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What You Need to Know About Gympie Road Bus Stops and On-Street Parking Proposal Changes

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.

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.

Proposed Redevelopment To Deliver New Aged Care Facility In Kedron

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.

*Lounge / Dining Forecourt Perspective*
*Photo credit: POWE Architects / pdonline.brisbane.qld.gov.au*

“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.

*Lower ground floor*
*Photo credit: POWE Architects / pdonline.brisbane.qld.gov.au*

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.

Kedron-Based Start-Up Company to Export New Cutting-Edge Target Products

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.

Locals Not Keen About New 12-storey Towers Pitched For Lutwyche

Photo Credit: pdonline.brisbane.qld.gov.au

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.

Photo Credit: pdonline.brisbane.qld.gov.au

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.

Taoist Tai Chi Society Celebrates 50 Years with Free Session

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.

Now, if you enjoyed the free session on Saturday, you may begin attending the regular classes held every week.

For more details, phone +61 7 3357 5600.

Top Taste Bakery to Close Kedron Factory After 50 Years

A major transition is taking place at Top Taste Bakery. After 50 years of operation, its factory on Gympie Road in Kedron will cease operation by May 2020.

Former Top Taste Bakery owner George Weston Foods (GWF) sold the business to the global company Newly Weds Foods in the first week of December 2019. The new owners, headed by CEO Calvin Boyle, plan to focus operations at the Newly Weds facility in Wetherill Park, Sydney.

Whilst 120 workers at the Kedron factory will lose their jobs, some staff will be absorbed by its Sydney site. According to reports, the company has hundreds of employees across its business sites in Queensland but transitioning will be prioritised for workers in Kedron.

In acquiring Top Taste Bakery, Mr Boyle said that there are plans to expand its bakery line with foods developed and created by the Kedron factory all these years.

Mr Boyle hopes that the transition will be fully completed by July or early August.

It’s still unclear what will become of the Kedron factory’s 3.63-hectare site. Per GWF, its parent company, Associated British Foods, has the say over the property.

Concept Plan for Chalk Street Park Project Has Been Finalised

Brisbane City Council has announced that the concept plan for Chalk Street Park has been finalised and will now move into the detailed design and construction phases.

The proposed Chalk Street Park, a 6,900-sqm urban recreation park, is bounded by Chalk, Marita, and Wellington Streets in Lutwyche and comprises 10 lots. The finalised concept plan follows a community consultation which showed that respondents are supportive of the project with preferences for picnicking and socialising facilities, a children’s playground, quiet reflective areas and walking and sporting activities.

The final concept plan include: new picnic shelters and an accessible drinking fountain; new playground equipment; an open space for informal sports and activities; a new pathway through the park; and a new planting area with shade trees to separate the playground from the street.

There will also be a new park entry; bollards along the park boundary; new shade tree planting to open space; pathway and streetscape planting; a safety fence to the playground; shade for the playground; fitness equipment; bike repair station; and an off-street parking on Marita Street.

*Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / brisbane.qld.gov.au*

Chalk Street Park is one of the list of 11 identified future park and reserve enhancements which also includes Colmslie Beach Reserve, Murarrie; Eildon Hill Reservoir, Windsor; Grinstead Park/Shand Street Park, Enoggera; Keperra Bushland, Keperra; Mount Gravatt Outlook Reserve, Mount Gravatt; Stephens Mountain Reserve, Greenslopes; Wembley Park, Coorparoo; and Wishart Community Park, Wishart.

Council expects the Chalk Street Park’s construction to commence in late 2020.

Padua College and Mount Alvernia College Announce Expansion Plans in Kedron

Photo credit: Padua College Kedron (Official)/Facebook

Padua College and Mount Alvernia College in Kedron are planning to expand by acquiring a Council-owned depot, with plans to transform it into a sport and cultural precinct.

Mr Mark McSweeney, Chairperson of Padua College, and Mr Michael O’Brien, Chairperson of Mount Alvernia College sent a letter to their alumni, announcing the possible acquisition of the Stafford depot. Also, BCC has already accepted their letter of offer to buy the land.

The board of directors from the two Catholic Franciscan schools will come up with a master plan over the next year for the long-term use of the precinct. The master planning will involve a consultation period to ensure that the schools consider all input for the best use of the land.

They want the site to offer some community use as part of the long-term plan. But for the meantime, they are considering to build playing fields and a base for their combined Franciscan Colleges instrumental program.

“This opportunity has been made possible by more than 120 years of combined prudent financial management of Mount Alvernia and Padua Colleges. This has enabled us to be in a position to responsibly acquire this land,” Mr McSweeney and Mr O’Brien said in the joint statement.

All proceeds of the sale would go to the Brisbane Green Future Fund, which was established by the Council to expand the city’s greenspace and is part of the Council’s 2019-20 Budget.

About the Depot

The Stafford depot measures 44,476 sqm and is bordered by several streets including Broughton Rd, Wayland St, Lennon St, Hutchins St, Bradley Ave and Wood St. This parcel of land is located south of the two Cathoic schools and used to be a quarry.

Lennon St, Kedron (Photo Credit: Google Street View)

The site currently houses State Emergency Services facility. It will remain there until the council’s relocation strategy is complete. With its huge size, the land can still be used to build a residential space, but Finance Chair Cr Adam Allan said he is pleased it will be used for both education facilities and sporting fields for future generations.

Have Your Say on Bradbury Park Kedron Upgrade

What are your thoughts on the proposed Bradbury Park improvement project? You still have until 16 December 2019 to provide your feedback.

A central section of the Bradbury Park, located on Batten and Lawley Streets, Kedron will undergo upgrade works to enhance the look and feel of the park and ensure that it is able to meet the community’s growing demands.

Public consultation on the proposed improvement project is currently ongoing and the public is invited to provide feedback through an online survey on the draft concept plan.

The proposed park improvements, which will begin in 2021, involve:

Existing car park to be closed and replaced with grass
Driveway off Batten Street and car park with 40-50 spaces
Bus and passenger drop-off zone
Grass area with picnic facilities including shelters, seating, and electric barbecues
Large playspace built around existing trees, including challenging features to suit children aged 10-15
Toilet block
Connecting pathways

Beginning in early 2020, Council will also commence with the construction of following facilities:

Nature play features provided under existing grove of shade trees
New fitness equipment
Looped scooter track with a range of features for children to navigate

Information that will be gathered during the consultation will be used along with site investigations to help finalise the concept design for the Bradbury Park improvement which is expected to be released mid-2020. Construction commences in 2021.

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, with more sites identified for future improvements, including Eildon Hill Reservoir, Wembley Park, and Wishart Community Park.

Alderley Is Brisbane’s Most Liveable Suburb of 2019

Alderley residents has one more reason to be proud, as the inaugural Domain Liveable Brisbane study names their leafy suburb as the most liveable Greater Brisbane suburb.

The Domain Liveable Brisbane study findings have shown that the ten most liveable suburbs were situated in the inner north, and sitting at the top of the ranking of 260 suburbs is Alderley which scored the highest overall, 10 out of 10 in public transport and open space.

Alderley also scored well across other criteria including low crime rate and access to schools. Apart from public transport and open space, however, Alderley scored best for tree cover and topographic variation.

The top 10 Greater Brisbane suburbs for liveability are Alderley, Wilston, Ascot, Paddington, Newmarket, Red Hill, Kelvin Grove, Windsor, Albion, and Grange.

The Domain Liveable Cities study is authored by Deloitte Access Economics and Tract Consultants which, based on several indicators, measures liveability in suburbs across Melbourne, Sydney, and for the first time this year, Brisbane.

The indicators used in the study for Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane were:

Culture – the density of cultural services such as libraries, museums, and galleries
Retail – the density of retail offerings and the proportion of a suburb covered by retail outlets
Cafes and restaurants – the density and proximity of cafes and restaurants in a suburb
Employment – the proportion of a suburb’s population that can walk to work
Train/bus/tram – measures the access to train stations and bus stops
Ferry – the average distance from the suburb’s centre to the closest ferry wharf
Open space – percentage of a suburb that is a public open space
Tree cover- percentage of a suburb’s tree canopy cover
Crime – the number of offences per 100,00 resident population
Education – the proximity to primary and secondary schools from the centre of a suburb
Airport noise – only for Sydney and Brisbane
Mobile and Broadband – the quality and availability of mobile and broadband services
Topography variation
Walkability – measures a suburb’s walkable access to employment, shops and or transport
Traffic congestion – measure the difference in average trip time between peak and off-peak hours
Coast proximity – measures the average straight line from a suburb’s centre to the closest coastline or beach
Harbour and ocean views – the proportion of the suburb that has harbour, bay, or ocean views.

Access to ferries was also used as an additional indicator in Sydney and Brisbane and access to trams was measured in Melbourne. Also, for Brisbane and Sydney, airport noise was also considered, and for Sydney alone, harbour and ocean views.

The study revealed that higher-density suburbs are more likely to be liveable, particularly because older suburbs undergoing transformation may likely experience increased traffic congestion. The findings underscored the importance of a suburb’s ability to provide amenity for its residents to make it more liveable.