fig tree pocket Archives - Page 4 of 4

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.

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

A tranquil suburb located between the Centenary Motorway and Brisbane River, Fig Tree Pocket represents a leafy, quiet beauty with its tree-lined streets. Who would have thought that a place like this is just 12km away from the CBD?

The suburb’s name is taken from the Moreton Bay fig tree and just recently, a Facebook user, Stephen Sheffield shared an old photo of the huge fig tree that influenced the name of the suburb, which he shared on Old Brisbane Album’s Facebook page.

Along with the photo comes a letter from A.V. Herbert at the Department of Lands and Works to the Surveyor General and it states:

“Sir, I have been desired to request you to be good enough to reserve the land situated about halfway between Oxley Creek and the Seventeen Mile Rocks on the left bank of the Brisbane River and upon which a remarkable fig tree stands of which a photograph is closed – it is assumed that there will be no difficulty in recognising the spot…”

The letter was dated 14th June 1866 and can be found at the Queensland State Archives.

According to history, the huge tree can shelter 400 people.

Sadly, this is the only memory of the enormous fig tree as today, the tree is no longer there. There are many reasons that could have caused its disappearance such as fires, land clearing, and floods.

The Moreton Bay fig tree, or the Ficus macrophylla can reach heights of 600m. Currently, these trees can still be seen around the suburb specifically at the Fig Tree Pocket Equestrian Grounds. Currently, the tallest Moreton Bay fig is located on the Nuhimbah Valley of Queensland.

Fig Tree Pocket’s Lone Pine Sanctuary Offers Fun Weekends for Everyone

Did you know that there’s so much to do at the Lone Pine Sanctuary in Fig Tree Pocket? Yes, it’s not just about the wildlife and the koalas, there are more exciting activities that kids and adults can definitely enjoy.

Stretch with Yoga

On Fridays (9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.) and Saturdays (8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.), get your yoga mats ready because Alexis Jane of One Natural Therapies is holding yoga classes on the lawn for only $10 each. For Lone Pine members, you get every 5th class for free!

Find inner peace. Meditate and calm your mind on weekend mornings before you start your day. The calmness of Lone Pine Sanctuary is definitely the perfect place for serenity.

Catch a Flick

On Friday nights, the lawn transforms into an outdoor cinema starting at 5:30 p.m. Catch a family movie with your kids. Don’t forget to bring your blankets and food for that perfect movie night with your loved ones under the stars. You can check out this page for their movie schedules.

Photo credit: https://talesofatwinmum.com

Shop at the Farmer’s Market

Every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., an evening market runs in the sanctuary. The market has everything you need, from vegetables to fruits. All of them are fresh and locally produced. The stall owners get their produce from growers and farmers, ensuring a longer shelf life and freshness.

Feeling hungry? Enjoy the wide selection of dishes available for you at the market, choose from French, German, British, Asian, Indian, and so much more. You can also find some beautiful fresh flowers, buy free-range chicken, or score some hard-to-find spices and delectable, sweet treats.

For the Kids

Just right by the Riverside Cafe overlooking the river, there is a new play area for children so you can sit at the cafe whilst your children play. The Farmer’s Market at Lone Pine is packed with goodies that everyone in the family will love.

Photo Credit: Sharon Higson

Fig Tree Pocket’s Luxurious Rivergum Retreat Reveals its Hidden Gem

In the serene suburb of Fig Tree Pocket lies a mansion straight from an action movie. Along Needham Street, the calmness, the green leafy surrounds may fool you that all is calm until you reach No.36, a huge mansion called the Rivergum Retreat.

Seeing the eye-catching mansion from the road is exciting, but the experience of stepping into its massive Zen-like foyer is truly breathtaking. The magnificent river view from the floor-to-ceiling-windows gives new meaning to the term “eye candy”.

The sprawling mansion has luxuriously appointed rooms, a state-of-the-art entertainment area, a beautiful kitchen that will bring out your inner chef, and an infinity pool that overlooks the river.

2_gvkeuq — Photo credit: www.domain.com.au

A House with a Secret

But what makes the house even more special is the secret it keeps in its library. The library seems innocuous enough. It has a sitting area and shelves of books. But it has something straight out of a James Bond movie. Pull out some innocent-looking bookshelves and you can step into a secret hideaway — a room and a bar.

On the Market

The mansion was built in the early 1980s. It was renovated after the current owners bought it in 2008. These days, the mansion is once again in the market and is considered to be one of Brisbane’s most expensive properties.