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Inside Kedron’s Expanded QAS Clinical Hub: The Team Answering Queensland’s Triple Zero (000) Calls

Every day, roughly 3,800 Queenslanders pick up the phone and dial Triple Zero (000). Now, thanks to the expanded Queensland Ambulance Service Clinical Hub at Kedron, nearly half of those callers are being navigated toward the most appropriate care for their needs — which isn’t always an ambulance.

Read: Kedron Emergency Hub Expansion Aims to Ease Strain on QLD’s Ambulances

The $8.31 million expansion of the QAS Clinical Hub, housed within the Emergency Services Complex at Kedron, was completed in February 2026. It represents one of the most significant upgrades to Queensland’s emergency response infrastructure in recent years, and much of it is happening on Brisbane’s northside.

From Pandemic Stopgap to State-Wide Lifeline

The Clinical Hub wasn’t always what it is today. It started in 2020 as a relatively modest operation, a small team working 16-hour days during the COVID-19 pandemic, designed to help hospitals and paramedics manage a surge in demand.

What began as a temporary measure grew into something far more enduring. The hub now operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and employs more than 140 staff. Its multidisciplinary team includes senior paramedics, specialist doctors, registered nurses, mental health clinicians, social workers, occupational therapists and physiotherapists, a breadth of expertise that allows the hub to respond to a wide range of needs well beyond a traditional emergency call centre.

The expansion has more than doubled the hub’s physical capacity, growing from 26 workstations to 66, giving clinicians the tools and space to handle the volume of calls the service now receives.

What Happens When You Call

Queensland’s Triple Zero network receives a call approximately every 24 seconds. In the last three months of 2025 alone, that added up to more than 335,000 calls statewide. Of the roughly 3,800 daily calls, around 1,800 are directed to the Clinical Hub for what the QAS describes as secondary triage and health navigation.

Clinicians take a thorough, case-by-case approach to each call. They may conduct a video or telehealth consultation to get a clearer picture of what a patient is experiencing before determining the most appropriate response. That response might be an ambulance, but it might also be clinical advice, a mental health referral, connection to aged care services, or follow-up through community health programs.

Between July and December 2025, more than 33,000 Queenslanders received care through the hub without an ambulance being dispatched. That’s thousands of hospital trips avoided and ambulances kept free for time-critical emergencies — the kind that cannot wait.

Easing the Pressure on a Stretched System

The expansion couldn’t come at a more critical time. Queensland’s emergency departments have seen demand climb 4.5 per cent over the past five years. Ambulance ramping, which is the delays that occur when paramedics cannot promptly transfer patients at hospital, remains a persistent challenge, with 41 per cent of patients ramped beyond the recommended time across 26 of the state’s public hospitals.

The Clinical Hub contributes to easing these pressures by identifying calls that don’t require an ambulance response before a vehicle is ever dispatched. Hub Director Sam Herring has described the shift in thinking as moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach to emergency care, one where every Triple Zero call no longer automatically means two paramedics at the front door.

Director of integrated multidisciplinary care programs Sandra Garner has spoken about the hub’s focus on thoroughly understanding a patient’s needs to navigate them toward care that is better tailored to their circumstances than a trip to an emergency department would be.

What It Means for Kedron and Beyond

For locals, the Emergency Services Complex at Kedron has long been a familiar landmark. What many may not realise is that it now houses a critical health coordination centre serving Queenslanders state-wide, a facility that supports around 1,800 people every single day.

Read: Kedron Ambulance Worker Named Finalist for Everyday Heroes Award

Work is already underway to repurpose the former hub space into additional office and training facilities, further supporting the QAS workforce that keeps the service running.

As Queensland’s health system faces rising demand and increasing pressure on frontline services, the expanded QAS Clinical Hub at Kedron offers a practical model for ensuring Queenslanders reach the right care.

Published 18-February-2026

Recall Alert: Milo Snack Bars Stocked at Coles, Woolworths and ALDI Amid Contamination Warning

A popular school lunchbox staple has been pulled from shelves across Coles, Woolworths and ALDI, after pieces of black rubber were discovered in some Milo snack bars, prompting a nationwide recall and health warning for consumers.

Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) issued the recall notice for selected batches of Nestlé’s Milo Dipped Snack Bars and Milo Original Snack Bars, citing the presence of foreign matter that may pose a risk of illness or injury if consumed.

The affected products were sold at major retailers including ALDI, Coles, Woolworths and independent stores such as IGA across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia, as well as through online outlets.

Authorities warned consumers not to eat the products and advised returning them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

“Food products containing black rubber may cause illness or injury if consumed,” FSANZ said in its notice, urging anyone concerned about their health after eating the bars to seek medical advice.

Manufacturing fault behind contamination

Nestlé Australia said the issue was linked to an equipment failure at a contract manufacturing facility, which caused small pieces of black rubber to become dislodged during production.

The company has not reported any confirmed injuries linked to the contamination but said the recall was issued as a precautionary measure to protect consumer safety.

Food recalls are typically initiated when foreign materials — including plastic, rubber or metal fragments — are detected in food products, as they can present choking hazards or cause internal injury.

Products affected

The recall applies to the following items with best-before dates of end August 2026:

MILO Dipped Snack Bars — 270g, 960g and 160g boxes (batches 5316TD15, 5317TD15, 5318TD15, 5321TD15, 5322TD15)
MILO Snack Bars Original — 210g box (batches 5323TD15, 5324TD15)

Consumers who have purchased the affected products are urged to check packaging for the specified batch numbers.

*Photo Credit: Food Standards Australia*

Consumer advice

Authorities say customers should avoid consuming the recalled snack bars and return them to retailers for a refund. Anyone experiencing symptoms or concerned about potential exposure should consult a health professional.

Further information is available through Nestlé Australia’s customer service lines or the Food Standards Australia and New Zealand food recall website.

The recall highlights ongoing food safety monitoring processes designed to identify and remove potentially hazardous products from the market.

Published 20-Feb-2026

‘The Rockwell’ in Lutwyche Secures Strong Pre-Sales Ahead of Market Launch

The Rockwell, a nine-storey apartment development in Lutwyche has secured $25 million in off-market sales before its official market launch.

Read: Lutwyche Road Fast Food Development Receives Design Changes Amid Community Feedback

Located at 21-23 Norman Avenue, the project sits approximately 6 kilometres from Brisbane’s CBD and has reached 30 per cent sold with construction already underway. The project is scheduled for its public launch in March 2026.

The $80-million development is being delivered by family-owned builder-developer Jadecorp, which has been operating since 1997. According to co-founder Maria Dracakis, the off-market sales demonstrate there is genuine demand for design-focused apartments in the area.

Photo credit: therockwellbrisbane.com.au

Property records show the 1,620 square metre site, spanning two lots, was acquired in November 2022 for a combined $3.35 million. Amended development plans were submitted to Brisbane City Council in July 2025 and received approval at the end of last year.

The building will comprise 52 two and three-bedroom residences across nine levels. HAL Architects designed the project with a 1960s hotel-inspired lobby that pays homage to mid-century design aesthetics.

The developer has reported strong interest in the penthouse residences. These apartments carry a price tag of $2.495 million, which would establish a new price record for Lutwyche if sold at that price.

The development’s centrepiece is the Residents Club rooftop, which has been designed as a private-club style amenity space. The rooftop terrace includes a sunrise pool and deck, a yoga and movement studio, an entertainment lounge, private dining areas, and a garden terrace.

The rooftop terrace features chequerboard paving paired with cobblestone elements and a raised pool sun deck surrounded by lush planting. Two private dining pavilions with integrated barbecues have been incorporated into the design. Residents can choose between pool lounges or secluded lounge nooks for relaxation.

A dedicated revitalisation zone has been created to facilitate yoga and meditation each morning, before residents settle into what the project describes as a calm retreat. The space has been crafted for both entertaining and unwinding in the Queensland sun.

The rooftop amenities have been positioned to take advantage of views across Brisbane’s skyline, while the overall design celebrates the subtropical lifestyle characteristic of south-east Queensland.

The development adds to Lutwyche’s residential offering in Brisbane’s inner north. According to project marketing materials, life at The Rockwell moves at what is described as an effortless rhythm.

The suburb offers a mix of leafy streets, local cafés, shopping precincts and parklands. Residents have the convenience of direct city access while enjoying what the project describes as the quiet charm of Lutwyche, combining the best of Queensland living with proximity to the CBD.

Jadecorp has completed 25 projects throughout its history, totalling $350 million in gross realised value. The family-owned company is confident in the market depth for the residential product, as evidenced by its decision to commence construction with the project 30 per cent sold.

Read: Lutwyche Queenslander Seeks New Family After 98 Years With the Palmers

The off-market sales period allowed the developer to secure commitments before the broader public launch. According to the project website, The Rockwell features resort-style amenities, iconic design, and sweeping views to the Brisbane city skyline, celebrating Queensland’s subtropical way of life.

The developer’s confidence in proceeding to market while construction is already underway reflects the strong early response to the design-focused offering. The remaining 70 per cent of apartments will go on sale when the project launches officially next month, with settlement expected following completion of construction.

Published 13-February-2026

Attempted Murder Charge In Stafford Following Alleged Stabbing

Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook

A man has been charged with attempted murder following an alleged stabbing during a physical altercation at an address in Stafford, with police investigations continuing.

Incident In Stafford

Police allege a physical altercation occurred at a Brennan Street address in Stafford on 29 January, involving a 20-year-old Stafford man and a 30-year-old Boonah man who were known to each other.

During the incident, police allege the Stafford man stabbed the Boonah man several times in the back and neck before leaving the scene in a Holden allegedly taken from the address.

Police and emergency services received reports at about 9:54 p.m. and attended the scene. The injured man was taken to hospital in a serious condition. A knife was seized at the address, and police said no other injuries were reported.

Stafford attempted murder — Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook

Arrest And Alleged Movements

Following further investigations, police arrested the Stafford man in Wavell Heights shortly after 11:30 p.m. the same night.

Police further allege the man had earlier stolen fuel from a service station on Stafford Road, driven into the window of a building on Gympie Road, and crashed into a parked vehicle on Edinburgh Castle Road before being located. The man was taken to hospital for treatment under police guard.

Charges And Court Listing

Police said the Stafford man was charged with attempted murder as a domestic violence offence, along with unlawful use of a motor vehicle, stealing, dangerous operation of a vehicle, driving while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance, and driving without a driver’s licence.

The matter was listed before the Brisbane Magistrates Court on 31 January. Investigations remain ongoing.

Legal Context

Under Queensland law, attempted murder is an indictable offence that requires proof of an alleged intent to kill, rather than an intent to cause injury. The classification of the charge as a domestic violence offence relates to the alleged relationship between the parties and can affect court processes, including bail considerations.

All allegations remain before the court, and the accused is entitled to the presumption of innocence.

Published 2-Feb-2026

Lutwyche Road Fast Food Development Receives Design Changes Amid Community Feedback

Residents living near the busy Lutwyche Road corridor will soon see two new fast food restaurants take shape on a corner block, following the lodgement of modified building plans that address both engineering challenges and tenant requirements.

Read: Kedron Clinical Hub And School Performing Arts Centre Detailed In 2025–26 Budget

The development is planned for the corner site incorporating 555, 561, 563 and 567 Lutwyche Road and 137 Chalk Street in Lutwyche. Modified plans have recently been submitted for application A006935784, making adjustments to previously approved designs.

What’s Changed

Architectural plans for 555 Lutwyche Rd (Photo credit: Brisbane PD Online – A006935784)

According to planning documents, the modifications don’t introduce new uses or increase the number of tenancies on the site. Instead, the revisions refine the approved layout of two fast food restaurant tenancies to accommodate tenant-specific needs and address detailed engineering constraints posed by the Northern Busway tunnel that runs beneath the property.

Verve Building Design Co., the firm behind the project, has designed two standalone food and drink outlet buildings for the site. One restaurant will feature indoor dining and a drive-through facility, while the second restaurant—characterised by a distinctive blue exterior—will offer both indoor and outdoor dining with a dual-order drive-through setup.

Photo credit: Brisbane PD Online – A006935784

Both buildings will be set back from Lutwyche Road and the Chalk Street intersection. Vehicle access will be provided from Chalk Street, while pedestrian connections will link Bradshaw Street, Chalk Street and Lutwyche Road.

The Development Details

The first tenancy will span approximately 200 square metres, with an additional 28 square metres allocated for alfresco dining. The restaurant has proposed operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will be supported by 14 on-site car parking spaces. The single-storey building will reach a maximum height of around 5.3 metres, with an illuminated pylon sign extending to 6.5 metres. The design includes on-site loading and servicing areas, building-mounted signage and landscaping around the tenancy.

The second tenancy, distinguished by its blue exterior theme, will be slightly larger at 249 square metres and will include a mezzanine level designated for staff use only. This restaurant will feature indoor dining, a single drive-through lane with an order bay, and nine allocated car parking spaces. The building will stand approximately 5.4 metres tall, with its illuminated pylon sign reaching 8.1 metres. Like its neighbour, it will include on-site servicing facilities and landscaped surrounds.

Community Response

The development has generated considerable interest from local residents, with multiple submissions highlighting both concerns and questions about the project’s impact on the neighbourhood.

Traffic management has emerged as a key concern for residents in the immediate vicinity. Some have pointed out that the intersection of Lutwyche Road and Chalk Street already experiences congestion, particularly during peak periods when motorists attempt to turn into the shopping centre while navigating the busy corridor. The addition of two high-traffic drive-through facilities in this location has prompted questions about how traffic flow will be managed and whether existing infrastructure can accommodate the increased volume.

Residents living closest to the development site have also raised concerns about potential impacts on their daily lives, including noise from late-night operations, increased traffic on Chalk Street, and possible odours from commercial kitchen operations. Some nearby homeowners have expressed worry about how the development might affect local property values.

The effect on Lutwyche’s existing food and hospitality businesses has also been raised in community feedback. Some residents have highlighted the area’s strong community atmosphere and the presence of established local dining options, questioning how the introduction of two fast food chains might impact these existing businesses.

The Developer’s Approach

The coordinated design approach seeks to integrate multiple previously separate lots into a cohesive development that includes parking, landscaping and pedestrian connectivity.

The modifications to accommodate the busway tunnel demonstrate the technical challenges involved in developing urban sites with significant underground infrastructure. The refined layout works within these engineering constraints while accommodating the transport infrastructure beneath the site.

The development includes on-site parking for both tenancies—totalling 23 spaces—and pedestrian connections linking the development to Bradshaw Street, Chalk Street and Lutwyche Road. The site layout includes setbacks from major road frontages and landscaping surrounding both tenancies. Both buildings will incorporate on-site loading and servicing areas.

What Happens Next

With the modified plans now lodged under application A006935784, the proposal will progress through the assessment process. This includes consideration of public submissions and compliance with planning regulations for the Lutwyche Road corridor area.

Residents wanting to learn more about the development or review the submitted plans can access application A006935784 through the Development.i website, where detailed architectural drawings, traffic assessments and other supporting documentation are available for public viewing.

Read: Kedron on Alert as Invasive Oysters Remain a Biosecurity Concern

The timeline for the development’s approval and potential construction start date will depend on the assessment process and any further modifications that may be required to address technical or community concerns.

Published 31-January-2026

Stafford Taxi Depot Transforms into Leafy Community Sanctuary

Photo Credit: Happy Jane Cafe/ Facebook

Residents of the “Happy Valley” precinct in Stafford have a new reason to celebrate with the transformation of a historic depot into a bustling social venue.

The building, now known as Happy Jane Cafe, sits in a revitalised pocket of the suburb that locals affectionately call “Happy Valley.” While the structure keeps its original high ceilings and open layout, the space has changed dramatically. The renovation added warm timber and large indoor plants to soften the old warehouse look. It is a mix of the area’s working-class history and its modern lifestyle. The result is a venue that feels more like a peaceful retreat than a transport hub.

The venue focuses heavily on bringing people together. It is not just a place to grab a coffee; it serves as a gathering spot for the whole neighbourhood. The space is pet-friendly and includes corners designed for reading a book or catching up with friends. On the second Sunday of every month, the site hosts the “Happy Lane Markets.”

These events bring in vintage fashion sellers, homeware creators, and local makers, turning the cafe into a busy village square. The large interior also works as an event space for workshops and small celebrations.

The kitchen serves food that matches the relaxed feeling of the space. The menu mixes Australian brunch favourites with flavours from the Mediterranean and the Middle East. One popular dish is the green shakshuka, which comes in a milk bun filled with spinach sauce, broccoli, and kale. For those with a sweet tooth, the banana french toast includes coconut sorbet and pineapple chilli jam.

Lunch options include purple tacos served on soft corn tortillas and filled with chicken, pork, or mushrooms. The cafe also runs a dedicated matcha bar for specialty drinks, such as a pink dragon fruit and white chocolate matcha. Coffee drinkers can order expert brews or try the signature ginger cold brew for something different.

Happy Jane Cafe continues to grow as a central part of the Stafford community. By keeping the history of the building alive while offering a welcoming space for today’s residents, it has become a key part of the area’s new identity.

Published Date 26-January-2026

Kedron Clinical Hub And School Performing Arts Centre Detailed In 2025–26 Budget

Photo Credit: Kane

Kedron was identified for two infrastructure projects under the 2025–26 Budget, with funding allocated for a clinical hub at Kedron Park and a performing arts centre at Kedron State High School.

Project Overview In Kedron

The 2025–26 Budget outlined infrastructure funding across Brisbane, including health facilities and education upgrades. Within Kedron, two projects were listed for delivery, focusing on clinical service capacity and school infrastructure.

Budget listings provided the most recent confirmed funding figures for both projects.

Clinical Hub At Kedron Park

The 2025–26 Budget listed $7.6 million to construct a clinical hub within the Kedron Park Emergency Services Complex.

Separate project information stated that works were scheduled to commence in March 2025 and would expand the existing Clinical Hub to accommodate additional staff. The facility has operated since 2019, following its establishment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Clinical Hub provided statewide secondary triage, early clinical advice, alternative care pathway referrals and health navigation. It supported patients through telehealth services, monitored non-urgent cases and escalated responses where required, including support for specialist mental health and falls response pathways.

Kedron infrastructure projects — *Photo Credit: QAS*

Performing Arts Centre At Kedron State High School

For Kedron State High School, the 2025–26 Budget allocated $24.9 million for delivery of a new performing arts centre.

Project information indicated the facility was planned to include a purpose-built auditorium with acoustic design, a professional-grade stage, music learning areas, ensemble rooms, and staff rooms and amenities. The building was designed to complement the school’s existing campus.

Construction was planned to occur within a live school environment, with coordination measures intended to minimise disruption to students, staff and nearby areas during works.

Outlook

The clinical hub and performing arts centre represented two confirmed infrastructure investments for Kedron under the 2025–26 Budget. Funding allocations outlined the scope of works for both projects, with delivery progressing through established planning and construction processes.

Published 20-Jan-2026

Stafford Heights Couple Face Home Sale Over Restaurant Supply Dispute

Photo Credit: Google Maps

An elderly Stafford Heights couple is fighting to save their family home of 36 years as they contest a legal dispute over an alleged unpaid restaurant supply bill.

Carlo and Anna Maria Sica, who operate Carlo Naples Pizza on Lincoln Street in Strathpine, are defending a lawsuit filed in the Brisbane Supreme Court by Global Food and Wine Pty Ltd, a Nerang-based supplier.

Photo Credit: Carlos Naples Pizza Strathpine

The supplier claims the couple owes $48,013 for food deliveries made between 17 October 2023 and 14 January 2025, according to court documents filed on 3 November 2025.

Global Food and Wine alleges that Mr Sica, now 79, signed a personal guarantee on 1 June 2020 as part of a credit account arrangement with the supplier. The company has sought a court order for payment or the forced sale of the couple’s six-bedroom, three-bathroom Trouts Road home.

In August 2025, the supplier’s lawyers lodged a caveat against Mr Sica’s interest in the Stafford Heights property, which is jointly owned by the couple.

In their defence, filed on 12 December 2025, the Sicas have disputed key aspects of the claim. Mr Sica states he has “no recollection of ever executing the personal guarantee and indemnity agreement.”

The defence argues that if Mr Sica did sign the document, he was not adequately informed of its legal implications. Court documents state that at the time of the alleged signing, Mr Sica was 75 years old and “suffering from significant medical conditions and emotional stress.”

The defence further notes that English is Mr Sica’s second language and that whilst he has conversational proficiency, he “did not have sufficient proficiency to comprehend the legal meaning and consequences of the agreement.” The documents state he was not allowed to seek independent legal advice.

The couple has neither admitted nor denied the exact amount owed, stating that “complete records have not been recovered.” Mrs Sica has neither admitted nor denied being a joint holder in the partnership that operated the restaurant.

In their reply filed on 23 December 2025, Global Food and Wine stated they “remain uncertain of the truth or falsity” of Mr Sica’s denial despite making enquiries.

The supplier claims written demands for payment were made in July 2024 but remain unpaid.

No future court date has been set to hear the case.

The Sicas’ son, Max Sica, is serving a life sentence for the 2003 murders of three members of the Singh family—Neelma, 24, Kunal, 18, and Sidhi, 12—in what was described as one of Queensland’s most horrific crimes.

Published 13-January-2026

Changing Clubs, Not Leaving the Course: Rethinking Home at The Evelyn in Mt Ommaney

In golf, the course stays the same, but the way you play it changes. Distance, terrain and timing all call for different choices as the round unfolds. That idea sits neatly behind The Evelyn, a new retirement community taking shape beside the McLeod Country Golf Club in Mt Ommaney, at a time when many Australians are quietly rethinking what home should look like later in life.

Across the country, that rethink is already underway. National research shows that 26 per cent of people over 55 have already moved into housing better suited to how they live today, while another 29 per cent are actively considering it. Data also shows that one in five Australians over 65 requires help with property maintenance.

When the Family Home Stops Fitting

Against this backdrop, downsizing has steadily become something closer to recalibration. Ease of living, reduced upkeep and flexibility now rank ahead of financial pressure as reasons older Australians consider a move.

Like changing clubs mid-round, it is less about starting again and more about adjusting approach. People are not necessarily seeking smaller lives, but homes that allow them to stay active and connected, without the physical and mental load that can come with maintaining a large family property.

Evelyn and a Different Way of Living

Set within a golf course environment, The Evelyn reflects that shift in practical ways.

Residents live independently in private apartments and townhouses, while maintenance across homes and shared spaces is handled within the village. An on-site Village Manager and a 24-hour response system provide support when needed, without intruding on daily routines.

Shared facilities are designed to be used naturally rather than formally programmed. Residents can join activities, socialise casually or simply keep their own rhythm. Like a clubhouse, the spaces are there to support connection without obligation.

The development comprises 126 residences, including apartments and townhouses, delivered in stages.

Designed by Marchese Partners | Life 3A, the community includes landscaped outdoor areas, a pool, gym, library, wine room and billiards room, all set within the grounds of the golf course.

Shared facilities and communal areas are designed to be used naturally rather than programmed heavily. They offer a place to gather, linger or pass through, depending on the day. Connection is available, not compulsory.

The Role of Golf Beyond the Game

Golf’s presence here is not incidental. Golf courses, by their nature, act as large, stable green buffers within suburban environments. They offer visual openness, reduced noise and opportunities for restoration that are increasingly recognised as important for mental health.

While not everyone plays, research increasingly points to golf environments as supportive of healthy ageing in broader ways. Studies examining golf participation among older adults have found that the activity often delivers moderate-intensity physical movement, particularly walking, alongside cardiovascular and musculoskeletal benefits. Even when played at a lower intensity, golf has been shown to produce short-term improvements in cardiovascular profiles among older participants.

Golf at The Evelyn — Photo Credit: Aura Holdings

What matters just as much is the social and environmental context. Golf courses function as ready-made walking networks and social landscapes. People walk the fairways, meet others at the clubhouse, or simply move through open green space as part of daily routines. The Evelyn’s location within the McLeod Country Golf Club places residents adjacent to that ecosystem, whether they play the game or not.

The benefits of this setting extend beyond activity alone. A growing body of research, including Australian longitudinal studies, has linked exposure to green space with better mental health outcomes. More recent research focusing on mid-to-older adults has strengthened the evidence, showing associations between access to public green space and improved mental wellbeing over time.

The Evelyn’s proximity to the McLeod Country Golf Club taps into that reality, embedding the community within an active, established setting rather than isolating it from the surrounding suburb.

That everyday rhythm matters as people get older. Familiar places, regular movement and casual interaction are often what sustain wellbeing over time.

Infographic from Meaningful Aging Australia

McLeod Country Golf Club President Diane Lally said the partnership was about more than development. “The Evelyn represents more than a new retirement community — it represents the long-term sustainability of the McLeod Country Golf Club. This partnership allows us to strengthen our future, maintain a premier course, and continue to serve our members and the wider community.”

Housing That Supports How People Live

Research into retirement living models suggests that where and how people live can influence how active and socially engaged they remain. Communities designed around accessibility and shared space tend to support regular movement and interaction, while reducing some of the practical pressures of home ownership.

By reducing barriers to physical activity and
providing access to fitness and recreational facilities,
retirement communities help residents remain
approximately 15 per cent more frequently active
than those living independently in the community.
Residents are also 20 per cent less likely to be
hospitalised after entry.
Better Housing for Better Health (Retirement Living Council)

Mt Ommaney itself offers a balance many retirees value. Established parklands, river views and shopping centres sit alongside strong transport links to the Brisbane CBD. For long-term locals, staying close to familiar places often matters as much as changing how they live.

The Evelyn allows for that continuity. It offers an option to remain within the same neighbourhood while adapting housing to better suit changing needs. It is a shift in position rather than a change of course.

Who Is Behind The Evelyn?

Tim Russell and Mark Taylor of Aura Holdings — Photo Credit: Aura Holdings

The Evelyn is owned and operated by Aura Holdings, a Brisbane-based retirement living company founded by Tim Russell and Mark Taylor. The company’s approach is informed by professional experience and personal perspective, with both founders having parents living in communities they operate.

“The Evelyn will set the benchmark for retirement living in Brisbane, delivering modern apartments, strong community connections, and a premier golf club setting, unlike anything else in the Centenary suburbs,” Aura Holdings Chief Executive Officer Sean Graham said.

“We are pleased to see … the community’s confidence in both the project and Aura’s commitment to the ongoing partnership with the McLeod Country Golf Club,” he added.

Playing the Long Game

Not everyone will choose this path, and many Australians will continue to age in place. What is changing is the range of options available and the way people think about them.

The Evelyn reflects a broader shift in mindset. Life does not narrow as priorities change. It simply calls for a different approach. And sometimes, staying in the game means recognising when it is time to change clubs, not courses.

The Evelyn has emerged within that moment, amidst a gradual shift rather than a rush. People are not abandoning the course, they are choosing a different club to use.

Published 2-January-2026.

Aura Holdings is a proud Promotional Partner of Brisbane Suburbs Online News

This article explores broader trends in housing and ageing and does not constitute health or lifestyle advice.

Two Arrested After Kedron Park Hotel Armed Robbery

Photo Credit: Google Maps

A female employee at Kedron Park Hotel was allegedly threatened with a knife during an armed robbery on Friday morning, with police charging two men following separate arrests later that day.

Queensland Police allege two men forced their way into the Lutwyche Road establishment shortly before 7.30am on 10 January, where they stole cash and the worker’s wallet before escaping on a blue road motorcycle.

Police conducted a search warrant at a Beams Road property in Boondall around 6.40pm, resulting in the arrest of a 36-year-old man. A second arrest occurred just after 10pm at a Summerstone Boulevard address in Morayfield, where a 43-year-old man was taken into custody.

The 36-year-old Boondall man faces multiple charges, including armed robbery, deprivation of liberty, and entering premises with intent to commit an indictable offence. The 43-year-old Sandstone Point man has been charged with identical offences.

Both men are scheduled to appear before Brisbane Magistrates Court on Saturday, 11 January.

Detectives from Hendra Criminal Investigations Branch are seeking assistance from the public and have requested any dashcam or CCTV footage from Lutwyche Road and Kedron Park Road captured between 6.50am and 8.20am on Friday.

Anyone with relevant footage or information is encouraged to contact Queensland Police.

Published 10-January-2026