Missing food icon Mary Kios’s homecooked sauces and Mediterranean food? More than 18 months since closing shop in Nundah, North Brisbane’s favorite deli shop owner is back in business with Mary K at a new location in Stafford.
Ms Kios, who ran Get Fresh Deli at the Toombul Shopping Centre for 12 years, decided to reopen because she missed her customers. Her hiatus proved just how much food service is her life.
Ms Kios said some of her loyal customers often come up to her, when she’s out shopping, to ask when she’s coming back. She realized that having her store made her the happiest because it allowed her to connect with her “family” — her customers.
Mary K Fresh Fine Foods offers a gratifying selection of high quality eats that the old deli used to trade. However, Ms Kios is also adding new epicurean delights, as well as more cheese and wine staples, as the store develops its menu. The Nundah food trader also has plans to introduce Indigenous foods to her revived business.
“Great to see the Stafford Road precinct continue to come alive! I dropped into Mary K. Fresh Fine Foods today to pick up some beautiful Italian food,” Councillor Fiona Hammond said on Facebook on her visit to the Stafford store. “Small and Family businesses like this are the backbone of our community and our economy. Drop in for some delicious treats when you’re going past next!”
Photo Credit: Mary K Fresh Fine Foods/FacebookPhoto Credit: Mary K Fresh Fine Foods/Facebook
Ms Kios got her training in the food industry from her Greek migrant parents after they opened a milk and snack bar in Kelvin Grove in 1954. Twenty years later, she went into the catering business and served VIPs in the government, the corporate world and the entertainment industry.
Mary K officially started the business last 5 Aug 2020 at 240 Stafford Rd. Check their Facebook page for the store’s trading hours.
The first phase of the Bradbury Park improvement project is now open! Kedron residents can now enjoy the magical forest and scooter track, which were completed in mid-July 2020.
The Magic Forest located on the southern side of the netball courts is a small nature play area nestled among the existing trees. This nature play area is designed to encourage kids’ imagination and curiosity. It is designed for children ages 3-10 years supervised by parents and carers.
The looped scooter track is at the north side of the existing dog off-leash area. It is around 200 metres long and is designed to cater to different abilities. An area is provided for those seeking more challenging scooter run. This part of the scooter track will have a bypass option for the less experienced riders.
We’re focused on actions that boost our local economy by creating new jobs for residents and that’s why we’re rolling…
The council is now seeking a contractor for the next phase of the improvement plan for Bradbury Park. The next phase will involve the design and construction of a playscape and other major improvements.
Proposed changes include:
A large play space for challenging play for children aged 10-15
New grass area with picnic facilities including shelters, seating, and electric barbecue equipment
Car park upgrade with 40-50 spaces
New basketball half-court
New connecting pathways
New driveway off Batten Street
New bus and passenger drop-off zone
New toilet block
Construction of the major upgrades is expected to start in 2021, pending budget allocation.
For more information about the project, contact the city council or the project team:
call the project team on 1800 884 681during business hours
The little explorers can go on outdoor adventures again as the Bush Kindy event is happening at the Downfall Creek Bushland Centre in McDowall.
A range of nature-based sensory play and activities are in store for kids ages 0-5 years. Parents and carers can keep the kids entertained as they get their hands dirty through guided bushwalks, nature play, art ‘n’ craft, storytime, and more at the surroundings of Raven Street Reserve.
The free event is a must-do for every Brisbane kid, and it is also an excellent time for the parents to relax in the beautiful bushland and wetland environment.
Attendees are requested to wear a wide-brimmed hat, secure and fully enclosed walking shoes, sun-smart clothes, sunscreen, and insect repellant. There are no food outlets on site, so kids should also bring their own drinking water and snack or packed lunch.
Booking is required via Eventbrite to join this activity.
Meeting Point is at the Downfall Creek Bushland Centre.
The Brisbane suburbs with the most proportion of residents that are reliant on the JobKeeper Payment scheme relative to all postcodes in Australia, including Kedron, have been revealed.
The JobKeeper Payment, introduced on 30 March 2020, is a government subsidy scheme aimed at supporting businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Under the scheme, eligible employers, sole traders, and other business entities can apply to receive a fortnightly wage subsidy of $1,500 per eligible employee.
The Treasury Department expects the Jobkeeper Payment, which is set to be terminated on 27 September 2020, to benefit around 3.5 million employees.
To map out the suburbs/postcodes where residents are particularly reliant on the Jobkeeper handouts, consultancy firm Taylor Fry analysed takeup data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the latest Australian population.
Among the top-tier Brisbane suburbs was Kedron, which according to the latest annual Taxation Statistics report from ATO registered an average taxable income (2016-2017 income year) of $67,082.
Based on the findings, two trends have emerged. The first trend points to postcodes with a high concentration of residents belonging in the workforce and are still employed. These locations have a higher likelihood of having a bigger portion of its residents relying on the JobKeeper payment.
The second trend reveals the impact that the eligible industries have on the payment subsidy scheme. Severely affected middle-income earners in sectors like retail, hospitality, and accommodation are more likely to rely on the JobKeeper.
Photo: Taylor Fry / https://taylorfry.com.au
As shown in the heat map, the relative reliance of suburbs/postcodes, with a score of 90 – 100 decile, are represented in darkest red. These are the 10 percent of Australian postcodes that are likely to have the highest proportion of residents receiving the JobKeeper payment.
Meanwhile, the neighbourhoods that scored 1 – 10 decile, shown in darkest green color, represent the 10 percent of Australian postcodes that are likely to have the lowest proportion of residents reliant on the $1,500-per-fortnight payment.
According to Taylor Fry’s JobKeeper heat map, the other neighbourhoods that scored a 90 – 100 decile apart from Kedron/Gordon Park include Paddington/Milton, Belmont/Gumdale, Coorparoo, Greenslopes, Murarrie, Morningside/Seven Hills, Rochedale/Burbank, Wakerley, and Wynnum West/Hemmant.
The nation’s unemployment rate rose to 7.1 percent in May, the highest level recorded since October 2001, according to the latest figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The figure is higher compared to 6.4 percent recorded in April. An additional 227,000 people lost their jobs across Australia on top of the 600,000 in April, bringing the total to 835,000 since March 2020.
Victoria recorded the largest drop in employment with 70,800 people losing their jobs, followed by New South Wales with 43,900 lost jobs. Western Australia and Queensland also recorded a decrease in employment, down by 30,200 and 28,100, respectively.
Last week I wrote to the fed govt asking they #KeepJobKeeper going beyond September.
This week the @GrattanInst backed our position that's shared by thousands of QLD workers.
The COVID crisis won't be resolved in weeks or months. We need a long-term jobs solution from Canberra. pic.twitter.com/bF0cnzkYwO
Treasurer Cameron Dick appealed to the federal government to extend the JobKeeper program stating that the pandemic will not be resolved in a matter of weeks or months and thus long-term jobs solutions need to be in place. In his letter to Josh Frydenberg, Treasurer of Australia, Mr Dick said that the Jobkeeper payments are “playing a critical role in maintaining connections between employers and workers.”
Mr Dick added that the JobKeeper Payment scheme is instrumental in mitigating the impacts of the recession and in helping the economy recover from the downturn. To realize this, however, this scheme needs to be implemented “beyond the original six-month timetable.”
“One of the major risks to ensuring Australia’s effective economic recovery and supporting jobs across the country, including in Queensland, is a premature withdrawal of key Australian Government support measures, including JobKeeper, from the economy,” Mr Dick said.
“I am extremely concerned about the potential economic and social impacts any premature cessation of JobKeeper may have on many thousands of Queensland businesses and hundreds of thousands of Queensland workers that have been accessing JobKeeper to hep survive this crisis,” he said.
Ferny Grove State High School stepped up in a major way to help two major hospitals and a Brisbane clinic, by using the school’s 3D printers to help produce face shields for medical frontliners in the battle against COVID-19.
Photo Credit: Ferny Grove State High School
3D-Printed Face Shields
The morning of April 2nd would have been just another day at work for Industrial Design and Agriculture Technology Head Corey Gieskens, had it not been for a call from Nick Aroney, a local medical practitioner, Nick Aroney. Mr Aroney asked if Ferny Grove State High School can help them by 3D printing face shields, in partnership with Metro North Hospital Service & The Common Good Au.
After an exchange of files and designs, Mr Gieskens and his team went to work, using four 3D printers from the school’s STEM labs and three 3D printers of their Design labs to print parts for the face shields.
The team of 30 people, manning the seven 3D printers in the school to produce half the requested quantity, and tapped members of the school community with access to 3D printers to produce the rest, under Mr Gieskens’ supervision.
Heeding another call from The Prince Charles Hospital, this time for 150 face shields, Mr Giesken also proudly shared that their team, working with other members of the school community, was able to produce the requisite quantity in less than four days.
The school has also successfully assembled full shields, for a coronavirus testing clinic in Brisbane. Using 3D-printed strips, rubber bands and clear acetate sheets used by the school for their overhead projectors, the team was able to assemble full face shields.
Tanya Pilbersek, Shadow Minister for Education, recognised the school’s efforts through social media.
Sustainable and Comfortable
Medical personnel at the Intensive Care Units of hospitals typically have to wear their face shields for at least eight hours on shift, so comfort and protection are important to them. Face shields protect the wearers against droplet infection, more so when used to supplement face masks.
The school printed the plastic strips that are used at the top of the face shields. 3D-printed strips from FGSHS feature a wider strip at the top, each taking almost 4 hours to print.
Shields with a wider band at the top are more comfortable to wear and can be re-used, two important details that frontliners consider very helpful and that Mr Gieskens and his team are particularly proud of.
“In our design department we talk a lot about sustainability and recycling. It meets that ethos really nicely,” he said.
A few days before they started making face shields, school personnel led by Miss Cleary and Miss Durkin, along with Mr Gieskens, had also assembled a team to sew face masks for a local medical surgery.
If you have a 3D printer at home, some PLA material, and want to help, you may email Mr Gieskens at cgies5@eq.edu.au and he will send you the print files.
Likewise, if you are a keen sewer and want to assist in making face masks, please email Mr Gieskens for a pattern and their how-to guide.
After a consultation with the community, including Kedron residents, the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has made changes to the Northern Transitway bus stops and on-street parking proposal on Gympie Road.
With the construction of the transitway set for late 2020, officials say that the bus networks will continually undergo refinement in consideration of the feedback from the community.
“We held a series of community information sessions last year and received 185 pieces of individual feedback on the proposed Northern Transitway plan,” TMR Minister Mark Bailey said.
“The main issues raised by the community were the removal of the bus stops and on-street parking.”
In its bid to manage the congestion on this busy arterial road — which links Gympie Road, Sadlier Street, Hamilton Road, Kedron and Chermside — TMR has implemented the following changes to the proposed design:
1. Bus Lane Operating Hours
Bus lanes on Gympie Road, between Sadlier Street and Hamilton Road, will be operational during weekday peak periods only, from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. This means that outside of these hours, on-street parking on Gympie Road will be open to local businesses and their customers. Emergency vehicles may still be allowed to use the bus lanes during bus operating hours.
2. Bus Stop Near Coles
Two bus stops near Coles, at the Strathmore Street and Castle Street intersection in Kedron, will NOT be removed. Commuters and customers of the supermarket chain may still benefit from the bus service without interruption.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
3. Gympie Road No Parking Areas
Motorists are expected to strictly observe “no parking” near bus stops and intersections of up to 100 metres at all times.
4. Additional Access Changes
New traffic signals will be installed at the Gympie Road and Boothby Street intersection. This site will also have right-turn lane and u-turn lane access to improve traffic safety.
“The changes mean commuters will still enjoy quicker travel during the high demand peak periods, while Gympie Road businesses will keep on-street parking for their customers for large parts of the day and all day on weekends,” Mr Bailey said.
For more information about the Northern Transitway project, visit the official site.
An existing residential aged care facility on Kitchener Road in Kedron will be redeveloped into a larger, more modern facility.
The subject site is situated at 171-175 Kitchener Road, 80 Araluen Street, and 78 Araluen Street. Current developments at the subject side includes a 41-bed Kedron Aged Care, a two-storey building located at 171 – 175 Kitchener Road, which has reached the end of its lifespan. The subject site is also occupied by SmashCare Chermside, a smash repair business situated at 80 Araluen Street, and a detached dwelling at 78 Araluen Street.
The proposal thus involves the redevelopment of the existing residential care facility extending onto a neighbouring site and replacing the industrial use with a new residential aged care facility that will accommodate 122 residents.
“This facility redevelopment will deliver a reimagined and modern aged care facility that is complementary to the local area and current industry expectations. It is believed that the facility will provide a high level of amenity for residents as all rooms have an outlook to open space and are designed in accordance with industry standards for aged care,” the Latitude Town Planning Services Pty Ltd assessment report said.
“The facility will provide the highest standard of support and care for residents, who can no longer live unassisted, and enable them to remain within and connected to their local community and support network, supporting the growing recognition of persons wanting to age in place.”
The proposed building will be four levels and designed to integrate with the existing ground levels and complement the surrounding low density neighbourhood.
The lower ground floor, with a floor area of 351.7 sqm, includes the primary building entry and controlled access point for visitors whilst located at the front of the building is the main administration section. The lower ground floor also includes beauty salon, education room, conference room, management offices, public amenities, and staff amenities
Ground floor plan Photo credit: POWE Architects / pdonline.brisbane.qld.gov.au
The ground floor, covering 1,886 sqm of floor area, will include servicing and staff areas and facilities: commercial kitchen with freezer, cold room and a dry goods pantry, laundry facilities including a laundry supply room, maintenance area, staff amenities, bin storage area, and service bay area/goods in.
The ground floor will also contain the secure residential wing comprising 20 single-bed units with ensuite facilities. Also located on the ground floor is a nurse station, lounge/dining room, meal servery area, sunroom, and secured open terrace and courtyard.
Level 1 floor plan Photo credit: POWE Architects / pdonline.brisbane.qld.gov.au
The first floor (2,429.9sqm) will contain 42 single-bed units with ensuite facilities designed around a large, secure courtyard. There will be a large terrace with a barbecue area, adjacent to the lounge, dining and lifestyle area. The first floor will also include two nurses’ stations, meal servery area, offices, treatment room, communal lounge areas, storage rooms, utility rooms, visitor bathroom, and clinic.
Level 2 floor plan Photo credit: POWE Architects / pdonline.brisbane.qld.gov.au
The second floor (3,476.2sqm) will have 60 single-bed units with ensuite facilities, as well as a dining area and lounge room, meal servery area, lifestyle space, terrace deck, library, three nurse stations, offices, clinic, communal lounge areas, storage rooms, utility rooms, abd visitor bathroom.
The proposal provides 38 car parking bays (including 1 PWD space) for staff and servicing vehicles, accessed from the 80 Araluen Street entry; 19 visitor cars (including 1 PWD space) accessed from the 80 Araluen Street entry; and 60 residents car parking spaces, at the ground and lower ground car parking levels.
Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this article inadvertently omitted attribution of the images to POWE Architects. Corrections have been made to reflect the proper attribution.
A Kedron-based start-up company is set to go global with its cutting-edge target products to be exported soon.
The State Government announced that it would support GaardTech to commercialise its unique advanced military targets for defence training purposes. GaardTech’s new TARGET (tank and reconnaissance ground enemy target systems) product can replicate any three-dimensional target with the highest level of thermal, EW and visual detail.
“This is about creating new jobs in Queensland. Defence is a rapidly growing global industry. That’s why we’re supporting a local business to tap into this industry and export from Queensland,” Innovation Minister Kate Jones explained.
“The company has already proven the demand for their technology with Army and Airforce contracts with the Australian Defence Force and there’s strong interest from other allied military forces.”
GaardTech 3D robotic tank target – Video Credit: GaardTech Targets / YouTube
GaardTech is one of the recipients of Ignite Ideas Fund round 5. The $100,000 grant, Innovation Minister Kate Jones added, is provided to enable the company to employ more staff and commercialise their technology.
Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Minister and Member for Stafford Dr Anthony Lynham described the State Government’s initiative as a win for a great local business and amazing achievement for an Australian-owned Kedron-based business “recognised across the world as a leader in defence technology,”
“This Ignite Ideas funding will allow us to present the high fidelity training systems to allied forces the world over and expand our market with exports to the United States and EU countries,” GaardTech founding director Steen Bisgaard said.
He added that he sees rapid growth for the company’s Brisbane office as sales and contracts emerge whilst export activities will also result in an increase in locally fabricated products from the company’s Brisbane based steel supply chain.
GaardTech was the first company in the world to introduce a full-size, steel, robotic military training system, which was flat packed, cost-effective, and able to replicate any emerging threat to a high visual and thermal accuracy.
Developers are looking to build two 12-storey mixed-use towers on a 7,332 sqm site at 612 Lutwyche Road and 53 and 57 Lamington Avenue, Lutwyche.
Designed by Conrad Gargett, the application seeks to build residential towers with a retail complex, cinemas, and healthcare centre. Architectural plans show it will have a public laneway with footbridges that will connect the towers.
A key feature of the development will be a market hall similar to the Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne and Borough Market in Southwark, London. It will also include an urban farm restaurant which can be accessed by the public and the residents alike. The developer notes the towers will “create an impression of a cohesive neighbourhood within the skyline.”
The applicant originally proposed a building height of 14 storeys for the southern tower and 21 storeys for the northern tower. However, the height has been reduced to a maximum of 12 storeys for both towers because a building height in excess of 12 storeys is not supported in the area.
All of the existing lots have residential dwellings on them with the exception of 612 Lutwyche Road, which is currently vacant. The properties on 53 and 57 Lamington Avenue will have to be removed as part of this proposal.
Whilst some locals welcome the development, some residents fear it will further overcrowd traffic and road usage in the small precinct of Lutwyche and Lamington Road.
“Residents in the area on Lamington Avenue and surrounding roads will have additional traffic to deal with when accessing/departing their properties. Parking in the neighbourhood is already overloaded with commuters, adding this facility will further restrict residential parking and access.”
The resident added that the plan seems to conflict with the planned changes for the Brisbane north bikeway connecting to the Kedron Brook Bikeway. “The anticipated increase in traffic will inherently make the proposed bike route dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians.”
Meanwhile, the application states The BCC Local Area Plan identifies the site as a retail hub and encourages mixed use developments up to 12 levels. It emphasizes that the mixture of retail spaces, small office tenancies, boutique cinema, restaurant tenancies, residential units and generous public spaces facilitate a new destination for Lutwyche and beyond.
For more information about the proposed towers, see Full DA-A005365420.
In this increasingly stressful times, a physical routine like Tai Chi may help improve your stress management. But if you’re unsure if this is the right form of wellness program for your lifestyle, you can give one class a try for FREE this Saturday at the Taoist Tai Chi Society of Australia at 566 Lutwyche Road.
Happening on the 1st of February 2020, the event is part of the Lutwyche centre’s open house to mark its 50th anniversary. The free class will start at 10:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., followed by a tea session with the students and instructor.
In 1970, Master Moy Lin Shin, founded the Taoist Tai Chi Society in Canada with a goal of teaching the ancient defence training as a healthy physical routine. The art of Tai Chi combines martial arts techniques with meditation, balancing the body and mind’s energies.
Photo Credit: Taoist Tai Chi Society of Australia/Facebook
The popularity of Tai Chi escalated around the world as it became a powerful tool for stress management among athletes and businessmen. Tai Chi classes are also being conducted at hospitals and schools for its health programs.
Today, over 40,000 members across the globe benefit from the techniques imparted by its accredited volunteer instructors. In Brisbane, the group has been growing for over 20 years.
