North Brisbane fans of OMG Decadent Donuts will no longer have to wait for their next weekend stop at the Carseldine Markets as the renowned vegan bakery finally launches a store in Ascot.
OMG Decadent Donuts Ascot will serve 12 different flavours of their hot and fresh donuts, including the crowd favourites, such as Strawberry Patch (fresh strawberries, vanilla bean, Bundaberg sugar), OMG! Cinnamon (cinnamon and Bundaberg sugar), and Coffee Coffee Yum Yum (ground Ethiopian coffee, Bundaberg sugar).
What’s special about the donuts is that they aren’t only delicious and fluffy; they are also free from gluten, wheat, egg, dairy, nut, yeast, and sulfites. Besides that, all the fruits and veggies, such as beetroot, raspberries, and navel oranges will be locally sourced, dehydrated, and ground.
OMG Decadent Donuts is the brainchild of former Drift restaurant owner David Moore and his partner Andrew Clarke. The idea of coming up with allergy-friendly sweet treats started with Clarke, who convinced his partner to come up with a doughnut mix that he could also enjoy since he’s allergic to gluten and dairy.
OMG Decadent Donuts first opened in 2019 by selling their donuts in farmers type markets, festivals, expos and events. As the business continued to grow, they welcomed Di O’Reilly and her husband Steve Morris into the team. Today, the business has over 50 franchisees across the country.
They chose Ascot as the retail store’s location since it’s in proximity to their places and they believe the area is such a great community that they would want to be part of.
To stay updated with OMG Decadent Donuts in Ascot, including their exact location and trading hours, follow them on Facebook or on Instagram @omgdonuts.australia.
Did you know that Australia’s largest bus coachbuilder, Volgren, is expanding its workforce at the Eagle Farm factory? Volgren plans to deliver a fleet of locally-produced electric buses beginning 2022.
Thiago Deiro, the CEO of the Melbourne-based company, said that Volgren’s next chapter will secure the jobs of 45 workers in Eagle Farm. They will soon hire more employees “to double labour capacity” of the manufacturing centre as it expands its investments in Queensland.
“Volgren has spent more than a decade developing a skilled workforce and a world-class manufacturing centre at Eagle Farm. It’s not something we ever wanted to walk away from,” Mr Diero said.
“Our plans are to invest in our people and our production facilities to meet new levels of demand and ensure the next generation of zero-emission buses can be built locally.”
In June, Volgren delivered its final bus to Brisbane City Council after 12 years of a partnership but a period of uncertainty faced the workers. However, as Brisbane Metro sets its pilot for electric buses next year, Deiro confirmed that Volgren will play a key role in the “acceptance, testing and delivery of the metro vehicle.”
“We know that Brisbane City Council is leading the way on Australia’s move to zero-emission public transport,” the CEO said in a statement.
“With Eagle Farm secured, and a focus on building world-class zero-emission buses, we can confidently respond to tenders in this state and across the country.”
Clayton Nel, the head of the Queensland operations, welcomed the headquarter’s decision to maintain the Eagle Farm staff. He said that their employees are a group of dedicated individuals who have always exceeded the company’s goals the customer’s expectations.
Ascot continues to consistently lord it over Brisbane’s prestige property markets as buyers flex their muscles, capping a 31.52 percent median house price growth in the 12-month period ending June 2021.
From July 2020 to June 2021, Ascot’s median house price is at the tip of the $2-million mark at $1,900,500, blowing expectations out of the water.
Per figures from Property Market Updates, the pandemic hasn’t spooked serious buyers as 131 properties were sold during this period, with listings staying just under three months on the market.
Heritage protection for mid-1800 Queenslander homes set in large blocks of land has ensured that Ascot has some of the most interesting and historically valuable homes in Brisbane.
In the last five years, the median house price has increased by 51.4%. The median house price in Ascot for the period July 2015 to June 2016 was $1.255 million. Over the last 10 years, house prices have increased by 7.6% per annum.
Homes in Ascot are tightly held and opportunities to buy into the area usually disappear fast, factors which add to its appeal to interstate and international buyers, as well as local investors looking for a blue-chip deal.
Whilst Ascot’s housing market has exceeded performance, the unit market has been largely flat, with the median even dipping by 0.47%, slightly dropping to $525,000 over the last 12-month period ending June 2021 from $527,500 in the previous period.
In the last five years, the median price of units has decreased by 1.3%. The median unit price in Ascot in 2016 was $531,850. On average, over the last 10 years, unit prices have seen modest growth, increasing by only 2.8% per annum.
Photo Credit: Google Streetview
The value gap has highlighted the significant difference between investing in a house and a unit in Ascot, and Brisbane as a whole. Unit sales volume in Ascot is at 167 properties sold suggests that there’s still demand from unit hunters seeking opportunities to buy into the suburb, even with conservative returns.
The Ascot Green residential precinct, with apartments overlooking the Eagle Farm racecourse, has been a sought-after choice for buyers looking for prestige units. A third apartment block is on the way, with the first two having quickly sold out.
Due to its location midway between the Brisbane CBD and the Brisbane airport, Ascot is a convenient and popular choice for buyers looking for a quiet, wealthy neighbourhood in a prime location that’s accessible to travel, shopping, and other lifestyle amenities.
Ascot is also home to excellent private and public schools, such as St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School and Ascot State School. Residents also have easy access to highly regarded private schools in neighbouring Clayfield, such as Clayfield College and St Agatha’s Catholic Primary School.
Although there have been some concerns regarding aircraft noise with the opening of the new runways at Brisbane Airport, the latest median figures suggest that the opening of Brisbane’s second airport runway has had little impact on Ascot’s property values.
Residents in high-end suburbs like Ascot, Bulimba, and Hawthorne have complained about their diminished quality of life due to the second runway’s increased flights but so far, this hasn’t turned off buyer activity.
Overall, Ascot’s rising property market remains on-trend and consistent. A Domain Liveable Brisbane study from 2019 has ranked Ascot as the third most liveable suburb in Greater Brisbane, with its air of quiet wealth, cafe culture, prestigious schools, recreational spaces, and unbeatable access to trains, ferry lines, and the airport.
History buffs will surely enjoy a trip to the TradeCoast Central Heritage Park Interpretive Centre. For locals who just want to do something free with the family whilst learning something new, a trip to the centre can be a perfect family day out in Eagle Farm. To get the most out of your visit, here are some of the best things to do at the TradeCoast Central Heritage Park Interpretive Centre.
Did you know that a visit to the TradeCoast Central Heritage Park Interpretive Centre means you get to visit three heritage sites in one trip?
When you join a group down the walking trail, you will start at the Eagle Farm Women’s Prison and Factory trail. Here, you will find a replica of the original fence and gates made of eucalypt poles measuring 5.2 metres high which doubled as both an enclosure and defensive measures.
Next up is the Allison Engine Testing Stands, a heritage-listed engine test stand that was built by the USAAF 81st Air Depot Group and the Allied Works Council in 1942. At this place, locally refurbished aircraft engines were tested during the Second World War.
The heritage trail to the south-west features Hangar 7, a hangar or a closed building structure to hold aircraft. Located fronting Terminal Drive to the south on the site of the old Brisbane Airport, Hangar 7 is a timber truss igloo structure with ribbed sheet metal cladding. This Eagle Farm structure is the last surviving Second World War timber truss igloo hangar.
Aside from a view of the outside of the Hangar 7 building with interpretive displays, it also features a re-creation of the Japanese Zero’s first flight over Brisbane.
When you visit TradeCoast Central Heritage Park you will be able to connect to these audio tours, with free wi-fi available for your smartphone. There will be three audio tours on site. The first tour is an overview of three heritage sites. The second is about the Eagle Farm Women’s Prison and Factory Site and the Allison Engine Testing Stands, and the last one is about Hangar 7.
Photo credit: TradeCoast Central Heritage Park/Facebook
Watch a short film
Photo credit: TradeCoast Central Heritage Park/Facebook
The Interpretive Centre incorporates a range of interactive portals including a cinema room with a 10 minute, HD movie providing insight into the early explorers, the daily life of inhabitants (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples) and how the environment has changed since the early 1820s.
Photo credit: TradeCoast Central Heritage Park/Facebook
Whilst you can have a meal at one of the food outlets at the Interpretative Centre, you can also have a picnic there with your group. There’s plenty of parking available and room to spread out over the green grass of the park which covers what was once a Convict Factory, a women’s prison, and a busy airport runway.
Unwind
Photo credit: TradeCoast Central Heritage Park/Facebook
The site, featuring the women’s prison and the factory also has an expansive viewing balcony overlooking the whole site and its attractions.
“Huge open space full of history. Very enlightening. Such a wide use over the years. Well worth a visit,” said local guide Ben Waters.
The centre’s opening hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday. For more details about visiting the TradeCoast Central Heritage Park Interpretive Centre, visit their website or follow them on Facebook.
Sydney-based roaster Seven Miles will soon open a part coffee shop-part roastery at Craft’d Grounds in Albion, where visitors can watch the roasting process whilst enjoying their coffee.
Seven Miles, now supplying to more than 100 coffee shops and cafes across the state, will also offer coffee masterclasses, public tastings, and new ways of brewing in their new Brissie space which will feature a warehouse space, roasting area, as well as a retail section and kiosk.
Photo credit: Seven Miles Coffee Roasters/Facebook
Built with ceiling-high glass walls and an open seating plan, the 400-sqm roastery allows a completely immersive and transparent experience, where coffee lovers can come and witness a speciality roaster in action. Heading up the operation within Craft’d Grounds will be Ben Graham who joined the company earlier this year after having previously owned local Brisbane favourite, Parallel Roasters.
Seven Miles roastery in Albion promises drinkers something new to try and will pour many other specialty varieties that will be roasted on-site. Aside from the traditional espresso, customers can have cold press and batch brews made using Seraphim, a unique brewing system that can make single cups of handcrafted coffee in minutes.
Seven Miles’ Queensland operations manager Ben Graham (Photo credit: Seven Miles Coffee Roasters/Facebook)
Once everything is up and running, the team at Seven Miles would try to collaborate on drinks with other new tenancies at Craft’d Grounds, including craft beer brewery Brewtide and an upcoming wine and cocktail bar. Due to open in October 2021, the precinct will also be home to patisserie, fromagerie and fitness facility.
A former timber mill, Craft’d Grounds is planning to host exciting events for locals, including a regular farmers market and a street-art lined laneway. The precinct will have enough capacity for various live music and food events.
Seven Miles Albion plans to open by October 2021. For updates, visit their website or follow them on Facebook.
Looking for a place to meet, eat, and get things done? Check out Albion’s newest cafe, Flora Social Eatery, a hybrid cafe/restaurant with a big focus on the community.
Flora Social Eatery is equipped with individual spaces, community tables, and even boardrooms that can be accessed inside for those who need a co-working space. They also started to open their social hub last month for locals who need a space for getting their project off the ground or growing their business.
Photo credit: Flora Social Eatery/Facebook
The social hub will be available for a variety of uses, including arts & crafts, yoga/pilates, support groups, women’s and men’s circles, sound healing, networking groups, aromatherapy, pottery, agricultural programs, and more.
Photo credit: Flora Social Eatery/Facebook
Sustainability is crucial to this cafe, and this can be seen in its commitment to growing leafy greens and herbs in its small urban farm. The menu changes according to what’s in season and available, but you can expect to enjoy South American flavours, European cuts and classic Australian dishes at Flora Social Eatery.
The cafe bathes in natural light, thanks to the giant windows. It features an atrium-style dining room with tables, chairs, and couches, much like Central Perk, that iconic coffee house in the TV series, Friends.
Photo credit: Flora Social Eatery/Facebook
Signature menu items include the Gulf Prawn Benedict, Flora’s Tacos, and Big Matt’s Breakfast, which is an egg dish with bacon, chorizo, potato hash, mushrooms, and tomato relish. As for drinks, they serve coffee from Melbourne’s Roasting Warehouse, available in two blends– dark and strong or rich and chocolatey.
Photo credit: Flora Social Eatery/Facebook
Flora Social Eatery is open seven days a week for breakfast and lunch. They also offer takeaway and curbside pickup. You can follow them on social media for updates on trading hours and promotions.
For everyone’s safety, Flora Social Eatery encourages guests to use their sanitiser stations at each entry, check-in for contact tracing, and practice social distancing.
After selling out the first two residential developments of Ascot Green, Mirvac has lodged plans for the next apartment block in the precinct, which will comprise hundreds of apartments and a rooftop boasting gorgeous city views.
Comprising twin towers, the development application (DA A005794918) seeks to build 256 multiple dwellings over the course of two stages. The first stage will deliver 115 apartments and the second stage will complete 141 units.
Ascot Green‘s Building C and D have been designed as subtropical-inspired apartments, which will have the precinct’s first four-bedroom units and four integrated terraces fronting the racecourse. The rooftop enclave will have a private dining area and plush lounges for entertaining and leisure.
On the other hand, the ground floor spaces will include a resort-style pool overlooking the racecourse and gym facilities. Some 475 car parks across two basement levels have also been included in the design.
Once approved, the dwellings will go to market by late 2021 or early 2022.
“In keeping with the peaceful and natural surrounds, residents will enjoy the authentically Queenslander experiences of shade and shelter, and screening and greenery, with the ability to open and close elements as they wish to maximise natural light and ventilation,” Mirvac Design director Nicolas Thioulouse said.
Photo Credit: Developmenti/BCC
It comes as Mirvac has successfully sold out the first two buildings, Ascot House and Tulloch House, as part of the Brisbane Racing Club‘s master plan. Ascot House, with 90 apartments, has been completed, whilst Tullock House, with 84 apartments is expected to finish by the end of the year.
Aside from the luxury apartments and the retirement living spaces, Ascot Green will also house commercial spaces, medical services, retail, dining, childcare, and swim school.
Stage C of the National Cricket Campus development in Albion has begun, comprising improvements for the Allan Border Field and Ray Lindwall Oval. The project aims to transform the popular sports site into a world-class facility to be used by various teams and community clubs.
The $18.8 million National Cricket Campus project has been funded by Australian and Queensland Governments, Brisbane City Council, Cricket Australia, Queensland Cricket and Northern Suburbs District Cricket Club. Hutchinson Builders is the principal contractor for the project and has successfully completed the delivery of Stage A and B on Shaw Road in December 2020.
Stage C of this development will deliver the following features:
Five new international wickets, including a subcontinent preparation pitch.
An extended Allan Border Field boundary size.
Terrace seating and a new electronic scoreboard.
New lighting for training areas.
A new amenity building to include change rooms, ground manager’s office and high-performance offices.
Improved drainage and turf facility management to allow for 365-day-a-year field usage.
Whilst development is ongoing, teams and clubs may use the new training fields on Shaw Road.
“Brisbane is increasingly seen as the home of cricket in Australia. But this project is exciting not only for the city, but for the entire cricket community around the country,” MP Trevor Evans said. Mr Evans was at the sod-turning ceremony on 22 July.
“These new facilities will ensure that all our cricketers have the amenities and playing grounds to thrive, as well nurture our next generation of Tim Paines and Meg Lannings”.
Stage C is expected to finish by May 2022. Once the Campus fully opens, it is expected to boost economic activity in Brisbane when international and national training programs begin. The National Cricket Campus will be open year-round.
For the first time in 46 years, the prestigious Ascot mansion also known as “Brisbane’s very own White House” went on the market and was promptly snapped up soon after.
The property at 32 Sutherland Avenue was owned by Brian White, joint chairman and patriarch of Ray White Group, the largest real estate group in Australasia.The auction for the 3,035-sqm property was scheduled for 17 July 2021, but the property sold a week prior to the auction. Following a bidding war among four buyers, only two buyers – one from Sydney and one from Asia – ended up in a multiple offer situation. In the end, a family from Sydney won the bid.
“The home is perfectly designed for Queensland family living. There’s (sic) great outdoor spaces which give full flexibility to energetic activities including a cricket practice pitch, all with great privacy,” Mr White said in a news release.
Mr White and his wife, Rosemary, have owned the property since 1975. Although they already moved to Sydney in the ‘90s and own a few more properties in Australia, the Ascot home is dear to them because it was their first family home. This is where they raised their three sons.
“We had been thinking about selling in Ascot for the past 12 months and we listened to the advice of Matt and Dwight about why now was the best time to sell on the property clock. Their extensive marketing attracted inquiry from all over Australia with interest from Sydney and Perth and even Asia,” Mr White said.
The grocery shopping experience has accelerated at Coles Local Ascot, where customers can easily pick and mix from a self-service freezer filled with Japanese mochi ice cream and French meringue-based macaron cookies, and then pay for their sweet treats at the counter.
A few steps from the bar is a self-service coffee station, where shoppers can buy high-quality brews from DC Specialty Coffee Roasters. A Scoop & Weigh bar has also been laid out for pet parents looking for carefully curated dog treats.
Photo Credit: Nick Samiric/Google Maps
The refurbished supermarket, located at the corner of Racecourse Road and Dobson Street, is one of three Coles Local stores across the country to undergo a major innovation in 2021 to escalate its product selections.
Like Coles Local York Street in Sydney and Coles Local Fitzroy in Melbourne, the Ascot outlet’s choices have been specifically tailored for the locals. Aside from the mochi and macaron bar, Brisbane shoppers will be able to shop for these upscale and in-demand goodies in one location:
According to Coles’ Chief of Sustainability, Property and Export Officer, Thinus Keevé, they have been experimenting with this concept since 2018 at a handful of outlets in Melbourne and it always generated positive feedback.
Photo Credit: Nick Samiric/Google Maps
Coles Local Ascot has about 40 percent of premium products that you won’t find at a regular Coles.
