Supernode: Green Data Storage Campus in Brendale Secures Approval

Touted as the largest data storage facility in the southern hemisphere, the Supernode data project on a 30-hectare site in Brendale will bring new jobs to the Moreton Bay area.



In keeping with the new theme of renewable energy in QLD, the whole facility will be powered by solar and battery storage with a capacity of 800 Megawatts.

The Supernode project is expected to deliver large-scale storage facilities of both data and battery energy to a single site and would leverage access from the battery-energy storage in Brendale to the adjacent South Pine electricity substation.

Supernode is among the key components of Quinbrook’s APAC Green Data strategy of developing and constructing renewable energy solutions for green data centres.

The project, according to the firm’s Managing Partner David Scaysbrook, is a $2.5+-billion investment that will be developed in stages at the 30-hectare site.

Although construction is not expected to commence until mid-2023, Quinbrook has already started pitching the 2,000 MWh Battery Energy Storage System facility, out to prospective data centre operators, after having received approval for the project from the Foreign Investment Review Board, and planning permission from the Moreton Bay Regional Council.

Supernode
Photo Credit: Supernode / supernode.com.au

“We provided $15 million to support the Sunshine Coast Council in delivering Queensland’s first direct International Broadband Network Cable Landing Station and we are seeing the benefits of that investment.

“The digital technology industry can now leverage the speed of the Sunshine Coast’s new international undersea fibre optic connection for uses such as efficient, large-scale data storage.

Why Brendale?

“Our Supernode site at Brendale in Moreton Bay is also an unrivalled location for power supply resilience due to its access to three independent high voltage connections forming the major power transmission node for Queensland at South Pine substation,” Quinbrook’s Mr Scaysbrook explained.

Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Peter Flannery recognised the impact of the project in the region and said that he looks forward to its economic benefits, particularly the jobs it will create once it is fully operational.

“Knowledge, Innovation and Entrepreneurship is a priority in Council’s Regional Economic Development Strategy (REDS 2020-2041) to position the region as South East Queensland’s $40 billion engine room and to be a top regional innovation hub,” he said.



“As Council, we’re delivering jobs by actively working with the private sector and the state government to facilitate more investments and create 100,000 jobs.

‘’Brendale is a well-established industrial precinct that has been named one of the top 10 places to work in the greater South East Queensland region. Its credentials are buoyed by smart city infrastructure, high productivity, a sustainability focus and easy logistics and market access.”

Generating More Jobs

The Supernode in Brendale is a show of confidence in the Moreton Bay Region and in the state’s potential as a renewable energy powerhouse in the future and an opportunity to generate more jobs, Assistant Minister and Member for Pine Rivers Nikki Boyd said in welcoming the project.

“In the future, the large-scale batteries and data centre could be powered by pure Queensland wind and sunshine.

“Large scale data storage will support new jobs and allow the region to continue to boom in the lead up to Brisbane 2032.”

Statewide Focus on Renewal Energy and Digital Technology Infrastructure

“This is one of the major new economy projects coming to Queensland thanks to the government’s strategic investment in digital technology infrastructure and renewable energy,” Acting Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles said.

“It also offers ample scope for powering our large-scale batteries with locally produced solar, wind and hydro sourced renewables which will also power the data centre campus as it grows.”

“This is exactly the type of digital technology enabling project Queensland needs in the lead up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, supporting data-intensive industries such as post-production for the burgeoning film industry here in Queensland,” he added.

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.


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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. 

Photo credit: Le Bon Choix Ascot/Facebook

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.

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.

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.


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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.

hooning
Photo credit: JESHOOTS.com/Pexels

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.

Calling All Job Seekers! New Opportunities Await At Brendale-based Company

Brendale-based electronics designer and manufacturer Elexon Electronics is on the look-out for new Quality and Processes professionals, a business development manager, an HR manager, and an IT specialist.


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These job opportunities arise as a result of the company’s defence engagement and preparedness project. 

Elexon Electronics has proudly passed the external ISO 9001 audit for the past 15 years and is set to build on their success by completing the ISO 14001 and AS 9100D certifications by the end of November 2021.

“By achieving ISO 14001 and AS 9100D certifications later this year, we’ll continue to build on our reputation and deliver even greater quality to our customers from the defence, mining and other niche industries” said Frank Faller, CEO of Elexon.

Photo supplied

To help achieve this significant milestone, Elexon has recently recruited Kylie Warren to the role of Quality Manager and Jordan Metlikovec as an NPI & Process Engineering Manager to oversee the development of the quality system and manufacturing process quality respectively.

“The ISO 14001 and AS 9100D certifications are integral certifications for companies working in the defence sector and I’m looking forward to being a part of the Elexon team who achieves this,” said Ms Warren.

Mr Metlikovec said his plan is to actively connect engineering, manufacturing and quality departments and with a hands-on approach, actively contribute towards the continuous improvement of Elexon’s processes, products and services.

Interested parties can get in touch with info@elexonelectronics.com to apply.  

About Elexon Electronics

Photo supplied

Elexon Electronics, a Brandale-based electronics engineering and manufacturing company is a significant employer in the area and has been contributing towards the development of entrepreneurship, reputation and innovation of the Moreton Bay region.

New Gel Blaster Stores Planned for Brendale & Other Areas

Sales have boomed in the gel blaster industry, currently taking off all across Queensland. Plans are in the works to open gel ball stores in various suburbs all over the state such as Brendale. 



Ever since the hobby became regulated by the state government, gel blasters have been on the rise as one of the country’s most prominent up-and-coming industries with numerous stores launching all over Queensland. A grand total of 15 gel blaster-related businesses have opened throughout the state, with many more on the way. 

Brendale in particular is due to receive a regulated gel ball store in the near future, and plans are in the works to construct gel ball skirmish fields due to the sheer success of the industry following regulations, which were introduced in 2020. 

Photo credit: CC BY-SA/Dottasriel2000/Wikimedia commons

Queensland regulations have declared that gel blasters are not firearms, making them perfectly legal to own and purchase without a licence, however they must still be kept out of sight when being transported. Due to the sheer popularity of gel blasters, regulations are now being examined in other states across Australia.

Those interested in taking part in the hobby must take the community into consideration as the appearance of gel blasters could cause distress. They are difficult to differentiate from real firearms and can only be identified properly with close inspection. The Queensland Police released an informative video to address this issue. 

Adhering to the rules and regulations is paramount, especially for Brendale residents as the suburb is slated to receive a slew of new gel ball businesses, according to Police Minister Mark Ryan.

Snap Print in Brendale Has a New Owner, Same Quality Service

The Snap Print franchise in Brendale has changed hands as new owner Fiona Atkins takes over the business for Ian Briskie, who will now enjoy his retirement years.



Mr Briskie has been the Brendale franchise of the largest print business in the country since 2009 and he’s confident in turning over the store’s future to Ms Atkins, the store’s long-time manager.  

Ms Atkins, on the other hand, promised to continue the same quality service that Snap Print is known for. She said that there will be no changes in the business’ structure and the store’s service. 

The Brendale store is one of more than 130 Snap Print outlets in Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland, and has thrived in the print industry for 120 years even in the advent of digital technology. The Snap Print franchise has been flourishing for the last 40 years as opportunities for business owners continue to grow.

Meanwhile, Snap Print recently secured a deal with the online design platform Canva, which will allow the customers access to better design tools prior to having their materials printed at the Brendale shop. 

“Bringing your creative ideas to life is what we do best! Our graphic designers can deliver impact and appeal to your business, through a range of creative services. Whether you need a new brand identity, business stationery suite, marketing campaign, or large banners and posters, we’ve got you covered.”



For more information and enquiries about their service, email brendale@snap.com.au or phone (07) 3881 2339. Visit the store at 118 South Pine Road. 

Albany Creek Brumbies Set Up New Girls Rugby Academy

The Albany Creek Brumbies have set up the all-new Girls Rugby Academy, which launched in April 2021, to provide girls with the opportunity to enhance their performance in rugby.



With the rising number of female rugby players in schools throughout the district, the Albany Creek Brumbies is providing new avenues for training and skills development through this program at the South Pine Sporting Complex in Brendale.

Training at the Girls Rugby Academy, which began on the 20th of April 2021, is set to run for a total of 20 weeks, and girls between the ages of 6-16 are free to join at any time all throughout the program for the price of $80 per player, per annum. Training will be carried out by accredited coaches who will visit throughout the year to instruct members of the academy. 

The academy aims to create an environment that maximises the development of the girls’ foundation skills as well as give them confidence in the sport in the 7’s, 10’s, or 15’s comps. They take great pride in their ability to provide and intend to support the influx of newer female rugby players. 

Photo credit: Facebook/Albany Creek Brumbies GPS Junior Rugby Club

Numbers have been increasing ever since 2018, where the number of girls at the Brumbies steadily rose. In fact, new entries have tripled in 2021 in comparison to the previous year, and the sport is quickly becoming more popular with the younger generations. Currently, girls make up 10 per cent of registered players at the rugby club. 

Each session runs from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. every Tuesday for 20 weeks, with the exception of school holidays. Those interested in registering can learn more about the process here

The Albany Creek Brumbies can be found at the South Pine Sports Complex in 620 South Pine Road, Brendale. For more information, visit their website here. Follow their Facebook page for the latest updates and special announcements concerning the club and other related activities.

Le Bon Choix Moving Its Bakery and Warehouse to Brendale

Le Bon Choix, a French-renaissance-style boulangerie and patisserie, has closed a 10-year lease to establish a bakery and warehouse in Brendale.



Ben Jeffries, a representative of the property developer JLL, confirmed that Le Bon Choix will move into a new 1,379-square-metre building on Leitchs Road, within Brendale’s industrial precinct, from their Geebung warehouse. Mr Jeffries said that the location appealed to the owners of the boulangerie as it “provided more efficiencies within the bakery.”  

Apart from the warehouse kitchen to service all of the bakery’s shop across Brisbane, the Brendale will site will also include a small cafe to service the precinct’s industrial workers.

JLL’s Nick Bandiera also said that this deal compounds on Brendale as the new favoured site for industries considering establishing operations in north Brisbane instead of going to traditional industrial suburbs. Since the start of 2021, Brendale has seen a spike in demand for lease opportunities. 

Photo Credit: Facebook

Meanwhile, Savico Basset-Rouge, the owner of Le Bon Choix, trained under the legendary Laurent Boillon, one of the best pastry chefs in Australia and the world. After more than 10 years of training, Mr Basset-Rouge opened his bakery in 2004 with the goal of taking French pastry, cake, and bread creation to new heights.



Le Bon Choix has retail outlets in Edward and Queen Streets in Brisbane CBD, Ascot, Carindale, Chermside, North Lakes, Upper Mt Gravatt, and Broadbeach.  Follow the bakery on Instagram.

Brendale Hyundai Wins a Platinum Award

Brendale Hyundai has been named one of 2020’s top-performing car dealers at the annual Platinum Dealer Program Awards of theHyundai Motor Company Australia (HMCA) in April. 



HMCA announced the winners of numerous Hyundai awards during the event. Brendale Hyundai was Queensland’s winner of the regional Hyundai Platinum Award, and according to a Facebook post made following the announcement of the winners, receiving such an award is considered a great honor as it shows that the business is revered by the Hyundai network. 

Hyundai, the world-famous South Korean multinational automobile manufacturer, has been a part of Australia’s automotive landscape for 25 years. It is currently the 5th largest automotive group in the world, as well as the fastest growing automotive brand in Australia.

Raw materials such as ore and coal gathered within the country are transported to South Korea, where they are then refined and used to create vehicles. An estimated 60% of Hyundai’s raw materials come from Australian soil, making it the businesses’ largest supplier of materials.

Brendale Hyundai can be found at 66 Southpine Road, Brendale, open Monday to Saturday from 8:30 a.m. onwards with the exception of Saturday, in which the business opens at 9:00 a.m. For more information, visit their website. Follow their Facebook page for the latest updates concerning cars, deals, and other special announcements. 

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.”