A rare run of racecourse-front homes in Hendra has attracted a buyer waiting list, driven by tightly held supply and direct views across Eagle Farm Racecourse.
Mein Street in Hendra is described as one of the only streets in Australia where freestanding homes sit directly on the boundary of a major metropolitan racecourse. About 20 homes sit along the stretch between the 1200m and 1400m start points of the Eagle Farm track.
The positioning is unusual for metropolitan racecourses, which are more commonly bordered by commercial buildings, stables, or infrastructure rather than residential homes.
Photo Credit: Place
Record Land Sale Points To Scarcity
A recently sold 850sqm parcel achieved $3.8 million, reported as a suburb land sale record for Hendra. The sale was made to Eagle Farm trainer Caitlin Hoysted and her husband Matt.
Market commentary linked the result to the limited supply and the difficulty of replicating the street’s outlook and location.
Photo Credit: Place
Micro-Market Draws Highly Specific Buyers
Agents have described Mein Street as a micro-market that has outperformed the broader Hendra market. Buyer interest has been characterised as narrow and location-specific, with some prospective purchasers focused solely on the racecourse frontage.
98 Mein Street Listing Highlights The Appeal
A neighbouring property at 98 Mein Street in Hendra is also on the market. The home is owned by interior designer Tonya Scheiwe of Style Elements Interiors and her husband Stu Balding.
Photo Credit: Place
The pair have recently completed the residence and are building on the block directly next door, while describing the street as a social community with race-day gatherings.
Other notable points about the property are the home’s position within Hendra, accessible to Racecourse Road and Portside; within walking distance to Doomben and Eagle Farm racecourses and the CBD about 8km away, a short commute via bus or train.
Racecourse Road has long been one of Hamilton’s most recognisable main streets, known for its mix of cafés, shops and services and its role as a local meeting place. It is also an area where proposed change often attracts close attention, and a recently approved mixed-use development has become a topic of ongoing discussion within the community.
The project is proposed for 63–71 Racecourse Road and 12 Balowrie Street, Hamilton, occupying a site that links the suburb’s commercial strip with surrounding residential streets. The development application (A006790991) has been approved by Brisbane’s local officials, allowing for a building that combines retail, food and residential uses.
Photo credit: Brisbane PD Online
Plans lodged with council outline a mid-rise mixed-use development intended to refresh this section of Racecourse Road. At street level, the proposal includes eight commercial tenancies with a combined floor area of approximately 1,380 sqm. These tenancies are planned to front both Racecourse Road and Kent Street, with the aim of maintaining an active and engaged streetscape.
Above the commercial component, three residential levels would deliver a total of 37 apartments. The mix includes nine two-bedroom and 28 three-bedroom dwellings, reflecting a focus on larger apartment layouts rather than smaller studio or one-bedroom units.
Photo credit: Brisbane PD Online
Design material released with the application indicates a strong emphasis on pedestrian movement and street engagement. A central laneway-style pedestrian connection is proposed to run through the site, linking Racecourse Road to Kent Street. Architectural features such as landscaped edges, deep verandahs and layered façades are intended to moderate the building’s scale and respond to the area’s subtropical streetscape character.
For residents, the development proposes shared facilities including a rooftop communal area of around 800 square metres. Planned amenities include a swimming pool, outdoor gym, yoga lawn and barbecue areas, providing communal spaces above street level. Parking is provided through a combination of basement and ground-level spaces, with 177 car parks and 47 bicycle spaces outlined in the application.
Community discussion continues
63–71 Racecourse Road (Photo credit: Google Street View)
While the approval process did not involve public notification, discussion within the local community has been active. Residents have been sharing views about the proposal through neighbourhood conversations and social media groups, reflecting a range of perspectives on the development.
Some community members see the project as a positive step for Racecourse Road, particularly at a time when many suburban shopping strips are adapting to changing retail conditions. Supporters have suggested that additional housing in close proximity to shops and services may help support local businesses and encourage a more consistent level of activity throughout the day and evening.
Others have expressed unease about how development of this scale may alter the character of Racecourse Road. Informal concerns raised online have included issues such as construction disruption, parking pressure and the cumulative effect of ongoing development along the strip. These views reflect broader conversations occurring across many established suburbs as higher-density projects are introduced into areas with long-standing local identities.
Despite differing opinions, the proposal did not receive formal public submissions during the assessment process. This is because the application was classified as a code assessable development under the Brisbane City Plan. Code assessable developments are those anticipated within the planning framework for a site and are assessed against set criteria. They do not require public notification or a public submissions period.
From a planning perspective, proponents of the development point to its assessment against existing planning controls and its emphasis on active street frontages, rather than blank walls or inactive edges. They argue that mid-rise mixed-use buildings can play a role in accommodating housing demand while supporting walkable neighbourhood centres with a mix of residential and commercial uses.
The contrast between the formal planning pathway and the level of informal community discussion highlights a familiar tension in suburbs like Hamilton. While planning schemes provide guidance about what forms of development are permissible, residents often experience change through its day-to-day impacts on movement, amenity and the visual character of their street.
With approval now in place, attention will turn to construction timing and how the project is delivered. For Racecourse Road, the development represents another phase in an ongoing evolution, continuing conversations about growth, character and the future direction of one of Brisbane’s best-known suburban precincts.
Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC), in partnership with Airservices Australia and supported by Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), has begun an 18-month voluntary trial to allow pilots to accept tailwinds of up to 10 knots overnight, with the objective of shifting more flights over water between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am, thereby reducing aircraft noise over surrounding suburbs.
The trial remains fully voluntary: no pilot or airline is required to take part, and participation rests solely at the pilot-in-command’s discretion. BAC emphasises the program operates entirely within existing regulatory settings and does not require any exemptions or changes to international aviation standards.
Photo credit: Brisbane Airport/Google Maps
Historically, Brisbane Airport permitted a 10-knot tailwind allowance for around three decades before that limit was reduced to 5 knots in 2016 when the airport aligned with international standards. The new trial is intended to gather evidence on whether safely restoring the higher tailwind limit on a permanent basis is feasible, while simultaneously offering potential noise benefits to nearby communities.
How the 18-month tailwind trial will operate
The trial will roll out in two phases:
First 6 months: the increased tailwind allowance applies only to departures.
Following 12 months: the allowance will be available for both arrivals and departures, provided conditions remain suitable.
The overnight operational window is between 10pm and 6am, targeting the hours when aircraft noise tends to have the greatest impact on residential communities around the airport.
Conditions required for participation
Photo credit: Brisbane Airport/Google Maps
Pilots may choose to accept a tailwind of up to 10 knots only if all of the following safety and operational conditions are met:
Tailwind component is 10 knots or less (including gusts)
Crosswind component is 20 knots or less (including gusts)
Runway is dry
No thunderstorms present or forecast within 30 nautical miles
No reported or forecast windshear
Adequate air-traffic control staffing
Traffic levels remain at acceptable levels
When those criteria are satisfied, Airservices Australia will issue a notification via the Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS), indicating that the tailwind option is available. At no point is participation mandated.
Purpose of the tailwind allowance
The core intention of the trial is to increase the likelihood that aircraft will take off and land over water, namely Moreton Bay, rather than above residential areas. Over-water flight paths tend to impose lower noise burdens on suburbs near the airport, especially overnight.
In the six months leading up to the trial’s launch, BAC reports that approximately 63 per cent of aircraft movements between 10pm and 6am either arrived or departed over water. BAC hopes restoring a 10-knot tailwind allowance under controlled conditions will lift that proportion even further, where safely possible.
Data collection and evaluation
Photo credit: Brisbane Airport/Google Maps
The trial has been developed and funded by BAC, with the aviation consultant PlanSafe tasked with creating the operational procedures and managing data collection. The programme aims to capture wind and operational performance data from participating aircraft.
Over the 18-month period, that dataset will be analysed to assess whether permanently reinstating the 10-knot tailwind limit, and thus more frequent over-water operations at night, is viable under safety standards.
Why the trial is timely
The tailwind trial forms part of a broader suite of noise-abatement measures at Brisbane Airport following changes to flight paths and the activation of its parallel runway in 2020. Over-water routing at night has featured prominently among strategies to reduce the noise impact on suburbs near the airport.
By gathering robust operational and safety data, BAC, Airservices Australia and CASA aim to balance the demands of aviation operations with community concerns about aircraft noise, potentially paving the way for a permanent tailwind policy that eases noise burdens while maintaining safety and compliance.
A Brisbane high school student will soon see her idea become part of a major retirement development, after winning a crane-naming competition at Bernborough Ascot.
Macgregor State High School student Zainabu Abdulganiu was selected as the winner through a competition linked to Magnolia House, the third building now under construction at the vertical retirement village. Her entry, Eternal Stable, reflects qualities she associated with strength, balance and community, and draws on the history of the site.
Photo supplied
The competition formed part of the Property Council of Australia’s Girls in Property initiative, which introduces female high school students to career pathways across the property and construction industries. The national program is now in its seventh year and has reached more than 600 students from 25 schools. In Queensland, four Brisbane schools and eight Townsville schools are participating in 2025.
For participating students, the naming activity offered a practical way to connect with a live project and understand how different roles contribute to a development. The crane carrying the name Eternal Stable is scheduled to be installed in November as construction progresses on Magnolia House.
Photo supplied
Magnolia House represents the next stage of Bernborough Ascot, which is recognised as Queensland’s first vertical retirement village located on a racetrack. Positioned beside Brisbane Racing Club’s Doomben course, the development combines apartment living with access to green space and its racetrack surroundings. The new building will feature a mix of two- and three-bedroom apartments, three penthouses and a rooftop dining and alfresco area overlooking the track. Residents are expected to move in from late 2027.
For Keyton, the developer behind Bernborough Ascot, the competition offered a way to involve students while also aligning with the all-women development team working on Magnolia House. Senior Development Manager Samantha Collins said the activity helped students see how a project comes together and allowed them to contribute in a meaningful way. She noted that naming cranes has become a simple but effective way to build community connection on construction sites.
The Girls in Property initiative continues to give students practical experiences such as workshops, tours and guidance from industry professionals. The program aims to expand awareness of career options in a sector that employs more than one million Australians.
For Zainabu, the naming competition provided insight into the property sector through direct engagement with an active development site. For the project team, Eternal Stable will stand as a reminder of student involvement as Magnolia House takes shape.
Albion’s racing community has been shaken by the news that long-time track curator and industry figure Ronald “Knacky” Knack, who helped shape the surface at Albion Park through years of dedicated work, has passed away, leaving behind a legacy rooted in the people who knew him.
Those who worked alongside Ron across Queensland’s harness racing circuit said he spent years preparing tracks at Albion Park, Redcliffe and Marburg, taking pride in keeping surfaces reliable for trainers and drivers.
Club officials at Albion described him as a steady presence whose work supported the racing community and contributed to the smooth running of countless events. His daughter Wynetta said he had been involved in racing from his early days as a trainer at Placid Hills before shifting his focus to track curation, later helping with the Marburg track upgrade and eventually serving as Albion Park’s curator and mobile driver.
Friends and family shared that he often spoke proudly of the work done at Albion, where he was still seen on race days until recently.
Family Ties and Quiet Struggles
Ron’s family said his connection to the sport continued through the next generation, with his grandsons Nathan and Mitchell Dawson building their own careers in harness racing. Nathan, one of Australia’s leading drivers, became the first reinsman in Queensland to record 400 wins in a single season, an achievement Ron followed closely and celebrated with pride.
The family also spoke about the difficult years following the loss of Ron’s wife, Beryl, who died from complications after surgery. Wynetta said her father lived with long-term mental health challenges and hoped his story would encourage others to look after themselves and the people around them.
To honour his memory, the family has created a mental health fundraiser supporting R U OK?
Clubs Reflect on His Contribution
Community leaders at Redcliffe and Albion Park said Ron’s influence reached beyond track preparation, describing him as a respected figure whose efforts shaped the racing environment for many years. They recalled how he continued attending race days even after stepping back from official duties, often spending time talking with trainers, staff and families.
Many who knew him described him as someone willing to help whenever needed. His ongoing volunteer work at the Gatton Show Society and the Marburg Harness Racing Association earned him life membership at both organisations, and locals noted that he continued assisting with track maintenance at Marburg until recently.
Community Says Goodbye
The family expected a large turnout for his funeral service at Peace Lutheran Church in Gatton on 8 December, and said the community’s response shows how widely he was appreciated. They also encouraged anyone wishing to honour his memory to support the fundraiser created in his name, which continues to receive donations and messages from people across Queensland’s racing circles.
St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School in Ascot recorded strong NAPLAN outcomes in 2025, although its Year 5 and Year 9 cohorts saw a shift in their statewide rankings compared with the previous year.
St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School remained a high-performing school in Brisbane’s north, with consistent literacy and numeracy outcomes across its 2025 NAPLAN results. The school’s ranking, however, moved from its 2024 position.
For Year 5, St Margaret’s placed 23rd in 2025 with an average score of 543.4, compared with 8th in 2024 when the cohort reached an average of 558.8. For Year 9, the school placed 17th in 2025 with an average of 622.4, compared with 14th in 2024 when the average was 624.8. Despite these shifts, the school continued to record results well above the national minimum expectations.
St Margaret’s educates 1436 students from Prep to Year 12 and holds an ICSEA value of 1158, placing it within the 96th percentile for socio-educational advantage.
In Year 5, the 2025 results included reading at 552, writing at 543, spelling at 522, grammar at 570 and numeracy at 530, creating an average score of 543.4. The previous year’s cohort performed higher across all domains, with reading at 564, writing at 566, spelling at 540, grammar at 579 and numeracy at 545, resulting in an average of 558.8.
In Year 9, the 2025 cohort recorded reading at 614, writing at 649, spelling at 607, grammar at 626 and numeracy at 616, reaching an average of 622.4. The 2024 cohort results were slightly higher with reading at 617, writing at 652, spelling at 602, grammar at 638 and numeracy at 615, resulting in an average of 624.8. The ranking movement occurred despite only minor shifts in overall averages.
These figures are based on the combined results of the five standard NAPLAN assessment areas published through the MySchool platform, which excludes schools with fewer than 20 students or incomplete results.
Queensland’s Statewide NAPLAN Context
Across Queensland, participation in NAPLAN testing reached 89.7 per cent in 2025, the highest rate recorded since 2019. Around 1800 more students took part compared with 2024. More than 60 per cent of Queensland students achieved strong or exceeding levels in reading and numeracy. Among the strongest performers statewide were Sunnybank Hills State School, Ipswich Grammar School and Citipointe Christian College.
National NAPLAN results released on 30 July showed that about one-third of students were not meeting literacy and numeracy expectations. Approximately 10 per cent of students were significantly behind and required additional support, while another segment was working towards expected proficiency levels.
ACARA reported that national results remained broadly stable, with improvements most notable in numeracy for Years 5, 7 and 9. Persistent gaps remained for students in remote communities, Indigenous students and those experiencing socio-economic disadvantage.
Understanding Ascot’s Position
The movement in St Margaret’s ranking reflects changes in relative performance across Queensland rather than a significant decline in the school’s own results. The Year 9 average fell only slightly from 624.8 to 622.4. The Year 5 results showed a more noticeable decrease, contributing to the overall ranking shift. Despite this movement, St Margaret’s continues to deliver academic outcomes that place it among the stronger performing schools in the state.
School-level NAPLAN reports released in early December will continue to guide planning, with schools using the data to support targeted literacy and numeracy programs. The results will inform academic strategies as cohorts progress through the coming school years.
A new neighbourhood wine shop has opened in Albion, offering minimal-intervention wines within an intimate space shaped by Swiss bottle-shop influences.
Ruby’s Wine Shop opened on 21 November 2025, adding a new wine-focused venue to Albion’s hospitality offerings. Located at 3/297 Sandgate Road, it sits alongside nearby businesses including Jocelyn’s Provisions, Botanica and Sprout Social.
The founder, Tamara Husler, previously worked in emergency healthcare before pursuing her long-standing interest in wine. The venue is named after her border collie, Ruby, who is regularly present in the shop.
Husler’s concept reflects influences from her upbringing in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, shaping a relaxed neighbourhood bottle-shop feel within a 20-seat interior. Timber finishes, polished floorboards, shelving lined with bottles and a central timber table form the layout.
Ruby’s Wine Shop aligns with a growing number of wine store-bar hybrids across Brisbane, offering a casual setting for tastings and take-home purchases.
Ruby’s stocks around 100 bottles from small producers specialising in minimal-intervention winemaking. A rotating list of six to eight wines is available daily for tasting by the glass.
The range includes Australian makers such as Konpira Maru and Momento Mori, with Queensland producers including Crusher, Unnatural Urges and Knucklehead Wines. International selections include Austrian and French labels, and plans are in place to introduce wines from Switzerland in the coming months.
Ruby’s Wine Shop does not hold a food licence. Guests may bring their own food or order from neighbouring venues, including Olive Thyme. Packaged snacks may be added later.
The wine shop is dog-friendly, with Ruby often greeting visitors.
Albion’s Growing Hospitality Scene
Ruby’s Wine Shop adds to the expanding food and drink landscape in Albion, providing a low-key option for tastings and bottle purchases within a European-influenced environment.
With its November opening, Ruby’s Wine Shop has introduced a relaxed wine experience to Albion. The venue plans to broaden its range over time, including the addition of Swiss wines.
The Paddock and Members Grandstands at Eagle Farm Racecourse in Ascot are set for a major transformation, with a development application lodged to refurbish and modernise the historic structures while enhancing the overall race-day experience.
Under the proposal (A006814732), patrons, jockeys, and stewards will benefit from upgraded facilities including new function rooms, stewards’ and jockeys’ areas, and modern amenities such as ice baths and spas.
Photo credit: Brisbane PD Online
The project also features redesigned bar and dining spaces, new terraces, and a link bridge connecting the Paddock to the St Leger Precinct.
Site plan (Photo credit: Brisbane PD Online)
The winners’ enclosure will be reconfigured to improve spectator views, while landscaped garden beds, green roofs, and upgraded lawns aim to soften the site and provide attractive gathering areas. A new community hub is also planned, designed to bring people together for race days and other events.
Photo credit: Brisbane PD Online
As part of the redevelopment, some existing structures, including the John Power Stand, Steward’s Tower, and several trees, will be demolished. Despite the changes, planners stress the design will preserve Eagle Farm’s heritage character while delivering a contemporary upgrade that integrates with its historic surroundings.
History of the Grandstands
Undated photo of the completed Paddock Stand with the eastern edge of the 1924 Members Stand (Photo credit: Tote Archive/Brisbane PD Online)
Eagle Farm Racecourse, established in 1863 in Brisbane’s Ascot, has long stood as Queensland’s premier racing venue. Just 6 kilometres from the CBD, it became more accessible with the opening of Ascot railway station in 1882.
The Paddock Stand, designed in 1889–1890 by architects Hunter and Corrie in partnership with John H. Buckeridge, was a brick and iron grandstand completed in 1890.
1936 photo of the Paddock Stand and the Members Stand (Photo credit: SLQ negative 65212/Brisbane PD Online)
Featuring a vaulted roof with a ventilated ridge, timber gables, and decorative cast-iron balustrades, the stand quickly became a focal point for racegoers. Its tiered seating faced the track, with a large open forecourt that encouraged both viewing and social interaction.
The Members Stand followed in 1904, and over the decades, both structures were extended and modified, most notably in the 1920s, when the Paddock Stand was lengthened in 1921 and the Members Stand expanded in 1925. These updates gave the grandstands a cohesive appearance, blending brick, rendered masonry, timber windows, leadlight details, and decorative arches.
More than a century later, the Paddock and Members Grandstands remain integral to Eagle Farm’s heritage and identity. The new redevelopment aims to carry this legacy forward, ensuring the structures continue to serve both racing enthusiasts and the broader community for generations to come.
Brothers Rugby Club in Albion is among the Brisbane clubs set to receive safety funding. The grants respond to vandalism and illegal dumping reported at community facilities across the city.
The grant announcements followed reports of vandalism, break ins and illegal dumping at community clubs in Brisbane. Volunteers have raised concerns about the time and money they spend repairing damage.
Council material noted that clubs have faced vandalism, break ins and illegal dumping, which led to calls for stronger security measures for suburban facilities.
Albion Club Among Those Affected
Brothers Rugby Club was confirmed as one of the organisations awarded funding for safety upgrades. The club will enhance CCTV to support member safety and improve its facilities.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
These upgrades include better lighting, stronger locks and new surveillance equipment. The improvements aim to protect equipment and reduce disruptions to training sessions and community events.
Rising Incidents Across Brisbane Suburbs
Other clubs across Brisbane reported frequent dumping and vandalism. One football club described ongoing problems with rubbish left on its grounds and repeated damage to facilities. A cricket club on the northside sought new locks and security support after recurring incidents.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
These experiences highlighted the pressure placed on volunteers who maintain fields and clubhouses. The grants aim to ease this strain by supporting simple upgrades that reduce risks and limit damage.
Wider Safety Effort In Brisbane
The Safer Suburbs program has supported more than 140 organisations since it began in 2024. About $500,000 was allocated in this latest round. Each club receives support for targeted safety upgrades. Council officials said stronger lighting, new locks and CCTV help deter crime and protect local assets.
The program works with a network of fixed and mobile safety cameras across Brisbane that monitor public areas and provide a broader safety measure for local suburbs.
Albion’s iconic Breakfast Creek Hotel is preparing to reopen after the first stage of a $2.75-million renovation at the end of November. The update will transform the hotel’s Spanish Garden Steakhouse and add a new Pizza Kitchen, combining elements of the building’s historic character with modern design features.
The upgraded Spanish Garden Steakhouse will feature expanded capacity and air-conditioning, along with warm timber finishes and exposed brickwork that highlight the hotel’s heritage architecture. The project, designed by Cayas & Ward Architects and built by Herron Coorey Builders, incorporates contemporary layouts and updated facilities to provide a modern hospitality environment while respecting the hotel’s history.
Photo credit: Breakfast Creek Hotel/Google Maps
The menu at the Spanish Garden Steakhouse and Pizza Kitchen will also see changes. Guests will be able to enjoy woodfired pizzas alongside the hotel’s established steak offerings, sourced from producers including Darling Downs, Nolans, Five Founders, and Black Onyx. Patrons will also continue to enjoy XXXX beer “off the wood,” a feature that has remained part of the venue even as other hotels switched to steel kegs. The bar will include an expanded selection of cocktails and wines.
Photo credit: Breakfast Creek Hotel/Google Maps
The Breakfast Creek Hotel has long been a gathering place for locals and visitors. The renovations are designed to maintain this welcoming atmosphere while offering updated spaces for dining and socialising.
A Landmark Steeped in History
The Breakfast Creek Hotel was built in 1889 in the French Renaissance style by former Brisbane Lord Mayor William MacNaughton Galloway. Its doors opened in May 1890, and it quickly became a popular venue in Brisbane. Galloway’s initials are visible on the hotel’s façade, a reminder of its origins.
Photo credit: Breakfast Creek Hotel/Google Maps
In the 1920s, the Cavill family took over the lease and maintained it for 72 years, until 1998. This long tenure provided stability and allowed the hotel to develop enduring traditions. Over the decades, the hotel introduced several firsts for Brisbane’s hospitality scene, including beer garden-style dining in the mid-20th century, an outdoor kitchen where customers could select their own steaks, and one of the city’s earliest drive-through bottle shops.
The Spanish Garden Steakhouse opened in 1968. Originally serving Mexican dishes, it later shifted to steaks and barbecue, becoming a notable feature of the hotel. The venue also retained the tradition of serving beer from wooden kegs while other pubs moved to steel.
In 1992, the hotel was entered into the Queensland Heritage Register. Today, it is owned and operated by the Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group. The hotel has undergone several renovations over the years, including a $4.5-million redevelopment in 2003 that updated the venue while maintaining its heritage features. The current revitalisation continues that approach, blending preservation with modern hospitality standards.
Looking Ahead
The Spanish Garden Steakhouse and new Pizza Kitchen are scheduled to reopen at the end of November, marking the completion of the first stage of the $2.75-million renovation. Further upgrades, including new private event areas and outdoor dining spaces, are planned for 2026.
The Breakfast Creek Hotel remains one of Brisbane’s most recognised pubs. With its heritage architecture, long-standing traditions, and updated facilities, it continues to be a notable destination for both locals and visitors. The upcoming reopening of the Spanish Garden Steakhouse and Pizza Kitchen offers an opportunity to experience the venue’s blend of historic charm and modern hospitality.
