-Bellbowrie area, a report on the outcome of a community forum held last November 2022 revealed.
In particular, services like a community centre and meeting space, a new high school, specialist medical facilities and additional facilities for young people could be considered so people won’t have to travel out of the area.
The report also noted that identifying the sites for establishing these services including the new bridge is a key question that needs to be answered.
The Brookfield Show Ball is back! Traditionally held as a prelude to the Brookfield Show, the Brookfield Show Ball 2023 brings an evening of glitz and glamour to the historic Brookfield Hall on the 11th of March.
Brookfield Hall will be transformed into a speakeasy for the Brookfield Show Ball for a night, complete with art deco soiree and gourmet canapes.
Photo supplied
Viva La Musica will welcome attendees with music that takes them back to the age of style and grace whilst The Manilows band will play popular hits as the night continues to get the dance moves in full swing.
It’s also a chance for locals to get together and have some fun. Tickets ($100pp) include bubbles or wine on arrival, light dinner prepared by renowned chef Russel Jolly, and cashless bar to follow.
Photo supplied
The event is hosted by the Brookfield Show Society, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to running Brisbane’s biggest little country show. The show, which is held traditionally in May every year, is known for exciting events such as the Side Show alley, free face painting, pony rides, and rodeo with entertainment.
Photo supplied
Please note that the number of tickets are strictly limited so to guarantee entry, it is recommended to get your tickets in advance.
The Brookfield Show will be held on May 19-21 2023, three jampacked days set to amaze and delight showgoers, with new entertainment, an amazing food precinct, and events that locals have come to love.
For further details and to book your tickets, visit the Brookfield Showground’s website or follow Brookfield Show Society on Facebook for updates.
A three-storey split-level childcare centre occupying three lots may soon be built along Moggill Road in Kenmore if the development application receives the green light from Council.
The Kenmore Childcare Unit Trust wants to build a new childcare centre for 125 children along 1067, 1075 & 1079 Moggill Road. The facility will cover 888 square metres of ground floor area and will have a large outdoor play centre.
The proposal details changes to a previously submitted plan. Acoustic fencing and attractive landscaping will be reinforced across the boundaries as detailed in DA A006159171. An existing house will be demolished as a result of the development.
The plans also include the construction of an under-croft open car parking site for at least 30 car parking spaces. Access to the facility will be via Moggill Road but a pedestrian path via Cedarleigh Road will be incorporated into the construction.
Photo Credit: DA A006159171/BCC
The childcare centre planners underscored that a previous proposal was originally submitted in 2020 as it “supports the needs of the surrounding community.” However, design changes were made and submitted in 2022 to expand the plans to suit a growing need within the Kenmore neighbourhood.
Some residents, however, have expressed objections to the proposal citing congestion on Moggill Road.
“For most of the day the road is busy; at peak times it is one of the slowest into the city in the morning/outbound later in the day. Around Kenmore there are two schools (OLR and Kenmore State) with associated extensive local car usage, which exacerbates the traffic congestion. I cannot believe anyone would imagine that the addition of a childcare centre on this already busy road would be sensible,” one local wrote in the DA’s submissions.
“A number of new Child Care centres have been opened in the last couple of years and each one has resulted in a larger number of vacancies, threatening the ongoing viability of the existing childcare centres and kindergartens in the area. This indicates that another childcare is not needed in this area,” another resident said.
The development application is still under review with Council and the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA).
A new three-lane bridge planned between Kenmore and Jindalee is now closer to becoming reality, as works for Centenary Bridge upgrades are scheduled to finally start in early 2023.
Construction was expected to commence in 2022, but works were delayed due to some issues with the contract. The Transport Department explained that an alternate bid for the project, which required thorough due diligence, caused complications in the project’s timeline.
In December 2022, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk released a statement announcing the Queensland government’s agreement with Georgiou Group and BMD Constructions to build the three-lane bridge, along with an upgrade of the existing bridge.
Aside from a new bridge travelling northbound and the remediation of the existing bridges to create three southbound lanes, works will also include upgraded active transport facilities for pedestrians and people who ride bikes.
The project will double capacity across the river and will improve access to Amazon Place Park while preserving Jindalee Skate Park.
“More than 85,000 cars use this bridge daily, and that number will increase,” said the Premier.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads estimates that the number of vehicles passing by Centenary Motorway is expected to reach 152,000 per day by 2036, as the population in west Brisbane grows.
“This is an important step towards busting congestion through our growing region” said Premier Palaszczuk.
Benefits of upgrading the bridge includes improving safety to reduce the frequency and severity of crashes on the Centenary Bridge and increasing capacity to improve travel-time reliability and cater for current and future traffic needs.
Works for Akuna Street Park are expected to be done over the next six months. Akuna Street Park will be one of the first 41 playgrounds to be retrofitted with shade covers under the Council’s three-year program, which has a total funding of up to $10 million.
The Sun Safe Suburban Playgrounds programaims to put shading in every playground in Brisbane, to help protect parents, carers and children and potentially save lives.
Photo credit: Brisbane City Council
“Brisbane has an enviable lifestyle as well as a network of more than 2000 fantastic parks that make for great free fun for families,” he said.
“However, we also live in a state that’s known as one of the world’s skin cancer capitals.”
Based on the latest skin cancer statistics of World Cancer Research Fund, Australia has the highest rate of melanoma in the world, with 16,171 cases.
Cancer Council Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mr Andrew Donne supports the Brisbane City Council Sun Safe Suburban Playgrounds program as a great step in reducing skin damage and risk of skin cancer for Brisbane kids.
Council estimates that around 150 playgrounds throughout the city will eventually be upgraded with shade covers under the new program.
Photo credit: Yan Krukau/Pexels
“It is well known that Australia has the highest rate of melanoma in the world, and without sun protection skin damage can occur in as little as 15 minutes,” Mr Donne said.
“What I must convey however, is that skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers.
“You can do your part as well to improve your sun safety, and slip on protective clothing, slop on SPF 30+ sunscreen, slap on a broad-brimmed hat, seek shade and slide on wraparound sunglasses,” Mr Donne said.
For the program, Council has engaged three local suppliers and manufacturers to make and install shade sails at the first package of playgrounds.
About Akuna Street Park
Photo credit: milan stamenkovic/Google Maps
The park is located at 56 Akuna St, Kenmore. Current facilities include barbecue, picnic area/shelter, playground, shared pathway, outdoor fitness/exercise station and water (bubbler/tap).
Kenmore South State School is encouraging the parents of their students, along with their school staff, to limit the use of cars when going to and from school to ease street traffic congestion and promote a healthier lifestyle.
Instead, the school community is encouraged to use their bikes or scooters, walk to school, or take public transportation.
The school has joined the city’s Active School Travel program to promote a clean, green and healthy lifestyle for the students, the staff, and the whole school community.
For the next three years, the program from Brisbane City Council will provide free resources, incentives and tools that will facilitate and motivate active travel.
Photo Credit: KenmoreSouthStateSchool/Facebook
Through the program, children will have access to bike and scooter skills training programs from professional coaches or learn essential skills to carry on for life from bus orientation sessions. Representatives from RACQ Streets Ahead will conduct road safety sessions.
The Active School Travel program has interclass and interschool competitions as well. Other new participants for 2023 include Inala State School, Murarrie State School, Salisbury State School, Sunnybank Hills State School, Upper Mt Gravatt State School, and St Joseph’s School in Nundah.
Over 168 schools and 127,000 students have taken part in this internationally-recognised initiative following its launch in 2004. For more information on how schools can take part, contact Council via 07 3403 8888.
A luxurious dual-living home on Ramada Place in Fig Tree Pocket, featuring an organic market garden and an established orchard, has recently been put on the market with a private guide price of just over $3 million.
Built in 2010, the six-bedroom residence sits on a 5,642 corner allotment at 8 Ramada Place and looks out to sprawling lawns and a verdant canopy. The home’s versatile configuration makes it an ideal investment for larger or extended families with its two distinct living and bedroom zones with a shared outdoor entertainment space. Removing the central wall will convert the property into one grand residence.
Each dwelling has its own entrance and access to a three-car garage. The main dwelling’s full-glass main entry door opens to a generous open-plan living and dining area located at the ground level. Whilst the adjoining kitchen features a breakfast bar, a walk-in pantry and integrated cabinetry. There’s also a functional study, powder room and an internal laundry.
Likewise, there’s a second living area and an attached balcony located upstairs. Then there’s an ensuite master bedroom, another main bathroom and three additional bedrooms; all four bedrooms have walk-in robes.
The second dwelling, meanwhile, consists of an open-plan living and dining space, a modern kitchen and a concealed built-in nook. There’s a large main bedroom with a walk-in robe and balcony access plus a well-appointed main bathroom with garden views, a European-style laundry and another bedroom with a walk-in robe.
Moreover, following a covered patio will lead to a gazebo and a glass-framed saltwater swimming pool. Whilst not too far is an expansive fully fenced grassed rear yard with a firepit.
The outdoor area is nothing short of breathtaking with more than 30 fruit trees encompassing the property, plus grapevines, a market garden and a large designer chicken coop that’s fox and snake-proof.
This pioneering Fig Tree Pocket school for children and young people with language disorders is undergoing a major expansion to accommodate an ever-growing enrolment.
Located in Fig Tree Pocket, Mancel College is a specialist Prep to year 12 school operated by Language Disorder Australia. The school is currently undergoing a multi-million dollar upgrade under a seven-stage masterplan which will allow it to expand its capacity, as well as its range of programs and offerings in the curriculum and co-curricular space.
The master plan will deliver new buildings, a rooftop pool, science facilities, a sports hall, and a creative design room. The first of the classroom buildings to be built at the school was completed and opened in November 2022.
Another building is set to rise at the site and will contain more senior school classrooms, a large teaching area for industrial technologies, and a specialist food and hospitality teaching space along with a 20m rooftop pool and changing facilities.
There is also a brand new adventure playground for students from 5 years old to 18 years old built at the school as part of its upgrade. The accessible playground will offer a range of opportunities for physical activities across three levels and will feature a big spiral slide.
The seven-stage master plan is expected to be finished by 2027 when enrollment is projected to have reached around 300.
In July 2022, Glenleighden School rebranded and was officially named Mancel College in honour of its founder, Mancel Ellis Robinson OAM who established CHI.L.D Association and the School more than four decades ago.
To help young people with Language Disorders achieve their full potential, therapists work side by side with specialist teachers using their clinical expertise, skills, and knowledge in evidence-based practice. These help them identify and address the challenges that hinder their student’s learning.
