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Brendale to Open a $3.7 million BMX track in 2021

Construction of the long-awaited BMX track in Brendale will soon be underway after Moreton Bay Regional Council recently awarded the tender to a contractor. The track, proposed in 2018, will be built in Nolan Park and will become the new home of the Pine Rivers BMX Club after its target completion by the end of 2021.

This project will not just have a national grade competition BMX track but also a new clubhouse, lights for nighttime games, ample seating for spectators, and parking spaces for all track guests.

Designed to sustain the club’s growth and to be enjoyed by the entire region, this new BMX track is seen as an economic boost for Brendale.

Photo Credit: Moreton Bay Regional Council

JMac Constructions PTY LTD. will begin work on-site in January next year, which is expected to create 40 new jobs.

In August 2020, the Queensland government announced it will help fund the project as part of the Unite and Recover Community Stimulus Package.

“A new home for Pine Rivers BMX will provide not only a new facility for the club, but a new standard for the Moreton Bay region,” Member for Pine Rivers Nikki Boyd said. “The State Government funding means this project can be built sooner,” she added.

“The club will have more capacity to meet its needs for the long term and will see long-term economic stimulus when it hosts regional, state and national competitions. We know Pine Rivers BMX already is the home to world champions, we hope this facility will see many more local stars in the future,” Ms Boyd said.

Mayor Peter Flannery thanked the State Government for contributing to the project.

“The sport already has a strong foothold in our region, but this facility will set it up for decades to come and make Moreton Bay a BMX destination,” Mr Flannery said. “It will have massive flow-on effects for the local economy too, by creating the opportunity to host regional, state and national standard competitions.”

Strathpine Streets Closed as Dwayne Johnson’s ‘Young Rock’ Begins Filming

Some Hollywood stardust is spreading across Strathpine as Bells Pocket Road, Dobson Drive and Fox Street have been ordered closed for the filming of the U.S. TV show Young Rock.

Burke Street and Weston Street in Coorparoo will also be temporarily inaccessible because of the series.

Based on the life of actor and professional wrestler Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson, Young Rock has been in production at the Hemmnant facility of Screen Queensland since the beginning of October.

The show was supposed to be filming in the U.S. before COVID-19. Production moved to Brisbane following a $19 million deal between the government and NBC. The series is expected to continue filming in Queensland’s southeast this month.

According to reports, Council representatives have knocked on houses and sent letters to homeowners in areas where access might be affected when the cameras are rolling.

Minister for Health & Ambulance Services Steven Miles also issued a clarification on rumors that the Hollywood superstar is in town.

“Filming of the ‘Young Rock’ production did commence in Strathpine today,” Mr Miles wrote on Facebook. “All cast and crew have completed 14 days quarantine in a hotel environment under a quarantine management plan approved by the Chief Health Officer.

“Dwayne ‘the Rock’ Johnson is not part of the filming cohort and the production manager has confirmed he is not in Queensland. Rumours he has entered under an alias aren’t true. I’m told there is a driver that is part of the production crew who has some resemblance to ‘the Rock’ – this may be where the confusion has arisen.”

Young Rock stars Australian actor Uli Latukefu as Mr Johnson in his college years, before he was recruited to play football for the University of Miami. The series will have 11 episodes charting the Hollywood superstar’s formative years.

The show also stars New Zealand’s Stacey Leilua as Mr Johnson’s mother, Ata. Mr Johnson is one of the executive producers.

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Blessings from the top as we begin the next phase of our #youngrock journey this week 🎬✨ @therock Manuia! 🥃🙌🏽🇼🇸 #teremana #tequilatuesday #teremanatuesday 🧡 @nbcyoungrock @teremana

A post shared by Stacey Leilua (@staceyleilua) on Oct 12, 2020 at 11:17pm PDT

Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Peter Flannery said that there are over 100 cast and crew members from the show, which will help boost the local economy.

Fritzenberger Albany Creek Launches Its Mushroom Kiev Burger

Burger lovers and foodies have a new staple to try at Fritzenberger Albany Creek beginning the 14th of Oct 2020 as the store launches its Mushroom Kiev Burger.

A catering staple in Soviet cities in the ’90s, the Kiev burger’s cornerstone is its garlic butter flavouring. Fritzenberger Albany Creek‘s Mushroom Kiev Burger is prepared with house-made garlic and parsley butter, which enhances the taste of the grass-fed beef patty covered in panko crumbs.

Completing this ensemble are the burger’s Swiss cheese-filled portobello mushroom, American mustard and aioli.

Burgers are best enjoyed with beer and Fritzenberger brews small batches of unique-tasting drinks for your drinking pleasure. Occasionally, the store offers limited editions from international breweries. So, before you head to the store, you can check what’s on the tap in real-time up via their website.

Fritzenberger recently celebrated its one year anniversary at the corner of Albany Creek Road and Ferguson Street. The restaurant reopened in July after 129 days of lockdown due to the pandemic.

Strathpine Taco Bell Construction to Proceed After Denied Development

The planned construction of a Taco Bell outlet on Stanley East Street in Strathpine is going to proceed, following the approval of the appeal in September 2020.

The Planning and Environment Court has rescinded the development application’s denial, which happened in February, and ordered “the Development Application be approved subject to conditions.”

Documents under Development Application 2019 / 38756 / V24P showed that Moreton Bay Council refused because the proposal’s future land development wasn’t maximised. Complaints also stated that the construction would become a flood hazard around the areas on Gympie Rd, Stanley St East and Railway Ave.

ICP Developments Pty Ltd filed an appeal with a new building plan showing how the construction will be able to address and meet the conditions set by the Council.

Apart from Taco Bell, a service station with eight fuel pumps will be built at the corner of Railway Ave and Gympie Rd. The site will have around 19 carparks and ample access to the streets.

The development application was first lodged in mid-2019.

This will be the second Taco Bell in the Moreton Bay region, after the opening of the North Lakes store in 2018. Another outlet is also being planned within a shopping centre expansion on Morayfield Rd.

Collins Food Limited aims to have at least 100 stores in Australia within a four-year period.

DannyBoys Opens Brand New Store In Brendale

The food and hospitality industry may be struggling in recent months due to the pandemic but this hasn’t held back DannyBoys from opening a brand new gourmet sandwich shop in Brendale.

The store, located at South Pine Road, serves the same famous “rockstar” sandwiches the food chain is known for, using authentic and flavourful ingredients that you don’t normally come across fast food joints.

It’s no wonder that business is picking up at the newly-opened outlet despite the public health restrictions. For who can resist DannyBoys’ filling sandwich meals and tasty soups?

Photo Credit: DannyBoys Rockstar Sandwiches/Facebook

“We’ve seen a flurry of customers including familiar faces and brand new fans trying our signature sandwiches, homemade hearty soups and our delicious selection of sweet treats for the first time,” Daniel McKennariey, the Founder and Director of DannyBoys Rockstar Sandwiches, said.

Coinciding with the opening of DannyBoys in Brendale is the launch of the brand’s free app for faster online ordering. Users of the app may start earning points and loyalty rewards to get discounts on their next orders.

The sandwich shop is also set to open more stores in Brisbane, according to James Young, the Head of Franchise Sales and Development at DC Strategy.

“While there was a slight pause over March and April, we’re now back into the swing of things with excellent franchise partners moving forward in key locations across Queensland,” Mr. Young said.

Possible new locations are being eyed in West End, Chermside and Carindale for 2021.

Albany Creek Grandma Sews Face Masks, Donates Profits To Beloved Parish

Albany Creek nursing home resident Betty Scott didn’t plan on having a gainful venture when she started sewing face masks at the height of the coronavirus lockdown. But stuck inside the home care with her husband, Pat, Betty’s daughter encouraged her to sew colourful face masks for selling.

Initially, the mother and daughter sold one or two face masks at a time. But as orders kept pouring in, Betty and her daughter were selling face masks to Melbourne and even as far away as England.

Eventually, the pair sold more than enough that they were able to donate $400 to the Albany Creek All Saints’ Parish.

Betty is a regular at the church and is no stranger to fundraising. This year, however, she couldn’t visit the parish as much as she wanted and there have been no fundraisers due to COVID-19.

The grandmother said that she will keep sewing masks for as long as her daughter provides the materials so she could still raise money for the church. It’s her way of giving back to the community, amidst this challenging period.

Betty said that she still feels fortunate to be able to hear mass at the All Saints Parish via television twice a week, as well as receive the Holy Communion at the nursing home.

SPSC New Building Construction Starts; 15 Sports Club to Benefit

Construction has started for the South Pine Sports Complex (SPSC) redevelopment in Brendale, where a new state-of-art building will stand. The work is part of a major overhaul of the complex to benefit around 15 different sports clubs in Moreton and Brisbane.

Bunyee Demolition cleared out the existing grandstand, canteen and offices in June to open up space and make way for the extension of the indoor sports centre.

Photos Credit: Bunyee Demolition/Facebook

Once completed, the facility will boast of the following features:

three multi-purpose indoor sports courts
canteen and spectator areas
offices, multipurpose function room/event space with supporting servery facilities
retractable grandstand seating
storage areas
universal change rooms
officials’ rooms
compliance and first aid rooms
spectator amenities

A new Rugby Union Clubhouse will also be built in the complex that will have universal changing rooms, gym, canteen, storage, merchandise rooms, and different spaces for clubhouse meetings.

Photo Credit: Moreton Bay United/Facebook

The SPSC will also become the new home of the Brisbane Roar Women and will likely attract more international sports competitions, such as the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Olympics.

“The facilities could be used to host elite sports players and international teams for major events like the upcoming World Cup and if we’re successful in a 2032 Southeast Queensland Olympics bid,” Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said. “It’s just another way council is driving visitors to our region to support our local economy.”

New Brendale Electronics Manufacturing Plant Unveiled to Power Through COVID-19

A new electronics manufacturing facility has been inaugurated in Brendale with funding assistance from the Queensland Government as part of efforts to uplift the economic situation which took a hit from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Member for Pine Rivers Nikki Boyd and Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing Glenn Butcher launched the new state-of-the-art production plant at Elexon Electronics on 15 July 2020.

Elexon received $891,325 from the $46-million Made in Queensland (MiQ) program. The leading Brisbane engineering and electronics maker invested a total of $2 million to build the new production facility.

“Pre COVID-19 the company had growing demand from customers who were wishing to manufacture onshore,” said Elexon CEO Frank Faller.

The demand has since increased as the coronavirus health scare grew since many customers failed to source or ship because of restrictions and as manufacturers abroad also felt the impact of the pandemic.

“In order to expand our production capabilities, Elexon Electronics heavily invested in a state-of-the-art, automated surface-mount technology (SMT) equipment from the leading European electronics machinery producers Mycronic and Asscon,” Mr Faller said.

“The intelligent material handling system and an X-Ray inspection for ultimate quality assurance set us apart from the competition.”

Boosting Local Jobs

Elexon also recognises the grant’s importance in helping keep existing manufacturing jobs in Queensland.

“Despite the difficult global economic environment we find ourselves in, programs like Made in Queensland are helping local manufacturers to expand their businesses and employ more Queenslanders,” said Member for Pine Rivers Nikki Boyd.

“Elexon is a great local example of how our government’s continued support of Queensland manufacturers is helping them to navigate tough global economic conditions and find new opportunities to grow and prosper.”

New Brendale Electronics Manufacturing Plant — Photo: Supplied

“In addition, the grant has ensured Elexon can continue onshore manufacturing and positioned the company to plan for future expansion.

“This is great news because it means more jobs for locals.”

Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing Glenn Butcher said that Elexon’s manufacturing line upgrade allows the company to double its productivity while reducing costs to stay competitive.

“The company has been able to put on two new full-time workers, upskill six existing workers and retain its full workforce as a result of the MiQ project.

“Elexon are also partnering with companies to assist in high-tech product development from wildlife tracking equipment, ground movement measuring systems, to precision water testing.”

Mr Faller said that the grant from the state government not only helps to keep industrial jobs in the region, but it also allows Elexon to cater to new markets such as the aerospace and defence industry.

Fritzenberger Albany Creek Set to Reopen After COVID-19 Closure

Fritzenberger Albany Creek’s temporary closure is soon to be over as it is slated to reopen on 29 July 2020. This, following a 129-day closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Most of the restaurants, pubs, and clubs in Australia were forced to close after the government issued its highest level of restrictions on the 23rd of March 2020.

Fritzenberger, which only opened in November 2019, was among the venues that had to close its doors temporarily because of the stricter health safety rules to defend against the coronavirus disease.

From 29 July, however, the burger and beer place will reboot to welcome dine-in and takeaway customers. The Albany Creek venue will be following COVID health safety guidelines from the government.

“It’s great to get our doors back open to the supportive Albany Creek community, and to welcome our staff back after the Government restrictions closed our venue back in March,” says General Manager Andrew Jeffreys.

Currently, the other Fritzenberger venues at Petrie Terrace and Wilston are open for dine-in, takeaway, and delivery. Another Fritzenberger is also set to open in South Bank.

On its reopening, Fritzenberger Albany Creek will operate from Wednesday to Sunday, from 12:00 noon up to 8:00 p.m.

Those opting to dine in are encouraged to make a booking online at Fritzenberger.com.

Address: Cnr Ferguson Street and Albany Creek Road, Albany Creek

Get to Know the Historic Hoop Pines at St Paul’s Anglican School in Bald Hills

More than just providing shade on a sunny day, the two hoop pines that stand like sentinels at St Paul’s Anglican School in Bald Hills actually have an interesting story to tell.

The taller hoop pine is approximately 200 years old. Meanwhile, the smaller one which is possibly a seedling from the older tree and is said to be more than 150 years old.

That’s not the most surprising fact about these hoop pines. Interestingly, the two trees have survived despite the prevalence of logging and tree removal for agricultural properties since the 1820s. They’ve also been spared from the extraction of most of the hoop pines from the Moreton Bay region over the past 50 years.

Hoop Pines at St Paul's Anglican School — The two existing Hoop Pines at St Paul’s Anglican School. Photo credit: The History of Bracken Ridge

The pair of heritage-listed Hoop Pines are significant to the history of the locality as rare examples and surviving evidence of the valuable stands of Hoop Pine which made the Moreton Bay district so attractive for early colonial settlement.

These trees also raise horticultural interest, being rare specimens of trees of this age surviving in the Brisbane area. Furthermore, the two hoop pines are particularly linked to the earliest development of the Bald Hills district.

History of Bald Hills

Thomas Gray, a Brisbane bootmaker who had emigrated to New South Wales in 1841/1842 from Scotland, is partly responsible for attracting agricultural settlers to Bald Hills.

Gray was the one who convinced his fellow Scots, Stewart and Duncan families to leave the flood-stricken Hunter River district and move to Bald Hills in the mid-1850s.

John Stewart made a preliminary trip to the district c. 1855. He sought to select suitable land, not just for himself and the Duncans, but also for a large number of Hunter River settlers who were equally interested. Stewart applied to the New South Wales survey office to have the land surveyed. The land was not proclaimed available for sale until December 1856.

The Stewart family finally purchased land in February 1857. However, due to the delay in the survey, other interested Hunter River settlers moved to the Clarence River instead.

Only the Stewart and the Duncans families took up land at Bald Hills. They moved onto their selections in early October 1857. Because of this, they were recognised as the first non-indigenous settlers at Bald Hills.

The Stewart Home

The newcomers immediately developed their lands for agricultural purposes. John Stewart had early experimented with arrowroot and cotton, for which he won bronze and silver medals at the London International Exhibition of 1862.

Stewart and his family were well respected in the Bald Hills community. They were also active members of the local Presbyterian church, John serving as an Elder for nearly 40 years.

The Stewart home also held the earliest Presbyterian services in the Bald Hills district as well as many local events.

A photograph dated 1906 shows the residence with the two already mature hoop pines forming a natural frame to the front entrance. From this evidence, it is clear that the trees were not late 19th or early 20th century plantings. Moreover, it would have been unusual for them to have survived to the 20th century, were they not incorporated within the earlier Stewart house garden.

The original Stewart home now serves as the Administration Building at St Paul’s Anglican School.