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Ellendale Stage 5 Development in Upper Kedron Rejected

Council has denied the development application for Stage 5 of the Ellendale housing project in Upper Kedron, citing concerns about the earthworks and their impact on vegetation, ecology, and biodiversity.

In the decision report filed for DA A005255683, Council delegate John Neville underscored that the proposed plans were deemed unacceptable because the earthworks will alter the topography along the waterway corridors and take out a significant portion of the Eucalyptus trees on the site.

“Stage 5A, 5B, 5C, earthworks filling of the mapped waterway corridors conflict with the Stormwater code as the development does not maximise the use of natural waterway corridors on the site, “ the report stated. “Due to the proposed filling, there is no protection of environmental values of receiving waters, no use of the natural waterway corridors and drainage path for fauna movement, and the basins will require extensive earthworks in cut and the use of tiered retaining walls.”

Photo Credit: Developmenti Brisbane City Council

Huntsman Property, the developer, also failed to submit proper documentation of its compliance to the Bushfire overlay code. Neville cited that the developer had outstanding issues with its Bushfire reporting and still has not demonstrated acceptable measures to curb the risk of bushfires.

The advocacy group PlanRight Upper Kedron hailed the rejection as a win but also reminded the residents that the “fight is not yet over.”

“Ellendale do have an opportunity to appeal the decision or resubmit a new Development Application,” the group said. “In that regard, we continue to extend our support for dialogue with Ellendale so that any next steps they attempt are done in a collaborative fashion and to avoid the problems, stress and cost endured by all to this point.”

The Ellendale housing project has had a number of controversies since it received preliminary approval from former Planning Minister Jackie Trad. Residents have opposed the development early on because of its outcome on the environment.

Photo Credit: Ellendale Estate/Google Maps

Stage 5 was supposed to expand the development to connect sections of Halifax Street to the south section of the project, which had been Stage 1.

Happy Days Food Co: Fast-Food Fine Dining Eatery to Open in The Gap

“Fastfood” and “fine dining” might seem like two contradictory concepts but the owners of an Ashgrove degustation restaurant plans to open Happy Days Food Co in The Gap, which promises to bring the best of both worlds to the suburb.

Wine & Larder Bistro owners James Alcock and Stephanie Fausz hope to deliver a new approach to enjoying high-end food as a fast-food takeaway with Happy Days Food Co. The couple said that there’s nothing quite like their concept in The Gap and it was something they’ve wanted to do for people who enjoy really good food but do not have the time to cook.

Details to Happy Days Food Co’s big opening day are still under wraps but Wine & Larder Bistro teased the shop’s location on Facebook. The upcoming eatery will be at The Gap Village shopping centre on Waterworks Road. It will take over the site of a former fast-food chain, next to Harcourt Solutions.

The takeaway shop will mostly serve Italian food fares as curated by chef Yngve Muldal. Similar to the bistro, customers can expect to order from a selection of luxe salads, different kinds of pasta and stone-baked pizza, as well as specials like braised beef or smoked duck.

James and Stephanie relaunched Wine & Larder Bistro in Ashgrove in 2020, which was formerly the Local Larder & Wine Bar. The couple also expanded the next-door site into the wine shop, Arcade Wine.

After establishing their Ashgrove businesses, the couple set out to explore another venture and came up with the fast-food fine dining concept.

Happy Days Food Co’s price range will be affordable, ensuring the customers will return for more. The restaurant will partner will delivery services like Uber Eats, Door Dash and Deliveroo but customers may also choose to pick up their orders.

Happy Days Food Co targets an April 2021 opening.

4 Interesting Facts About Aboriginal History In Keperra

Dawson Parade, Keperra ca. 1915 (Photo credit: John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland)

Did you know that Keperra takes its name from the word “kipper” used by early aboriginal settlers from the Torres Strait Islands?
Did you know that Keperra takes its name from the word “kipper” used by early aboriginal settlers from the Torres Strait Islands?Keperra is one of the suburbs in Brisbane with a rich indigenous history. In fact, the story behind its name stemmed from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island language.

Aboriginal Australians are divided into two groups: people who were related to those who already inhabited Australia before Britain began colonizing it in 1788; and those who descended from residents of the Torres Strait Islands, also known as the Torres Strait Islander people.

Read on to discover some interesting facts about the aboriginal history in Keperra.

Keperra is an Aboriginal word referring to a young man

The word ‘keperra’ was derived from the Aboriginal word “kipper” which means an Aboriginal male who has been initiated into manhood. The name was given by the local Yuggera people, one of the traditional custodians of the land over which much of Brisbane is built.

The suburb was once home to the Aboriginal Camp and axe-grinding site

The Keperra Aboriginal Camp and Ax-Grinding Site is a former camp site for the Keperra region. The site was known for its significant views and axe-grinding area which are no longer around these days.

An example of Aboriginal axe-grinding grooves on Tuggeranong hill in Theodore, Canberra. (Photo credit: davesact.com)

It’s believed that the Camp was associated with Keperra Bora Ground, and was still used as a sleep-over spot into the 20th Century by Aboriginal families.

Keperra Golf Club was the location of a Bora Ground

Aerial photo of the location of Keperra Bora Rings (Photo credit: www.armchairhistories.org/)

Did you know that before Keperra Golf Club was built in 1931, the place was once an Aboriginal Bora or ceremonial ground? Back then, Keperra Bora was considered one of the best scenic examples in the Brisbane region.

Keperra Golf Club (Photo credit: keperragolf.com.au)

The Bora Rings are associated with initiations pertaining to the surrounding area, Mt Keperra and tomahawks (stone axes). Although it was no longer in use by the 1870s or 1880s, the site remained popular with tourists.

“The large ring was located close to the clubhouse, and despite an apparent commitment to the Historical Society to protect it, we find that the ring has been destroyed together with the path and the smaller ring which was close to Samford Road. This is truly a “lost” bora ground,” Armchair Histories stated.

Scarred trees were once found in Keperra

Before the axe-grinding site totally disappeared to make way for new development around the suburb, among the things to see there were scarred trees. The Aboriginal people carved them for various purposes, such as creating tools for everyday life and as markers for sites with special significance.

Example of Aboriginal carved tree (Photo credit: Australian National Botanic Gardens) Example of Aboriginal carved tree (Photo credit: Australian National Botanic Gardens)

You can find scarred trees in Brisbane until today, but they are very few. These trees usually have fault regular-shaped scars and the exposed sapwood is free of tree knots. The scars also begin above ground level.

Stuart McFarlane, Manager of RMIT Ngarara Willim Indigenous Centre in Melbourne said scarred trees are our history books, but are also a manual for sustainable use of resources suited to the present day.

To view more photographs of Keperra and Grovely back in the early days, browse from Frank and Eunice Corley’s database. They owned a photography business from the 1960s until the ‘70s. Riding their pink Cadillac, the Corleys drove the suburban streets of Queensland and took photographs of houses and sold them to homeowners. The database contains 61,000 photographs that can be viewed online.

New $140-M Ferny Grove Retail Centre Development Underway

A $140-million mixed-used development at Ferny Grove train station submitted by the Honeycombes Property Group is finally underway.

Queensland development and investment group Honeycombes has partnered with Melbourne-based real estate financier MaxCap to create a 12,000-sqm mixed-use development adjoining the Ferny Grove Station. This retail centre will be known as Ferny Grove Central.

Honeycombes also plans to introduce The Fernery, an 82-apartment residential building within the area that comes with a recreational deck, as well as pedestrian and cyclist connections between the apartments and the retail centre for ease of access. A multideck commuter cark park will also be implemented to provide the convenience of undercover spaces.

Render of The Fernery apartments.
Photo credit: Facebook/The Fernery

The site was procured by Honeycombes in 2017. According to the company’s managing director Peter Honeycombe, interest from the local market is high and there are plenty of opportunities for Ferny Grove Central in both residential apartments and in retail.

The retail centre’s major tenants are expected to be announced within the coming months. Interested parties can expect to see national retailers including supermarkets, fitness centres, and cinema providers present within the commercial centre.

The project is currently in its final stages of securing a head contractor. Construction is scheduled to begin within the next few months, with plans to start by the end of April or the beginning of May. Development is expected to revitalise the Queensland economy by providing the suburb with 815 new jobs both on- and off-site.

For more details on the project, visit the Ferny Grove Central website. Though finer details have yet to be released, regular updates and progress reports can be expected from their Facebook page.

Enoggera and Keperra Locals Have 2nd Highest Average Life Expectancy at 86

An Australian’s average life expectancy has been higher than ever before but where you live influences your life expectancy. A new study showed that locals in Enoggera and Keperra have the second-highest life expectancy in Brisbane at 86 years old.

But Enoggera and Keperra come second only to Centenary and Chermside, which has an average life expectancy of 87 years old, according to a study from the Public Health Information Development Unit (PHIDU) at Torrens University.

PHIDU Professor John Glover highlighted that residents in leafy suburbs across Australia are likely to have more birthdays than those who live in CBD because of factors like traffic accidents common among the youth, socioeconomic disadvantage, unemployment and housing.

Mr Glover said that a lot of homeless shelters and similar services are also concentrated in the CBD, where many deaths are reported every year.

Places with aged-care facilities, on the other hand, raise the average life expectancy of a suburb.

Meanwhile, the Brisbane suburb with the shortest average life expectancy is Springfield Lakes at 57 years old. Socio-economic data from the research, however, did not reveal any obvious discrepancies between the highest and the lowest life expectancy age, except that Springfield Lakes has had a high infant death rate from the period of 2014 to 2018.

Greater Brisbane Highest Median Age

SUBURB	AGE
Centenary and Chermside	87 years old
Enoggera/Keperra/Mitchelton	86 years old

Greater Brisbane Lowest Median Age

SUBURB	AGE
Springfield Lakes	57 years old
New Chum/Redbank Plains	63 years old
Bellbird Park/Brookwater/Springfield	64 years old

Brisbane’s Lowest Number of Vehicle Thefts Found in The Gap

Photo Credit: glassdoctor.com

Did you know that The Gap is one of the suburbs with the lowest incidence of automobile crime in Brisbane?

A News Corps analysis performed on data gathered by the Queensland police has revealed that automobile crimes have increased in comparison to 2019. Despite the rise of vehicular theft and vehicle break-ins all throughout the city, The Gap has been listed as one of the safest suburbs in all of Brisbane in that department.

However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that The Gap is totally in the clear. Data from the Queensland Police indicate that, from April to May 2020, there were eight reported cases of automobile crime. Vehicles were either stolen entirely, or broken into — and most reported cases of theft occurred because valuables were left lying in plain sight inside the car, all while the car doors were left unlocked.

At The Gap, for instance, there were eight reported cases from April to May 2020, occurring in Eranga Street, where a total of three vehicles were targeted, in Michaela Crescent, Exter Street, Malgoa Street, Granton Place, and Tarlinga Street. Half the vehicles targeted had been left unlocked, which only made committing the crime that much easier for thieves.

These valuables consisted of wallets, money, electronic devices, glasses, sunglasses, and even vehicle registration plates. As a response, the police have increased patrols throughout the area.

Lock it or Lose it

Though cases in The Gap are low, it’s still important to remain vigilant. There’s no harm in taking extra steps to keep it that way. Automobile theft is a serious and recurring issue, and data shows that in 37% of all cases, thieves break into homes to steal car keys — which owners tend to leave lying on a table or a hook close to the entrance.

Also, an estimated 18% of cases happen because drivers inadvertently leave their keys inside their vehicle. With such a tempting invitation, all it takes is a few seconds for a thief to break into the car and drive off.

Photo credit: CC-BY/MIKI Yoshihito/Flickr

In order to dissuade most would-be thieves, police have reminded vehicle owners to keep their car doors locked, their car keys secure. And to never leave valuables inside the car.

Additional measures to ensure security include parking in well-lit areas with your wheels towards the curb when in public. Criminals with tow trucks will have a significantly more difficult time attempting to steal vehicles in more.public areas.

To maximise garage security, car owners must ensure that all windows and doors are closed and locked when in the vehicle or when leaving it. Alarms and other theft prevention devices are also recommended.

Platypus Population Has Disappeared in Enoggera, 4 Other Sites

Experts from the University of Queensland have discovered that five creeks and waterways in Brisbane, including Enoggera, no longer have any platypus or platypus DNA.

In the last five years, the researchers sampled 54 waterways in and around Brisbane to determine the presence of the semi-aquatic animal, where 36 areas had previously recorded sightings.

After repeated samplings and tests, the researchers determined that the platypus population has disappeared in Enoggera, Bremer River, Kedron Brook, Scrubby and Slacks Creeks.

Researcher Tamielle Brunt said that these creeks and waterways have become uninhabitable to the platypus. It used to be easy to detect their presence since they swim and defecate in the water, leaving their skin and hair cells in the water samples.

But as Enoggera has been drying up, Ms Brunt said that the platypus will need a more permanent water source for their food, their safety and their procreation.

The expert said that there are many factors that contribute to making the Brisbane waterways uninhabitable for the platypus, aside from the ongoing droughts. Ms Brunt cited that the cutting of native trees, soil erosion and increase in sedimentation, and the damming system have made natural pools of water shallower for these animals.

The researcher said that they are still gathering more data to mitigate the effects of urbanisation on these species. Her team is aiming to understand what else can be done to rehabilitate the waterways and creeks, as well as protect and keep tabs on the species that inhabit these sites.

Woolworths in Keperra to Undergo a $6 Million Upgrade

Woolworths is all set to undergo a massive $6-million upgrade beginning January 2021 in its site in Keperra, inside the Great Western Super Centre.

Work on the upgrades is expected to be completed by mid-2021, which will introduce new and exciting state-of-the-art features at the supermarket.

It comes as Woolworths will be celebrating its 20th year at Great Western Super Centre. The chain store is one of the remaining principal tenants since the shopping site’s debut in 2000.

Woolworths has recently renewed its lease with the Consolidated Properties Group, the manager of the shopping centre, for another 10 years thus requiring the much-needed refurbishments to meet the demands of the growing population in this part of Brisbane’s north western suburbs.

According to Craig O’Donnell, the group’s executive director of retail, Woolworths’ facelift is a welcome development as new retailers are expected to move into the shopping centre in 2021, along with the renewed leases of stores like EG Fuel, Hungry Jacks, Noodle Box and Subway.

Next year, shoppers should see more retailers at the Great Western Super Centre, including a salon and barbershop. Currently, the site has 44 specialty stores and at least six major retailers.

Rural Fire Brigades to Conduct a Series of Bushfire Mitigation Sessions in West Brisbane

Parts of West Brisbane are a blend of bushland, residential and rural areas so the area is particularly of risk of catching fire. As summer approaches, the Rural Fire Brigades Association of Queensland, together with the Brisbane City Council, hopes to raise public awareness on bushfire mitigation and prevention by hosting free information nights at various community hubs this October and November.

“If you want to learn how to prepare your property, how to update your bushfire survival plan and get answers to any questions you have about the bushfire season,” a spokesperson for the Queensland Fire Emergency Services said.

The sessions will take place in these areas, whilst observing COVID-19 guidelines for public gatherings:

Bookings needed		Phone: 07 3178 0180 Email: disaster.operations@brisbane.qld.gov.au
DATE	TIME	PLACE
Wednesday 21 October	6:00 to 9:00 p.m.	– Moggill SES Depot, Moggill – Upper Brookfield Community Hall, Brookfield
Wednesday 5 November	6:00 to 9:00 p.m.	Functions Room, Kenmore Tavern, Chapel Hill
Wednesday 12 November	6:00 to 9:00 p.m.	Functions Room, Bellbowrie Tavern, Bellbowrie
Friday 27 November	6:30 to 9:00 p.m.	Kenmore Library, Kenmore

Photo Credit: Rural Fire Brigades/Facebook

No bookings needed
DATE	TIME	PLACE
Saturday 17 October	10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.	Lake Manchester Hall (park at Hall), Lake Manchester
Saturday 31 October	10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.	Anstead Bushland Reserve, Anstead
Saturday 7 November	10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.	Pullenvale Hall, Pullenvale
Saturday 14 November	10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.	Westaway Park, Moggill
Saturday 21 November	10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.	Gap Creek Reserve, Kenmore Hills/The Gap

For more information or other dates, go to the Council’s official site and search for “Pullenvale bushfire information sessions.”

Walkabout Creek Completes $1.3M Deck Upgrade, Ready to Welcome Guests Under COVID-Safe Plan

The popular Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre at the Enoggera Reservoir has completed a mini-upgrade during COVID-19 and is now ready to welcome guests under its COVID-Safe Plan.

The makeover involved the $1.3-million redevelopment of the deck that is expected to be a social hub with a capacity of 300 guests, ideal for sit-down events. The deck is fully covered and offers a good mix of indoor and outdoor so that events will have a unique feel of being surrounded by the trees.

Infrastructure Investment in the Creek

The deck upgrade is part of the Queensland Government’s $3-million investment over three years to upgrade facilities at Walkabout Creek, according to Minister for Environment Leeanne Enoch.

“Our Government is investing $45 million in revitalising infrastructure in National Parks and State Forests to provide new opportunities for Queensland’s nature-based ecotourism industry, and boost employment in regional areas,” the Minister said.

“This is on top of the additional $8.9 million National Parks Works and Jobs Boost program, to improve existing facilities, and help support tourism and local jobs, of which $250,000 has been earmarked for Walkabout Creek for further visitor upgrades.

“I also acknowledge the ongoing contribution of the Queensland Parks and Wildlife (QPWS) rangers across the state and for their involvement in opening this popular destination at The Gap.

“Every day these rangers go above and beyond to protect the community, our national parks and the forests, native animals and endangered species and for that, I say thank you,” Minister Enoch added.

COVID-Safe Plan for Guests

Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre is welcoming guests seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

There were changes made to ensure that guests are safe during their visit.

All guests must pre-book online to guarantee entry to the Wildlife Centre or the Wildlife Discovery Shows.
- Book Walkabout Creek Wildlife Centre Tickets
- Book Wildlife Discovery Show Tickets
The number of visitors at indoor venues will be limited to allow social distancing measures.
Guests are advised to practice good hygiene at all times. A number of hand sanitation stations can be found around the park.
Guests will be guided by floor and ground markings to point them in the right direction.
The wildlife centre staff will enhance the cleaning of high-contact areas, including doors, bathrooms, and visitor centre areas.
To enhance health safety, the Wildlife Discovery Show will be held outdoors.
The Walkabout Creek Cafe will welcome dining-in guests who will be required to provide contact details in case of contact tracing.
Visitors are highly encouraged to use contactless payments.

For more information, contact the Walkabout Creek website.