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New 8-Storey Residential Development May Soon Rise on Gympie Road

Photo Credit: Moreton Bay Regional Council / moretonbay.qld.gov.au

An 84-unit, 8-storey residential complex with ground floor retail tenancies has been proposed for development on Gympie Road in Strathpine.

The proposed development will sit on a block of land located at 250 Gympie Road in Strathpine. The building will contain 84 two-bedroom units at eight stories high with food and drink outlet tenancies and short-term accommodation.

artist impression New 8-Storey Residential Development on Gympie Road — Photo Credit: Moreton Bay Regional Council / moretonbay.qld.gov.au

The architectural plans by Design Vibe provide two retail tenancies on the ground floor incorporated with existing and new car parking spaces. Level 2 will have two communal open spaces and a swimming pool whilst some units will be provided with either a private open space or a balcony and a study.

“The proposal reflects the prominence of Strathpine as a higher order centre through a mix of land uses and higher density of development. The proposal capitalises on the site’s access to public transport and services, and in turn, contributes to the services offered by the precinct through the inclusion of non-residential uses.”

Site plan | Photo Credit: Moreton Bay Regional Council / moretonbay.qld.gov.au

Ground floor plan | Photo Credit: Moreton Bay Regional Council / moretonbay.qld.gov.au

Level 1 floor plan | Photo Credit: Moreton Bay Regional Council / moretonbay.qld.gov.au

Level 2 floor plan | Photo Credit: Moreton Bay Regional Council / moretonbay.qld.gov.au

Level 3 floor plan | Photo Credit: Moreton Bay Regional Council / moretonbay.qld.gov.au

The proposed mixed-use development at a glance:

Site Area = 3,210sqm
Site Cover Level 1 = 2,342.9sqm
Site Cover Typical Floor = 1,364sqm
Total Use Area Tenancy 1 = 302.9sqm
Total Use Area Tenancy 2 = 96.9sqm
Total Beds = 168
Number of beds per unit on each level (Levels 2 to 8) = 2
Total Units = 84
Number of units on each level (Levels 2 to 8) = 12
Car Parking = 108
Bicycle Parking = 50

Supporting War on Food Waste: New Edible Exchange Site Opens in Eatons Hill

Photo Credit: Edible Exchange Eatons Hill / Facebook

A community-run food swap initiative, Edible Exchange has recently been launched in Eatons Hill. The project, which also has a street library and composting hub, aims to promote camaraderie, food security, and environment protection.

Edible Exchange Eatons Hill is an idea that was hatched last year but only started to pique the interest of locals by the second quarter of this year. The site is located on a section of land owned by Katie Irwin and her husband Tom. Their current Facebook page membership has grown to about 1,200 since it was created in May 2022.

Edible Exchange Eatons Hill allows community members to drop off their excess home-grown produce or homemade products at the swap site in exchange for another fruit or vegetable or other things that they need such as seedlings and plants, jars, containers, baskets, bread, jams, and marmalade without spending money. There is also a composting hub and a street library at the site.

The initiative works on an honesty system, meaning, participants only take what they need. Members, however, are encouraged to upload photos of what they share or swap to their social media page.

The concept of food swapping has existed for many years now. Several recurring food swapping events are being held across Australia where locals meet and get to share/trade food and other items, recycle materials, and share tips and advice.

However, COVID lockdowns have contributed to its growing popularity recently. Edible Exchange, for one, has been duplicated in several locations in South East Queensland over the past years.

The Dayboro site, for example, has been thriving since it was launched in 2016. Managed by Corinne Parnell, the site so far has more than a thousand active members. Other Edible Exchange sites include Eagle Heights, Karana Downs, and Samford with more locations coming soon.

Check out Edible Exchange on ‘Chicken Lane’ in Eatons Hill. For details on the exact location, you’ll need to ask a local.

Albany Creek Property Market Goes From Strength to Strength with Average 15-Day Listings

With listings spending an average of just 15 days on market in the 12-month period ending March 2022, the Albany Creek property market is going from strength to strength, despite indications of a cooling down trend observed in some property markets in Brisbane.

Albany Creek House Price Growth

According to Property Market Update, the median house price growth for Albany Creek saw a 32.31 per cent increase for the period covering April 2021 to March 2022. With 284 houses sold within an average of 15 days, this suburb’s property market has been busy with very tight competition among investors and buyers.

Albany Creek’s median house price is now at $860,000, up from $650,000 in the previous year. The price increase may be a hurdle for entry-level buyers looking to invest in their first home. Upgrading from a unit to a house is proving to be challenging as well.

Albany Creek House Price Growth — Photo Credit: Property Market Update

Despite the rise in house prices, demand in Albany Creek continues to outstrip supply. Advertised home sales for the year remain low and the volume of choices has been problematic, if not highly competitive for interested buyers.

Albany Creek Unit Price Growth

The unit market in Albany Creek has had slower growth compared to the housing market with just 2.65 per cent for the same period. The median unit price is up at $522,500 from $509,000 last year. However, demand is still elevated and competitive with 62 units sold for an average of 21 days on the market.

With more buyers entering the property market in Queensland since the pandemic, interest has shifted to affordable homes than units. Consequently, most units with tenants also prefer to keep or extend their leases, thus affecting unit supply. However, industry experts see the unit market repositioning with the return of international migrants.

Albany Creek Property Market Post-Flooding

Following the February 2022 rain bombs, Moreton Bay Council prepared a flood check property report for existing flood conditions in certain lots and streets in Albany Creek to appease market confidence. However, industry experts believe that the market will stay resilient and will be boosted by the continued arrival of overseas and interstate buyers.

The downturn post-flooding will be short because even some of the locals will be looking into the Albany Creek Property Market for bargains. Insurance payouts for renovation and rebuilding will make more properties attractive to potential buyers.

Le Bon Choix Celebrates Opening Of New Production Facility In Brendale

Le Bon Choix has just moved into its new production facility in Brendale, to expand their bread-making facility that’s already supplying eight chains across Brisbane and one in Gold Coast.

Read: Eatons Hill Hotel Owners Bringing Massive Festival Venue To Sunshine Coast

The $5-million, state-of-the-art Brendale property measures1,600sqm, twice the size of the bakery’s former facility in Geebung. It features a warehouse kitchen to service all of its shops across the city and a small cafe to service the precinct’s industrial workers.

Photo credit: Le Bon Choix Ascot/Facebook

Ben Jeffries, a representative of the property developer JLL that handles the lease, said that the location appealed to the owners of the boulangerie as it “provided more efficiencies within the bakery” as being able to increase production is instrumental to meet their existing demand.

They use European baking equipment in the facility to ensure that the products, which include mini pastries, cakes, and savories, are of high quality standards.

In May 2022, the bakery held a ribbon-cutting ceremony, which was attended by Federal Member for Dickson and current Defence Minister Peter Dutton. He supported the new facility, which has employed around 150 staff.

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A post shared by @lebonchoixbakery

In addition to moving to a bigger facility, Le Bon Choix will also open its ninth chain in Indooroopilly in August 2022.

Le Bon Choix, which translates to “The Good Choice,” in French is looking to add more chains by venturing in Western Australia and the international market, by launching stores across Dubai, Singapore and Mauritius where founder and director Savico Basset Rouge originally came from.

The brand currently has outlets in North Lakes, Upper Mt Gravatt, Ascot, Carindale, Chermside, and Edward and Queen Streets in Brisbane CBD, and at Broadbeach on the Gold Coast.

Eatons Hill Hotel Owners Bringing Massive Festival Venue To Sunshine Coast

Did you know that a massive festival venue, dubbed as “Coochin Fields” will be established on the Sunshine Coast and is set to rival major festivals such as Coachella?

Read: New Look! Club Pine Rivers in Bray Park Undergoes Upgrades

This comes after the Comiskey Group, the company behind Eatons Hill and Sandstone Point hotels, announced plans to open a brand new festival site on a 150-ha land in Coochin Creek, south of Caloundra.

“I am excited to bring something special to the Sunshine Coast, the natural festival site is a similar size to North Byron Parklands, so there is plenty of opportunity to host both small and large-scale events with international artists and multiple stages,” said Rob Comiskey, director at Comiskey Group.

Comiskey promises to bring more local, national and international artists to the venue, hoping to bring live music back to South East Queensland in a big way following the pandemic.

With a space as huge as 22 football fields combined, Coochin Fields is expected to rival famous festivals in the world, such as the widely popular Coachella, which takes place at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California every year.

The Comiskey Group have a long history operating as hoteliers but made a name for themselves by bringing some of the biggest names in music to their award-winning venues; some of which include, Prince, Ice Cube, Rita Ora, Khalid, The Beach Boys, Ke$ha, Tyga, Bryan Adams, Good Charlotte, SIX60 and Post Malone, to name a few.

Since acquiring the land in 2021, the company has been in talks with Council regarding plans to bring some small and large events to South East Queensland. At present, there are two turf farms and a strawberry farm operating on the land.

Just like the group’s other entertainment facilities, the Comiskey Group is looking at how they can make the offering at Coochin Fields as convenient as possible for their patrons.

Mr Comiskey did not reveal much about the features of the festival grounds but he said the new concert site will see on-site camping and the ability to book a return bus from a range of locations around Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

Road Treatment Underway To Stop Hooning In Brendale

The road surfaces of two intersections in Brendale have been treated with calcite bauxite in an attempt to put an end to hooning in the area.

Read: Development Proposal to Establish Anaconda Adventure HQ at Brendale Lodged

The treatment was laid down at Bult Drive and at Forgan Road, Joyner as part of a trial of an innovative road surface that shreds tyres during burnouts.

A calcite bauxite treatment is a thin overlay applied to asphalt and concrete roads and highways to improve surface friction. It helps drivers and motorcycle riders retain control on roads by decreasing braking distances as well as skidding and sliding.

Bult Drive, located in an industrial area in Brendale, was chosen for the trial to measure how the surface would hold up under heavy vehicle use whilst the intersections along Forgan Road were identified as a result of residents’ complaints.

The trial will not only determine if it stopped hooning. Council will also find out if the surface caused noise impacts and how well it held up under the weight of daily traffic.

The surface will be monitored for up to nine months, with Council then determining whether to roll it out at other hooning hotspots, identified from residents’ complaints.

According to Cr Cath Tonks, residents have been reporting regular instances of a lot of hooning noise, speeding vehicles, with tyre marks and rubber being left behind at the intersections.

Cr Tonks said many business owners got in touch with her as they were also impacted by the damage and rubbish left behind by the hooning activity.

“Sunday nights were particularly bad, with masses of people gathering, doing burn-outs and leaving behind tyre marks, beer bottles, a terrible smell of burnt rubber – and even tyres,” Cr Tonks said.

Mayor Peter Flannery clarified that the surface would not damage tyres under normal conditions, such as when people drive according to the road rules and conditions.

“We’re working with residents and businesses and so far we haven’t had any more reports of hooning in the locations with the new road surface,” said Mayor Flannery.

Report Hooning Incidents

Moreton Police District Senior Constable Jo Arthur said hooning included illegal street racing, speeding, burn-outs, playing loud music, and dangerous and reckless driving.

“We have been asked more about hooning offences in the region recently – and what can be done to stop this behaviour,” she said.

Authorities are encouraging residents, particularly those who live near council traffic cameras, to report all hooning incidents.

Residents can report hooning or suspicious behaviour by calling the Hoon Hotline on 134 666 or by making a report to Policelink on 131 444.

New Look! Club Pine Rivers in Bray Park Undergoes Upgrades

Club Pine Rivers in Bray Park, named QLD’s best bowls club at the Keno and Clubs Queensland 2022 Awards for Excellence, is undergoing some upgrades and will soon unveil its new look.

The makeover project is expected to transform and extend the gaming area with a multi-purpose bowling site, incorporating modern gaming machines, garden views, LED lights, and outdoor seating with modern decking.

The purpose-built structure, constructed in a 20-ft container, will also include benches, beer taps, and coffee facilities. Rebecca Barker, Club Pine Rivers‘ marketing coordinator, said that the extension is intended to provide more space and comfort for the club members and their visitors.

Club Pine Rivers extension — *Photo Credit: ClubPineRivers/Facebook*

During the lockdowns, the operators heeded the wishes of the members to make alternations to the gaming area and remodel the coffee shop next to it.

Club Pine Rivers New Cafe — Photo Credit: ClubPineRivers/Facebook

Club Pine Rivers was originally the Pine Rivers Memorial Bowls Club, established in 1948 along Gympie Road in Strathpine. For over 30 years, this club had a small but dedicated membership but as the population in North Brisbane grew, the club moved to Bray Park in the 1980s.

The membership increased with more families setting their roots in Bray Park. Around this time, building extensions were undertaken to support the needs of the club, which has hosted national and international bowling competitions.

On its 70th birthday in 2018, the club had 450 full members, 60,000 social members, and a staff of 100 people. It has maintained its reputation as one of the best in the region.

Club Pine Rivers expects the upgrades to be completed before its target opening date on 1 July.

Development Proposal to Establish Anaconda Adventure HQ at Brendale Lodged

Photo Credit: Moreton Bay Regional Council / moretonbay.qld.gov.au

A development proposal has been lodged seeking to establish an Anaconda Adventure HQ, showrooms, indoor sports and recreation facility and outdoor play areas on South Pine Road, Brendale.

The Buchan Group-designed development comprises two buildings on an 84,190sqm site located at 383-385 South Pine Road in Brendale. The single-storey Building 1 will house the 8,500sqm showroom to be called “Anaconda Adventure HQ” that will offer customers sporting and outdoor adventure products along with outdoor display and “product trial” areas.

Proposed site | Photo Credit: Moreton Bay Regional Council / moretonbay.qld.gov.au

“Given the location of the site at a gateway to Brendale, the development adopts an innovative architectural and approach to urban design for a development of this type. Notably, the development includes an exciting façade treatments to South Pine Road and Old North Road and the provision of significant shade areas at the main building frontage, inclusive of outdoor recreational and sale areas.”
Urbis

Anaconda Adventure HQ — Photo Credit: Moreton Bay Regional Council / moretonbay.qld.gov.au

The building will be enhanced with an artificial lake, a landscaped park, an MTB /ATV Track and bike/scooter track, and an outdoor boat display area. The application also proposes an 85sqm retail space situated next to the Anaconda Adventure HQ and lake area.

To be situated west of the subject site is the proposed two-storey Building 2 with a total GFA of 10,950sqm. The building will contain five showrooms located on the ground level with a combined GFA of 8,650sqm. There will also be indoor sport and recreation tenancies on the 5,300sqm level 1. Building 2 will be integrated with the car parking area via pedestrian crossings.

There will be a total of 533 car parking spaces including 12 PWD spaces along with 28 biking spaces. Vehicle access will be provided via Old North Road and South Pine Road.

Guzman Y Gomez To Open In Warner Soon

Did you know that a new Guzman y Gomez drive-thru will open near the Warner Marketplace Shopping Centre in mid-2022? Once open, fans of the popular Mexican fast food place will no longer have to drive all the way to Albany Creek for some fresh burritos, nachos, and tacos!

Read: Strong Albany Creek Property Market Had 27% Median House Price Growth in 2021

This comes after SCA Property Group received an approval to build a drive-thru at a vacant lot, north of the shopping centre in February 202–almost a year after submitting the application to the Moreton Bay Regional Council.

gyg warner — Photo credit: Moreton Bay Regional Council

Guzman y Gomez Warner’s new drive-thru, to be located at 353-355 and 357 Samsonvale Road, Warner, will have a 190sqm drive-thru food and drink outlet and a 40sqm outdoor dining area.

Reinventing fast food through clean and high-quality ingredients, Guzman y Gomez quickly became popular in Australia for their fresh Mexican food. Aside from their signature tacos, the outlet’s bestsellers include quesadillas, enchilada, and burritos.

guzman y gomez drive thru — Photo credit: Moreton Bay Regional Council

Meanwhile, the proposed car parking areas for GYG in Warner will be split into two stages, with the initial stage providing 12 onsite car parks, and the second stage providing an additional 20 car parking spaces.

“The proposal has been designed in such a way that it interacts with the external elements, and encourages activation along formerly unused portion of land,” the planning documents read.

Aside from the one in Warner, the chain is planning to open two more in Queensland, with one to be located in Rochedale and the other in Morayfield in the next three months.

guzman y gomez au — Site plan (Photo credit: Moreton Bay Regional Council)

Guzman y Gomez, which now has a total of 53 stores across the State, is planning to hire 300 staff as part of the expansion in the upcoming months. Those who would like to apply are encouraged to visit the company’s website for more details.

Strong Albany Creek Property Market Had 27% Median House Price Growth in 2021

The Albany Creek property market showed a robust 2021 performance, posting a 27 per cent median house price growth as many young families establish their dream homes in what was once considered a retirement suburb.

Albany Creek House Price Growth

From January to December 2021, Albany Creek experienced exceptional growth of 26.71 per cent, putting the median house price at $810,000 from just $639,250 in 2020, according to data from Property Market Updates.

Investors are taking interest in this section of Moreton Bay because of its affordability. Buying activity has been quite busy with 279 houses sold for this period at just an average of 15 days on the market.

Most buyers eyed good-sized three-bedroom homes, which offer a lot of space featured with a backyard and a pool for growing families. The area is also located near good schools. It’s also an easy commute to the city for the workers.

Albany Creek Unit Price Growth

Whilst slower than the housing market, Albany Creek’s unit market has remained steady and stable for January to December 2021. The unit market grew by 3.84 per cent with a median unit price of $514,000.

There were 54 units sold for this period within an average of 25 days of the market listing. Apartments are mostly eyed by downsizers and couples without children, which comprises about a third of the population. However, Albany Creek offers about five to seven per cent of units or semi-detached homes near the suburban centre as most properties are separate houses.

About Albany Creek

Found 30 minutes to the north of Brisbane CBD, Albany Creek is a quiet suburb that appeals to professionals with kids and older couples. With a population of less than 16,000, this suburb was mostly a rural town until its development in the 1960s, when dozens of schools opened to attract more families. The choices of schools have remained the most important factor in moving to Albany Creek. Still, about five per cent of the area is dedicated to rural residential living.

Albany Creek locals need not venture far for essentials because they have Albany Creek Square, which has a good number of retail stores catering to their needs. The suburb also boasts a lot of green spaces for outdoor and sporting activities.

“Albany Creek is very family-friendly and a nicely established suburb. Places like Warner and Cashmere and Eatons Hill are also good but without the library, swimming pool and general shops and facilities that Albany Creek has. Fairly low key feel to it and well established with lots of trees and greenery around the residential housing areas.”
Liam

“We relocated a family to Albany Creek last year and for a suburb close to the city i was pleasantly surprised. The access to the city is great for private or public transport, people seemed friendly and the houses were majority brick built and lovely.”
Cal