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Support Local And Join The New Brookfield Markets Grand Reopening

Photo credit: The New Brookfield Markets/Facebook

Do you miss the Brookfield Markets? The New Brookfield Markets is here and it’s kicking off in February 2022, serving delicious food, coffee, and entertainment!

Read: Petition Opened to Turn Bellbowrie Shopping Plaza into a Community Site

Presented by JAMboree Events, it’s a FREE event that lets you shop and meet up with friends, or bond as a family. There will be live music for adults whilst little ones will be entertained with face painting and a play area with kids toys.

savages-coffee — Photo credit: The New Brookfield Markets/Facebook

For those who would love to go out to shop, there will be a lot of stalls on-site featuring a variety of goods. You can shop for fresh produce such as vegetables, fresh seafood, and dairy as well as baked goods, handcrafted items, and clothing.

accessories — Photo credit: The New Brookfield Markets/Facebook

If you like locally grown coffee, you can grab some coffee beans from Savages Coffee, which is one of the stalls at the New Brookfield Markets. They grow their coffee right in Brookfield, on their farm from Savages Road.

Tribe Coffee Co will also have hot and cold beverages whilst stalls such as OMG Decadent Donuts and RED HOT FOOD will spoil you with choices for breakfast and yummy treats.

What	The New Brookfield Markets grand reopening
Where	Brookfield Showgrounds
When	5 February 2022 from 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Then shop for a cause and check out The Fig Tree Gift Shop, one of their charity and community stalls that sells gifts and donate 50% of the sale to The Fig Tree Children.

arts-and-crafts — Photo credit: The New Brookfield Markets/Facebook

Plus, it’s a dog-friendly event, so you can bring your fur babies with you! They got pets covered with Floofy Patisserie, a patisserie which specialises in natural and tasty treats for dogs.

Read: Future Off-Road Cycling Sites in Pullenvale Ward Identified in Newly Unveiled Strategy

JAMboree Events also run the Pullenvale Markets, which is held at the Grandview Road in Pullenvale. Like the Brookfield Markets, the Pullenvale Markets is held monthly and features fantastic products and services with every stall.

For more details about the upcoming New Brookfield Markets and know the rest of its 2022 schedule, follow @thenewbrookfieldmarkets on Facebook and on Instagram.

Petition Opened to Turn Bellbowrie Shopping Plaza into a Community Site

A petition to turn Bellbowrie Shopping Plaza into a community space or a public service site has been created following the departure of Coles, its anchor tenant, and other businesses in early 2021.

The owner of the plaza has reportedly been in talks to bring in IGA but with no confirmation or official announcements on the deal, Greens for Ryan MP Elizabeth Watson-Brown started a petition to revitalise the commercial precinct as a public space.

Ms Ryan said that while the plaza is not yet vacant and small retailers continue to trade and thrive, there are large and under-utilised sections in the property that could be repurposed into other potential public facilities.

She suggested that these vacant spaces be turned into any of the following, pending community consultations:

A public high school, taking pressure off Kenmore and Indooroopilly State High Schools
A transit hub with a light rail or busway across the river via Riverhills to Darra, giving commuters a reliable and traffic-free route into the city
Public specialist medical services, functioning as a satellite hospital for the western suburbs
A library with meeting rooms, or other community facilities

Ms Ryan also pointed out that the growing population in Bellbowrie has been lacking in public services for years.

“This would be a perfect location to fill a need for public services in the area,” she said.

Bellbowrie Shopping Plaza — Photo Credit: Google Maps

Ms Ryan thought that putting an elevated high school or a similar community facility in a former shopping precinct would be ideal since this is a walkable area.

“Studies suggest secondary-age students will walk or bike to school if there’s a safe route taking about that time or less. Right now almost every secondary student in the area must be driven to school and back.”

However, some of the residents said that Bellbowrie Shopping Plaza is a flood-prone area which was partly why Coles vacated the site. The MP said that the flooding issues should be accounted for in the community consultations, which will entail coming up with a good design solution.

“The site is not completely deserted, but our suggestions don’t necessitate that the whole site is used – the vacant lot portion alone could fit a high school or transit hub as we’re suggesting,” Ms Ryan added.

“I’d love to see the site become a nexus of community activity and there’s no reason that can’t include businesses.”

Refurbishment Plans Lodged

However, in November 2021, Planning Solutions filed a development application (DA A005894017) on behalf of the plaza’s owners to build an elevated car parking area on the property.

Sparc Architects was hired for the designs that will provide shoppers with direct access to the supermarket section from the elevated car park. The plans also underscored a refurbishment of the centre to improve customer experience and amenities.

Bellbowrie — *Photo Credit: Developmenti/BCC*

“It is proposed to renovate the existing Centre and to improve shopper convenience and amenity. The existing supermarket at (circa 2020) the eastern end of the shopping centre was built at RL 13.1m AHD to meet flood immunity standards applicable at the time, and it is proposed to raise the level of the adjacent car park (from a surface level of 11.5m AHD) to 12.92m AHD to be at a similar level as the supermarket floor to cater for ease of movement for customers and for ‘click and collect’ services and also to increase its flood immunity.”

Kenmore Property Market Remains In Demand With 15% Median Growth

Old and established Brisbane suburbs with large blocks of land, such as the Kenmore property market, remain in demand with buyers seeking opportunities to buy and renovate a home. This demand has set off Kenmore’s growth of more than 15 per cent during the 12-month period ending September 2021.

Highlights

The Kenmore property market had a substantial 15.16 per cent increase for the period of October 2020 to September 2021. On the other hand, the unit market had a slight increase of 1.81 per cent for the same period.
The median house price for this period has reached $870,000 whilst the median unit price settled at $690,750
Property values in Kenmore have consistently tracked an upward trend for the past few years.

Kenmore House Price Growth

According to Property Market Updates, Kenmore had a 15.16 per cent rise during the period of October 2020 to September 2021, which has placed the median house price at $870,000, up from $755,700 in the previous year.

For this said period, 200 houses were sold in Kenmore within an average of 30 days on the market, showing strong buyers’ competition. Most of these buyers have been looking to invest in their second or third house as their family grows.

Kenmore median house price growth — Photo Credit: Property Market Updates

Four-bedroom homes have had the highest sales in Kenmore, driving the house price growth upward. However, it’s three-bedroom properties that sold the fastest at 17 days on the market.

Kenmore Unit Price Growth

Kenmore’s apartment market for October 2020 to September 2021 had minimal growth at 1.81 per cent with a median unit price of $690,750, a small bump from $687,477 in the previous year.

Kenmore median unit price growth — *Photo Credit:* Property Market Updates

Thirty-two units were sold during this period for an average market listing of 22 days. Unit dwellers in Kenmore consist of locals, downsizers, or retirees who still want to remain close to the city. Some, however, are investors who rent out their units whilst they stay in bigger homes within the suburb.

Unit prices in Kenmore, however, have consistently trended upward despite modest numbers.

About Kenmore

Buyers appreciate that they get more value for money in the Kenmore property market, especially for those who are transitioning from inner city life to a more suburban family lifestyle. Kenmore is also attractive to investors who have heaps of ideas and the budget for renovating and updating an old home.

Whilst Kenmore has consistently reflected property growth in more than five years, the property remains affordable compared to other suburbs in Brisbane. This western suburb provides residents with all that they need and there is an active community for every age group.

“There’s a lot of brick houses owned by people with enough money to renovate when it gets too dated. Also, it seems like a lot of people live quite nicely without the flashy gardens”
Bob

“Fantastic location close to the city and great access once the tunnel opens to the north as well as easy times to South via great mtr way. Good schools and nice ressys for a cheap night out for the family. Lone pine for the tourist in all of us plus access including boat ramp for the river person. Good neighbours are easy to find and some streets have great street family appeal.”
Chopster

“Alkina Street in Kenmore is a quiet street, despite being so close to the shopping centers etc. Big pluses here are that everything is walkable. There are numerous restaurants, a gym, video store, massive pet store and a medical center opposite Alkina street, along Marshall Lane. Wongabel street houses a post office, hairdressers, computer store, more places to eat, coffee shops, newsagent, bakery.”
Paladin

Why Are Residents Split Over An Approved Proposal on Moggill Road?

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

An application to establish a service station at Moggill Road has drawn mixed reactions among local residents.

The approved proposal of Wessel Petroleum involves the development of a service station at 2250 Moggill Road, Brookfield. The building will cover a gross floor area of 287sqm with a maximum height of approximately 5.86 metres.

The development will also provide 13 car parking spaces including one disability parking space, as well as 10 car spaces in the refuelling canopy area and two staff spaces.

Moggill Road service station site aerial view — Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au

The application also proposes the “rectification of the illegal earthworks” performed by its previous owner to “reinstate the flows in the waterway” as well implement substantial revegetation and rehabilitation of the subject site.

Approval Granted

Brisbane City Council approved development application A005600514 in late November 2021 citing, among other reasons, that the proposal undertakes reasonable measures to avoid and mitigate potential impacts the development will cause on biodiversity, as well as protect aquatic habitats, water quality, fish passages, and downstream fisheries.

Moreover, the proposal includes a Rehabilitation Management Plan involving mitigation measures and site rehabilitation including weed management, ecological reconstruction, revegetation, and rehabilitation of degraded minor watercourse.

Moggill Road service station development plan — *Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au*

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

Local Dissent

The proposal elicited 251 submissions with a majority expressing their opposition citing several reasons including potential ecological impacts, traffic congestion, and the lack of need for such a development.

“This is too close to Moggill Creek and too close to the major water pipeline. We do not need another petrol station in the district.” – S.

“There are so few Platypuses left in our city area please don’t sign the death knell on these and other wildlife in the creek zone. Financial gain for a few are not worth the long term cost to the environment and the quality of life in the Brookfield area.” – G.S.

“Moggill Road is already congested and Council/State Government can’t seem to do anything to remedy this situation. This development will only add to the traffic congestion and risk of accidents with the coming and going of cars in and out of the service station.” – Anonymous

There are, however, those who support the plan as they feel that competition will help bring down fuel prices. Others welcome the development because it will answer the need for more service stations in the area.

“Fuel prices along Moggill road are consistently higher than typical Brisbane pricing. More competition is needed.” – Anonymous

“In my opinion this development provides two things. Competitive tension in the fuel retail business in the area and an alternative to Moggill and Kenmore fuel stations. In addition, a fuel station will provide a “safe haven” and refreshment stop for cyclists in the area or those enroute to Mt Crosby and Ipswich. An excellent use for this land provided all environmental needs are addressed.” – Anonymous

“There is a definite need for this kind of business along the main western commute. Kenmore facilities are constantly busy, contributing to existing traffic issues and the closest station is then either brookfield or karana downs which is some 15kms away.” – Anonymous

Future Off-Road Cycling Sites in Pullenvale Ward Identified in Newly Unveiled Strategy

Off-road cyclists will soon have more spaces to explore as plans to create new biking tracks and off-road facilities across Brisbane, including several locations within the Pullenvale Ward, have been released.

Council unveiled the Brisbane Off-Road Cycling Strategy in December 2021 to meet the needs of a rapidly growing community of cyclists. Aiming to deliver “a safe, well-planned and connected network of facilities that protect Brisbane’s natural environment,” inputs for this strategy were gathered following community consultations since 2109.

These consultations included outdoor and cycling groups or clubs, park visitors, bushwalkers and runners, community conservation and environment groups, schools, cycling trainers and coaches, residents, as well as the Queensland Government. About 89 percent of the respondents expressed their support for more off-road cycling facilities.

According to Cr Greg Adermann, a number of spaces around Pullenvale Ward have been considered as potential off-road cycling areas:

Mount Coot-tha
the old Creek Reserve at Brookfield
John Sprent Reserve and Priors Pocket Road Park at Moggill
Platypus Park and Marstaeller Road Reserve at Mount Crosby
Changing Mountain Bushland
Dandy’s Road Bushland
Kholo Bushland Reserve
Shelley Road Park, Kholo
Primley Street Park, Pullenvale
Tuckett Street Park, Kenmore Hills

Per Council, the locations will be further studied “in the next five years and are subject to further detailed design, budget and environmental assessment.”

Off-road cycling sites will cover four types:

a leisurely family bicycle ride along a trail or track
a more technically challenging mountain bike ride with obstacles and climbing
a session with the kids at a pump track, skills track, or dirt jumps
participation by people of all ages and abilities in mountain bike riding, gravel riding, or in a cyclo-cross race

Photo Credit: Brisbane Off-Road Cycling Strategy/BCC

Also in contention for implementation are:

technological advancements such as e-bikes, web-based systems and apps such as Strava and user generated content such as Trailforks
growing demand for individualised, unstructured recreation
preferences for screen time over nature time resulting in ‘nature deficit’, particularly in young people
opportunities for off-road cycling to be used as a tool to engage wider sectors of the community to stimulate interest in active lifestyles, stewardship of bushland reserves or wider social inclusion

“This strategy balances conservation of the natural environment with opportunities for people of different ages and abilities to enjoy Brisbane’s unique parks and natural areas,” Council stated.

Pullenvale Facility Recreated as the Moon to Help with CSIRO Space Research

Did you know that a replica of the surface of the moon has been built at a Pullenvale facility to help the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation test space exploration equipment in a lunar environment?

Dubbed the In-situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU) Facility, the Pullenvale site within the Queensland Centre for Advanced Technologies has a sealed dust area with fabricated moon dust, pits for smaller-scale tests, and a mission control room where rovers, payloads, and other related equipment may be remotely controlled.

CSIRO Space Program Director Dr Kimberley Clayfield said that the Pullenvale facility is “the latest example of our commitment to stimulating innovation, supporting industry and solving the greatest challenges through space science, technology, and exploration.”

The Australian national science agency designed the specialised simulator to help scientists test equipment and machines in the moon-like environment to see how these will fare in future lunar missions.

CSIRO ISRU Project Leader Dr Jonathon Ralston said that since the moon’s actual surface has sharp, powdery, and electrostatically-charged dust that “sticks to everything,” this simulator will help the experts come up with the right solutions.

“Our facility offers technology developers the opportunity to test their equipment closer to home, in a safe environment to find solutions to this dusty problem,” Dr Ralston said.

“Our ability to simulate the lunar terrain at this scale is an exciting advancement for the development of space technology in Australia,” Dr Clayfield said.

“We’re looking forward to working with researchers and businesses from across the space sector to test their technology and systems for future space missions.”

The Queensland Centre for Advanced Technologies is also the home of the CSIRO’s robotics team.

Follow updates about the CSIRO’s space program on the official site.

Compass Independent School to Share Grounds with Brookfield Uniting Church

Brisbane’s western suburbs may get a new primary school in 2022 if the development application to build a Compass Independent School within the Brookfield Uniting Church grounds receives approval.

Per the DA A005867201, Compass Independent School will refurbish the modern brick church hall at the back of its site to accommodate up to 38 kids between prep and Year 4 levels. The school will also employ about five teachers to guide the children alongside support staff members.

The existing 1886 church, which established the Bible Christian Movement in Brisbane, will remain untouched as services will continue whilst the grounds will not undergo massive development as well save for the installation of sails for shades and public toilets.

The development application also proposes the construction of a carpark for nine vehicles along Rafting Ground Road.

As the school awaits the application decision from Brisbane City Council, its officials have welcomed expressions of interest from the parents who might want to send their children to the institution.

“Compass intends to open in July 2022 with a limited number of children from Prep to Year 4,” the school announced on its official site.

Aside from the preparation of the multi-level classrooms, the school also plans to build a kitchenette and stage where the children can “cook, bake, experiment, perform, write, create, and investigate.” A gated garden and nature space, where the kids can run or kick a ball and enjoy outdoor play, are also part of the set-up.

“Compass is a unique school, founded on the ‘compass points’ of inquiry, play, creativity, and collaboration. Teachers act as coaches and children learn at their level within a multi-age setting.

The intention is for the school to remain small in size to provide an environment in which the child can be known.”

Since the announcement of its opening in Brookfield, the school has been conducting information sessions with interested parents.

New Childcare Centre Beside Moggill State School Proposed

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

Eden Academy has submitted a proposal for a new childcare centre, Bellbowrie’s fifth, to be built at 117 Kangaroo Gully Road.

The proposed development is for a 736-sqm two-storey childcare centre on a 2,014-sqm land that will have a maximum capacity of 100 children. The site is situated next to Moggill State School with frontage to Kangaroo Gully Road. A residential building currently occupying the site will be demolished to give way to the new development.

There will be six dedicated activity rooms and two outdoor play areas, one on each level. There will be a reception area, amenities, plus service and staff areas as well.

Meanwhile, the proposed development will be complemented by a generous landscaped garden, mostly at the existing ground level, and will cover an area totaling 467 square metres or about 23.2% of the development site.

The childcare centre will be just under 9.5 metres in height and will have a total gross floor area of 736 square metres (483 sqm at the ground floor and 253 sqm at the upper floor). Eden Academy proposes to provide 20 car parking spaces, which will include 12 staff and eight visitor spaces (includes one shared visitor / van space and one slot for disability access).

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

Access to the site will be provided via a new 650-m wide driveway crossover to Kangaroo Gully Road. Pedestrian access is via a pathway along the Kangaroo Gully Road frontage extending to the childcare centre’s entrance.

According to the planners at Property Projects Australia, the On Architecture’s designed proposed childcare centre incorporates “human-scale elements, varying materials and te4xture, residential character design elements and subtropical landscaping.”

The developer proposes the childcare centre’s hours of operation to be from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and to be operated by 17 staff members.

Five other Eden Academy locations in Brisbane are currently being developed including Moorooka, Holland Park, and Riverhills. Whilst Eden Academy Corinda, Middle Park, and Bardon are now open.

117 Kangaroo Gully Rd, Bellbowrie QLD 4070, Australia

The Glenleighden School Starts Construction Of New Campus Building

Photo credit: The Glenleighden School/Facebook

The Glenleighden School in Fig Tree Pocket has commenced the construction of a new building and associated site infrastructure, in keeping with its campus master plan.

Read: Locals Weigh In On Intersection Upgrades at Fig Tree Pocket & Kenmore Road

Speech and Language Development Australia (SALDA), the organisation that runs Glenleighden had a sod-turning ceremony in October 2021 to mark the campus’ much-awaited expansion.

The school has been given a streamlined, considered whole-of-government response on a request for community-supporting infrastructure by the State Government through a Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID-0221-0483) in September 2021.

The Glenleighden School Campus Master Plan

The Master Plan includes the construction of a three-storey GLA Building and associated site infrastructure at the existing school. Demolition works and tree removal will be undertaken for the new building.

In November 2021, the school received $2.55 million worth of Federal Grant through the Australian Government’s Capital Grants Program (CGP), to part fund the construction of the second building in The Glenleighden School master plan.

“This building will provide new specialist facilities for food and hospitality, design technology and ‘engineering’; particularly important for us to deliver new Year 11 and 12 certificate courses,” The Glenleighden School announced on its website.

“It will also provide three contemporary classrooms, several small group support rooms as well as a rooftop outdoor sports space,” the school added.

The $60 million worth of upgrades will provide up to extra 120 additional spaces over the next two years.

The project is expected to run for approximately 9 months. Hours of construction will take place between 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and on Saturdays if required. Depending on weather and construction conditions, it should be complete by June 2022.

Locals Weigh In On Intersection Upgrades at Fig Tree Pocket & Kenmore Road

Photo credit: Google Street View

Local residents participated in an informal ‘drop-in’ community session held in October 2021 to discuss the Fig Tree Pocket and Kenmore Road intersection upgrades.

Read: New Look For Kenmore Village Shopping Centre If Redevelopment Plans Push Through

Residents suggested alternative designs for the intersection, including the realignment of Fig Tree Pocket Road to the east and a roundabout installed instead of traffic lights.

In response, Council’s project team stated that a roundabout will not be a viable option as this would require considerable land acquisition of private properties to achieve safe turning movements.

“Additionally, due to the challenging topography, extensive earthworks would be needed as well as raising the road height on Fig Tree Pocket Road (southern leg) to achieve a level approach to the intersection in accordance with road safety standards for a roundabout,” the Council’s project team noted.

With regard to the proposed realigning of Fig Tree Pocket Road to the east of the current intersection to form a T-intersection, Council reiterated that the topography would require extensive works within private properties, drainage works and tree removals.

The project team said the preferred four-way intersection will allow safer and more controlled movements compared with two mis-aligned, unsignalised intersections.

Other than suggestions for alternative designs, the local community has also suggested the following:

Pedestrian connectivity
Early warning lights
Street lighting
Restricted street parking
Speed reduction

There were residents who also expressed their concern regarding the environmental impacts of the project as there are a number of trees which have been identified for removal. Tree removal will be required to facilitate the upgrade and more about these details will be confirmed as the design progresses.

Following a drop-in session, Council said they will continue to meet with residents and local businesses to discuss the timeframes associated with the project.

To stay updated about the Fig Tree Pocket and Kenmore Road intersection upgrades, visit the Brisbane City Council website and register for updates.

About the Fig Tree Pocket and Kenmore Road Intersection

Fig Tree Pocket Road and Kenmore Road intersection upgrade concept plan (Photo credit: Brisbane City Council)

The intersection, where three crashes have been recorded from April 2015 to April 2021, significantly needed an upgrade.

The intersection accommodates approximately 21,000 vehicles, 20 cyclists and 100 pedestrians daily, making it an important junction in Brisbane’s suburban road network. Current traffic queues are extending for over 100 metres along the south-eastern leg of Fig Tree Pocket Road at peak times.

BCC’s intersection upgrades are part of a plan to improve traffic flow and safety for all road users in the city.

Based on the project timeline, a detailed design will be released in early 2022 whilst the start of construction is expected to begin in mid-2022. Depending on construction and weather conditions, the construction should be complete by early 2023.