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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

Site plan | 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

Soon to Open! New Craft Brewery and Taproom at The Sheds

Did you know that Hip Hops Brewers, a craft brewery and taproom with a landscaped beer garden, will open at The Sheds in Brendale in late 2022?

The Sheds, the latest dining destination in Brendale, is home to My Oh My and The Coffee Hut. And soon, the Brendale-based precinct will be welcoming start-up Hip Hops Brewers at the Shed 3.

Additional Exteriors | Photo Credit: supplied

Hip Hops head brewer Adam Gibb reveals that he developed a love of beer when he was just 18 and he admits that ever since then, it has always been “intertwined with his life.” Whilst he would do home brewing every now and then, it was not until 2012 that he took brewing seriously and started volunteering within the beer community.

He would eventually establish his own microbrewery, White Brick Brewing, in 2017 which had a successful run until COVID-19 lockdowns hit hard on the start-up business and forced it to close after three years.

Shaun Reeves and Adam Gibb | Photo Credit: supplied

With the help of Accountant Shaun Reeves and a group of “mates”, Adam was able to raise enough funds to restart the business with a new brand, mantra and logo.

“Good things come to those who wait. Your patience will be rewarded. With huge thanks to a local business identity, investors have been found and committed to a resurrection. Watch out this year for Hip Hops Brewers, Mr Gibbs’ social media post reads.

“Forgive the move from North Lakes, but we are still in Moreton Bay. We will be located at The-Sheds At Brendale. We plan to be open second half of the year. 18 taps of liquid gold will pour White Brick Brewing heritage range beers, plus some exciting new releases by Hip Hops Brewers.”

Shaun Reeves, Accountant and co-owner said Hip Hops Brewers’ mantra was to brew local beer that people will not only enjoy but love as well.

“We hope to experiment with wild ferments and to collaborate with other regional breweries and producers to bring Brendale quality and balanced brews,” he said.

“You may not always notice a bad beer, but you will really appreciate a balanced beer when the malt and hops are in harmony, the flavour dances across your taste buds, the smile on your face has come from your stomach and you can’t help but say “life is good”.

Shed 3 soon to be Hip Hops Brewery home | Photo Credit: supplied

“While Brendale has traditionally been very industrial, we believe it is about to come of age as the next emerging entertainment area.

“The Sheds are the perfect spot for a busy brewery with a taproom, outdoor canopy area and landscaped gardens creating the ideal place for a drink with family and friends.”

To house, the new brewery is Shed 3 which Wattle Run is now redeveloping. The new premises will include a large canopy for outdoor seating and an interior that will sport a rustic look with concrete floors and Big Ass Fans to make the venue a more comfortable place for friends and family to enjoy.

“The Hip Hops Brewers are the perfect fit for Shed 3 and we’re excited to welcome them to The Sheds and our local community,” Jenny Fisher, Director of Wattle Run said.

Shaun said Hip Hops intends to add a cider to their menu on top of some classic White Brick brews that craft beer aficionados have grown to love. As a preview of what’s coming, Shaun said that they have created a mid-strength Australian Pale Ale with wild rosella in collaboration with Little Tree Bake and Brew in Samford.

“You’ll just have to wait till we open and see what surprises we have on tap,” Shaun said.

Couple Reunited With Cat They Lost in Murrumba Downs 10 Years Ago

A former Murrumba Downs local received the most surprising news of her life when someone from RSPCA Dakabin called to inform her that they found Simba, her cat who slipped out of their house and disappeared 10 years ago!

Back then, Kaitlin Thrupp lived in Murrumba Downs with her partner Shaun and two-year-old Simba, when he escaped their home. The local RSPCA helped Kaitlin and Shaun track Simba down as he was microchipped. They also distributed flyers and knocked on neighbours’ doors.

A few years later, the couple then moved to Narangba 15 minutes away but Kaitlin never lost any hope of finding Simba. She would usually drive to Murrumba Downs in case she spots the cat on the streets. Kaitlin also kept the microchip records updated as local rescue groups have been monitoring the ginger cat as well.

In December 2021, Kaitlin finally got the unexpected call from RSPCA Dakabin informing the family that they picked up their orange cat as a stray and scanned for a microchip.

The Thrupps do not have any idea where Simba has been for the last 10 years but he definitely remembered his family. He came over to them and did his usual greeting when Kaitlin arched her hands so he could bump his head.

Kaitlin said that she has been a big advocate for microchipping since it became a legal requirement for pet owners in Brisbane. Her reunion with Simba reiterates just how important this is for families with pets.

Learn more about responsible cat ownership here.

Back-To-School Vaccination to be Conducted at these Moreton Bay Schools

Three schools in the Moreton Bay region have set up pop-up back-to-school vaccination clinics before the start of the new school term as part of the program to improve the vaccination rates of school-aged kids in Queensland.

Albany Creek State School, Eatons Hill State School, and Norris Road State School in Bracken Ridge (Brisbane) will open the clinics on campus from Saturday, 29 January until Sunday, 6 February.

“With the start of the school year locked in for Monday 7 February to avoid the peak of the Omicron wave, parents can take advantage of the opportunity to get their kids vaccinated,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said in announcing the Back-to-School vaccination blitz.

“There is widespread community transmission of the virus reaching all corners of this state. Adding a vaccination to the back-to-school list for your child is the best defence.”

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said that the first dose would add a layer of protection for the children against the virus that could land them in hospitals if they were unvaccinated.

Back-to-school vaccination — Photo Credit: 14995841/Pixabay

“We have already seen an excellent uptake of the vaccination for our kids aged 5 and over, but with school going back in February we want to see every child have the opportunity to get vaccinated,” Ms D’Ath said.

“Whether you are heading to a pop-up vaccination clinic at your local school, a Queensland Health hub, your GP or local pharmacy – please come forward and get yourself and your kids vaccinated if you haven’t already.

Albany Creek State School, Eatons Hill State School, and Norris Road State School join 47 other schools across the Queensland region participating in the program. To check for more Queensland Health vaccination locations visit the official site.

YFG Shopping Centres Expands With Its Latest Acquisition of Strathpine

Photo credit: Strathpine Centre / Facebook

YFG Shopping Centres expands its Queensland portfolio with the recent off-market acquisition of Strathpine Centre for $267 million.

Built in 1983, Strathpine Centre is a major convenience-based, sub-regional shopping centre situated on a 17.47-ha site anchored by supermarket chains Woolworths, Coles and Aldi; discount department stores Big W and Target, and Birch Carroll and Coyle cinema complex. Its convenience, food and service tenant base represents 84 per cent of the Centre’s 45,304-sqm gross lettable area (GLA) and 83 per cent of the total gross passing rental income.

Photo credit: Strathpine Centre / Facebook

Blackstone Group was the prior owner of the Centre who acquired it from Scentre Group in 2015 for $285 million before unloading the property late last year. CBRE’s Head of Retail Capital Markets – Pacific, Simon Rooney, negotiated the deal on behalf of YFG Shopping Centre.

YFG Shopping Centre currently owns and operates more than 20 shopping centres across South East Queensland. Its last acquisition was the Mt Ommaney Centre, where they initially had a 25% stake from Vicinity Centres for $94.5 million, before taking full ownership by acquiring the remaining 75% stake from Nuveen Real Estate for $285 million.

Mr Rooney said that Queensland’s retail deals transacted year to date has totaled $3.7 billion, making it the clear standout in 2021. The deal demonstrates the significant confidence in the state’s retail market amid the pandemic.

“Investor interest has been underpinned by robust retail expenditure and forecast population growth, coupled with the fact that shopping centres in Queensland have been significantly less impacted by COVID than other major eastern seaboard markets,” Mr Rooney said.

“Following the strong momentum shift in the retail investment market in the second half of 2021, we expect transaction activity, sales volumes and pricing to continue to increase moving into 2022 across all national retail investment markets.”

Award-Winning Family Business in North Brisbane Cited for Excellence

AC Plumbing QLD, the award-winning family business in North Brisbane, closed a productive year with two recognitions from the Master Plumbers Association of Queensland, the peak industry body representing plumbing contractors across the state.

In November 2021, AC Plumbing QLD received the BUSSQ Service Excellence Award and Managing Director Corey Stevens, the son of George Stevens, was named the RWC Businessperson of the Year.

Corey has been at the forefront of the operations since he completed his apprenticeship in 2006. Spinning off from his father’s legacy, Corey formed the Albany Creek Gas Fitting and Plumbing with just two staff. Today, the company has expanded to more than a dozen workers.

Per Master Plumbers Association of Queensland, this North Brisbane plumbing business has honest and reliable workers who are “great at what they do.” Because of their commitment to their work, AC Plumbing QLD has thrived for the last two decades with their repeat customers.

“With a respectful and considerate team, they ensure every single customer receives the best plumbing service possible from the office to the field, and they back their work with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. AC Plumbing QLD cares about their customers, their team, and their community, offering a membership program that gives their customers peace of mind that they will always receive the highest quality service and provides them with access to additional benefits.”

Corey has not forgotten to thank the staff for their contribution to the team.

“This is a representation of your commitment to delivering excellence to our customers. To each and every one of you, thank you for being a part of AC Plumbing QLD and for all of your hard work,” the manager said.

He also recognized the feedback and support of the customers who have motivated them to constantly improve their services. Together with his wife, Naomi, Corey said that AC Plumbing QLD will only improve and grow one job at a time.

Meanwhile, AC Plumbing QLD was also named as one of the Top 3 Plumbers in Brisbane by Three Best Rated.

To learn more about AC Plumbing QLD and its services, check their Facebook page or visit the official site.

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