Category: Homepage Latest News

Albany Creek Among Top Brisbane Suburbs to Watch for House Price Growth in 2019

Albany Creek is poised for a house price growth in 2019, along with 28 other Brisbane suburbs, according to research.

There are twenty-nine Brisbane suburbs that should be watched for this 2019, according to Hotspotting’s Price Predictor Index. The report tracks increases in sales demand, which is generally seen to lead to price growth. Moreton Bay Region tops with seven suburbs lead by Albany Creek with a current median price of $585,000.

Brisbane-south region follows with five suburbs in the list. Overall, Brisbane-west’s Indooroopilly is among the three hottest Greater Brisbane suburbs, along with Graceville and Kippa-Ring.

This 2019, Domain predicts that Brisbane house prices will rise by four percent and by about five percent in 2020. Moreover, house prices will grow at a faster rate than any other markets this year, a stark contrast to its 2018 performance which saw house prices remain unchanged.

Unit prices are expected to grow as well by three percent in 2019 and 2020. This rebound comes after unit prices slipped by about six percent in 2018 and falling by about nine percent from its 2016 peak of $411,000.

Photo Credit: J Brew [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
The Greater Brisbane Suburbs to Watch in 2019 According to The Price Predictor Index:
(Region / Suburb / Median Price)

Moreton Bay

  • Albany Creek – $585,000
  • Banksia Beach – $560,000
  • Clontarf – $445,000
  • Eatons Hill – $600,000
  • Kippa-Ring – $430,000
  • Redcliffe (Houses) – $440,000
  • Redcliffe (Units) – $415,000
  • Burpengary – $465,000

Logan

  • Bethania Logan – $365,000
  • Logan Reserve – $410,000

Redland

  • Alexandra Hills – $470,000
  • Cleveland – $620,000
  • Mt Cotton – $550,000
  • Ormiston – $680,000

Brisbane-south

  • Annerley – $720,000
  • Corinda – $745,000
  • Mansfield – $680,000
  • Sunnybank Hills – $680,000
  • Tarragindi – $775,000

Brisbane-north

  • Bald Hills – $440,000
  • Geebung – $545,000
  • Gordon Park – $845,000
  • Stafford Heights – $605,000

Ipswich

  • Camira – $407,000

Brisbane-west

  • Graceville – $905,000
  • Indooroopilly (Houses) – $905,000
  • Indooroopilly (Units) – $475,000
  • Kenmore – $700,000

Brisbane-east

  • Tingalpa – $555,000
  • Wakerley – $755,000
  • Wynnum West – $540,000

Factors that will likely trigger price growths in the Brisbane housing market in 2019 are relative housing affordability, rise in population, dropping unemployment, infrastructure spending, and tightening supply.

Read: Design For Albany Creek Road Upgrades Underway

First Section of Newly Widened Gateway Motorway Now Open

The first section of the newly widened Gateway Motorway consisting of three new lanes between Nudgee and Deagon are now open to traffic.

The recent completion is part the $1.1-billion Gateway Upgrade North project which aims to decongest traffic during peak hours. The new lanes stretch from Southern Cross Way and Depot Road, Deagon (northbound), and southbound between the Sandgate Road bridges and Nudgee.

The Gateway Upgrade North project is jointly funded by the Queensland Government and the Australian Government, which is shouldering 80 percent of the costs.

“We want to get Brisbane motorists home sooner and safer and the Gateway Upgrade North is making that a reality,” Federal Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge said.

“The newly opened stretch will be temporarily posted at 80 kilometres an hour while final works are completed progressively into early next year, after which time the speed limit will be raised,” Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said.

“Remaining works include the final layer of asphalt being placed along the motorway between Deagon and Bracken Ridge, new line marking and signage, and installation of Intelligent Transport Systems.”

Pedestrians and cyclists will also benefit from the improved road safety that this project brings, Federal Member for Petrie Luke Howarth noted.

Video Credit: TMRQld / YouTube

“Works are also progressing to complete the construction of an off-road shared pedestrian and cycle path between Nudgee to Bracken Ridge, which is expected to be opened in stages,” Mr Howarth said.

“The opening of these lanes will be welcomed by motorists getting ready for the busy holiday season,” added State Member for Sandgate Stirling Hinchliffe.

“Provision has also been made to widen the motorway to four-lanes in each direction along this stretch of the motorway when needed, so this major investment shows we are delivering relief for motorists now and planning for future growth,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

A major freight route, the Gateway Motorway supports south-east Queensland communities. With the upgraded section, the motorway provides critical transport corridor for more than 83,000 vehicles each day who will now benefit with less congestion during peak hour traffic.

The newly opened lanes will temporarily have an 80km/hour limit, which will be increased once works are completed in early 2019. Currently progressing is the placement of the final layer of asphalt surfacing along the motorway between Deagon and Bracken Ridge. This will include new line marking and signage, and installation of Intelligent Transport Systems.

Read: Design for Albany Creek Road Upgrades Underway

Design for Albany Creek Road Upgrades Underway

As part of the Safer Roads Sooner program, Albany Creek Road is getting much-needed road upgrades.

The design is now underway for the upgrades at the Albany Creek Road  (also known as South Pine Road) intersection with Wruck Crescent and Ferguson Street.

According to Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey, the safety improvements at the intersection will get an allocation of $595,000 under the Queensland Government’s Safer Roads Sooner (SRS) initiative.

Safer Roads Sooner is one of the government’s strongest road safety improvement programs. These initiatives focuses on high-benefit, cost-effective treatments at known and potential crash locations.

Albany Creek Road Upgrades

Albany Creek Road intersection with Wruck Crescent and Ferguson Street. Photo credit: Google Street View

Albany Creek Road is a popular route for commuters between the north-western suburbs and Brisbane’s CBD. Because of this, the road is also an accident-prone area.

“The history here shows a trend of crashes involving vehicles turning right into Wruck Crescent or Ferguson Street,”  Mr Bailey said.

“That’s why we have allocated funding to modify the traffic signals to fully control right-turn movements from Albany Creek Road into Ferguson Street and Wruck Crescent,” he added.

Read: Albany Creek State School Participates in Pilot Recycling Project

Upgrades also involve extending Albany Creek Road right-turn lanes. Photo credit: Google Street View

Safety upgrades will also include the extension of both right-turn lanes on Albany Creek Road. This is to further accommodate motorists waiting at the signals.

These improvements will help minimise the potential for crashes and greatly improve safety at the intersection.

Moreover, the Department of Transport and Main Roads will work with key stakeholders in the area as the design progresses.

TMR anticipates works to start in mid-2019.

Eatons Hill Hotel: 2018 Best Entertainment Venue Both at the QHA and AHA National Awards for Excellence

Eatons Hill Hotel has been awarded the best entertainment venue both at the QHA Awards for Excellence 2018 and AHA National Awards for Excellence 2018.

Eatons Hill Hotel bested seven other hotels for the QHA best entertainment venue award including The Foundry at Elephant Hotel (Fortitude Valley), Finn McCool’s (Fortitude Valley), Mon Komo Hotel (Redcliffe), and Press Club (Fortitude Valley). Winners were announced at the Gala Presentation Dinner at the Brisbane Convention and  Exhibition Centre last 8 October.

The recognition marks the fifth time that Eatons Hill Hotel has won the prestigious QHA award. The hotel also bagged three other awards from the QHA, namely:

  • Hall of Fame – Best PubTAB
  • Best Marketed Hotel 100+ Employees
  • Best Meeting & Events Venue

Photo Credit: Eatons Hill Hotel/eatonshillhotel.com.au

Eatons Hill Hotel: New Years Day 2018
Video Credit: Eatons Hill/YouTube

In September 2018, Eatons Hill Hotel took home the Best Entertainment Venue Award for the third time from the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) at the gala event held at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort on the Gold Coast.

The Crafers Hotel in South Australia bagged the Overall Hotel of the Year award (Metropolitan) whilst The Headlands Hotel Austinmer in New South Wales was awarded the Overall Hotel of the Year (Regional).

Winners were chosen from more than 5,000 members across Australia, revealed AHA National President Scott Leach. “Our staff and venues combine as the heart and soul of our industry,” Mr Leach said.

“One brings our industry to life each and every day while the other forms its ‘bricks and mortar’ backbone – constantly evolving and changing to ensure we stay at the top of our game.

“The hotel industry is the most dynamic in the nation and a week rarely goes by without the launch of new ideas, renovations or complete re-developments at venues right across the country.

“In a time of great change – when every customer is a potential reviewer – our industry continues to set the standard internationally and I congratulate all nominees and winners,” he said.


About Eatons Hill Hotel

Eatons Hill Hotel, located at South Pine Road, services the areas of Brendale, Albany Creek, Eatons Hill, Samford, Dayboro, Warner, Cashmere, Boondall, Chermside, and Enoggera. The hotel is a premiere entertainment destination being home to local and international artists and djs. Its outdoor concert area accommodates about 6,000 patrons and 2,100 at the Grand Ballroom.

Albany Creek State School Participates in Pilot Recycling Project

Albany Creek State School, along with 29 other Queensland state schools, will be taking part in a pilot project to find ways for schools to get actively involved in the Container Refund Scheme which took effect in November 2018.

Under the scheme, also called Containers for Change, eligible containers such as those made from glass, plastic, aluminium, or liquid paper board, ranging from 150 ml to 3 litres in size can be exchanged for a 10-cent refund per item.

Video Credit: Queensland Environment/YouTube

“This is a fantastic scheme and one that I would love to see school communities from across the state get behind,” Education Minister Grace Grace said.

A grant of $100,000 towards the $150,000 total cost for P&Cs Queensland—government partner in this pilot project. The project is aimed at encouraging schools to find the best way “to get involved and maximise the benefits.”

“The participating schools will trial ways to collect containers within their school communities and work to harness the energy of everyone associated with their school, including parents and carers, students and teachers.

Photo credit: Envirobank Recycling/Facebook

“P&Cs Qld will report back to the government by mid-2019 on the success of the pilot project and we hope to use these findings to encourage more schools to join the scheme,” Ms Grace said.

“We see the Container Refund Scheme pilot program as an ideal opportunity to establish on-site donation points in Queensland state schools and we will be working with Refund Point Operators on a sustainable and safe plan to maximise benefits flowing to these schools,” P&Cs Qld President Gayle Walters said.

“The scheme has the potential to provide invaluable education for our students on caring for their environment as well as providing a real boost to P&C funding,” Ms Walters said.

Photo credit: Envirobank Recycling/Facebook

In partnership with Refund Point Operators—Return.It Schools and Envirobank–Bag Drop Pilot, P&Cs Qld will work with the following state schools across Queensland:

Brisbane Southside

  • Chatswood Hills State School
  • Kimberley Park State School
  • Loganholme State School
  • Mansfield State High School
  • Mansfield State School
  • Robertson State School
  • Rochedale South State School
  • Shailer Park State High School

Brisbane Northside

  • Albany Creek State School
  • Aspley State Special School
  • Aviation High
  • Earnshaw State College
  • Eatons Hill State School
  • Mitchelton State Special School
  • Nundah State School
  • Wooloowin State School

Cairns

  • Balaclava State School
  • White Rock State School
  • Yorkeys Knob State School

Gold Coast

  • Bellevue Park State School
  • Coombabah State School

Sunshine Coast

  • Mountain Creek State High School

Townsville

  • Currajong State School
  • Pimlico State High School
  • Townsville Central State School
  • Townsville Community Learning Centre
  • Townsville South State School
  • Woodstock State School

Toowoomba

  • Harristown State High School
  • Highfields State School

Return.It Schools – Purple Wheelie Bin Pilot
Envirobank – Bag Drop Pilot

Most Queensland schools will one day benefit from this scheme, Ms Grace said.

Like other countries that offered financial incentives to boost success of their recycling programs, the current initiative could increase the approximate 40 per cent recycling rate that Queensland has now, to up to 80 percent.

Modernization of Albany Creek Library Is Already Underway

Albany Creek Library will get a revamp to provide the community with contemporary spaces that “connect, inspire, and engage.”

Photo credit: Moreton Bay Region Libraries/Facebook

On 12 November, the Albany Creek Library will be closed to give way to the completion of refurbishment works. Construction works that will include modernising the library interior to “improve access to spaces and create an open, welcoming ambience that improves the customer experience, and to provide modern, compliant and pleasant bathroom facilities”, are scheduled and will be carried out by Chapcon Building Services Pty Ltd.

Moreton Bay Regional Council is investing more than $368,000 to upgrade the Albany Creek Library located at 16 Ferguson Street.

“Public libraries are lifeblood to learning, promoting reading, nurturing and knowledge so it’s important the community has the chance to experience these opportunities in a comfortable and relaxed environment,” Councillor for Division 9 Mike Charlton said on his announcement last June.

“In the past year the Albany Creek Library has welcomed more than 100,000 residents and visitors through its door.

“I know the community along with local groups will be really excited to see this space come to life with a fresh look,” Cr Charlton said.

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

Albany Creek Library is scheduled to reopen on 17 December. Once construction works are completed, the revitalized Albany Creek Library promises its visitors to have:

  • More ways to use the library services and collections, including roving library assistance and RFID Smart Shelving to make returning of items faster and simpler.
  • Cosy benches and booths with power and WiFi throughout the facility.
  • Engaging space that will connect visitors to Albany Creek’s unique environment, complete with a new children’s space, special study zones, and new furniture.
  • New informal lounge areas, comfy chairs and coffee tables.

Items that were loaned will not be due for return whilst the library is closed for renovation. However, loaned items can still be returned via the Albany Creek after-hours returns chute or to any of the other Moreton Bay region library branches.

Albany Creek Library | 16 Ferguson St, Albany Creek, Queensland

Canterbury Park in Bald Hills Is Among Official Drone Parks

Canterbury Park in Bald Hills is now among the 10 official drone parks across Brisbane. This comes after a well-received six-month trial that began in December 2017.

Ten test sites were designated for the first trial of the drone zone parks. The trial was successful and received an “overwhelmingly positive feedback from enthusiasts.“

“As part of Council’s commitment to create more to see and do in Brisbane, we’ve provided launch and landing sites at 10 large parks across the city to accommodate the growing number of drone users,” said Environment, Parks and Sustainability Chairman Cr David McLachlan

“Council has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from its trial of 10 sites and hundreds of people have been taking advantage of these designated areas to take off land their drones that are up to 2kg,”  Cr McLachlan said.

Credit: Mueller Aviation/YouTube

The following are the official drone zone parks:

The following are the criteria to be met before an aircraft could be launched and landed in the designated areas:

  • you are flying for recreational purposes; and
  • your aircraft weighs no more than 2 kg; and
  • your aircraft is electric; and
  • you are flying no earlier than 7am Monday to Saturday, or no earlier than 8am on Sundays and public holidays; and
  • your activities do not endanger, interfere with or cause nuisance to the park, park users or adjoining properties; and
  • you follow Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s (CASA) safety rules for flying drones and other remotely piloted aircraft recreationally at all times.

Eighty per cent of the over 700 residents supported the idea of having dedicated areas in the parks for the launching and landing of drones. The Council thus has declared the designated parks as official recreational drone launching and landing sites. The Council also mentioned that they are also looking for additional drone sites.

 

Albany Creek Village Gets A Multi-million Dollar Worth Makeover

Fortius Funds Management has announced a multi-million-dollar refurbishment program of the Albany Creek Village. The project promises to “deliver exciting new era for the well-established community centre.”

Anchored by a Coles Supermarket, The Centre first opened in 1988 and underwent an initial major refurbishment in 2001. It houses more than 30 specialty retail shops, 500 plus car spaces, and approximately 100 covered by shade sails.

Fortius Funds Management rebranded the Centre to the original name “Albany Creek Village”, reaffirming the community and convenience basis in which the Center was founded.

“This carefully planned refurbishment program is designed to reinvigorate Albany Creek Village and reaffirm its position as the trade area’s number one convenience shopping destination,” Fortius Senior Asset Manager, Renaud Herington said.

Designed by Hames Sharley, a Brisbane-based architectural firm, internal works will include upgrades to the flooring, ceiling, and lighting. Other works include a new seating pods and extensive internal landscaping and ambience works.

External improvements will include a new Centre facade treatment, external tenancy signage package, new lighting, flooring, and landscaping works. There will be a new pylon signage and entry signage as part of the centre’s new branding.

The redevelopment will bring new service, and food and beverage tenants into the existing tenancy mix. The outdoor landscaping promises a respite area for shoppers who wish to relax while completing their shopping at the Centre.

Photo credit:Fortius Fund Management/albanycreekvillage.com.au

Founded in 1991, Fortius currently owns and manages Australian real estate totalling $1.4 billion. Fortius’ recent project include the Newcastle’s Junction Fair Shopping Centre restoration. Fortius Funds Management purchased the Albany Creek property for $55.8 million from Charter Hall.

“The co-ordinated capital works and leasing program will allow Albany Creek Village to fully capitalise on its prominent location, ease of access and proximity to local schools and services, and to fully meet all the convenience shopping needs of the fast-growing Albany Creek community.”

“We are looking forward to completion of works and the centre delivering a wide range of convenience and lifestyle benefits for our valued customers and retailers,” concludes Mr Herington.

The Albany Creek Village refurbishment program commenced last August 2018 and is expected to be completed by November 2018.

700-710 Albany Creek Rd, Albany Creek QLD 4035, Australia

Synchronised Swimming Open Day at Albany Creek Leisure Centre

Learn the basics of synchronised swimming at Albany Creek Leisure Centre this Saturday, 1 September 2018.

Neptunes Synchronized Swimming Club‘s Open Day welcomes new members aged seven years and above. The program is open for those who are able to swim unaided for 25 to 50 metres in freestyle and another stroke. If your child is comfortable in the water, you can join the club’s Come and Try Day on Saturday or book for trial sessions.

Photo credit: www.neptunes.qldsynchro.org.au

Neptunes Synchro has been teaching synchronised swimming at Albany Creek Leisure Centre for over 18 years and still swimming strong. The club has an exceptional experience in training young girls to become experienced swimmers. They are also popular for being a close, friendly group consisting mostly of parents who love to watch the kids develop their skills in a supportive team.

Albany Creek Leisure Centre
Photo credit: Neptunes Synchro/Facebook

Synchronised swimming is an excellent way to stay fit, learn motor skills, and develop an artistic flair. Aside from the Open Day, the club will be having a Basic Figures competition on Sunday, 16 September 2018 at Albany Creek Leisure Centre.

Read: Albany Creek’s Paige Schouw Selected in Australian Women’s Indoor Hockey Squad

If you’re interested to join the come and try session, simply email Melissa at president@neptunes.qldsynchro.org.au. Participants are asked to bring/wear togs, sunshirt, towel, cap, goggles, water bottle and wear sunblock.

Albany Creek Leisure Centre
Photo credit: Neptunes Synchro/Facebook

The Neptunes Synchronized Swimming Club also offers synchronised swimming sessions at the Dunlop Park Memorial Pool at Corinda and welcome swimmers from nearby suburbs.

Visit the club’s official website or visit their Facebook page to learn more.