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Kenmore: Among Home Renovation Hotspots in Brisbane

Home renovation activity in Brisbane suburbs such as Kenmore is on the upswing and it’s a sign of the growing appeal of Brisbane properties, a property valuation website reports.

Annerley, Greenslopes and Holland Park, Tarragindi, Stafford Heights, Paddington, Chapel Hill, and Kenmore are currently experiencing an uptick in renovation activity, as cited in the Herron Todd White Month in Review report for October.

“One of the excellent litmus tests of our growing appeal must be the amount of building activity underway in our suburbs. Spotting those locations where construction is at its most feverish helps give appreciation for where prices might be set to rise.”

“If you live in one of our more established neighbourhoods, these sounds of progress really should be seen as a good thing. It means the neighbours are stepping up and raising the bar,” the report said.

Older areas in Chapel Hill and Kenmore have post-war timber homes as well as 80s and 90s homes in other sections. Homeowner and investors are now looking to upgrade these homes.

Annerley has plenty of local retail sitting just five kilometres south of the CBD. There are older detached homes, with original construction mostly by weatherboard builds from the first half of the 1900s, already due for renovation.

Tarragindi offers excellent schooling options such as Wellers Hill State and Saint Elizabeth’s that are attracting new families into this suburb. This has become more evident with the number of new constructions and renovation activity in this area.

Stafford Heights also has plenty of post-war timber homes ripe for renovation. Increased interest from those looking to buy in and take advantage of a decent-sized block is seen. Paddington, on the other hand, also has works that are underway which home buyers with more money to spend may find very appealing.

“In general, we believe Brisbane can expect to see more of this sort of activity. We have options aplenty and our appeal is growing,” the report concluded.

Cancer Atlas Tags Kenmore, Other Brisbane Suburbs Highly at Risk of Melanoma | Learn More about the App

Kenmore and a number of other Brisbane suburbs are at high risk of melanoma, according to a new innovative cancer atlas.

Launched in September 2018, the Australian Cancer Atlas is a state-of-the-art interactive atlas that puts cancer statistics on the map. This app was developed to give Australians a visual insight of cancer incidence in their suburb or town.

The atlas provides statistical representation of 20 of the most common cancers in Australia. Diagnoses and excess deaths are compared against the Australian average for each particular cancer type.

In the case of melanoma, Kenmore is shown to have diagnoses 73% above the national average. Excess deaths figure is pegged to be 12% below the Australian average.

Suburbs surrounding Kenmore show figures of more than 60% above the Australian average in terms of diagnoses. Kenmore’s neighbouring suburb, Fig Tree Pocket, has one of the highest diagnoses score for melanoma at 93% above the national average.

The statistics should not come as a surprise since Australia is known to have one of the highest rates of melanoma diagnoses in the world. A huge portion of melanoma incidence in the country occurs in Queensland.

Australian Cancer Atlas showing melanoma across Queensland and other states.

Read: No Money Involved: Brookfield Food Swap Promotes Sustainable Living at Monthly Event

Read: Explore Quality Meat Options in Kenmore’s Boutique Meats Kitchen

About the App

Through the Cancer Atlas, the proponents hope to drive new studies that will result in effective policies to help control cancer.

The interactive app is the product of years of collaboration amongst Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Cancer Council Queensland and FrontierSI. The atlas puts together the efforts of statisticians, cancer researchers, visualisation experts and IT specialists.

Mapping cancer incidence is a way for researchers to better understand cancer patterns in different areas.

“In 2018 an estimated 138,000 Australians will be diagnosed with cancer, but we know that some people face greater risks of diagnosis and death than others, due to a mix of lifestyle characteristics, behaviour, genetics and other unknown factors,” said Cancer Council Queensland CEO Chris McMillan.

“The atlas enables readers to easily visualise those differences and offers critical insight into patterns of cancer and outcomes in Australia, depending on where people live, which can be used to drive research and policies going forward.”

Using the Atlas

To use the app, simply go to atlas.cancer.org.au/app and click the type of cancer in the dropdown at the upper right corner of the screen. Search for the suburb or zoom in or out of the map and click on a specific suburb to display the statistics.

The interactive map can show visuals representing statistics for diagnoses and excess deaths. It can also show estimates for male or female in case of sex-specific cancer types.

Each area will be shown with cancer incidence estimates, indicating if the area is above or below the Australian average.

Learn more about the Australian Cancer Atlas.

Explore Quality Meat Options in Kenmore’s Boutique Meats Kitchen

Having a great butcher is important, especially for serious meat eaters. For locals looking for quality meat options in Kenmore, Boutique Meats Kitchen has been one of the most recommended butchers in the area.

Getting meat from a butcher proves to be way better than buying them from a supermarket. First, you are assured of having fresh and high-quality meat. Plus, butchers usually give helpful advice on how to properly cook them. Reputable butchers can also do extra preparation for you depending on your needs.

Boutique Meats Kitchen Kenmore

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We love to have steak on days ending in ‘y’ Pictured here is our Cape Grim Grass Fed T- Bone. Hands down, some of Australia’s BEST beef! @capegrimbeef 🙌 . . #brisbanefood #brisbaneeats #brisbanefoodie #brisbaneblog #brisbanebutcher #butcher #beef #capegrim #aussiebeef #brisbanebbq #steak #tbone

A post shared by Boutique Meats Kitchen (@boutiquemeatskitchen) on Sep 12, 2018 at 3:10am PDT

Boutique Meats Kitchen has been serving high-calibre meat at 841 Moggill Rd, Kenmore since 1994. With their extensive experience in the industry, the shop has already gained a following from the local community.

Photo credit: Boutique Meats Kitchen/Facebook

The family-run butcher aims to provide “beautiful meat experiences” that reflects an authentic Australian way of life. Most of their fans are recommending the shop not only for their meats but also for their friendly and helpful staff.

“We are never disappointed here, we’ve been shopping with them for years now and have literally never had a miss- in fact, their quality is always head and shoulders above everyone else. The staff are also brilliantly helpful and friendly, you can’t go wrong!”

“Fantastic products with friendly and helpful staff, I travel around Brisbane visiting shopping centres and this is one of the best butchers I have ever come across – the marinated fillet steaks were exceptional!”

More Than Just Meats

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A post shared by Boutique Meats Kitchen (@boutiquemeatskitchen) on Sep 20, 2018 at 7:15pm PDT

The local butcher is famous for their prime cuts of top quality meat such as the Cape Grim beef, Tasmanian lamb, and locally grown 9Dorf Farm free-range chickens.

Boutique Meats Kitchen’s Smoked Salmon Quiche Photo credit: Boutique Meats Kitchen/Facebook

Apart from their meat options, Boutique Meats Kitchen is also favoured for their Filet Mignons, sausages, quiche, and hams.

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A post shared by Boutique Meats Kitchen (@boutiquemeatskitchen) on Jul 20, 2018 at 4:00pm PDT

They also offer pre-made gourmet pastries for days when you don’t have much time to whip up a hearty dinner. Don’t worry, their staff will tell you how to cook them properly.

Boutique Meats Kitchen Kenmore is open from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Mondays to Fridays and only until 5:00 p.m. on the weekends.

Brookfield General Store and Cafe | An Old-School Dining Experience

The Brookfield General Store and Cafe is a charming, quaint-looking cafe and general store nestled in the midst of an old wooden Anglican church and Brookfield showground. The restaurant offers a rustic dining experience with a laid-back atmosphere.

*Photo credit: Brookfield General Store & Cafe/Facebook*

Built in 1874, the building was a school teacher’s residence for the National School, which would later become the Brookfield State School on Boscombe Rd. The Trustees of the Hall bought it and moved the building to its current location after the Department of Education decided to replace it with a bigger structure.

The Brookfield Store, or “The Shed” as the locals call it, opened in 1934 and has now transformed from a convenience store into a cafe with large indoor country-style table and chairs to match its rustic al fresco dining area. Their store is a perfect place to find fresh produce, bread, milk, chocolate, homemade sweets and condiments, and fine wine.

From morning ‘till night, the Brookfield General Store and Cafe is a place where locals and tourists go for a wonderful serving of hearty meals. This place, however, is best known for its wood-fired ribs and pizza variety including the Smoked Ham and Pineapple pizza and the Brookfield Meat Lovers pizza.

The cafe opens at 6:00 a.m. offering breakfast meals like the Salmon Scrambled—three eggs scrambled with sliced avocado on ciabatta, smoked salmon, and fresh mint leaves.

Lunchtime is a great time to enjoy their mouth-watering burgers and salads, including their Pulled Pork Burger–slow cooked Australian pork lavished with pineapple salsa and coleslaw on a sourdough bun.

Wood-fired Pizza

Apple Pie

Chicken Cobb Salad

Grilled Salmon

Kale and Spinach Omelette

Quinoa and French Lentil Salad

Brookfield General Store and Cafe is open daily from 6:00 a.m. serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and ice cold beer on tap and wine by the bottle.

550 Brookfield Road, Brookfield, Queensland

Brookfield Median House Price Among Highest in Brisbane, Kenmore Posts Strong Increase

The REIQ recently reported the latest housing market statistics which showed Brookfield median house price to be among the highest in Brisbane at $1,670,000, a 15.2% increase over the last 12 months and 17.8% over the last 5 years. In the 2nd quarter of 2018, there were 3 homes sold in the suburb.

Meanwhile, Kenmore posted a 4% annual increase in median house price at $687,500. The figure is 28.9% higher over a span of 5 years. During the 2nd quarter, 37 houses were sold in Kenmore.

Cliveden Park in Fig Tree Pocket Designated as Launch Area for Drones

Drones weighing 500 grams to 2 kilograms can now take off and land at Cliveden Park in Fig Tree Pocket.

Following Brisbane City Council’s six-month trial of the designated areas for launch and landing of recreational drones in 10 parks across the city, permanent drone launch pads have been established in the selected public parks.

According to Environment, Parks and Sustainability Chairman Cr David McLachlan, the trial, which started in December 2017, is a response to the growing number of hobbyists and drone users across the city.

Cliveden Park in Fig Tree Pocket Photo credit: www.brisparks.com.au

Cr McLachlan said that the Council has received positive feedbacks from its trial of 10 sites and hundreds of people have been taking advantage of the designated areas to take off land their drones that are up to 2 kilograms.

“More than 700 people provided feedback to Council following the trial and 80 percent of those support Council in providing spaces in parks for the launch and landing of drones,” Cr McLachlan said.

“After reviewing the current locations, Council has determined the current sites will remain available to drone users and Council will look to additional sites that could be leased by clubs for drone racing and fixed-wing aircraft activities,” he added.

flying drone — Photo credit: CC0 Public Domain / Max Pixel

Cr McLachlan stated that regulations for drone activities during flight will still be governed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority while the Council is responsible for the regulation of the launching and landing of these unmanned aircraft from Council land, including parks.

Drones weighing less than 500 grams can be launched from any Council park but users must comply with CASA restrictions and flight-restricted areas for the Brisbane Airport, Archerfield Airport, and helipads. Here are helpful drone resources and links that every drone user should know.

For drones weighing 500 grams to 2 kilograms, other designated areas for launching drones, apart from the Cliveden Park in Fig Tree Pocket, include The Common Park in Coorparoo; Preston Road Park in Carina; Carindale Recreation Reserve; Canterbury Park in Bald Hills; Lacey Road Park in Carseldine; Wishart Community Park; Voyager Drive Park in Kuraby; Moggill Ferry Reserve; and Keperra Picnic Ground Park.

Learn more about the CASA rules for flying drones recreationally from the CASA droneflyer website. These rules are designed to protect other people, both in the air and on the ground and must be followed at all times, even when you are flying from Council parklands.

Visit the Council’s flying drones in Council parks page for more information.

The Retro Bar in Kenmore Up for Sale

The Retro Bar is up for sale as Richard Harrison announced that he will be retiring and intends to hand over the popular Kenmore bar to a worthy new owner.

The Retro Bar has been amongst West Brisbane’s popular bars with live music. The retro-styled lounge bar is primarily built to be a friendly local bar with great atmosphere, food, and entertainment.

Mr Harrison bought the bar after retiring from corporate life in 2015 with a mission of fulfilling the previous owners’ vision for the bar. He was able to showcase great local artists and even hosted sell-out concerts in the venue.

After a successful three-year run, the owner is now selling the bar. Despite having numerous offers for The Retro Bar, Mr Harrison is still waiting for someone who would continue running it as a live venue. He still wanted to continue to enjoy the bar as both a customer and a musician.

For the would-be owner of the bar, there’s an opportunity to grow both the function and live music side of business considering the quality and reputation of the venue plus, there’s little competition in the area. The Retro Bar is licensed for 100 people from 10:00 a.m. until midnight every day which opens a window to increase the current opening hours.

Currently, the bar is open from Thursday to Saturday with the occasional Wednesday night and Sunday afternoon sessions. When the bar is not open, the owner offers the place as a rehearsal studio for bands which has quickly gained on-going bookings.

Since only a few live venues are left in Brisbane’s West, Mr Harrison strongly prefers a new owner with a passion for live music and entertainment. Hospitality experience is not required since he will provide training and support to ensure a smooth and successful transition.

You may check the business listing to learn more.

New Variable Speed Limit Signs Installed On Fig Tree Pocket & Waverley Roads

New Variable Speed Limit Signs (VSLS) have been installed on the Western Freeway (outbound) between Waverley and Fig Tree Pocket Roads as part of the $1 million State Road Network Upgrade program.

The VSLS aims to reduce crash-related congestion and help improve the safety of motorists. These signs allow the speed limit on the motorway to be reduced when road conditions change during bad weather or as a result of an accident or congestion. With this, it will keep traffic flowing.

The new signs are installed in the following locations:

After the Waverley Road overpass
Near the Moggill Road overpass
On the Moggill Road on-ramp
After the Russell Terrace/Moggill Road on-ramp
After the Jerrang Street overpass
On the Fig Tree Pocket Road on-ramp

The flashing red circle on the VSLS will indicate that the speed limit has changes and motorists should adjust accordingly.

The installation of these new signs was announced last year. This is in line with the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to build safer road networks.

According to Main Roads and Safety Minister Mark Bailey, “The signs aim to reduce the frequency of read-end crashes on the motorway.”

VSLS have also been used in other locations across the state. “The signs will operate by monitoring live traffic conditions via CCTV cameras and in-pavement vehicle detectors. If vehicles are approaching congestion, the signs will reduce the speed limit to 80 km/h. The speed limit will continue to be reduced in 20km/h increments to slow vehicles down safely,” Mr Bailey Said.

Enjoy a Day Full of Fun for the Family at Moggill State School’s Mogganza 2018

Head over to Moggill State School this Saturday, 4 August 2018 as they host their much-awaited family fair, Mogganza 2018.

Mogganza is the annual fundraising activity by Moggill State School P&C. The event will be filled with plenty of family-friendly rides and entertainment. A fireworks display starting at 6:30 p.m. is set to cap off the celebration.

Fun rides and activities are available for all the kids to enjoy including Miami Trip, Round Up, Storm, Merry Go Round, Super Slide, Beach Party Bouncer, Cactus Cabin and a Petting Zoo. Multi-ride armbands which include five hours of unlimited rides will be available for sale for $40 on the day. Single tickets are up for sale for $5-$7 per ride.

Several stalls offering delicious food, drinks, games, showbags, second-hand books and toys, and more will be available at the venue. Other activities include face painting, chocolate toss, a kid’s zone hosted by Moggill Family Lions Branch Club, a vintage car display, and lots more.

There will be a live auction between 2:30-3:30 p.m. on the stage where visitors can bid to win a number of great prizes. This year’s winning tickets for the Mogganza 2018 raffle draw will be drawn at 5:00 p.m. where prizes valued from $170 up to $1,599 will be given away.

Proceeds from this year’s Mogganza will benefit the first stage of a proposed new play area for the school which includes landscaped gardens, grassed areas, and a shaded space.

Entry to the event is free. To learn more, visit the event’s website and Facebook page.

No Money Involved: Brookfield Food Swap Promotes Sustainable Living at Monthly Event

Every month, locals in and around Brookfield get to mingle, share and bring home items they need without using money. This sustainable and sharing attitude is the main concept of the Brookfield Food Swap.

Growing your own food in your backyard? You might be interested in swapping some of your fresh harvests for other people’s produce at the regular food swap event.

Photo credit: The Brookfield Food Swap/Facebook

The swap happens from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. every second Saturday of each month. Brisbane locals gather at the intersection of Adavale Street and Savages Road in Brookfield to swap homegrown produce and homemade products as well as garden and kitchen goodies.

The Beginning of a Sustainable Community

The food swap was founded by Georgie Townsend, a Brookfield resident with a background in Environmental Consulting. She was inspired by her experiences in South Africa where she saw daily examples of local sharing of produce, services, and goods in Port St Johns.

Returning to Australia, she had joined the committee of the Hills Organic Garden on Brisbane’s north and finally decided to bring the Food Swap idea into life.

No Money Involved

“The lovely thing about the swaps and gardening, in general, is that plants grow several things you can eat and also produce seeds – it’s that multiplying effect of generosity, that’s very much the ethos of the swap.”

Swaps are generally non-monetary exchange where people bring their own produce and exchange them with someone else’s products.

One of the great features of the food swaps is the presence of an honest system from like-minded people who values sustainability.

Though no hard rules are in place in the swaps, swappers are expected to be mindful of what is a fair exchange. For instance, eggs and honey have a higher value than seeds or a recipe while fruit for vegetables is an equal exchange.

Another exceptional aspect of the Brookfield Food Swap is the exchange of knowledge in conversations. From there, people learn to garden, share ideas, and try new things.

What to Swap

Homegrown Produce – fruit, veggies, bunches to herbs (tied together), nuts, honey, eggs
Homemade Products – jams, marmalades, preserves, pickles, dried fruit, sauces, cordials
Garden Goodies – worm juice, chicken/horse/cow manure, used feed bags
Kitchen Goodies – jars, baskets, reusable containers

Pro tip: Pack eggs into half dozen or dozen batches, tie bunches of herbs together, bag up nuts so they are easy to handle and bring a bag to carry your swapped items back home.

To learn more about the Brookfield Food Swap, visit their official website and Facebook page.