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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.

Bring Your Kids to Brookfield Markets for Fun Poppy Crafts on Remembrance Day

Have you ever wondered why red poppies have become the symbol of Remembrance Day? The children of Kenmore West Kindy will find out why, plus learn about the significance of this annual “Poppy Day” celebration, during a Remembrance Day poppy crafts activity at the Brookfield Markets.

Happening on Saturday, 6 November 2021, from 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Brookfield Showgrounds, Kenmore West Kindy‘s children’s spot at the Brookfield Markets is easy to locate. Just look for the corner with the arts and crafts tables, where families enjoy the creative activities with their kids.

Because it will be Remembrance Day on 11 November, this weekend’s theme will be centered around making poppy papercraft.

Remembrance Day, also known as Poppy Day, is a memorial to honour and pay respects to the heroes of the First World War. Whilst it is not a public holiday, Australians are urged to hold two minutes of silence at 11:00 a.m. every year.

Poppies, or Papaver rhoeas, have become the symbol of this important event as history records showed that bright red flowers bloomed in the battle-scarred land in northern France, where Allied Forces, including Australians, died.

Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae wrote about the field of poppies in the short story, “In Flanders Field.” Professor Moina Michael, who volunteered at the Young Women’s Christian Association, read McCrae’s story which inspired her to make red poppy pins using silk fabric to raise money for the veterans, giving birth to a tradition.

Meanwhile, this Saturday’s Brookfield Markets will be the second to the last market for Kenmore West Kindy for 2021. The volunteers of this regular event thank those who have visited their corner every month, despite some cancellations due to the lockdowns.

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

Photo credit: https://kenmorevillage.com.au/

Kenmore Village Shopping Centre, a local Kenmore landmark for over 50 years, would undergo its biggest upgrade yet for years, if a development application is approved.

Read: New Furry Friends, Better Attractions Coming To Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Plans

Plans (A005856055) lodged by Jen Retail Properties Ltd to the Brisbane City Council revealed that the applicant is seeking to demolish the two-storey north mall to facilitate the construction of a new ground-floor, retail shopping centre entrance and ancillary car parking spaces.

The at-grade ancillary car parking spaces will replace the north mall whilst a new floor area will be created underneath Council’s library. The new floor area will also be occupied by some of the existing north mall tenants.

Artist’s impression (Photo credit: https://developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au/)

“The planned redevelopment will provide a vibrant new look and modern feel for the oldest section of the Centre, the northern mall,” announced Kenmore Village Shopping Centre on its website.

Proposed site plan (Photo credit: https://developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au/)

Designs rendered by Buchan Architecture showed that the aesthetic elements of the new design complements the look and feel of the older remaining part of the Centre. The owners wish to preserve the familiarity and character of the centre that their loyal customers love.

Also part of the proposal is new driveway access to Spearwood Place, for access to a small portion of traffic.

“A new driveway access is proposed to Spearwood Place, located at the north-west corner of the site, to improve emergency access and to provide a “relief valve” to divert a small portion of traffic away from the driveways at Moggill Road (a State-controlled Road) and Brookfield Road during periods of road congestion,” Sinclair Planning stated in an assessment report for the applicant.

Locals’ Concerns

Artist’s impression of the north carpark view (Photo credit: https://kenmorevillage.com.au/)

Most locals support the centre’s redevelopment. However, there are a few who were concerned about certain aspects of the proposal, including the additional driveway access via Spearwood Place.

“Through-traffic to the shopping centre creates a new rat-run by-passing the roundabout is a concern to many of us in the neighbourhood. The character of our traffic-calmed area with significant wildlife and many families with young children will be significantly impacted. The residential character of our streets will be lost,” a resident has written in a submission to Council.

Regarding the matter, the assessment report for the proposed development states that “the Spearwood Place access is warranted as it will provide a broader community benefit as a result of improvements to the traffic network and safe and direct emergency vehicle access, without introducing unacceptable amenity impacts for residents of the street.”

For more details about the proposed Kenmore Village redevelopment, see DA-A005856055.

Bird Box Installation Ongoing at Pullenvale Reserve to Protect Unique Species

Did you know that the Pullenvale Reserve is home to a beautiful array of birds, such as Sugar Gliders, rare Great Gliders, Feathertail Gliders, Brush-tailed Phascogale, Yellow-footed Antechinus, Fawn-footed Melomys, Microbats, Lorikeets, Eastern Rosella, Wood Ducks, Boobook Owl, Owlet Nightjar, and Galahs?

To ensure that their habitats won’t be threatened by urbanisation or any other development, the local community came together to install bird boxes to encourage more species to live in the natural richness of the reserve.

The locals also sought help from Cr Greg Adermann and Habitat Brisbane in identifying the species and their locations so that more bird boxes will be installed.

“I agreed to commit some funds from my 2021/22 Suburban Enhancement Fund for a number of nest boxes that can cater for a wide range of these mammals and birds,” Mr Adermann said.

The first six bird boxes were distributed and installed along Pullenvale Road and more will be added in the coming months.

Deborah Tabart OAM of the Australian Koala Foundation commended the initiative.

“Delighted that the Pullenvale Reserve is now even more environmentally friendly with the addition of artificial hollows. Our wildlife needs our help and this is a great way of protecting our precious mammals and birds,” Ms Tabart said.

“What a wonderful initiative! The bird boxes blend in with the trees, provide safe refuge for our wildlife and allow for monitoring and observation. We would love to see more including larger boxes for the powerful owl species,” said Dr. T Khoo, a resident.