Upgrades and improvements at Shand Street Park in Stafford are on track despite wet weather interruptions and a brief holiday break. Some facilities will still remain closed during the construction phase but residents will be able to enjoy the outcome in due time.
Once completed, Shand Street Park will have improved surfacing for the skate half pipe, a new path linking the bikeway to the scooter/skate facilities, as well as an extended car park for visitors.
A picnic shelter will also be installed near the basketball court whilst a flora and fauna trail will be added to the area to educate visitors on the park’s natural surroundings.
The Shand Street Park construction started in July 2021 with the closure of the basketball court and skate half pipe. The dog off-leash park and the car park are still open but by early 2022, the latter will be closed for upgrades. Timings for closures of these recreational facilities will be provided on signs throughout the park.
Photo Credit: CrTracyDavis/Facebook
Council has suggested alternative facilities for the locals during this temporary closure, such as the Stafford skate park at Webster Road Park, the Ashgrove skate facility at Dorrington Park, and the Multi-Use Games Area at Grinstead Park.
“This project is one of the ways the Schrinner Council is investing in creating more to see and do outdoors for families with children of all ages in our local area,” Cr Tracy Davis said.
“This will also complement the learn-to-ride facility and the upgraded playground & picnic area which is just a short bike ride away via the Kedron Brook bikeway at Grinstead Park, Alderley.”
The improved park is expected to be open in early 2022.
A central section of Bradbury Park in Kedron will be upgraded to include a raft of improvements, including a large playscape with a unique design that will not be seen in any other park in Brisbane.
Works for the improvement project include a large playscape, new picnic shelters with seating, electric barbecues, and a new amenity block. Connecting pathways and a new car park will help facilitate mobility and boost visits to the area.
The large playscape, which is one of the highlights of the final concept plan for the project, has a one-of-a-kind design that will show it emerging out of the ground and reaching up into the treetops, blending into its natural setting in the park with its form and use of materials.
Artist’s impression of playscape (Photo credit: Brisbane City Council)
“The vision for the Bradbury Park playscape is a ‘biological city’ that is made up of a complex series of ‘hollows’ (tower-like structures) and ‘byways’ (bridges that connect the towers) that are surrounded by a series of inclusive and accessible ground-based explorative elements,” Brisbane City Council has stated.
Bradbury Park improvement project (Photo credit: Brisbane City Council)
The Bradbury Park improvement project is part of the Council’s initiative to enhance and maintain the more than 2,100 parks across the city. Construction will take place between Monday and Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Council assured residents that safe pedestrian access will be maintained around the site at all times.
Bradbury Park is scheduled for completion in mid-2022. For the latest updates about the project, visit the Brisbane City Council website.
Enjoy the award-winning Scooter Track and Magical Forest at Bradbury Park in Kedron and check out their innovative design that won the highest accolades at the 2021 AILA QLD Landscape Architecture Awards.
The Scooter Track has received the Landscape Architecture Award in the category of “Play Spaces,” whilst the Magical Forest received an Award of Excellence. Both are the highest awards given in their respective categories.
Bradbury Park Scooter Track
A collaboration between Form Landscape Architects and Brisbane City Council, the Bradbury Park Scooter Track is a significant demonstration of sustainable landscape design. The course was centered around the retention of existing gum trees whilst earthworks and path alignments were sensitively executed to ensure an integrated outcome.
Photo credit: Form Landscape Architects
“Riders can have a linear experience cruising the course and engage with various obstacles if they so choose. The inclusion of overtaking lanes was a key design feature enabling this choice,” said Form Landscape Architects.
The award-winning scooter track was completed in July 2020. It’s a first of its kind hybrid facility for all ages, combining elements of a pump track, skate park and junior learn-to-ride track. Although it was specifically designed for use with scooters, the course does accommodate a variety of wheeled craft such as skateboards, rollerblades. and bikes.
Bradbury Park’s Magical Forest
Bradbury Park Magical Forest (Photo credit: Form Landscape Architects)
Bradbury Park’s Magical Forest is the recipient of the Award of Excellence, which is given to the work judged to be the most significant for the advancement of landscape architecture in each category.
Photo credit: Form Landscape Architects
Located on the southern side of the netball courts, the Magical Forest is a nature play space constructed within an existing grove of mature Melaleuca and Waterhousia trees, offering a source of intrigue and delight for all who enter.
Photo credit: Form Landscape Architects
“Through the lens of a child, the design team reinterpreted features of the site with exaggerated imagination and established a vision of a miniature kingdom full of diverse geographical features. High points in the site were imagined as snowcapped mountain peaks. Low points were imagined as sandy, treasure riddled beaches,” said Form Landscape Architects.
About the Landscape Architecture Awards
The Landscape Architecture Awards program provides a key vehicle for the promotion of the achievements and work of landscape architects in Australia.
The Awards program has two stages: the first is a Chapter program and the second is the National program. Winners from the Chapter level proceeding to the National Landscape Architecture Awards program.
Riding the wave of rising property values in Brisbane, the Kedron property market showed noteworthy growth within the 12-month period ending September 2021, with median property prices (houses and units) displaying approximately 15 per cent growth.
Highlights
The median house price in Kedron rose to nearly a million at $909,500, by 14.40 per cent for October 2020 to September 2021 versus the same period last year.
For the same period, Kedron’s unit price growth was at 15.58 per cent, with the median unit price at $427,000.
House Price Growth
Figures from Property Market Updates revealed that Kedron experienced 14.40 per cent growth from October 2020 to September 2021, bringing up the median house price close to the million-dollar mark at $909,500.
Turnover was brisk with142 properties sold, with the bulk of the sales coming from three-bedroom homes. House listings stayed an average of 32 days on the market as energetic buying activity persisted despite some challenges brought about by lockdowns and mobility restrictions.
With nearly half of its residents composed of growing families or renters with full-time jobs, Kedron has developed a reputation as a desirable suburb. Improvements in the public transport links to the CBD, the suburbs in the west, the airport, and Gold Coast have increased accessibility and desirability as well.
In August 2021, a modern Queenslander renovated from the ground closed with the highest sale for the period at $2,400,000. The breathtaking house stands on an expansive 868-sqm lot on Wood Street. It is a short walk to St Anthony’s Primary School or Padua Private School, two of the most sought-after schools in the catchment.
Unit Price Growth
Kedron’s unit market also scaled upward, after a brief downturn for the same period last year. Growth was at 15.88 per cent over the 12-month period ending September 2021, with the median unit price now at $427,000, up from $368,500 in the previous year.
Some 121 apartments were sold for this period with an average time on market of 52 days. Most unit buyers were drawn to two-bedroom builds, with 63 units sold. Buyers on a budget don’t need to venture too far off the city as Kedron has heaps of newly-built high-end apartments with reasonable price tags.
About Kedron
Once a sleepy suburb, Kedron has become a high-demand market for a new generation of northside residents. Nearly 60 per cent of the properties in this suburb are free-standing Queenslander or workers cottages, where many post-war houses have been renovated into contemporary dwellings on subdivided blocks.
This tranquil inner north suburb is filled with large parks for residents to enjoy. Located seven kilometres away from the city, it has a well-serviced, convenient transport system. Kedron has easy access to neighbouring suburbs like Stafford, Chermside, Wavell Heights, and Lutwyche.
Kedron is home to quite a number of good public and private schools; thus, education has been a significant factor in attracting buyers. Because this suburb is also close to a number of medical facilities and the massive Westfield Chermside shopping centre, job opportunities in the area abound.
“We’ve been renting here for 6 months now and really love the area. We walk our son to daycare and a massive park is just 5 minutes walk away.”
Maz333
“Kedron is a great suburb. The public transport is more than adequate. There is at least one bus close by every 10 minutes. It has a range of restaurants and fast-food chains. Close to the city by bus and car. Close to Chermside shopping centre – with a good range of amenities in the immediate area. Quiet friendly neighbourhoods. Ideal for families with school-age children. The only downside is people passing through leaving the pub can be loud on a weekend if you live close to Gympie road.”
Scarlet Ellis
“Have lived in Kedron 15 yrs ago moved back and have family who owns in the area. Lots of parks in walking distance and greenery yet fabulously accessible to public transport, major shopping centres inc Westfield Chermside, Stafford and Lutwyche; fantastic school which has become popular with out-of-catchment parents due to its reputation. Plenty of eating choices including Chinese, Indian, noodles, fish and chips and a fabulous Thai restaurant once again all walking distance (as I don’t drive ) from Leckie Road, convenience stores and bottle shop in walking distance.”
Did you know that the intersection of Kedron Park and Lutwyche Roads in Kedron is one of the most dangerous intersections in Queensland? With the official roll out of roadside cameras across the state, instances of road crashes due to distracted driving in this accident hotspot and similar areas, along with injuries due to failure to wear seatbelts, are expected to go down.
Although their exact locations will not be publicly revealed, the roadside cameras have been permanently deployed across Queensland starting 1 November 2021. The cameras, which use AI technology, can tell if a driver is using a mobile phone or not wearing his seatbelt, and takes photographs accordingly.
Once a possible offence is detected, the images taken are passed on to Transport and Main Roads to determine for review, to confirm if an offence has indeed been committed. The AI algorithm automatically excludes other images from any further analysis and the images are deleted.
Road Rules and Reminders
Photo credit: 3844328/Pixabay
It is illegal to hold a mobile phone in your hand or have it resting on any part of your body, including your lap, when driving.
Everyone in a vehicle fitted with seatbelts must be properly restrained. Drivers are also responsible for ensuring that every passenger, regardless of their age, wears a seatbelt or appropriate and approved child restraint.
Fines
Penalties will apply to those caught by the new cameras and will include:
$1,033 and 4 demerit points for illegal mobile phone use
$413 and 3 demerit points for failing to wear a seatbelt. Drivers can also be fined a further $413 and 3 demerit points for each passenger not properly restrained.
Double demerit points apply for repeat mobile phone and seatbelt offences committed within a 12-month period.
Exemptions
Photo credit: Transport and Main Roads Queensland/Facebook
Seatbelt exemption, either because of a medical condition or disability, is permitted given that you have submitted a notification for seatbelt exemption. For a list of accepted documents, kindly visit the Queensland Government’s website.
Heads up, Kedron residents! Kerbside collection has resumed after a year off. If you want to get rid of your spring cleaning clutter, here are some things to remember about what may or may not be left on the kerb.
Kedron is up for kerbside collection on 8 November 2021. When preparing items for collection, do bear in mind that Brisbane City Council has a list of acceptable items for kerbside collection. Council will not collect unacceptable items placed on the kerb.
Illegal dumping fines may apply if unacceptable material is not removed within seven days of the notified collection period. Take a look at the table below for the list of acceptable and unacceptable items for kerbside collection.
Photo credit: Brisbane City Council
What To Do with Unacceptable Items
Hazardous wastes, car parts and tyres, as well as bricks and concrete are just among the items normally not accepted by BCC for collection. But what if you have these kinds of waste? Here are some places in Brisbane where you can bring them:
Bricks and concrete
Photo credit: aitoff/Pixabay
BCC encourages locals to contact a private landfill, concrete-crushing facility, or other disposal outlets that accept these products. For those living in Kedron, here is a list of businesses offering concrete-grinding services nearby.
Hazardous waste
Photo credit: Polina Tankilevitch/Pexels
Brisbane’s resource recovery centres accept items such as batteries (household and lead acid batteries); empty gas bottles (a maximum of six bottles of up to nine kilograms); electronic waste; and fluorescent light bulbs and tubes.
Chemical waste, on the other hand, should be handled with great care. Recycling Near You, Australia’s largest recycling and reuse information hub, has a directory of recyclers where you can bring chemical waste in Brisbane. Likewise, asbestos should be taken care of by a licensed asbestos removal contractor because council waste collection transfer stations no longer accept them.
Other than turning them over to recycling centres, you can also upcycle and reuse some unacceptable items. Broken glass, for instance, can be used for creating garden art or decorative planters. You can hot-glue the broken pieces of glass onto your planters.
In fact, Council runs regular reuse and upcycle workshops and demonstrations to help you learn new skills and get you started. You can visit BCC’s website to stay updated on upcoming events about reusing, sharing, and upcycling.
Plans for a new two-storey medical centre, to stand on the corner of Webster Road and Stafford Road, have been filed by the Elouera Group. If approved, the facility will become the 22nd medical site servicing the Kedron and Stafford community.
Development Application A005697853 details a 1,831-square metre medical centre that would operate 24 hours a day with 15 doctors and at least 35 healthcare workers.
Ethos Urban, which lodged the application for the developer in March 2021, said that this facility will provide for the growing demands of an ageing population in the area. The consulting agency also said that its prominent location at an intersection raises the facility’s potential to become a successful medical centre.
Brisbane City Council sought the assessment of the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA), since the proposal will impact a state road intersection. On 1 Oct 2021, SARA permitted the road access location, subject to some conditions.
“Road access works comprising Type C2 driveway in accordance Brisbane City Council’s Transport, Access, Parking and Servicing Policy must be provided at the permitted access location,” SARA said.
Photo Credit: Developmenti/BCC
“The existing road access works situated between Stafford Road and the subject site must be removed and all kerb and channel/table drain/concrete footpath reinstated between the pavement edge and the property boundary in accordance with the Road Planning and Design Manual.”
SARA’s approval, however, doesn’t signal the start of construction as Council has yet to conclude its own assessment.
It comes as Council has approved another 24-hour medical facility some two kilometres away at the former AMF bowling centre on Gympie Road Kedron in November 2020. It will stand next to the Kedron Wavell Medical Centre, which has over 120 doctors.
Bradbury Park currently provides a hub of active opportunities and is well used by the community for netball, lawn bowls, cricket practice, Girl Guides activities and dog exercise, as well as the recently added nature play space, scooter track and park gym facilities.
Council plans to upgrade a central section of the park to deliver a vibrant, multi-use space that will cater to a broad spectrum of the community, including a play space for older children.
Bradbury Park Improvement Layout Plan (Photo credit: Brisbane City Council)
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner announced that the new park features towers, obstacles and bridges of varying heights and sizes and will be open to the public in mid-2022. Construction of the new park is expected to start later this year.
“If you grew up in Brisbane, you’d remember stark playgrounds with just a squeaky set of swings – but they’re becoming playgrounds of the past as we deliver playgrounds akin to miniature theme parks like this one planned for Bradbury Park, Kedron,” Cr Schrinner said.
“It’s all part of my agenda to deliver record investment in Brisbane’s parks and green-space,” he said, adding that parents can have peace of mind as well, as these new playgrounds are safer, sturdier and designed with features like puzzles and nature play to help kids develop skills away from the iPad or computer screen.
Photo credit: Chris Colborne/Google Maps
It will have a large space nestled amongst existing trees to provide challenging play for older children, a new toilet block, connecting pathways, a new car park with 53 parking spaces, and a new basketball half-court, as well as picnic facilities with electric barbecues.
Photo credit: Jenny Morrison/Google Maps
In addition to the one in Kedron, Brisbane City Council is planning to deliver more nature-themed parks throughout the city, such as the Hanlon Park, Stones Corner that will also feature fun slides and climbing equipment, sand play and swings, sandpits with diggers, a water pump station, and a multi-level tower; and the Warril Parkland in Larapinta, which will be a bush camp-themed playground with flying foxes, lake, lakeside boardwalk and pontoon.
First opened in 2014, Nana & Da’s is a snug, charming cafe with a patio for homestyle fare, and baked goods, as well as smoothies, and espresso drinks. Locals would come here for their hash benedict and breakfast gnocchi –gnocchi with pesto cream, zucchini, bacon, parmesan, and poached egg.
If you’re wondering where the name came from, it was after the grandparents who used to run the bakery. In the 1930’s, owner Jackie Wise’s grandparents ran a bakeshop called Nana & Da’s Bakery which became a community space and local store later on. It went back to its roots seven years ago when Ms Wise decided to open her own bakery.
Now, the 100-year-old timber cottage remains open throughout the pandemic, still delighting locals with their heavenly choc-chip cookies, muffins, homemade jams, and the classic banana bread and lemon yoghurt cakes. For drinks, flat whites and cappuccinos smoothies, fresh juices, and milkshakes are on offer. They can also provide alternative milks for those who have special dietary requests.
Nana & Da’s interior looks a lot more like a home than a typical cafe. The bright and floral wallpaper adds a vintage charm to the place, with its cross-back timber chairs and dark wood cabinet.
Photo credit: Nana & Da’s/Facebook
“The coffee is always consistently awesome, the staff are super friendly and the food amazing! A cosy and inviting place! Welcome to your new home from home,” shared one local.
Whilst dine-in is still allowed, seats will be limited to adhere to health and safety protocols. Those who still wish to enjoy Nana & Da’s goodies can preorder a takeaway from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. seven days a week.
Lutwyche is about to get a makeover after the Lamington Markets, one of Brisbane’s largest indoor market halls, was just given the go-ahead for development.
The project, which will be overseen by developer Meridian Property Holdings, will occupy a total of 10,000 sqm of land at 612 Lutwyche Rd and 53-57 Lamington Ave and will cost approximately $150 million to build. It will offer a market hall, specialty supermarket, urban farm, craft brewery, cinemas, commercial spaces, and residential living. Brisbane City Council has given the green light to the development, pursuant to the Planning Act of 2016.
What to Expect
According to plans (A005365420) submitted by the developers, Lamington Markets will be two towers with more than 134 residential apartments with two, three, and four bedrooms. Designed by Conrad Gargett, Lamington Markets will boast a rooftop farm and terraced lawns inspired by New York’s Highline to a craft brewery and boutique cinema.
Based on planning documents, part of the site was initially acquired by the State Government to deliver the Northern busway, and following, was sold back to the previous land owner. The project team has worked with the Brisbane City Council and the State Government over a four-year period to respond to site constraints and refine the urban design response to the site.
Render of the Lamington Markets (Photo credit: Conrad Gargett) Photo credit: Conrad Gargett
Local Criticism
Despite local support, this major development has also been met with some criticism from residents in the area, citing concerns about increased traffic and noise that the approved development may bring in the area.
“As a tenant of the Spectrum apartments I do, in principle, agree with the development. However I am concerned by the increased traffic it will cause, disability access, and the potential noise. Currently it is challenging to exit the apartments due to the traffic on Lutwyche Rd. Adding 400+ cars a day coming and going will add to the difficulties,” the resident said.
Construction is scheduled to start in late 2021 and depending on weather and construction conditions, it should be complete by 2024.
