The accident took place on Perry Street in Lutwyche, with emergency services responding to the scene just before 11:00 AM. The precise location highlights a potential safety concern for local cyclists in this suburban area.
Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) reported that the cyclist suffered a significant head injury after coming off his bike and striking a light pole. The cyclist was immediately transported to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a life-threatening condition.
One of Australia’s well-known bakery chains, Michel’s Patisserie, is set to close all its remaining stores, including its store inside shopping centre HomeCo Lutwyche.
The decision was announced by Retail Food Group (RFG), the company behind the brand, which attributed the closures to various challenges preventing future growth.
According to an RFG spokesperson, despite Michel’s Patisserie’s long-standing presence in Australia’s retail food sector, an internal review revealed several obstacles to sustaining the brand’s expansion.
Photo credit: Michel’s/Google Maps
As a result, franchise owners are being encouraged to transition their businesses to either the Gloria Jean’s brand or Donut King, two other RFG-owned chains.
The spokesperson also mentioned that both Gloria Jean’s and Donut King present promising opportunities for Michel’s Patisserie franchisees who are considering their business prospects in the short or long term.
A Legacy of Baked Goods and Coffee
Photo credit: Michel’s/Google Maps
Like other stores under the brand, the Lutwyche location was best known for its exclusive coffee blends and baked goods, ranging from cakes to quiches. Michel’s Patisserie was a popular destination for customers seeking high-quality pastries, birthday cakes, and savoury treats, making its closure a significant shift in the Australian café and bakery scene.
The news has left many long-time patrons disappointed, as the brand had established itself as a go-to for affordable and delicious treats. With the upcoming closures, customers will have to look elsewhere for their favourite Michel’s Patisserie offerings.
Michel’s Patisserie was founded in Sydney in 1980 by French chef Michel Cattoen and his wife Elisabeth. Initially a small operation, it rapidly grew in popularity before being sold in 1988 to Noel Carroll and Noel Roberts. Under new ownership, the brand expanded across Australia, gaining a reputation for its European-inspired baked goods and coffee.
Retail Food Group acquired Michel’s Patisserie in 2007, overseeing the chain during its peak when it had over 300 locations nationwide. However, by 2025, only 19 stores remained, all of which are now set to be either closed or converted into other RFG brands.
The closure marks the end of an era for the brand that once dominated the Australian bakery landscape. For loyal customers, the transition away from Michel’s Patisserie signals a significant change in the country’s café and bakery offerings.
Located at 488 Lutwyche Road, Contro Wellness provides services designed to help people relax and rejuvenate in their own space. This Mediterranean-inspired facility is just 13 minutes north of Brisbane’s city centre, making it a convenient option for those seeking a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
It offers a wide range of treatments to suit individual needs. The bathhouse has traditional and infrared saunas for those seeking traditional heat therapy. Infrared saunas use light to heat the body directly, which some believe promotes deeper relaxation and improved circulation.
The facility also offers contrast therapy, in which clients alternate between a sauna’s heat and an ice bath’s cold. This practice is said to stimulate circulation and reduce inflammation.
Contro Wellness also provides float therapy in open tanks and pods if you want something different. Float therapy involves floating weightlessly in a sensory deprivation environment, which can help reduce stress and improve mental clarity.
Other services include mineral soaks, steam rooms, red light, and massage therapy. Mineral soaks are designed to detoxify the body and improve skin health, while red light therapy is believed to enhance healing and stimulate regeneration.
It aims to make wellness accessible to everyone, with sessions starting at just $45. The bathhouse also offers discounts for those who bring a friend or purchase a multi-pack of sessions. All necessary amenities, such as towels, robes, and slippers, are provided. Clients are encouraged to bring comfortable clothing after their session; swimwear is optional for float therapy.
The development, designed by HAL Architects, would demolish two pre-1947 houses on Norman Avenue to make way for a 55-unit complex. The building would include two- and three-bedroom apartments, communal space, and two levels of underground parking.
While the project aims to address Brisbane’s growing demand for housing, some residents have raised concerns about the building’s height and its potential impact on the neighbourhood’s character.
HAL Architects argue that the building’s design has been carefully considered to minimise its impact on the surrounding area.
The firm states that various design techniques have reduced the building’s height and scale and that using varied materials will help articulate the building’s form and create a human scale.
A proposed apartment tower in Lutwyche is set to significantly increase in size, responding directly to new incentives to boost housing supply across the city.
Brisbane-based developer Jadecorp has submitted revised plans for a nine-storey, 55-apartment building at 21-23 Norman Avenue, Lutwyche. This represents a substantial increase from their previously approved six-storey, 38-unit project.
The move comes after Brisbane City Council introduced a Housing Supply Action Plan last October to tackle housing shortages in critical areas. Jadecorp’s site, located within a high-density residential zone, is considered a prime location for new housing due to its proximity to public transport and a major shopping centre.
Jadecorp is keen to take advantage of the incentives, which include reduced infrastructure charges, relaxed building height restrictions in certain areas, and potential reductions in required car parking spaces.
The revised plans, designed by Hayes Anderson Lynch Architects, feature a mix of two—and three-bedroom apartments and communal open space.
While the proposal exceeds height limits and falls short on car parking spaces, the increased density is appropriate given the site’s zoning and access to amenities.
The developers are confident that the project aligns with the city’s housing goals, significantly improving the current site and contributing to the much-needed housing supply.
A significant redevelopment is on the horizon for Lutwyche, as a development application has been submitted for a new six-storey residential building at 21A-25 Windsor Avenue.
The proposal, designed by Architect Angelo Patrick, aims to introduce 16 new units to the area, replacing the existing single-storey dwellings on the 2,918-square-metre site.
The project envisions a modern structure with a rooftop communal area for residents, offering views to the north. A commitment to green space is evident in the plans, with 15.8% of the site dedicated to deep planting. The development also addresses transportation needs, providing 34 car parking spaces and designated bicycle spaces.
Spanning a gross floor area of 21,567 sq m, the building is designed to occupy 65% of the site. Notably, the project aligns with the area’s High-Density residential zoning, which permits structures up to eight storeys. It also adheres to the guidelines of the Lutwyche Road Corridor Neighbourhood Plan.
Submitted on the 31st October 2024 the development application, referenced as A006413833, is now under review by the council. The proposal has been meticulously documented in reports from Tam Dang Planning, with design drawings by Architect Angelo Patrick and landscape drawings by AGLA. For a visual representation of the project’s potential impact, an interactive image combining Google Aerial and Streetview is available.
This development marks a notable shift in Lutwyche’s urban landscape, promising to increase residential density and introduce contemporary architectural elements to the neighbourhood. As the project progresses through the approval process, it will undoubtedly spark discussions about the future of housing and development in the area.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to fly a commercial airplane or a fighter jet? At Flight Simulator Queensland in Lutwyche, you can step into a state-of-the-art flight simulator that places you right in the cockpit of a Boeing 737 or F/A-18 Super Hornet, in control under various flying conditions.
With high-tech flight simulators modelled after real-world aircraft, you can learn the basics of flight in a safe and realistic environment.
Whether you opt for the Boeing 737 or F/A-18 Super Hornet simulator, an experienced pilot will provide a pre-flight briefing to teach you about the instruments and controls, such as interpreting the instrument panel, communicating with air traffic control, and landing the simulated aircraft.
Photo credit: flightsimulatorqld.com.au
Once you are settled into the flight deck, you will be able to practise taking off, landing, and recovering from engine failure at one of over 24,000 airports worldwide. The state-of-the-art HD visuals and real-world flight procedures make it feel like you’re really soaring through the skies.
Photo credit: flightsimulatorqld.com.au
The simulators can replicate almost any weather condition imaginable, from sunny skies to thunderstorms and heavy snow. You can even bring up to three friends along to watch and take photos as you test your pilot skills. It’s an unforgettable and safe way to get a small taste of the thrill that comes from flying a plane!
Photo credit: flightsimulatorqld.com.au
Flight Simulator Queensland offers sessions on weekends (Friday to Sunday) by appointment. Whether you’re a budding pilot looking for some training or just a flying enthusiast, it’s an experience unlike any other. With an expert pilot guiding you every step of the way, you will gain invaluable insights into the world of aviation from the flight deck.
Designed by Marchese Partners, the proposed village at 32, 33, 34-36, 35-37, 36A & 39 Laura Street and 39 Lowerson St, Lutwyche would consist of 265 high-density retirement living units across three 10-storey residential buildings.
The project aims to provide quality senior housing options to meet growing demand in the area. With Lutwyche’s ageing population, the developers believe the village addresses a need for more accessible and community-focused retirement facilities.
Photo credit: Marchese Partners
“The proposal delivering 265 retirement living dwellings will support the availability of additional housing options in response to community and economic need in the catchment as well as supporting Brisbane City Council’s target to increase the retirement and aged care housing options in Brisbane by 50 percent by 2027 under the Retirement and Aged Care Initiative,” planners stated.
Photo credit: Marchese Partners
“Even with the current proposal of 265 dwellings, there will be a shortfall of retirement living housing options in the catchment. Thus, demonstrating both a community and economic need for the proposed development.”
The residential towers would be separated by landscaped spaces, with private balconies and terraces for the individual units. Communal recreation areas, including a rooftop space, are also planned. The 28,240 sqm development would be constructed over three stages.
Marchese Partners’ design incorporates features to integrate the village into the surrounding neighbourhood. Around 17 percent of the site would be dedicated to deep planting and greenery. Vehicle access points and pedestrian pathways are designed to connect residents to nearby streets and footpaths.
“The proposal will deliver a high quality architectural design that incorporates the use of a range of innovative design techniques to reduce the appearance of bulk and scale and ensure a visually balanced facade,” the planning documents read.
Accomplished as part of the QLD Housing Strategy for 2017-2027, the site is the first of two new such complexes in North Brisbane, with a similar facility also opening in Windsor in early 2023. Both facilities have large-scale modern apartments with private balconies. The Lutwyche site, located on Chapel Street, has 10 one-bedroom and 28 two-bedroom dwellings.
“These are the first two projects for BlueCHP in Queensland, although they have a considerable social and affordable housing portfolio in New South Wales.
“More than 50 per cent of the new homes will be built to Gold or Platinum standard under the Livable Housing Design Guidelines, meaning they are accessible for people with reduced mobility and assist people to age in place.
BlueCHP CEO Charles Northcote said he was excited to work with the Queensland Government for the Queensland Housing Strategy 2017-2027 that will deliver safe, secure and affordable homes.
“Housing is a crucial support. It is the gateway to achieving individual dignity and at the core of an individual’s capacity to sustain themselves and their families.”
BlueCHP Executive Manager – Queensland and Northern Territory Darren Mew said these projects make an important contribution to the availability of social homes in Brisbane’s inner north.
“Strategically located close to major transport routes, employment, education and health services, these architecturally designed projects provide much needed homes for people in need,” he said.
“The two projects are the culmination of work from a dedicated team across Government and the not-for-profit sector who share BlueCHP’s mission to make a difference to people’s lives – to create a future where every Australian has access to a home they can afford.”
Photo Credit: BlueCHP
Ms Enoch said the projects highlight the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to partner with the sector to increase housing for Queenslanders in need.
“Community housing providers have an important role to play in delivering social and affordable homes at reduced rent rates for low to moderate income earners,” she said.
“We are delivering individualised housing options, increasing the supply of social and affordable housing and providing the sector with a streamlined operating framework.
“The Palaszczuk Government’s continued investment in affordable housing construction provides people with a stable place to live as well as an income for thousands of workers.”
Ms Enoch said, through the Queensland Housing and Homelessness Action Plan 2021-2025, the Palaszczuk Government is investing $2.9 billion to boost housing supply and increase housing and homelessness supports across Queensland.
“This investment will see 466 new social homes commenced in the Brisbane region by 30 June 2025, through a planned investment of $125.2 million, supporting more than 397 full-time equivalent jobs.
“This is in addition to the 604 new social homes that are already commenced under the Queensland Housing Strategy.”
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.
