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State Disaster Coordination Centre in Kedron to Get Support to Update ICT and AV Equipment

Photo Credit: State Disaster Coordination Centre / disaster.qld.gov.au

Frontline resources will get a much-needed boost from Fire and Emergency Services, for ICT and audio-visual equipment improvements at the State Disaster Coordination Centre in Kedron.

Read: Roses Only Brisbane Blooms at New Kedron Studio

More than $900 million will be invested to enhance the services being delivered by the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) which includes the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS), Rural Fire Service (RFS), State Emergency Service (SES) and marine rescue services.

Moreover, the “If It’s Flooded, Forget It” campaign will also continue under Fire and Emergency Services’ 2022-23 budget. In particular, funding will be earmarked for a technology refresh and enhancement of the ICT and audio-visual equipment of the State Disaster Coordination Centre.

Residents of Airlie Beach, Caloundra South, Drayton, Greater Springfield, Gympie South, Hervey Bay, Loganlea, Lowood, Maryborough, Moreton Bay, Mount Cotton, and South Townsville are to benefit from the new and upgraded facilities as part of the record budget.  

State Disaster Coordination Centre receives support from the QLD FIre and Emergency Services
Photo Credit: Queensland Fire and Emergency Services – QFES / Facebook

“Queensland Fire and Emergency Services continues to stand strong alongside the community through emergencies, disaster response and recovery,” Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Mark Ryan said.

“The delivery of new and upgraded facilities, equipment and infrastructure will enable crews to continue to serve and protect Queensland communities.”

“In recent months QFES officers, staff, and volunteers have shown exceptional skill and courage through one of the most challenging wet seasons Queensland has seen in recent history.”

Investment in new and replacement FRS and RFS trucks and new vessels for the SES and marine rescue services will also be part of the budget.

Committed as well for the next financial year is an additional $10 million to go towards new RFS facilities and an additional $8 million to marine rescue services to support operational capability and replacement of rescue vessels.

The State Government has also committed to enhancing the SES operational capability and risk management with a $20 million funding boost for 33 new positions and new equipment including new SES flood boats and upgraded facilities for the Lowood  SES Group.  

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to enhancing QFES’ frontline resources so firefighters and fire and emergency services volunteers and staff can continue to safely and effectively respond to a wide range of emergency incidents, which often require specialist training and equipment,” Mr Ryan added.

“That’s why this budget also allocates funding for specialised firefighting equipment, scientific analysis and detection, breathing apparatus, severe weather response and rescue equipment.

“The Palaszczuk Government is supporting Queensland’s future single integrated marine rescue service (Marine Rescue Queensland) with a vessel replacement program that includes the delivery of the first new vessel in the program to Thursday Island.”

Read: Kedron State High School Debating Team Beats Powerhouses at State Debate

“We welcome the record investment in the FRS of new firefighters, facilities, and equipment and the historic additional commitment of funding to the SES, RFS, and Marine Rescue Queensland. Our workforce in Queensland is vital and we need to ensure they are appropriately equipped to continue to meet community expectations,” QFES Commissioner Greg Leach said.

“QFES is continuously looking at ways to evolve and improve its emergency response and upgrading facilities and equipment is at the forefront of how we can achieve this.”

Learn more about the State Budget here.

Roses Only Brisbane Blooms at New Kedron Studio

Roses Only Brisbane is blooming in its newfound Kedron home, as it recovers from the effects of the February 2022 floods, at a new site with triple the capacity of its former West End site.

Read: Kedron State High School Debating Team Beats Powerhouses at State Debate

After the ravages wrought by recent extreme weather events, Roses Only was forced to vacate its West End location, temporarily take residence at their hear office, then relocate to a new site in Kedron.

The Kedron relocation has allowed the floral retailer to ramp up production and support local growers with its increased capacity, thanks to a spacious, new 1,000-sqm space and a fresh fit-out. The company is optimistic about the future growth of the business in its new home.

Blushing Natives Bouquet Roses Only
Blushing Natives Bouquet | Photo Credit: Roses Only / Facebook

Roses Only was established in 1995 by James Stevens, backed by the family’s more than four decades of experience in retail floristry. The business has since grown as Australia’s leading florist. 

Under new management, the company now boasts of about a 300-strong workforce ready to fulfill customers’ needs for premium gifts for birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions.

Endless Love bouquet
Endless Love bouquet | Photo Credit: Roses Only / Facebook

Roses Only Florist Studios can be found in several locations across the country including three studios in Queensland: Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Sunshine Coast.

Other studios are situated in Central Coast, Newcastle and Sydney (NSW); Keysborough and Melbourne (Victoria); Adelaide (SA); Perth (WA), and Canberra (Australia Capital Territory).

Read: After the Floods: Kedron Brook Restoration Updates

“Great customer service,fast same day delivery and beautiful gifts. Thankyou for making the process easy and fast Thankyou!” – D. M. Duke

“I highly recommend Only Roses for top quality flowers and customer service.  

I ordered flowers for my mother and unfortunately they were nit what I expected.  Only Roses went out of their way to contact me do they could remedy the situation.  They organised replacement flowers which were absolutely beautiful and fantastic quality.  when they arrived my mother was overwhelmed with their beauty. 

I would like to thank and compliment Only Roses for standing by their products and offering top quality customer service.  They certainly are a company who cares 100%. Thank you so 🌹 🥀 much.” J. Shaw

“Many thanks to Roses Only ! 

A beautiful arrangement delivered today..it was my first time using the service ,highly recommend! will definitely use again 😄” – H. Ziolkowski

Summer Love bouquet
Summer Love bouquet | Photo Credit: Roses Only / Facebook

Roses Only florist studios offer same-day delivery when orders are placed before 2 pm, Monday to Saturday. Their Brisbane shop is located at 44 Millway St, Kedron.

To order online, visit their website here.

Roses Only | 44 Millway St, Kedron QLD 4031

Kedron State High School Debating Team Beats Powerhouses at State Debate

Once dubbed the underdog, the Kedron State High School debating team has emerged victorious at the 2022 Queensland Debating Union Grand Final, beating elite squads from private schools like Brisbane Girls Grammar and Brisbane Boys’ College.

Read: After the Floods: Kedron Brook Restoration Updates

Year 12 students Hugo Hall, Bede House, Calvin Liu, and Jack Turner did their school proud as they were named champions of the prestigious competition, after knocking back two of its toughest opponents in the quarter and semi-final rounds.

The loudest cheers were heard at the spot where a large continent of Kedron SHS watched the debates on implementing a Universal Basic Income at the Somerville House on Wednesday, 24th Aug 2022.

According to Lui, the team’s vice-captain, the community’s support “lit a flame” that pushed them to be confident about beating the powerhouses.

The victory has been sweeter as Kedron State High School is a fairly young and small team, under the mentorship of its former student and English teacher Ryan Taylor-Davis. They admittedly had nerves knowing the accomplishments of Brisbane Girls Grammar and Brisbane Boys’ College, which have been training longer and have bigger teams. 

Also helping out the team as consultants were Jacob Morgan, James Shoring, Reily Chapman, Rowan Gray and Wilson Heslop, who were also part of the debating team when they attended Kedron State High School years ago. 

“The entire 2022 QDU Debating season, Hugo Hall, Bede House, Calvin Liu and Jack Turner lived the school motto “to strive is to shine”, working hard and acquitting themselves as gentlemen and scholars, but on Wednesday evening, they also proved themselves champions,” the school stated. 

Read: Police Heightens Security at Kedron Brook Bikeway Over Stalking Incidents

After the Floods: Kedron Brook Restoration Updates

Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / brisbane.qld.gov.au

Spanning an area of more than 110 kilometres from Ferny Grove to Nudgee, the Kedron Brook catchment was among the Brisbane locations that were severely impacted by the February 2022 floods. Here are some updates and information on how the Kedron Brook restoration works are progressing.

Read: Works To Reinstate Kedron Brook Waterway Now Progressing

Council’s Kedron Brook recovery and restoration plan consists of a three-stage approach: Assessment and immediate make safe works, restoration and reconnection works, and longer-term improvements at key locations.

Kedron Brook plan
Kedron Brook plan | Cr Andrew Wines / Facebook

Most of the sections and green spaces of the bikeway have been restored and reopened, whilst restoration works on lighting and electrical infrastructure are expected to commence when it is safe to do so.

Council expects all restoration and rebuilding works to be completed by late 2022. These works include:

  • reconnecting creek crossings at Royal Parade (reopened on 10 June 2022), Wolverhampton Street (underway), Walter Bourke Park (underway)
Creek crossing at Royal Parade
Creek crossing at Royal Parade| Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / brisbane.qld.gov.au
Wolverhampton Street creek crossing
Wolverhampton Street creek crossing | Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / brisbane.qld.gov.au
Walter Bourke Park creek crossing
Walter Bourke Park creek crossing | Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / brisbane.qld.gov.au
  • rehabilitating embankments at Bedford Street (nearing completion) and Johnston Street (nearing completion)
Embankment rehabilitation at Bedford Street
Embankment rehabilitation at Bedford Street | Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / brisbane.qld.gov.au
Embankment rehabilitation at Johnston Street
Embankment rehabilitation at Johnston Street | Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / brisbane.qld.gov.au
  • rebuilding at the rail underpass (reopened late June 2022) and culvert crossing (reopened late July 2022) and minor handrail replacement works at culvert crossing (underway)
  • repairing embankment under the Burwood Road bridge (underway)
Upcoming: restoration of lighting along the 20km section of Kedron Brook Bikeway
Upcoming: restoration of lighting along the 20km section of Kedron Brook Bikeway | Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / brisbane.qld.gov.au
Section of Kedron Brook Bikeway in Corbett Park
Section of Kedron Brook Bikeway in Corbett Park | Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / brisbane.qld.gov.au

Read: Starbucks Submits Plans For 24/7 Drive-thru Coffee Shop In Kedron

view Kedron Brook restoration updates

Upcoming are restoration and rebuilding works in Corbett Park at Uxbridge Street (erosion protection works on Burnwood Road bridge abutment and piers) and lighting along the 20km section of Kedron Brook Bikeway. (design, repair and restoration).

For more updates, check out the Kedron Brook Restoration plan on the Council’s website to get the latest updates including works being undertaken along the bikeway.

Starbucks Submits Plans For 24/7 Drive-thru Coffee Shop In Kedron

Coffee lovers across Kedron will have a new place to check out for a caffeine fix on the go, after plans have been revealed for a new, 24/7 Starbucks drive-thru store in the area.

Read: How Did Kedron Get Its Name?

The store, which has been proposed at 493 Gympie Road, Kedron, spans 168 sqm and will be a single-storey building.

The project site is currently home to commercial showroom buildings which will be removed to facilitate the redevelopment. 

Designed by Cottee Parker, the proposed Starbucks coffee shop will have provision for single lane drive-thru (10 cars spaces in a queuing).

kedron starbucks
Plans (Photo credit: Brisbane City Council)

Based on planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council, the outlet is intended to integrate with the adjoining approved development for a Service Station “to create an integrated development through operational efficiency, commercial viability, accessing and servicing arrangements.”

A report prepared by Wolter Consulting Group states that the food and drink outlet further compliments the approved service station, by activating the frontage to Gympie Road, improving the pedestrian access along this area and enhancing the streetscape to a low scale built form outcome.

starbucks au
Starbucks drive-thru in Caboolture (Photo credit: Honest Tiger/Google Maps)

The store would have a separate pedestrian crossing located on Kedron Street. Additional access from Childers Street to the approved service station also provides a connection to the Starbucks, creating an integrated built form outcome.

The launch of a Starbucks drive-thru in Kedron is part of the brand’s wider scheme to go big on drive-thrus. The brand benefited from drive-thrus during the pandemic when stores were forced to close for a while due to safety concerns.

starbucks brisbane
Photo credit: Brisbane City Council

Meanwhile, the site is in an Specialised Centre Zone or large format retail site, which means a public notification will be undertaken for a minimum of 15 business days.

Across all Starbucks locations in Queensland, there are only six with drive-thrus: Eight Mile Plains, Berrinba, Rothwell, Caboolture, Coomera, and Ashmore.

If given the approval, the drive-thru Starbucks in Kedron will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Police Heightens Security at Kedron Brook Bikeway Over Stalking Incidents

Photo Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gustavo Castillo, Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

Police have heightened patrol at the Kedron Brook Bikeway following safety concerns recently raised by several women who experienced harassment whilst on the bikeway.

Read: Byrne Ford Kedron Announces New Million-dollar Showroom

A Mitchelton man, who has since been arrested and charged with unlawful stalking, willful exposure, breach of bail, and obstructing police, had allegedly followed and approached a teenage girl walking on the bikeway.

Information provided by the community has led to the arrest of a 37-year-old man who was subsequently charged with unlawful stalking and wilful exposure in relation to two alleged incidents. 

The man allegedly approached a teenage girl on the afternoon of 4 April. She was walking on the Kedron Brook bikeway at Gaythorne and was on her way to a Belleview address when she was allegedly followed by the man on a bicycle. He left the scene after the girl went inside the property.

Moreover, the Mitchelton man was also alleged to have exposed himself to a 49-year-old woman at a Keperra station last December 2021.

In response to these complaints, Inner West police conducted a coordinated operation and investigation, deploying a bike squad, highway patrol and mounted police units in the area. On 13 July, bike squad officers who were proactively patrolling the bikeway located the man who then allegedly ran when the police approached him.

Further investigations later led to the North Brisbane Tactical Crime Squad officers locating his Mitchelton address. He was taken into custody and was charged with unlawful stalking, wilful exposure, breach of bail and obstructing police.

“We’re grateful to local residents who report suspicious and criminal behaviour, which in this case helped us put an alleged offender before the court,” Inspector Allen said.

“Everyone has the right to feel safe in their community, and we encourage anyone who witnesses incidents like these to contact police.”

Before the man’s arrest, claims of harassment surfaced recently with several women recounting their individual experiences of being stalked, approached and even touched without permission by a man whilst on the Kedron Brook bikeway. Residents said that these incidents have been happening in the area for years now.

Read: Lutwyche: Get to Know One of Brisbane’s Oldest Suburbs

In early June 2022, Police sought public assistance in the investigations into multiple wilful/obscene exposure offences on Kedron, Grange and the Kedron Brook bikeway allegedly committed by a man in his early 20s. The incidents happened between 28 May and 2 June 2022. 

Security within the bikeway area has been tightened following these reports with more patrols being conducted daily. 

If you’ve experienced sexual assault, you can report it online by visiting this page, over the phone or face to face at a police station. If there’s an immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000). 

For confidential information, counselling and support, call the State-wide Sexual Assault Helpline on 1800 010 120 or 1800 RESPECT for 24-hour help.

Byrne Ford Kedron Announces New Million-dollar Showroom

Renowned Brisbane car dealer Byrne Ford will soon open a $1 million showroom, which is set to replace its existing showroom in Kedron.

Read: How Did Kedron Get Its Name?

The new Inner North showroom will feature seven multiple reception areas, state-of-the-art offices, and a space that can accommodate up to eight cars. It will also have a customer lounge which comes equipped with a coffee machine and comfortable furniture.

It will have a three-bay delivery zone, which features electric Smart Tech doors worth $55,000 each.

The brand new showroom is set to replace the existing one, which has been the go-to for those looking for brand new and used Ford and FPV vehicles. The team of dealers at Byrne Ford are known for giving buyers access to a wide range of lenders across the country, helping buyers find the right Ford vehicles for them.

Buyers are encouraged to visit Byrne Ford’s showroom, which is set to open to the public in July 2022. For more information about the new showroom, contact Byrne Ford or follow their Facebook page for updates.

About Byrne Ford

Photo credit: Byrne Ford/Facebook

Byrne Ford is part of the Byrne Auto Group, which is a family-owned organisation based in Brisbane.

Known as one of the leading Ford and FPV dealers throughout Brisbane, Byrne Ford has over 200 new/pre-inspected and used vehicles.

Byrne Ford’s Sales facility can be found at 496-512 Gympie Road Kedron and offers customers an extensive selection of Ford vehicles and pre-owned vehicles. Opened in 2010, they have had sales, service, parts, finance and accessories departments. 

Lutwyche: Get to Know One of Brisbane’s Oldest Suburbs

Photo Credit: Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

Did you know that Lutwyche, one of Brisbane’s oldest suburbs, was named after the first Supreme Court judge of Queensland? Here are some other interesting facts you may not know about this suburb.

Read: How Did Kedron Get Its Name?

Alfred Lutwyche and St. Andrew’s Church of England

This inner-city suburb owes its name to Alfred Lutwyche who was born in London in 1810. He was appointed resident judge of the Supreme Court of Moreton Bay and New South Wales Supreme Court judge in 1859. 

It was also during this time that Queensland became a self-governing colony and two years later, Alfred became the first Queensland Supreme Court judge, earning him the moniker “father of the Supreme Court”.

In 1866, St. Andrew’s Church of England was built on a block of land on Lutwyche Road that Alfred purchased (1864) and donated (1865) to the Church.

He died on 12 June 1880 and was buried on the Church’s southern side where a Celtic Cross was erected as the grave’s headstone. His burial site has since become an important feature of the churchyard.

Heritage-listed sites

Conor

Located at 29 Conon Street, this detached dwelling was entered into the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. Conon, built in 1863, was one of the earliest dwellings to be built in the area.

Windsor Air Raid Shelter

Located on Lutwyche Road, the former air-raid shelter was built in 1942 by Brisbane City Council as a wartime precautionary measure. Designed by Frank Gibson Costello, Windsor Air Raid Shelter became a heritage-listed site on 6 April 2005.

Wooloowin State School

Added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 13 January 1995, the school comprises one- and two-storey blocks of classrooms that were connected by verandahs. Among other criteria, Wooloowin State School was considered an important site for its aesthetic significance.

Killila

Located at 100 Stoneleigh, Killila was built in c1885 as a working-class cottage and was the former home of prominent Catholic Archbishop James Duhig during his younger years. The timber house was entered into the Queensland Heritage Register on 1 October 2003.

Read: The Origins of the Iconic Killila Home in Lutwyche

Key inner-city transportation hub

A year after Alfred Lutwyche immigrated to Australia in 1853, a bridge was built over the Enoggera Creek that provided northerly road access from Brisbane and would later become the starting point going to the Gympie gold fields.

Tram services that meet along Lutwyche Road from Chermside, Kalinga and Stafford served the Lutwyche area until 1968. In 1914, a tramline that ran from Brisbane to Bowen Bridge was extended up to Lutwyche Road, near Kedron Book.  

The Stafford line then branched off to Bradshaw and by 1928 the Grange tramline along Maygar Street on Lutwyche and Windsor border opened. In 1925, the tram line further extended from Kedron Brook to Lutwyche Cemetery.

How Did Kedron Get Its Name?