Homepage Latest News Archives - Page 37 of 43

5 Fun Facts You May Not Know about Fritzenberger Albany Creek

A new frites and burger place in Albany Creek is opening this September and it might just become the next local hangout, judging by its mouth-watering food, award-winning craft beer selections, and friendly service!

Located at the old Coffee Club site on Ferguson Street and Albany Creek Road, Fritzenberger will finally serve Albany Creek locals its delicious meals and world-class beers when it opens its doors on Saturday, the 14th of Sept 2019.

Here are five fun facts that you may be interested to know about Fritzenberger Albany Creek:

1. It’s the second-biggest Fritzenberger store.

Opening about a year after its Wilston store, Albany Creek is Fritzenberger’s second-biggest store with a 150-seating capacity. Be the first to try what this family restaurant has to offer as the store begins trading at 11:00 a.m.

“It will be a good place for the family to gather or for local friends to catch up for a weekday or weekend session,” store manager and Albany Creek resident Kirsty Bennett said.

2. You could win a year’s supply of burgers on its launch.

The restaurant predicts that 1,000 burgers will be grilled on opening weekend and the store is going all-out with its launch. So if you visit Fritzenberger from the 14th until the 30th of Sept 2019, you’ll get a chance to win a year’s supply!

To join, download the store’s app online and follow the instructions. You can also use the app to avail of a 10 percent discount on your next order (code APP10), or to get monthly freebies like a schooner of Fritzen beer or house wine, or to earn points you can use for future orders.

3. You’ll enjoy a variety of burger options and unique flavour tweaks.

For unique flavour tweaks, the fries come with a range of salts that you won’t find anywhere else because these are made in-house: Vegemite salt, beetroot salt, fresh chilli salt, roast chicken dinner salt, buffalo wing sauce salt, and garlic and rosemary.

If you haven’t had a chance to eat at Fritzenberger’s other locations in Petrie Terrace or Wilston and you don’t know what to get on your first visit, you cannot go wrong with its classic Fritzen burger, frites and craft beer.

Fritzenberger serves up delicious beef burgers prepared and seasoned using local ingredients, hydroponic lettuce, fresh vine-ripened tomato, and house-made pickles. The beef is sourced from the hinterlands of Byron Bay, where the Fritzenberger team is on a first-name basis with the farmer, Bruce.

If beef isn’t your favourite, you may also order the chicken burger or the mushroom burger with a serving of fries.

4. The selection of beer on tap is abundant.

Did you know that about 20 to 30 kegs of Fritzenberger beers are brewed every week at Petrie Terrace? Would-be regulars will be happy to know that a batch of these will be delivered to Albany Creek on a regular basis.

Everyone knows burgers and fries go well with a bottle of cold beer, so Fritzenberger serves a good selection of beer on tap. Try the Fritzenberger Pale Ale, Fritzenberger Munchen Lager, Fritzenberger Mid, Fritzenberger IPA, and Fritzenberger Schwarzbier.

The restaurant will also have a Lithuanian Keptinis Baked Farmhouse Ale, which isn’t brewed anywhere else in Australia, except at Fritzenberger!

“We are sending our core range and most seasonal beers that we brew to Albany Creek. They cover a wide range of beer styles so there is something to suit everyone’s taste buds,” Matt Glanville, the Brewer Manager said.

5. Fritzenberger Albany Creek will bring Live Music and Trivia Nights soon.

In the coming weeks, Fritzenberger will also be featuring live music and weekly trivia nights that promise to make liven up the night in Albany Creek.

“Local residents are really excited to have a late-night dining option in the area that offers a space for locals to relax, host functions and even attend weekly trivia and live music nights. They feel like it is something the area is missing,” Ms Bennett said.

For updates on these events, follow the restaurant’s Facebook page.

Retirement Facility on Greensill Road, Albany Creek Soon to Rise

A retirement facility with 121 independent living units over three buildings, an administration building, and four community buildings will soon rise in Albany Creek.

The development proposal by Pesdev No 2 Pty Ltd seeking to establish a retirement facility, to be delivered over two stages, at 110 Greensill Road in Albany Creek has been approved. The existing residential dwelling at the proposed site will be removed to facilitate the development.

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

Designed by Red Door Architecture, the proposal involves the establishment of 121 residential independent living units along with ancillary communal facilities including library, function room, cafe, gym, baths, and yoga studio. Included as well is a communal garden, pool, and barbecue area.

*Communal space | Photo Credit: Moreton Bay Regional Council / pdonline.moretonbay.qld.gov.au*

The single-storey open-plan library will have storage and bathroom facilities, as well as an outdoor seating area and courtyard.

*Library and Main Entrance | Photo Credit: Moreton Bay Regional Council / pdonline.moretonbay.qld.gov.au*

The single-storey function room and cafe building will contain an open function space with storage facilities and an open plan cafe with a counter, take away waiting area, and dining. A shared store room, prep kitchen, and bathroom facilities will be located in the centre of the building.

The baths will include a lobby, two saunas, walkthrough shower, bath, and storage room. Included as well are two enclosed rooms, each room contains two showers, ambulant water closet, basin area, enclosed shower and water closet, and lockers and seating area.

The gym will be a single-storey open-plan building with bathroom and changing facilities whilst the yoga studio will also be an open-plan single-storey building with bathroom and change facilities.

The residential buildings will be three-storeys high with each unit having a kitchen, dining, living room area,and laundry. The ground floor units will have private terraces whilst a balcony will be provided for each upper level units.

retirement facility Albany Creek — *Photo Credit: Moreton Bay Regional Council / pdonline.moretonbay.qld.gov.au*

Building A will contain 28 residential units, two sets of fire stairs, two lifts, store rooms, service roms, and refuse. To be located at the ground level will be a reception area, sales office, lounge room, a games room, hair salon, and cinema.

Building B will consist of 29 units (combination of 3-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and 2-bedroom plus study), ground lobby and office, four sets of fire stairs, two lifts, service rooms, store rooms, and refuse.

Building C will contain 35 units (combination of 3-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and 2-bedroom plus study), ground lobby and office, four sets of fire stairs, two lifts, mailboxes, and refuse.

A total of 212 resident parking bays, 14 visitor parking bays, and 9 staff bays will be provided at the basement level car park. The basement parking will also have eight lifts and fire stairs, as well as car wash bay and disabled bay.

Moreton Bay Multicultural Fiesta in Strathpine Stirs a Melting Pot of Activities

The annual Moreton Bay Multicultural Fiesta is here again and a melting pot of activities will be stirring up the fun and excitement at Pine Rivers Park in Strathphine.

Happening on Saturday, the 31st of Aug 2019, Moreton Bay Multicultural Fiesta is kicking off at 1:00 p.m. with heaps of family-friendly entertainment and recreational activities. The kids are guaranteed to enjoy the rides whilst foodies young and old will get a kick out of the different food showcased at the food court.

*Photo Credit: Moreton Bay Multicultural Fiesta/Facebook*

All throughout the afternoon until 6:00 p.m., there will be various songs, dances, musical acts and cultural performances on the main stage. Guests can also visit different cultural stalls where loads of activities will be underway.

Originally dubbed as the Caboolture Multicultural Festival, this event started off as small gathering to celebrate talents, customs and traditions in 1999. Over the years, the Moreton Bay Multicultural Fiesta has ballooned with 6,000 visitors and it has helped raise awareness for the diversity and richness of the Moreton Bay community.

Entrance to this event is free and open to all but guests are recommended to leave their pets at home. They may also bring picnic blankets and have fun on the grass as seating might be limited.

Domino’s Albany Creek Holds 2nd-Best Delivery Record; Guess Who’s First?

Did you know that Domino’s Albany Creek once held the record for the fastest delivery time among all other stores in Australia? Located inside the Woolworths Marketplace on Old Northern Road, this outlet achieved to deliver a customer’s order in just six minutes and 40 seconds.

But on the 5th of Aug 2019, an outlet 8.6 kilometres away succeeded in beating Albany Creek’s time to set a new record. Domino’s Ferny Grove delivered an order faster at five minutes and 27 seconds!

“I’d like to congratulate Domino’s Ferny Grove for setting a new Australian record for fast food – delivering freshly-made pizzas to customers’ houses within an average of 5 minutes 27 seconds last week,” Don Meij, the Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Limited said in a video post following the record-breaking achievement.

“This record shows that restriction no longer applies to Domino’s, with impeccable product quality and service upheld. I can’t wait to see more stores embrace this challenge, push the boundaries of what’s possible and follow in their footsteps.”

*Photo Credit: Domino’s Australia/Facebook*

On average, there are 24 Domino’s stores among 800 across Australia with the best delivery time between 12 to 22 minutes. Joining Ferny Grove and Albany Creek in Queensland’s Top Three is Domino’s Gaythorne.

Speedy delivery, aside, however, the largest and most popular pizza chain in Australia maintains that they make sure that the quality of their products is not compromised.

“We believe in ‘slow where it matters, fast where it counts’, which means taking the time to make each pizza carefully and to be careful on the roads,” Domino’s Australia and New Zealand CEO Nick Knight said.

Albany Creek and Ferny Crove’s recent achievements have surpassed the company’s Project 3-10 goals. Established in 2016, this initiative encourages stores to have customers’ takeaway ready in three minutes or delivered to their house within 10 minutes.

“The core idea behind the philosophy is to ensure that staff are slow in taking the time to make the pizza correctly, spending time with the customers and providing excellent service but fast in the improved hustle and service times and streamline operational procedures to crunch seconds off the clock, made possible due to Domino’s time crunching technology developments.”

Ferny Grove Police Visit Child Care Centre in Albany Creek

Ferny Grove Police officers recently visited Little Gems Child Care and Early Learning Centre in Albany Creek for a day of fun learning about the role of a police officer in the community.

The little boys and girls were given the opportunity to dress up as officers whilst they learn how to recognise an actual police officer by looking for things like their uniform and most importantly, their badge.

“The police brought with them the police cars and motorbike which the kids loved taking turns sitting in the driver’s seat and riding the police bike,” Senior Constable Ricky Blanckensee said.

“The highlight for the kids was of course finding the buttons to turn on the lights and sirens of the police car. Centre Staff also had the opportunity to try the uniforms and to take the driver’s seat.”

The visit is part of the police initiative to reach out to children in kindergartens and child care centres and educate them on the importance of police and how to contact them during an emergency.

About the Little Gems Child Care and Early Learning Centre, Albany Creek

*Photo Credit: Little Gems Child Care & Early Learning Centre- Albany Creek / Facebook*

Little Gems Child Care and Early Learning Centre – Albany Creek is a purpose built air conditioned childcare centre located at 51 Old Northern Road, owned and operated by brother and sister Cherie and Luke and their families.

The centre caters to children ages six weeks to five years providing childcare as well as kindergarten programs, licensed for 152 children. The centre offers large natural play spaces and large learning rooms.

Little Gems Child Care and Early Learning Centre – Albany Creek is open 52 weeks a year, 5 days a week, excluding public holidays, from 6.30am to 6.30pm.

Albany Creek Swim Club Member Brianna Thompson Swam a Rare Two-Way English Channel Crossing

Brianna Thompson has just become the second youngest person to do a double English Channel crossing, barely a year after she completed a one-way crossing from Samphire Hoe to France in less than 12 hours.

Resting on her laurels is definitely not her thing. Last 10 July 2019, Brianna Thompson accomplished yet another feat, one that only a handful of individuals have so far completed, a solo two-way English Channel crossing.

“This time last year, the thought of even attempting a double crossing of the English Channel had never even crossed my mind. And yet only a couple of days ago, I had successfully completed it in 22hrs and 37mins,” Ms Thompson said.

Brianna overcame jellyfish stings, leg cramps, the threat of hypothermia, and mental anguish to finish the treacherous 68-kilometre double crossing in 22 hours and 37 minutes.

“Although, I was fit enough and could easily knock out the kms with the training I had done, nothing in my training could’ve fully prepared me for the mental challenges I would face swimming for that long.

*Photo Credit: Brianna’s Channel Swims / Facebook*

Brianna started her journey Tuesday night at Samphire Hoe, swimming towards France and braving the chilly waters to clock the first leg in 11 hours and five minutes, beating her personal one-way crossing record in September 2018.

She said that her experience in crossing the English Channel last year gave her an idea of how much it would take to cross from England to France, but her journey back to England was totally “unknown territory.”

The teenager had to be fed through a tube mid-swim because the currents are too strong for her to stop and have a food break.

“Pushing off French shores I found that it didn’t take long to get to the North-East shipping lane. However, looking at my track, I realise now why swimming through each shipping lane and the English Inshore Waters, seemed to feel like forever.

Ms Thompson said that upon seeing the lights of Dover in the distance and after swimming for more than 19 hours, she started to struggle mentally and felt like she was going nowhere. But her crew encouraged her and reassured her that she is already getting closer.

“I was so relieved when I saw the IRB being lowered into the water and Tim calling my last feed.”

About twenty-two and a half hours passed and she completed her journey back to England on Wednesday morning. Yet, her ordeal didn’t stop upon reaching dry land. She was too sore to even sit in a chair and could barely eat because of swollen throat.

*Brianna Thompson “made her mark”*
*Photo Credit: Brianna’s Channel Swims / Facebook*

Her rare feat became possible because of her amazing support team, headed by her English Channel world record holder coach, Trent Grimsey, and Brianna’s mum Elise, who had to personally raise the money for her double crossing attempt.

Once it is ratified by the Channel Swimming Association, the seventeen-year-old’s accomplishment will become the 33rd recorded solo double crossing and will be just the sixth by an Australian.

Congratulations, Brianna!

There’s A Natural Swimming Hole 25 Minutes Away From Brisbane CBD

Did you know that there’s a natural swimming hole some 25 minutes away from Brisbane CBD? If you want to enjoy swimming for free in a spacious pool of water, without the chlorine, then drive to Bunya Crossing Reserve in Albany Creek and look for the Bunya Swimming Hole.

This natural recreational spot has shallow waters perfect for children and pet dogs to play. At the deeper end, however, is a water level that’s ideal for swimming long strokes, kayaking and other water sports.

When the water is too cold, however, there’s still plenty to do around the natural swimming hole.

1. Enjoy a picnic.

Bunya Crossing Reserve has some long tables and a gas BBQ for picnics. There’s also a toilet facility and bins everywhere to clean up after you’re done. Celebrate a simple birthday party or just enjoy dining out with your favourite people amidst the trees and the soft sound of the animals living in the reserve.

2. Spot some wildlife.

This might just become your thing when you discover that the Bunya Crossing Reserve is home to interesting wildlife. Occasionally, you might find a wallaby in the area but there are lots of possums, bush turkeys and waterbirds, too. They’ll be minding their own thing but the ducks could appreciate some food. Just don’t share your bread cos that will make them too heavy to evade predators.

3. Stroll around the reserve.

After a full meal, explore the reserve and discover more of nature’s beauty. From the Bunya Swimming Hole, you’ll be able to stroll around Richard Lee Reserve, Bunyaville Forest Reserve, and Wongan Creek.

*Photo Credit:* *Quinton Josco Lotz/Facebook*

Wear your most comfortable shoes and clothing when you visit Bunya Crossing Reserve. This isn’t a resort-quality swimming spot but that’s not actually a bad thing if you enjoy what nature has to offer.

A Month-Long Display of Gorgeous Pottery is Happening at Albany Creek Library

An impressive display of potted crafts will be on display at the Albany Creek Library in June 2019. A workshop on how to create these handcrafted works of art will also be underway at a studio in Everton Hills.

The pottery exhibit called “Hand Built: Slabs, Coils and Blocks,” will feature the creations of artist Marisa Young of Hills Pottery. It will run until Saturday, the 29th of June 2019 and open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Visitors can check the wide range of stunning clay objects, wall decorations and tableware Ms Young made since she started her craft in the ’90s. Adept in other mediums like watercolour, mixed media and printmaking, Ms Young has also tried her hand at working with slabs and coils in her technique.

In connection to the exhibit, Ms Young will also be offering pottery workshops at her garden studio located at 104 Buckland Road in Everton Hills. Held during Wednesday and Saturday at 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 p.m., the classes will teach students to make something out of clay, as well as glaze and use the kiln fire.

Lisa Halls will assist Ms Young in the workshops. While the pottery exhibit requires no booking, the classes have limited slots so reserving a spot is required.

Rates for the 3-hour classes are at $65 per person.

“The goal for me is to have a great space for people to discover the wonders of hand building with clay and to keep potting forever and ever,” Ms Young said of her classes.

$3.25M Allocated for Samford Parklands Community Building

Moreton Bay Regional Council’s Budget 2019-20 for Division 9 will focus on projects creating healthy and active lifestyle opportunities, including the improvement of the Albany Creek Leisure Centre.

The Council has recently announced its line-up of projects and allocated budget for Division 9. These are designed to encourage locals to get into sports and be more active.

Among other projects, the Council will invest $350,000 to re-tile the 50-metre pool in Albany Creek Leisure Centre as well as maintain all the associated structure.

“We all know the importance of staying fit and healthy but in this busy world, I believe it’s increasingly important for councils to provide recreation opportunities close to home,” Deputy Mayor and Divisional Councillor Mike Charlton said.

“That’s why we’re strategically investing in roads to make sure travel times between work and school are as short as possible, which will enable locals to spend more time recreating with friends and family,” he said.

To ease traffic congestion, Cr Charlton also announced that $500,000 has been allocated to start detailed planning and designs for a new four-lane road that will connect Livingstone Road to the Bult Drive and Leitchs Road intersection in Brendale.

“This design will improve ease of movement for locals at that pinch point,” Cr Charlton said.

The highlight of the Division 9 budget is the $2-million expansion project at the South Pine Sports Complex which will include an indoor extension as well as the construction of three additional lit courts.

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

“We will have to demolish the existing rugby union clubhouse to be able to undertake a $2 million expansion of the indoor sporting complex.

“This will allow for an additional three lit courts to meet international level tournament requirements for a variety of sports and include necessary supporting infrastructure such as a mezzanine spectator area, multipurpose function rooms, change rooms, officials’ rooms and drug testing rooms.

“To replace the demolished clubhouse, we’ve allocated $1.5 million for a new single-storey clubhouse with four universally designed change rooms, officials’ rooms, a first aid room, gym space, spectator amenities, canteen with cold room and dry store, BBQ area and storerooms. Both GPS Junior Rugby Union and the Pine Touch Football Association will operate from here,” he said.

Division 9 Budget allocation include:

$2.34 million for road resurfacing across Division 9
$2 million for an indoor extension to South Pine Sports Complex including three additional lit courts
$1.5 million towards the demolition and replacement of the existing rugby union clubhouse at South Pine Sports Complex
$1 million to rehabilitate a section of road along Saraband Drive, from the intersection with Felicia Place to Queen Elizabeth Drive
$750,000 for riverbank stabilisation at Pine Rivers Park
$500,000 towards design costs for road works at Leitchs Road deviation
$350,000 for pool shell retiling at Albany Creek Leisure Centre
$280,000 towards design costs for a BMX precinct at Nolan Park
$205,000 for drainage construction at Peppermint Drive
$200,000 towards a green wall installation at Strathpine Administration Centre to improve energy efficiency
$200,000 for upgrades at Stewarts Road
$195,000 to renew the senior cricket oval at South Pine Sports Complex
$102,000 for drainage upgrades at Nicol Way
$100,000 towards improving accessibility of Strathpine Community Centre including designated parking bays, ambulant toilets and ramp connections
$100,000 towards a planning study for a pedestrian and cycle pathway along Lilley Road
$60,000 pool shell renewal at Albany Creek Leisure Centre
$50,000 towards design costs for road and culvert upgrades at Leitchs Road
$28,000 for stormwater network renewal at Brahms Street
$3,000 towards design costs for bus stop works at Flamingo Drive
$32,500 for lighting upgrades at Strathpine Library

Sandgate: Among Top Suburbs for YoY House Price Growth

Sandgate is among top Brisbane suburbs which recorded house price growth, despite the overall housing market stalling over the last 12 months, the latest Domain report revealed.

The Q1 2019 Domain house price report shows that Brisbane house price growth has flatlined over the last 12 months to March 2019, falling 0.3 percent year-on-year, for a median house price of $563,666. Several suburbs, however, still saw surprising price growth led by Auchenflower.

Sandgate also managed to rise above the market trend, as it posted 13.1 percent year-on-year and 36.5 percent five-year price growth with a median house price of $757,500. Realestate.com.au report also shows the median house price in Sandgate rising from $622,000 in 2017 to $720,000 in 2018 or a 15.8 percent increase.

On the other hand, based on realestate.com.au house sales data from 1 Apr 2018 – 30 Apr 2019, median house price in Sandgate is $695,000, higher than Qld median price of $495,000. Demand is also very high with 737 visits per property as compared to the state average of 375.

Quarter-on-quarter, Brisbane median house price fell 1.1 percent, slightly better than Sydney, Melborne, and Perth, which fell 3.1, 2.4, and 2.5 percent, respectively. Among capital cities, only Hobart saw an uptick in its median house price, rising 3.1 percent quarter-on-quarter and 7 percent year-on-year.

Newport and Highgate Hill, on the other hand, led the list of suburbs with the steepest median price declines, falling 13.5 and 10.6 percent, respectively. Cannon Hill, Morningside, Greenslopes, Indooroopilly, Upper Caboolture, Yeronga, Ningi, and Corinda round out the list.

The top suburbs for house price growth according to Q1 2019 Domain house price report:

Suburb / Q1 2019 Median Price / YoY Growth

Auchenflower ($1,275,000 / 19.2%)
Burpengary East ( $600,000 / 17.8% )
Brookwater ( $825,000 / 16.1% )
North Ipswich ( $367,500 / 14.5% )
Sandgate ( $757,500 / 13.1% )
Woody Point ($500,000 / 13.1% )
Spring Mountain ($507,500 / 11.5%)
Eagleby ($360,000 / 11.1%)
Hemmant ($550,000 / 11.1%)
Nudgee ($650,000 -/ 10.9%)