After considering submissions from local residents, Brisbane City Council has revised The Gap Neighbourhood Plan and submitted it to the Queensland Government for final review.
The council has been working on the neighbourhood plan since 2016 to include it in Brisbane City Plan 2014. The draft plan was released to the public and the community was asked for comments from July to September 2018.
Among the important outcomes of the local consultation is the community’s desire to maintain The Gap’s traditional suburban, low-density character. Residents also wanted to make sure that the environment and green space, including large trees, will get ample protection.
The redevelopment of The Gap Village shopping centre also came up during the consultation period. Locals wanted to see The Gap Village become a place for locals to meet, shop, dine and work. Better connections with adjacent parks and residential areas were also suggested.
Residents also requested that there be a limited area for diverse housing of up to three storeys high near The Gap Village. This should allow residents to continue to live in The Gap as their needs change in the future. It is no longer proposed to rezone the area for up to five-storey buildings.
The consultation also called for clear mapping of ecological values to be protected and the types of housing suitable for areas zoned for residential use. This is to provide better guidance on what development may be permitted on those sites.
The Gap Neighbourhood Plan covers the suburb of The Gap as well as small portions of Keperra, Upper Kedron and Mt Coot-tha (See Figure 1).
Credit: Brisbane City Council
The state government will make a second review of the neighbourhood plan. After this, the amendment will be brought back to the council for approval to be adopted into the City Plan.
The demolition of the old Enoggera Bowls Club has been completed, marking the first big milestone of the $12-million redevelopment project.
Despite a few challenges encountered, such as uncovering the several layers of concrete slab and asbestos across the site, demolition of the old facilities have been completed in November. Aside from soil remediation works, stormwater drainage digging and pouring of the tilt panels have commenced as well.
The sod turning ceremony was held this December with Club President – Terry Holmes, Lifetime Member – Jackie Doyle, Club members – Peter Glancy and Brian Cosford, Niclin Group Managing Director – Nick Cave, Hon Tim Mander, and Hon Mark Furner in attendance.
Enoggera Bowls November 2018
Video Credit: niclin group / YouTube
The site, located at 68 – 72 Pickering Street in Enoggera, is being redeveloped for multi-use precinct including two covered bowling greens, sporting facilities, retail tenancies, and a new clubhouse. Expected to open in 2019, the project will cost about $12 million.
Photo Credit: Niclin Group / niclingroup.com.au
Over the course of 10 months, Niclin Groupwill build a large commercial building at the front block which will be split into four retail tenancies that will be occupied by Beaumont Tiles, Rocksports, and X Golf. There will be a two-level bowls club at the rear of the site with Cafe 63 occupying the lower floor and My First Gym located on the second floor. Sports Build, on the other hand, will construct the world-class lawn bowls courts.
Photo Credit: Niclin Group / niclingroup.com.au
Enoggera Bowls Club Inc (the Club) had its first clubhouse constructed in 1940. The Club consisted of the Men’s and Ladies’ club, until 1966 — the year that saw its own Edna Horton winning the Queensland Singles Championship and the clubs merged and run as an inclusive organisation.
Photo Credit: Niclin Group / niclingroup.com.au
Two additional greens were constructed in 1970, bringing the Club’s total to four greens — the first club in Queensland to have as many. To cater to the growing needs of the community, the Club has expanded its services apart from social events and competitions, to hosting other events like Futsal and beach volleyball.
Just in time for the school holidays, the Ferny Grove Aqua Park has opened for the public to enjoy and cool down this summer.
The Ferny Grove Aqua Park is North-West’s first free and fully accessible aquatic playground. The new $1.5million aqua park, located at Keperra Picnic Grounds, corner of Upper Kedron Road and Samford Road, boasts several features that people of all ages and abilities will enjoy like the tipping buckets, water cannons, stream jets, water table, and level splash pad. Families can get the most of their day-out with picnic facilities and electric barbecues available at the aqua park as well.
Video Credit: Brisbane City Council / Facebook
Aqua park features:
a level splash pad area which provides access for all
elevated water play elements including discharge bucket, small tipping buckets, spray tunnel, water cannons, and overhead spray feature
an interactive water table that provides wheelchair access as well as toddler play
picnic facilities with electric BBQ
accessible pathways to provide access from car park to water play, picnic facilities and amenities building.
There are currently 22 Council pools across the city that has drawn close to 1.6 million visitors last summer season alone. The Ferny Grove Aqua Park is part of the $23 million investment of the Council to deliver upgrades at aquatic centres across Brisbane such as Langlands Pool, set to open mid next year, and Musgrave Park to commence in 2019.
Whilst you are out in the sun, there are other places to have fun before or after your visit to the Ferny Grove Aqua Park such as:
A group of locals will be hiking at the Enoggera Reservoir in The Gap to raise awareness and raise funds for the homeless.
Photo credit: Leonie Clark/Facebook
The event hosted by Leonie Clark aims to support the initiative being done by Orange Sky Australia. On her Event page on Facebook, Leoni shared how she wanted to help homeless people sleeping rough. Through this event, other individuals wishing to do something can find ways to help.
The hike will follow the 5-km Araucaria Track. Meeting place will be at the start of the track, past the Walkabout Creek Centre, down by the water. The track is a relatively easy hike, suitable for all ages. There will be limited parking, so it is advisable to come early. For those who choose to take the bus, route 385 stops nearby.
Hikers will meet at 6:30 a.m. for a 7:00 a.m. start.
The hike should be a great way to help those experiencing homelessness while enjoying the beauty of nature. Participants should bring a hat, sunscreen, water and togs and towel for those who want to swim after the hike. Those who wish to join the hike should also sign a waiver form: http://bit.ly/HikeForTheHomelessForm.
Orange Sky is a volunteer platform providing simple aid to the homeless. By providing free mobile laundry and warm showers to homeless individuals, the organisation hopes to restore dignity to people in such a tough situation.
As part of their efforts to make the community safer, the Inner West Crime Prevention Office is currently seeking residents and businesses who would like to join The Gap Neighbourhood Watch (NHW).
NHW is a community run program that is assisted by the Queensland Police Service. It is a great way to share information and to promote a safe and secure community.
Neighbourhood Watch has been running for 30 years and continues to keep the neighbourhood safe and informed. However, as the community continues to grow, NHW needs more members who will support the group initiative.
Being part of this initiative does not need to take up too much time. In fact, several roles are available for those who want to join the group.
Help promote The Gap’s safety and security. Call Ferny Grove and The Gap Crime Prevention Unit in 3872 1542 for further information or to register your interest.
Photo credit: Neighbourhood Watch The Gap QLD/Facebook
The Gap Neighbourhood Watch adopts NHW Queensland’s mission to encourage the entire neighbourhood to work together to strengthen and connect local communities for a safe and secure Queensland.
The organisation provides a vital link between the police and the community to reduce crime and enhance community safety. In fact, the police rely heavily on NHWQ Groups for information especially when it comes to concerns about local crime.
For those who want to become a The Gap Neighbourhood Watch volunteer, you may check their guide which talks about getting involved as part of a traditional ‘formal’ group. You may also access the policing guide for further information once you have registered your interest in becoming a volunteer.
Close to 100 camouflage CCTV cameras have been deployed by the Brisbane City Council in its bid to combat illegal dumping in bushland areas.
The surveillance cameras were installed in about 150 illegal dumping locations across Brisbane, according to Lord Mayor Graham Quirk. Last year, 36 offenders were caught illegally dumping their rubbish. The addition of covert CCTV cameras in around 40 illegal dumping hotspots aims to curb this behavior and keep Brisbane clean and green.
“Illegal dumpers target areas where they think they won’t get caught, such as bushland or isolated streets in the city’s outer suburbs,” Cr Quirk said.
“Not only is this dirty habit a blight on Brisbane’s beautiful landscape, but it can also harm animals and plants by leaching toxic contaminants.”
“One of the reasons Brisbane is a great place to live work and relax is because it is a clean city and our bushlands and public spaces are free from rubbish.
“A small number of people are continuing to rubbish our city and we want the community to help us play a part in putting a stop to these dirty culprits,” Cr Quirk said.
Photo credit: orderinchaos/Wikimedia Commons
Resource Recovery Centres
The Council has four resource recovery centres with waste and recycling facilities located at Nudgee, Chandler, Ferny Grove and Willawong. Free recycling is offered for recycling for vehicles under 4.5 tonnes Combined Gross Vehicle Mass (CGVM).
Residents can use waste vouchers or fees for the disposal of general and green waste (such as branches, palm fronds, weeds, tree and shrub prunings, loose bark and grass clippings). The centres were formerly known as transfer stations or tips. With the upgrade, recycling has been made easier and faster by:
reducing queues
increasing access to facilities
removing recycling costs
reducing processing times
“Not only can residents help keep Brisbane a liveable and sustainable city for future generations by correctly disposing of their rubbish, but they can also help report illegal dumping so it can be investigated,” Cr Quirk said.
It costs ratepayers around $500,000 each year to clean up Brisbane of illegally dumped trash. Aside from costing ratepayers, dumpers caught in the act can also face fines upwards of $2,600.
Photo credit: Michelangelo-36/Wikimedia Commons
Reporting Illegal Dumping
Residents are encouraged to report illegal dumping which damages Brisbane’s natural areas including the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay. However, individuals witnessing this illegal act are advised not to:
approach the vehicle or individuals who are illegally dumping
let the illegal dumpers know you are there
touch the illegally dumped material
As at 1 July 2018, the value of a penalty unit is equal to $130.55. The fine amount must be rounded down to the nearest dollar after the calculation.
On-the-spot fines are issued to individuals for the following amounts of dumped waste:
less than 200 litres – 2 penalty units
between 200 litres and 2500 litres – 16 penalty units
over 2500 litres – 20 penalty units.
On-the-spot fines are issued to corporations for the following amounts of dumped waste:
less than 200 litres – 10 penalty units
between 200 litres and 2500 litres – 50 penalty units
over 2500 litres – 75 penalty units.
For more serious offences, Council will consider prosecution with maximum penalties in the order of 400 to 1000 penalty units. Council will consider this option for dumping:
by repeat offenders
hazardous waste (such as asbestos, medical waste or sharps)
by commercial and small business operators.
To report illegal dumping, contact Council on 3403 8888. For more information residents can download the Brisbane Bin and Recycling app, call Council on 3403 8888 or visit this website.
Enoggera Reservoir is home to a number of heritage-listed sites including its namesake, the Enogggera Dam and Slab Hut Farm.
Slab Hut Farm at Mt Nebo is historically significant for its association with the early opening of Mt Nebo to timber-getters and gold miners. The farm also played a vital role in the development of the area as a farming district in the late 19th century.
History of the Slab Hut Farm
Enoggera Reservoir from The Summit, Mount Coot-tha, Brisbane. Photo credit: Queensland State Archives, Digital Image ID 48/Wikimedia Commons
Although the structures in the farm date from the 1890s, the site has already been occupied since the 1870s.
George Powers Remfry, an English immigrant, selected 80 acres of Farmland at Mt Nebo in 1873. The land he acquired was Portion 844, Parish of Enoggera.
In 1875 Remfry also selected neighbouring Portion 863, which comprised 61.5 acres. Because of this, the land he owned totalled to 140 acres, mostly uncleared. He started building structures and clearing lands for cultivation in 1877.
Unfortunately, his property was declared insolvent in 1880 and Portion 844 was forfeited. However, he retained Portion 863 until 1890.
The McAfees
Slab Hut Farm (1991). Photo credit: Heritage Branch staff
Thomas McAfee of Samford leased Portion 844 from the mid-1890s and purchased Portion 863 in 1897.
The McAfees are the ones responsible for developing both portions as a dairy farm. It was also during their occupancy that the present buildings were constructed. The structures were erected by owner labour with the use of local hardwood and stone.
Supposedly, McAfee built the three-roomed slab house which served as the family’s first home in the 1890s.
The family built a second house which still functions as the main residence in 1910.
McAfee’s widow purchased Portion 844 in 1931. The McAfees maintained the property as a dairy farm until 1959.
McAfees lookout, Mt Nebo Road, Enoggera Reservoir. Photo credit: Google Street View
Running their farm for nearly six decades, the McAfees was a prominent family in the Mt Nebo community. In fact, the community named the lookout just opposite the present entrance to Slab Hut Farm after the family.
Only a few comparable slab structures remain in the Brisbane area. Apart from the Slab Hut Farm, another popular slab house remaining on its original site was at Magnolia Farm at Sunnybank. Sadly, the house was destroyed by fire early in 1999.
Slab Hut Farm is a rare Brisbane survivor of the pioneer era. Moreover, the integrity and intactness of the remaining structures on site makes it even rarer as it provides a unique evidence of the workings of a late 19th century Queensland dairy farm.
The Slab Hut Farm was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.
Ferny Hills tops the list of most promising suburbs in Brisbane along with Eatons Hill and Strathpine, according to property research site LocationScore.
The research revealed the 15 top-performing suburbs over-all which saw Melbourne dominating the list with its suburbs Baxter, Dingley Village, and Gladstone claiming the first three spots, respectively.
Brisbane comes in at third place, after Adelaide, with Ferny Hills having a location score of 76, whilst Eaton Hills scored 75 and Strathpine scored 74. The location score is considered “Good” if it is above 62 and “Excellent” if it is over 77.
Ferny Hills is considered the most viable place for property investmentin Brisbane notably for its good-quality homes and proximity to shopping and lifestyle facilities and the Ferny Grove train station.
Baxter (median price of $534,604), Ferny Hills (median price of $546,398), and Birkenhead (median price of $413,460) in Adelaide share a median price below the $550,000 price point.
Sydney ranked fourth with Cromer, Narraweena, and Greenwich, all having a location score of 73. Whilst Sydney properties are not considered affordable, demand is still relatively high which means prices could still grow.
What is LocationScore all about?
About LocationScore
LocationScore is a property-research platform that interprets big data to analyze and rank suburbs in Australia according to their location score. Location scores are more or less indicative of prospects for capital growth.
Every month, each suburb is scored out of 100 using eight key indicators to measure the level of supply and demand:
Days on Market – The lower the average days-on-market are in a suburb means higher demand over supply.
Vacancy Rates – A drop in the vacancy rate may indicate a potential rise in rents.
Vendor Discount – The lower the average discount rate means higher demand.
Rental Yields – Indicates potential capital growth and cash flow for a property market.
Auction Clearance Rates- The higher the clearance rate means a higher demand.
Percentage of Stock on the Market – An indicator or supply. The lower the supply the stronger the prospects for a strong price growth.
Renter Proportion – The percentage of renters in a market compared with the total number of residents. The lower the percentage the better for the property investor.
Online Search Interest – The recorded number of potential buyer searches. Comparing the number of searches over the number of properties, it more or less indicates the level of demand relative to the supply.
Scientists have finally solved the mysterious case in Keperra, about an orange turning purple a few hours after it was cut open.
The “mysterious fruit” was bought by Neti Moffitt at a local fruit and vegetable shop. The fruit looked and smelled perfectly normal after she cut it. Her son ate half of the orange and she left the other half sitting in a bowl overnight.
What happened to the fruit the next morning surprised her—it turned partly purple. What is even more shocking was that the scraps she threw into the bin turned out to be even more purple in colour.
Ms Moffitt immediately contacted the Queensland Health to investigate the case of the mysterious orange. Representatives collected the knife that was used to cut it, and the sharpening tool for forensic testing.
What Test Results Revealed
Anthocyanins, a naturally occurring pigment, had reacted to the traces of iron found on the knife, as revealed by a series of tests conducted at the Forensic and Scientific Services (FSS) laboratory at Coopers Plains in Southern Brisbane.
It turned out that the knife that was used to cut open the orange was sharpened about a couple of nights before the incident. The series of chemical and instrumental tests conducted included UV-Visible spectrophotometry to check for traces of metals and other contaminants, chemical spot tests, and liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometer.
Blood orange
Photo credit: willywonka070 /Pixabay
Anthocyanins are naturally found in oranges and are in high concentration in the blood oranges variety. Periods of cold storage, however, may raise the level of anthocyanins and when exposed to iron can cause discolouration. Anthocyanins are natural antioxidants and are known to be safe.
The Queensland Health did acknowledge that the discolouration on Mr Moffitt’s orange was a rare, yet a natural, occurrence. Ms Moffitt was amazed upon learning how a simple act of sharpening a knife can cause such an effect on her orange.
The REIQ recently reported the latest housing market statistics which showed The Gap median house price at $678,000. The figure signifies a 2.7% increase over the last 12 months and 23.6% over the last 5 years. In the 2nd quarter of 2018, there were 41 homes sold in the suburb.
