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Chris Saad Finds Home, Sweet Home in Fig Tree Pocket

For Chris Saad, who spent years away from his native Brisbane, working in San Francisco’s Silicon Valley, the homecoming that began in 2017 is now all the sweeter, as he exchanged his posh, inner-city digs for a new home in Fig Tree Pocket.

Before coming back to Brisbane, the self-described product & startup builder, serial entrepreneur, strategic advisor, angel investor, and podcaster had made quite a name for himself amidst Silicon Valley’s highly competitive tech environment.

Photo Credit : https://www.chrissaad.com/

Mr Saad was the Head of Product at Uber. He is also a co-founder of the DataPortability Project. “I build strategies, products, messages, brands, ecosystems, standards and startups,” is how he describes what he does.

He and his wife Aliya closed the deal in May 2020 on the purchase of a $2.42 million retreat situated on a quiet, leafy cul de sac in River Park Place.

Photo Credit: McGrath Estate Agents Paddington

The sprawling 1,358-square-metre property, listed by Alex Jordan of McGrath Estate Agents and designed by Tabrizi Home Builders, embodies the laid-back, family-oriented lifestyle that Mr Saad and his wife Aliya have envisioned for their family.

“I think we had this inkling that we wanted to go to a leafy area we were ‘umming’ and ‘ahhing’ and we loved our apartment that we were in but when COVID hit it solidified the idea in our mind about having our own sanctuary. I think, trend-wise, that urbanisation of people moving into the cities will reverse now,” Mr Saad said.

As people used to high-rise apartment living, the couple said that the coronavirus pandemic has given them fresh insights about their priorities in life.

Photo Credit : https://www.chrissaad.com/photographer

“My whole career I had been living in these high rise apartments … but we realised our priority was about our family and creating a sanctuary where family can come and enjoy a special place,” Mr Saad said.

“Sanctuary” is certainly the vibe of his new home, with luxury features that include an outdoor entertainment area with a fire pit, Instagram-worthy gradens, a gourmet kitchen, and other amenities that give the home the qualities of a luxurious, urban retreat.

Both Mr Saad and his wife work remotely so the daily commute to an office that most people deal with was not an issue.

Their new, elevated abode is located metres from riverfront parks, the boat ramp, city express buses, and in the catchment of excellent private and public schools.

Three years after moving back to Brisbane, Chris and Aliya Saad are finally home.

Fig Tree Pocket: Best performing Suburb For House Price Growth

It was an outstanding year for Fig Tree Pocket as it led the list of Brisbane suburbs for house price growth, the latest Domain report reveals.

Leafy Fig Tree Pocket soared 30 percent year-on-year to $1,150,000 to emerge on top of the best performing suburbs in Brisbane. Whilst data from REA Group’s realestate.com.au, reveals Fig Tree Pocket also showing an impressive price growth with its median house price rising to $1,137,500 in 2019 from $950,0000 in 2018.

The Domain House Price Report, December 2019 quarter report showed mixed results for the Greater Brisbane market. Houses showed steady price growth over the last seven years whilst the units market continued to slump, dropping annually over the past two-and-a-half years.

House prices grew a respectable 1.3 percent over the last quarter and 0.4 percent overall growth in 2019. Whilst that may be considered modest, a few suburbs managed to perform much better, even recording double-digit median house price growth such as Windsor, Wilston, Yamanto, and Newmarket..

Top 10 Brisbane suburbs according to the Domain House Price Report, December 2019 quarter and based on year-on-year growth:

Fig Tree Pocket	$1,150,000	30.2%
Windsor	$980,000	22.1%
Wilston	$1,060,000	17.5%
Yamanto	$415,000	15.6%
Newmarket	$870,000	10.1%
Balmoral	$1,050,000	9.8%
Woodridge	$327,000	9%
Coorparoo	$900,000	8.4%
Morningside	$763,000	8.2%
Bridgeman Downs	$775,000	7.3%

Meanwhile, the units market continues to soften, dropping to 3.4 percent quarter-on-quarter in December 2019. In spite of lackluster performance, analysts are still optimistic that excess in units supply will ultimately be absorbed as the number of new constructions continue to fall.

House prices in Brisbane appear to be taking its cue from other markets, particularly Sydney and Melbourne, which are showing stronger price growth and will likely to continue to perform well in 2020.

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.

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.

How Fig Tree Pocket Got Its Name

Fig Tree Pocket is a residential suburb known for being the home of the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Biami Yumba Park, and Cliveden Park, but did you know how the suburb got its name?

Fig Tree Pocket’s name was derived from Moreton Bay fig trees with the scientific name Ficus macrophylla and for a particularly large tree in the area.

The trunk of an immense fig tree in the scrub fringing the Brisbane River at Fig Tree Pocket. A person appears to be standing at the base of the tree. The photographer was Mr. G.W. Sweet of South Brisbane. Photo credit: State Library of Queensland, Australia/Wikimedia Commons

In 1866, the huge tree was photographed and was said to be so large that it can shelter a herd of cattle or up to 400 people. A reserve of 1.6 hectares was created around the fig tree the same year.

The giant tree was considered so iconic that it became a major landmark in the area.

The suburb was also bounded by the river on three sides which creates a land pocket.

The name and boundaries of Fig Tree Pocket were approved by Queensland Place Names Board on 11 August 1975. The boundary has been altered by the Minister for Natural Resources and Minister for Mines on 23 August 2002.

The famous tree no longer exists and the cause of its disappearance is still unknown.

Read: Fig Tree Pocket’s Iconic Moreton Bay Fig Tree’s Disappearance Remains a Mystery

Fig Tree Pocket House Prices Continue to Grow, Defies Post-Flood Expectations

The 2011 floods devastated many suburbs in the city of Brisbane, but suburbs such as Fig Tree Pocket are still seeing high property price growth despite the unfortunate event.

Data from RiskWise Property Research shows that 95% of the adversely affected Brisbane suburbs during the 2011 floods registered strong 5-year price growth.

Fig Tree Pocket is on top of the list with a recorded 52.7% 5-year price growth.

According to the RiskWise CEO Dolon Peleg, the demand for these properties proves a counterbalance to the 2011 floods and that people are willing to take that risk. He also said that there should be no cause for alarm because insurance companies have changed their product offering and premiums.

Mr Peleg believes that the research helps disprove the notion that these once-flooded areas will suffer poor capital growth and will gain negative buyer reaction. The price growth is boosted by the excellent location of the properties, most of which are on highly sought riverside areas.

Here is the list of the top 10 Brisbane suburbs that have bounced back well in terms of property prices from the recent 2011 tragedy:

Rank	Suburb	5-Year Price Growth
1.	Fig Tree Pocket	52.7%
2.	Yeronga	42.4%
3.	New Farm	40.5%
4.	Tennyson	40%
5.	Indooroopilly	39.8%
6.	Windsor	38.8%
7.	Hamilton	35.7%
8.	Norman Park	34.8 %
9.	Corinda	34.7%
10.	Auchenflower	31.5%

Source: Riskwise Property Research

Skip Bin Explosion in Fig Tree Pocket Leaves Locals Rattled; Innovative Bins On Its Way

A recent explosion in a skip bin in Fig Tree Pocket last December, which injured two men, has prompted calls for locals to be more vigilant in following proper waste disposal procedures.

Three men were filling the bin on McLaren Street when it exploded, which left one with minor burns whilst the other was in shock. They were quickly taken to the hospital. The eruption was so strong that the windows of three nearby houses were shattered.

According to witnesses, the men poured petrol over the pile of rubbish and shrubs in the bin to burn it and reduce it. However, it seems that the vapours have been trapped in the skip bin thus causing the explosion.

It seems like the rubbish found in the bin are mostly garden waste, which easily ignites. The Brisbane City Council has guidelines on where to properly throw your garden wastes:

at a Council transfer station
as compost and mulch in your garden
using Council’s green waste recycling service

There have also been developments in waste collection and reduction over the years to prevent this from happening.

In 2016, Solar Bins Australia developed BigBelly Solar Bins, which are powered by solar panel harnessing the energy of the sun and storing it within the battery. Once it reaches a particular level, the compactor initiates and will compact everything inside that waste basket. It was deployed in 23 areas in Australia.

Photo credit: Solar Bins Australiafig tree

Such innovation has proven to be effective in particular areas in the nation and has significantly reduced garbage collection times and eliminates the need for locals to burn waste in bins.

Be A Wildlife Keeper at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Fig Tree Pocket For A Day

If you’re looking for ways to keep your kids learning and having fun at the same time during this school holiday, then you might want to head on over to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Fig Tree Pocket.

On the 10th of January, you can have your kids be Junior Keeper for a day at the sanctuary. There are three Junior Keeper Programs for your children:

Junior Joeys (5-7 year olds)
Senior Serpents (8-11 year olds)
Teen Keeper (12-17 year olds)

Each program is kept to small groups only to ensure that each child will be able to interact and learn.

Each child will have the chance to experience being a wildlife keeper from preparing food for the animals and feeding down down to cleaning and maintenance as well as training and other enrichment activities.

This program is only available during school holiday periods so make sure that you sign up your kids now! It will be a great experience and one not likely to be repeated until the next holiday break.

Fig Tree Pocket Locals Appalled Due To Reality Show Filming at Rivergum Retreat

Almost everybody in Brisbane, or in the west knows about Linc Energy Founder Peter Bond’s mansion in Fig Tree Pocket, the Rivergum Retreat.

When his company went into liquidation in May last year with $320 million in debt, Mr Bond said that he is finished with Queensland and will be moving elsewhere. However, his mansion in the quiet suburb failed to sell and is now about to be used for a reality show.

A French production company is set to start shooting Les Ch’tis (Party Workers in OZ) at Rivergum Retreat from next month until December. Eight to ten partygoers are slated to live at the mansion whilst the show documents them trying to find work and fitting into the Australian way of life.

Locals are appalled by this development as they fear that their quiet neighbourhood will be disturbed by the noise of these partygoers and the hype and attention that come with the show. Judging from the previous seasons of the show, the cast can get pretty wild and the locals surely don’t want their peace disrupted.

When Mr Bond was asked about this, he refused to comment.

Fig Tree Pocket May Soon Have Koala Research Centre

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has committed a $2-million koala research centre in Fig Tree Pocket, which is to be finished in June 2018. A development application has now been lodged to the Brisbane City Council for the project.

The Plan

Located at 708 Jesmond Road, the upcoming research centre will be within the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. A number of existing enclosures will have to be demolished to make way for the research facility.

The proposal, designed by Giarola Architects, aims to have an Animal Enclosure and Research Centre within the centre of the overall Sanctuary Master Plan. A single storey building will be built.

Stage One of the proposed development involves the Animal Enclosure whilst Stage Two involves the Sky Deck Extension.

The Sky Deck Extension will be located on the southern side of the building, which will provide a circular viewing platform with additional functions to aid research.

Also read: Upcoming Lone Pine Sanctuary Research Centre in Fig Tree Pocket To Help Save Koalas

Council’s Efforts

Koalas are one of Australia’s iconic animals. Unfortunately, their numbers are rapidly dwindling due to the loss of habitat, dog attacks, disease and vehicle strike. Koalas are now listed as “vulnerable” under the national and state environmental law. The research centre is one of the efforts of the council to protect and preserve koalas across the country.

Aside from that, the council is also buying land with significant koala habitat through the Bushland Acquisition Program. They are also implementing the Natural Assets Local Law, which adds a layer of protection over significant vegetation that includes the homes of the koalas.

The Habitat Brisbane Program also aims to plant more koala food trees on council’s land. These are just some of the efforts of the council to preserve these beautiful animals.

View the development application for the research centre here.