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2026-2027 Budget Brings Upgrades Across Kenmore

Residents across Kenmore and the communities nearby can expect a range of local improvements over the next year after Brisbane City Council unveiled its 2026–27 budget.



The projects include funding for new sporting facilities, upgrades to local roads, improved access around Akuna Oval and continued support for much-loved community events. They form part of Council’s broader suburbs-focused budget, which says more than 80 per cent of spending will be directed towards suburban communities.

New clubhouse planned for Kenmore Bears

One of the biggest local investments is funding towards replacing the Kenmore Bears Junior Australian Football Club clubhouse and changerooms at Akuna Oval.

Council has committed to contributing towards the project over the next two years, helping modernise facilities used by hundreds of young players, volunteers and visiting teams throughout the football season.

While Council has confirmed funding support, detailed designs and construction timelines are expected to be announced as the project progresses.

Accessible walkway to improve connections at Akuna Oval

Visitors to Cubberla Reserve will also benefit from a new 150-metre disability-compliant walkway linking the existing car park with the proposed University of Queensland Football Club facility.

The pathway is expected to improve accessibility for players, spectators and people with mobility needs on game days. Outside sporting events, it will also provide a safer walking connection between the Park and Ride car park and Hepworth Street for local residents using the popular walking circuit around Akuna Oval. The project aims to make the precinct easier to navigate while supporting its growing use as both a sporting and community recreation area.

Other nearby suburbs will also benefit from the budget’s park improvements, with playground upgrades planned for Booker Place Park in Bellbowrie and additional park improvements elsewhere in the ward.

Photo Credit: Google Maps

Road upgrades planned across Brookfield, Upper Brookfield and Kenmore

Several local roads are included in Council’s suburban works program for the coming financial year.

Scheduled upgrades include:

  • Brookfield Road, Brookfield
  • Haven Road, Upper Brookfield
  • Marshall Lane, Kenmore
  • Hoana Place, Kenmore
  • St Baliol Street, Kenmore

Council has also allocated funding for road construction works on Lake Manchester Road.

The budget documents do not yet specify the exact scope or timing for each road project, with further details expected as works are scheduled throughout the year.

New community storage to support local volunteers

Community organisations in the western suburbs are also set to benefit from a new storage facility at Moggill District Sports Park.

Photo Credit: Google Maps

The secure storage space is intended to house equipment regularly used by community groups, including marquees, barbecues and sporting equipment.

For many volunteer-run organisations, shared storage can reduce the need to keep equipment at private homes while making it easier to prepare for sporting fixtures, festivals and community events.



Funding continues for popular local events

The budget also includes ongoing support for several well-known community events across the western suburbs.

Funding has again been allocated for:

  • Brookfield Show
  • Brookie Bush Christmas
  • Kenmore Christmas Carols

These events attract thousands of residents each year and are organised largely through local volunteers, community groups and sponsors. Continued Council funding helps support their delivery while maintaining traditions that have become fixtures on the local calendar.

The budget brings a mix of practical improvements that touch everyday life. From upgraded sporting facilities and safer pedestrian access to smoother roads and continued support for community events, the projects aim to strengthen the local places where people live, play and gather.

Updated 6-July-2026

Kenmore’s Dahlia Neary Wows Crowd of 30,000 at Brisbane Lions Game

When more than 30,000 footy fans poured into the Gabba earlier this month, the voice welcoming them didn’t belong to a seasoned broadcaster. It belonged to 11‑year‑old Kenmore local Dahlia Neary, who was calm, clear and utterly at home under the lights.


Read: Kenmore State High’s Liezel-Marie Roux to Represent Australia in International Archery Competitions


Chosen by the Brisbane Lions from a video audition, Dahlia stepped into the coveted Junior MC role for the Lions’ clash with Port Adelaide. She opened the show, signed it off, and with a poise that belied her age, interviewed Bruce Reville pre-game and Lions co-captain Harris Andrews after the siren. She also handled on-field crosses and match-day activities throughout. 

dahlia neary
Photo credit: Kenmore Bears Junior Australian Football Club/Facebook

Her performance didn’t just win over the crowd. A local news channel has since contacted the Brisbane Lions to connect with Dahlia about the experience, a sign that her blend of composure, charisma and love for the game has travelled well beyond the Kenmore postcode.

dahlia neary
Photo credit: Kenmore Bears Junior Australian Football Club/Facebook

Back home, Dahlia pulls on the jumper for the Kenmore Bears AFL Club. She trains several times a week and regularly joins older girls’ teams to push herself harder. The dream? AFLW. And if her Gabba debut is anything to go by, she’s just as comfortable leading with a microphone as she is leading out of the centre.

“Her passion for AFL is matched by her natural ability to connect with a crowd — something fans saw firsthand at the Gabba. It was a special moment not just for her, but for all young girls who dare to dream big in sport and leadership,” her mother Tran shared.

“We believe this story could inspire other kids in the community — especially girls — to step up, speak out, and chase their goals, whether on the field or off it.”


Read: Kenmore, Brookfield, and Moggill Named Queensland’s Best Suburbs for Families


Dahlia is proof that hard work, courage and a willingness to say “yes” can open doors you didn’t even know were there. Today, it’s the Gabba. Tomorrow? The AFLW, and maybe the commentary box too.

Published 28-July-2025