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Macca’s Takes Flight at Brisbane Airport Domestic Terminal

Hungry travellers passing through Brisbane Airport’s Domestic Terminal will soon have a new dining option to satisfy cravings on the go.

Read: Globite Returns To Brisbane With New Store At Domestic Terminal

Construction is now underway on a new McDonald’s restaurant, complete with a McCafé section, slated to open in mid-2024.

The upcoming McDonald’s will be part of a major revitalisation initiative by Brisbane Airport Corporation aimed at enhancing the passenger experience. McDonald’s is one of the 10 new dining establishments that will be launching over the next few months as part of the airport’s redevelopment.

McDonald’s at the BNE Service Centre (Photo credit: S M Roknul Azam/Google Maps)

According to Martin Ryan, the Executive Commercial General Manager for Brisbane Airport, the company is aware that Brisbane passengers have been eager for a McDonald’s outlet within the terminal.

“If there is one thing BNE travellers have been asking for it’s a Maccas! It has consistently remained the most requested retailer and we couldn’t be more delighted to deliver,” said Mr Ryan.

For many passengers, grabbing a quick McDonald’s bite has become routine before flying. With the opening of McDonald’s, Brisbane Airport travellers can soon pick up coffee or McNuggets without leaving the terminal, helping make travel through the airport even smoother. The iconic golden arches will likely give a taste of home even before takeoff.

As part of the airport’s $5 billion “Future BNE” redevelopment plan, they are bringing exciting new dining establishments into the retail mix that passengers will be excited about.

Other upgrades aimed at improving customer flow and experience include state-of-the-art security systems, more spacious gate lounges with new furnishings, and more.

Travellers will notice a smoother journey through security with this major terminal upgrade. Cutting-edge screening technology and processes will be implemented to enhance both safety and convenience.

Passengers using the Skywalk entrance with carry-on luggage only will be able to access the Domestic Terminal directly after online check-in. This allows travellers to keep their personal belongings packed as they pass through new state-of-the-art scanners.

Read: Sime Darby Motors to Arrive at Brisbane Airport Development Soon

The new McDonald’s outlet will complement the existing 24-hour McDonald’s located at the BNE Service Centre, a short drive from the airport terminals.

Published 13-December-2023

Affordable Housing and Community Hub Proposed for Eagle Farm Racecourse

Editor’s Note: The original story referred to the planned affordable housing and community hub as “proposed” in the headline and the body of the article; however, the first paragraph inadvertently misstated that “40 hectares of a 49-hectare site have been acquired.” The wording has been corrected below to “40 hectares of a 49-hectare site have been proposed to be acquired.” We would like to express our thanks to the Brisbane Racing Club for pointing out the error and would also like to extend our apologies for any inconvenience or confusion caused by the same.

Forty hectares of a 49-hectare site have been proposed to be acquired by BCC to transform the Eagle Farm racecourse into a new, sustainable community hub and build 4,000 publicly-owned rent-capped apartments alongside new parklands, native forests, and schools.

Read: Public Views on Eagle Farm Affordable Housing Plan Sought

The proposal comes amid a deepening housing affordability crisis in Brisbane that has seen rents surge over 20 percent in the past year.

Racecourse vision (Photo credit: www.jonathansri.com)

The Greens have long held that Council should work with State and Federal governments and local First Nations groups to ultimately restore land ownership to a non-profit First Nations-controlled community organisation. Also, they said that any renewal of Eagle Farm racecourse should prioritise benefits for the broader Brisbane community, rather than principally enriching racing insiders and developers.

The Plan

According to the Greens, a new medium-density walkable neighbourhood could provide:

10 hectares of five-storey mixed-use buildings spread around the site, with ground-floor shops, offices and services. This would create 4000 publicly-owned rent-capped homes for 10 000 residents, plus 75,000m2 of publicly owned ground floor services and commercial tenancies, with space for supermarkets, shops and services
More than half the site opened up as public green space including native forest/bushland, parks, sports fields, urban farms and food forests (25 hectares)
Public services and facilities including a new primary school, high school, major library, community centre and publicly-run bulk-billing medical clinic (5 hectares)
Preservation of existing heritage buildings and features for live music, hospitality and the arts, with the racetrack itself repurposed as a 2km tree-fringed walking and cycling circuit
Upgraded public transport with trains every 15 minutes and disability upgrades for Ascot Station, plus free, frequent buses connecting through the site to neighbouring suburbs like the high-density precinct at Northshore Hamilton.

Possible public housing and community facilities (Photo credit: www.jonathansri.com)

“Inner-city racecourses are a ridiculous waste of land, and Eagle Farm Racecourse is a massive 49-hectare, flood-free site, just 5km from the city and located directly beside Ascot train station. It’s the ideal place for new medium-density publicly-owned housing,” mayoralty candidate Jonathan Sriranganathan said.

Member Stephen Bates also highlighted that Brisbane is undergoing massive population growth yet remains in the depths of a housing affordability crisis. He stated that it is time to take bold action and properly plan for the homes and facilities that the city’s communities need.

“That’s why (we) are pleased to call for public feedback on a bold proposal to replace Eagle Farm Racecourse with 4000 publicly-owned rent-capped apartments, parkland, and community infrastructure like new schools, a neighbourhood centre, library, and more,” Mr Bates said.

Read: New School Openings Prompt Catchment Changes Across Brisbane

Those who would like to give their feedback may answer the survey here.

Published 15-November-2023

New School Openings Prompt Catchment Changes Across Brisbane

Some families have been known to go to great lengths to secure spots at popular schools like Ascot State School. New school openings in Southeast Queensland may soon reshape enrollment boundaries, however, forcing parents to rethink where they choose to buy property or risk wait lists.

Read: Busy Sandgate Road in Ascot Could Soon Have a New Childcare Centre

Ascot State School, with high demand but a capacity of just 807 students, prioritises in-catchment enrollment. Some out-of-area families still attempt to secure spots, but with new schools opening, Ascot’s catchment area may shrink, sending local families elsewhere.

Photo credit: Ascot State School/Facebook

According to a real estate expert, some families from areas like Hendra and Clayfield outside the Ascot State School catchment boundaries still try every avenue to enrol their children there, even though they do not qualify based on zoning.

Parents often try to buy homes in boundaries of schools with strong reputations like Ascot State School, but new maps could redraw these lines.

Parents have been known to line up outside the school overnight in hopes of securing a cherished spot, sometimes purely for nostalgia reasons if they attended the state school themselves.

This comes after the state government announced plans to open two new primary schools in Redland Bay and Ipswich in 2024.

Construction on the Redland Bay site, Scenic Shores State School, is already underway for a Term 1 opening. Similarly, Bellbird Park State School in Ipswich will open all year levels from Prep to Year 6 starting Term 1 next year.

Artist’s impression of Scenic Shores State School (Photo credit: scenicshoresss.eq.edu.au)

The addition of these two schools will likely trigger adjustments to school catchment zones across Queensland, impacting hundreds of families.

Read: $40 Million Eagle Farm TAFE Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Centre Begins Construction

Education officials regularly review and update catchment zones based on new school openings, transportation, and other factors. Whilst parents understandably seek spots at preferred schools, officials recommend exploring all options within revised neighbourhood boundaries. With early awareness of coming changes, families can navigate transitions smoothly.

Published 26-October-2023

$40 Million Eagle Farm TAFE Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Centre Begins Construction

Construction work has officially begun on the $40-million Big Build project at Eagle Farm TAFE.

This project is set to establish a state-of-the-art Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Centre (RAMC) that will be a pivotal addition to the field of advanced manufacturing and technology education.

New Centre’s Impressive Features

The Eagle Farm TAFE Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Centre will house a range of specialised workshops dedicated to robotics, hydrogen, renewable energy, and electrotechnology. Moreover, the facility will include digital laboratories, dedicated learning spaces, as well as staff and student amenities.

The new building is projected to provide employment for 93 individuals during its construction phase.

This transformative initiative is part of the Queensland Government’s $100 million ‘Equipping TAFE for our Future’ (ETFOF) programme, which aims to revamp and construct TAFE infrastructure, providing training opportunities for emerging and growth industries.

Preparation for the Future of Manufacturing

The Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Centre at Eagle Farm TAFE is aligned with the Queensland Government’s commitment to empower and prepare the state’s manufacturing workforce for the challenges of automation and Industry 4.0. Industry 4.0 represents the fourth industrial revolution, characterised by the integration of digital technologies, big data, and automation into manufacturing processes.

The facility is a response to the surging demand for advanced manufacturing skills and education. The Advanced Manufacturing Gateway to Industry Schools (GISP) programme, which initially started with seven participating schools in 2017, has now expanded to encompass 46 participating schools in 2023. This success shows that the initiative is on track to meet its target of participating schools for 2023.

In the previous year, over 2,200 students actively engaged in GISP advanced manufacturing-related activities, illustrating the growing interest and enthusiasm for this field among Queensland’s youth.

With an expected practical completion date in late 2024, the centre is poised to elevate the quality of training in several fields, including robotics, advanced manufacturing, process instrumentation, renewable technologies (such as hydrogen and solar power), and telecommunications.

One of the highlights of this project is its commitment to environmental sustainability. The Centre is set to achieve a 5-Star Green Buildings rating, a testament to its environmentally conscious design and construction. The Queensland Government’s dedication to green and sustainable building practices is clear in this effort.

Government Commitment and Investment

Minister for Training and Skills Development, Di Farmer, expressed her enthusiasm for this groundbreaking project.

“Today this Big Build project takes us one step closer to ushering in an exciting new era for robotics and advanced manufacturing training in south-east Queensland,” she said.

She further elaborated on the types of courses and training the facility will provide.

“The Eagle Farm TAFE campus specialises in trade-related courses such as automation, instrumentation and control, renewables, plumbing and electrotechnology, telecommunication, and utilities.”

Ms Farmer underlined the importance of the Centre in preparing the state’s workforce for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, highlighting that “we want Queensland to be at the forefront of the revolution already underway in the manufacturing sector, which is all about providing sustainable jobs while improving cost, productivity, profitability and operations.”

For those interested in the facilities and courses available at the Eagle Farm TAFE campus, more information can be found on the official TAFE Queensland website.

Published 18-Oct-2023

Cycling Groups Condemn Removal of Philip Pawsey Bike Memorial in Hendra

The recent removal of a roadside memorial for cyclist Philip Pawsey, killed on Nudgee Road at Hendra in May this year, has sparked backlash from the biking community.

Read: Community Engagement and Crime Prevention Take Center Stage in Ascot

The white “ghost bike” honouring the late 53-year-old cyclist was taken down in late August, reportedly by Brisbane City Council.

Advocacy group Space 4 Cycling BNE expressed anger after discovering the memorial’s removal. In a social media post, the group said they had contacted the local council who deemed the memorial a ‘potential distraction and road hazard.’

The white bike removed from Nudgee Rd and Long St (Photo credit: Space4cyclingbne/Facebook)

“The white bike was clearly prepared and installed by someone who cares deeply about this issue. It stood as a tribute, mark of respect, and poignant reminder that we all deserve to be able to reach our destination safely, however we travel. We will not be so easily erased,” the group stated.

Mr Pawsey (Photo credit: Philip Pawsey/Facebook)

The white ghost bike was chained to a street sign at the intersection of Nudgee Rd and Long Street, where Mr Pawsey was struck whilst passing through on his bicycle. According to witnesses, he was dragged under the turning truck and killed instantly. Skid marks at the scene appeared to confirm the fatal collision.

Space 4 Cycling BNE said the removal deeply upset members of the biking community still mourning Mr Pawsey’s death. The incident renewed calls to improve safety along the notorious stretch of Nudgee Rd, which lacks bike lanes despite heavy use by cyclists.

There were reports Council delayed changes whilst awaiting findings from the coroner’s inquest, particularly whether parked cars contributed to the crash.

Ghost bike memorials like Mr Pawsey’s are an international tradition allowing communities to honour cyclists killed on the road. Supporters say they provide an important reminder of the need for better bike safety infrastructure.

Read: Multiple Dwelling Development Application in Albion Submitted

Council is yet to provide further comment about the ghost bike’s removal. But cycling advocates say they will continue pushing for it to be returned, along with the safety upgrades that could prevent more tragic deaths on Nudgee Rd.

Published 15-September-2023

Public Views on Eagle Farm Affordable Housing Plan Sought

Brisbane locals are being asked to weigh in on an ambitious proposal to transform part of the Eagle Farm racecourse into much-needed affordable housing.

Read: Racecourse Road Precinct Getting Back On Track

Under the plan, around 10 hectares of the 40-hectare racecourse site would be used to construct up to 4,000 publicly-owned homes. These would include 2,000 public housing units along with 2,000 rent-capped apartments assigned via lottery to Brisbane residents.

The proposed medium-density neighbourhood would feature five-story apartment blocks with ground floor retail spaces. It would be built next to the upgraded Ascot train station and have a new high-frequency bus route running through the site.

Rough artist impression of Greens’ proposal for Eagle Farm Race Track (Photo credit: www.jonathansri.com)

Jonathan Sriranganathan (Greens) said the project would create the largest amount of affordable housing in Queensland’s history. He emphasises that public ownership can help lower costs and prevent units being snapped up by investors.

Photo credit: Picture Purrfect/Google Maps

“The homes would be developed by Council or other public agencies using public or private building contractors, and would remain in public ownership thereafter. This would allow Council and the State government to keep costs down by cutting out profit-hungry private developers,” he said.

Photo credit: Billy Melville/Google Maps

“By standing up to big business, we can rectify decades of poor urban planning, start tackling the housing crisis and transform this city for the better,” he added.

An additional five hectares of Eagle Farm would go towards new schools, a publicly-run health clinic and public swimming pool, whilst the remaining 25 ha is earmarked for public green space, which includes parks and sport fields.

With Brisbane facing an affordable housing shortage, the Eagle Farm racecourse site presents an opportunity for thousands of low-cost homes near the city. But the plan also means a long-standing racing venue repurposed.

Click here to share your feedback.

Read: Get to Know Windermere and the People Who Once Lived in this Ascot Heritage Home

Published 7-September-2023

Student from St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School in Ascot Takes Top Prize at 2023 IEU-QNT Literary Competition

Photo Credit: IEUQNT

Ellouise Tkaczyk from St Margaret’s Anglican Girls’ School in Ascot stood out as a shining star at the 2023 IEU-QNT Literary Competition, winning the Year 9 and Year 10 category with her short story, “Blood and Ribbon.”

Now in its 64th year, the IEU-QNT Literary Competition is the longest-running writing competition in Queensland.

Organised in partnership with the English Teachers’ Association of Queensland (ETAQ), the competition seeks to inspire and recognise the talents of students and staff from state and non-government schools, promoting the growth of literary development and creative expression in young minds.

St Margaret Anglican School Ellouise Tkaczyk — Photo Credit: IEU-QNT

Terry Burke, the IEU-QNT Branch Secretary, highlighted the value of the Literary Competition in fostering young writers’ creativity and honing their writing skills.

He expressed his delight at the diversity and exceptional quality of this year’s submissions from all across the state, affirming that the judges were greatly impressed by the exceptional talent on display.

“I congratulate those outstanding writers who were awarded prizes and thank all the recipients who entered the 2023 Literary Competition,” Mr Burke said, emphasizing the importance of nurturing a love for literature and creative expression among the youth.

List of Literary Competition winners for 2023

Open

• Short story: David Coleman-Mann, Chancellor State College, Sippy Downs, Sunshine Cost

Year 11 and 12

• Short story: Milli Gornik, St Thomas More College, Sunnybank

• Poem: Salem Williams, Kelvin Grove State College, Kelvin Grove

• Non-fiction prose: Felicity Williams, All Saints Anglican School, Merrimac

Year 9 and 10

• Short story: Ellouise Tkaczyk, St Margaret’s Anglican Girls’ School, Ascot

• Poem: Huntar Paterson, St Thomas More College, Sunnybank

Year 7 and 8

• Short story: Estella Dobbins, St Patrick’s College Townsville, The Strand, North Ward

• Poem: Dominic Palmani, St Thomas More College, Sunnybank

Year 5 and 6

• Short story: Isaac Furlong, Kelvin Grove State College, Kelvin Grove

• Poem: Lawson Plumbe, Toowoomba East State School, East Toowoomba

Published 25-Aug-2023

Community Engagement and Crime Prevention Take Center Stage in Ascot

Photo Credit: QPS

High-visibility policing is being carried out by the Queensland Police Service (QPS) in Ascot and other areas of North Brisbane, with residents and even children interacting with and getting to know law enforcement officers in their neighbourhood, as part of a focused initiative to prevent and diminish property crime.

Beginning the second week of August, officers from various QPS units, including the Highway Patrol, Tactical Crime Squad, General Duties, and Crime Prevention, collaborated to undertake patrols aimed at deterring potential offenders and engaging with the community to discuss crime prevention and safety strategies.

Ascot residents gathered around police motorcycles, engaging in discussions about crime prevention and community safety. Children were particularly enthusiastic, with some even taking turns pretending to ride the police motorcycles under the watchful eyes of officers.

Ascot Queensland Police Service — Photo Credit: QPS

This interaction sparked excitement among the young ones, with the police emphasizing that it’s never too early to instill a sense of responsibility and respect for the law.

Ascot and its neighbouring suburbs have often fallen victim to high-end motor vehicle thefts, which prompted the QPS to offer a range of practical tips to mitigate the risk of such incidents.

Data from the QPS Crime Map show that there were 52 Unlawful Entry offences, or breaking into a property without consent, and 42 Theft incidents, or taking a person’s property with intention, in Ascot in the last six months.

Officers advised vehicle owners to utilise off-street parking, locked gates, or garages whenever possible, as parking on the street increases the vulnerability to theft. Basic measures, such as locking doors, closing windows, and keeping valuables out of sight, were emphasised as well as effective deterrents to opportunistic thefts.

To bolster protection, the QPS encouraged the installation of engine immobilisers that adhere to Australian Standard 4601:1999. These devices provide a robust defence against opportunistic vehicle thefts, but their effectiveness is compromised if car keys are easily accessible to thieves.

The community’s active participation and dedication to safety were commended by the police. Residents, particularly children, were recognized for wearing safety helmets while cycling around the area, demonstrating a commitment to their well-being.

Meanwhile, for individuals with information relevant to ongoing theft investigations, Policelink can be contacted through the online suspicious activity form available 24/7 on the Queensland Police website. Alternatively, anonymous tips can be reported to Crime Stoppers by calling 1800 333 000 or visiting www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.

Published 14-Aug-2023

Queensland Cricket Sounds Alarm Over Gabba’s Revamp, Proposes Renovation of Allan Border Field

Artist interpretation of Queensland Cricket’s vision | Photo Credit: Queensland Cricket / qldcricket.com.au

Queensland Cricket’s Chairman Chris Simpson, and Chief Executive Terry Svenson have proposed a revitalisation of Allan Border Field. The proposed revamp is to be done ahead of the comprehensive reconstruction of the Gabba, in preparation for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Queensland Cricket recently called for a significant renovation of Allan Border Field citing the Gabba’s unavailability during rebuild, scheduled to commence in December 2025.

The Gabba is in line for a substantial upgrade that comes with an estimated price tag of AUD$ 2.7 billion, as it assumes the central role for the 2032 Olympic Games.

An open letter from Queensland Cricket expresses these concerns, stating in part that: “As a result, we face the real prospect of losing important Test and BBL cricket matches from Queensland to interstate venues during the pre-Olympic displacement from the Gabba and hold a reasonable fear that a suitable solution to enable continuity of matches in Brisbane may not meet our needs or expectations.”

They further said that, “as a not-for-profit body, our concerns encompass the effect such uncertainty could have on participation throughout Queensland and the ensuing material financial impact across multiple areas of the sport, including at the grass roots level. We are preparing ourselves for a worst-case scenario where cricket could face the loss of access to the Gabba for potentially greater than seven years during the period of demolition, construction, and post-Games return.”

At present, Allan Border Field serves as the host venue for women’s international matches, the Women’s Big Bash League, and domestic fixtures. Simpson and Svenson advocate for strategic enhancements to enable the facility to broaden its hosting scope, deeming this approach the most sensible, cost-effective, and timely course of action for the sport.

“We see the Allan Border Field precinct playing a major role in hosting more cricket while the Gabba is being redeveloped, while other options presently available to cricket will mitigate some of the displacement challenges, including Carrara Stadium on the Gold Coast and regional centres.”
Queensland Cricket

“Queensland Cricket will strongly advocate for top level cricket (Test Matches, Women’s, and Men’s Big Bash League (W/BBL), ODIs, T20Is) to continue to be played in Brisbane during those seasons when the Gabba is unavailable. The most efficient, cost-effective, and timely option to enable this is for Allan Border Field to be upgraded with a capacity of 10,000 permanent seats.”

Their vision for the Albion site entails expanding its seating capacity to 10,000 permanent seats—an impressive increase of 3,500 from its existing capacity of 6,500. Notably, Allan Border Field is already equipped with a fixed wicket block and cricket-specific infrastructure, encompassing elements such as sight screens, a vision screen, field lighting, and broadcasting necessities. The facility also includes outdoor and indoor training amenities.

In the upcoming Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Gabba is designated to host athletics competitions as well as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

Published 13-August-2023

A Symphony of Films: Dendy Cinemas Celebrates ‘Music at the Movies’

Photo Credit: Dendy Cinemas / southport.dendy.com.au

Since June, Dendy Cinemas has been treating audiences to ‘Music at the Movies,’ a winter array of music documentaries, concerts, and films. This August, catch ANDRÉ RIEU’S MAASTRICHT CONCERT: LOVE IS ALL AROUND.

In June, audiences got to see LONG STORY SHORT: WILLIE NELSON 90 — a two-hour concert film featuring his most memorable performances plus a star-studded list of performances.

K-pop fans were also treated to a must-see BTS documentary which follows two of the band members as they forge solo careers in J-HOPE IN THE BOX and SUGA: ROAD TO D-DAY.

Then there was the Grateful Dead’s annual concert, GRATEFUL DEAD MEET UP AT THE MOVIES 2023 and a one-off screening of OKLAHOMA! STARRING HIGH JACKMAN which was recorded during its record-breaking 1998 run on London’s West End.

If you missed these amazing features, there is still time to waltz the evening away with André Rieu, as he rounds out this music feast with ANDRÉ RIEU’S MAASTRICHT CONCERT: LOVE IS ALL AROUND.

Screening this 27 and 27 August, witness this annual event from André’s hometown as he covers classics, popular sing-alongs and waltzes. André teams up with surprise guests including the Gospel Choir for a party of music, dance and love.

And if you’re curious about what else is in store at the cinemas, there is definitely more to explore this August with a slew of must-see presentations from animation to spine-tingling thrillers, and action-packed adventure films.

click here for more movies

Published 5-August-2023