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Hendra Residents ‘Priced Out’ of Legal Fight Against McDonald’s

A Hendra community group has been forced to abandon its legal challenge against a new McDonald’s drive-through on Nudgee Rd, stating the overwhelming cost of a court battle against the multinational corporation made their fight impossible to continue.

Community Abandons Appeal

The group, Hendra Locals Against McDonald’s (HLAM), recently dropped its Planning and Environment Court appeal over the restaurant proposed for 330 Nudgee Rd.

A spokesman for the group, Bill Moore, said it should not be up to local “mums and dads” to find money for expensive legal battles during an affordability crisis. He expressed frustration that residents had to withdraw their appeal in August after lodging it in March, simply because they ran out of money.

Mr Moore suggested the case shows the need for an independent planning tribunal, similar to one used in Sydney. He argued that local councils often lack the financial and human resources to fight large corporations and that new exclusion zones are needed to protect communities.

‘Unrealistic’ Traffic Claims at Centre of Dispute

The residents’ core concern centred on traffic safety, specifically the risk of cars queuing on Gerler Rd and backing up onto the busy Nudgee Rd intersection.

The developer’s application included a traffic report claiming the drive-through would be highly efficient, assuming an average service time of just 25 seconds per vehicle. This, the report claimed, would allow for 144 vehicles an hour and prevent queuing, noting the site has space for 13 cars.

However, Mr Moore challenged this figure as unrealistic. He said he timed patrons at the nearby Albion McDonald’s during an evening peak period and found the actual time from ordering to exiting was closer to 2.5 minutes. He noted that US studies put average wait times at four minutes.

The article noted that the developer’s traffic report conceded the data was “provided by the client” and was based on a desktop investigation conducted in January of last year.

Council Approved Scaled-Down Plan

The council approved the project in January despite receiving 436 formal objections from the community. Residents believe this decision set a dangerous precedent, fearing it could allow more fast-food outlets to be built in residential zones.

According to town planners for the site’s owner, the 2120-square-metre property had been used for non-residential businesses, such as a car rental storage area, since the 1960s.

The developer’s initial proposal in July 2022 was for a full-scale restaurant. After meetings with the council, the owner agreed to scale back the project. The approved plan is for a drive-through-only facility on one lot, which is about 65 per cent of the standard restaurant size, and has all vehicle access limited to Gerler Rd.

Published Date 30-October-2025

Brisbane Student Names Construction Crane At Bernborough Ascot Retirement Project

Bernborough Ascot in Brisbane has given a Macgregor State High School student the opportunity to name the construction crane that will help build Magnolia House, the development’s third building.

Community-led Recognition

The crane will arrive on site in November to support construction of Magnolia House. It is part of Queensland’s first vertical retirement village beside the Doomben racecourse. The naming was organised through the national Girls in Property program run by the Property Council of Australia. The program introduces young women to real career pathways in the property and construction sector.

Macgregor State High School student Zainabu Abdulganiu was selected as the winner, submitting the name Eternal Stable. She said the choice reflected long-lasting strength, balance and a connection to the location’s history. The development team said the name aligns with Bernborough Ascot’s position beside Doomben racecourse and its status as a vertical retirement village built within a racing precinct.

Girls In Property Program Impact

Nationally, the Girls in Property program is in its seventh year and has reached more than 600 students from 25 schools. In Queensland, the program is in its eighth year. It involves workshops, site tours and mentorship to help students understand the career paths that exist within the property industry.

Program leaders said it aims to broaden students’ understanding of who can work in the sector. In Queensland, four Brisbane schools and eight Townsville schools are participating in 2025.

Magnolia House Development

Magnolia House will include two- and three-bedroom apartments, three penthouses and a rooftop dining and alfresco space overlooking the racetrack. Construction is underway and sales are expected to open soon, with the first residents planned to move in from late 2027.

The development is being delivered by Keyton, which operates more than 75 retirement villages nationally and houses around 17,000 residents.

Connection Beyond Construction

Members of Keyton’s development team said involving students in real project decisions is a practical way to help young women see a place for themselves in the industry.

They said the crane naming gives students a visible contribution to a project that will soon become a home for older residents. Program organisers describe the initiative as a meaningful way to connect education with real-world development.

Published 28-October-2025

What’s On Brisbane: Unmissable Events to Catch This Week: Oct 20-26

Published 20-Oct-2025

Ascot Home Sells for $9.8 Million After Just Five Days on Market

Photo Credit: Ray White

In one of Brisbane’s most exclusive postcodes, a heritage home at 104 Alexandra Road, Ascot has made headlines after selling for about $9.8 million — and it happened in just five days.

The sale marks a new record for Alexandra Road, a street already known for its grand homes and leafy outlook.

The Home and Its History

The property sits on a generous 1,275-square-metre block and features four bedrooms, five bathrooms, and parking for four cars. Originally built around 1936, it was carefully modernised to balance its classic charm with contemporary comfort.

The design encourages indoor-outdoor living, with wide terraces, open pavilions, and landscaped gardens that make the most of Queensland’s subtropical climate.

Among its standout features are a 25-metre lap pool, a separate pool house, and an underground level that includes a wine cellar, cold room, and four-car garage. Smart-home technology has been integrated throughout, along with a sustainable irrigation system.

The Sale and Its Significance

The property was listed through Ray White New Farm and attracted strong buyer interest immediately. Despite its premium price point, the campaign lasted less than a week before a sale was finalised.

The quick turnaround reflects both the limited supply of prestige properties and the continued strength of Brisbane’s high-end housing market. Industry analysts noted that few properties in Ascot or nearby Hamilton achieve prices near $10 million, making this transaction a clear indicator of confidence in Brisbane’s luxury sector.

Agents described it as a new benchmark for the suburb and a sign that demand for top-tier homes remains firm even amid broader economic uncertainty.

A Record and a Reflection of Demand

The vendors, who had owned the property for about 15 years, decided it was time to move on, opening an opportunity for a new buyer to take on one of the suburb’s standout homes. The sale adds to a growing list of multimillion-dollar results across Brisbane’s inner north, a trend driven by limited stock and a preference for established prestige suburbs like Ascot.

The success of this short campaign highlights that well-presented, architecturally distinctive homes continue to attract buyers quickly when they appear on the market. It reinforces Ascot’s long-standing reputation for elegance, privacy, and lifestyle — qualities that make it one of Brisbane’s most desirable addresses.

Published 22-Oct-2025

The Gallery to Revive Racecourse Road with Design-led Living and Retail Spaces

A new era is taking shape along Hamilton’s Racecourse Road, as The Gallery, a contemporary mixed-use precinct, aims to revitalise the community spirit at the high street, long known for its leafy poincianas, boutiques and café culture.

Read: Strong Demand for Luxury Retirement Apartments in Ascot

For decades, Racecourse Road has been a favourite among Brisbane locals and visitors alike. But as social and shopping patterns have shifted, local stakeholders see a need to reinvigorate the strip.

The Gallery is designed to respond to this by blending urban convenience with local character, encouraging more people to live, shop, and gather along the street once again.

Developed by Graya and designed by the architecture studio bureau^proberts, The Gallery has been approved by Brisbane’s local officials and is set to combine high-end retail, dining, wellness, and residential living within one thoughtfully designed building.

Andrew Bell, Partner at bureau^proberts, said the project was shaped by a desire to reimagine the traditional suburban high street through good design and community thinking.

“We believe that increased density is the answer to arresting the decline of high street precincts,” Bell said. “When people live close to quality retail and hospitality, they bring new life to their neighbourhoods.”

At the heart of The Gallery’s vision is the idea of connection between residents, businesses, and the wider community. The project will include ground-floor retail and dining spaces, together with a wellness centre and apartments above. According to the project’s media release, the development will offer about 1,500 square metres of retail space.

The architectural design draws heavily from Hamilton’s heritage. Bureau^proberts looked to the suburb’s well-known Queenslander homes and historic landmarks for inspiration, incorporating broad verandahs, layered balcony gardens, and stone arbours that reflect the suburb’s architectural lineage.

Liam Proberts, Managing and Creative Director at bureau^proberts, said the design intent was to create a building that felt both contemporary and connected to its surroundings.

“These architectural elements ground the building in place while embracing Brisbane’s subtropical lifestyle,” Proberts said. “The Gallery reimagines the high street through a contemporary design response, creating a meeting place for activation, engagement, and renewal.”

According to the architects, nearby heritage features such as the Eagle Farm Racecourse gatehouses and local civic buildings influenced the project’s stone textures and detailing.

Architects and developers involved in the project suggest that, as more people seek convenience and connection, mixed-use developments can help support high street vitality. Bureau^proberts and Graya hope The Gallery will serve as an example of how suburban renewal can occur while maintaining a sense of local identity.

Bell said the project’s goal is to bring new dynamism to Racecourse Road and inspire more people to make the neighbourhood part of their daily routine, whether by dining, shopping, or enjoying the vibrant street life that Hamilton is known for.

As the project progresses through approvals and planning, developers and some local businesses have expressed optimism about the precinct’s future. Developers expect The Gallery will add notable architecture to Hamilton and contribute to re-establishing Racecourse Road as a prominent suburban destination.

Read: Rundown Lancaster Road Home Now on the Market Following Years-Long Ownership Dispute

If realised as planned, The Gallery could help reconnect locals with a cherished part of Brisbane’s story, where community, commerce, and design come together under the shade of the poincianas once more.

Published 15-October-2025

North Brisbane Area Sports Results – Oct 10 to 12

Sun, October 12, 2025 – NRL – Round 1
• PNG PM XIII 10 | AUS PM XIII 28

Sun, October 12, 2025 – WNCL 2025-26 – Women – Match 11
• Queensland Fire 8-278 (49.1) | ACT Meteors 8-277 (50.0)

Award-Winning Ascot Kindergarten to Build New Nature Play Spaces with Prize Money

Photo Credit: Childcare & Kindergarten Ascot

A local Ascot kindergarten is translating its significant national and internal awards into tangible benefits for its children and families, reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of the community’s early learning landscape.

A Commitment to Positive Impact

C&K Ascot Community Kindergarten has recently been the focus of major recognition, celebrating a win at the national HESTA Early Childhood Education & Care Awards. This honour acknowledged the centre’s dedication to advancing pedagogy and practice.

Adding to the accolades, the kindergarten’s team was also named a finalist for the prestigious Department of Education Inspiring Impact Award at the 2025 C&K Awards, highlighting their collaborative efforts to create lasting positive outcomes for the children and families they serve. The Inspiring Impact award specifically celebrates teams that demonstrate a deep commitment to their local communities.

Cultivating Confidence and Respect

The national HESTA award was given for the kindergarten’s ‘Proud to Be Me’ initiative, a program designed specifically for its three- to five-year-old children. The initiative focuses on building a welcoming and inclusive environment where children are empowered to express their authentic selves. It integrates lessons on emotional literacy and respecting diversity into the daily learning program.

Teacher Director Karina Hannan-Lopez stated that the award provides hope that the foundations they lay for children today will inspire brighter futures. She affirmed the team’s encouragement to continue exploring new ways of teaching equity and embracing innovative practices that enrich a child’s development.

From Accolades to Action

Demonstrating a direct link between the recognition and the children’s experience, the kindergarten plans to use the prize money from the HESTA award to enhance its outdoor environment. The funds will go toward developing natural play spaces designed to spark imagination and foster a deeper connection with the natural world.

This project aligns perfectly with the centre’s core philosophy, which uses its beautiful, large landscaped gardens as an open learning environment. The C&K curriculum model, led by university-qualified teachers, centres on the principle of learning through play, with educators skilfully extending children’s experiences in both indoor and outdoor settings.

A Partner for ASCOT Families

Beyond its award-winning programs, C&K Ascot serves as a vital resource for local families through its practical and supportive offerings. The centre provides an extended hours program that runs until 6 p.m. as well as a holiday program during Queensland school holidays, with both services included in the daily fee.

Families can choose from two, three, or five-day-a-week attendance options. To ensure parents remain an integral part of their child’s learning journey, the kindergarten fosters close relationships with families and uses the Storypark app to share documentation and daily highlights, creating a strong, collaborative community.

Published Date 09-October-2025

Help Enterprises Recognised Among 2025 Business Award Finalists in Eagle Farm

Photo Credit: Help Enterprises/Facebook

Help Enterprises, located in Eagle Farm, has been announced as a finalist in the 2025 Lord Mayor’s Business Awards under the Hutchinson Builders Social Enterprise category, recognising its six-decade contribution to inclusion and community development in Brisbane.

Building Inclusive Opportunities in Eagle Farm

For nearly six decades, Help Enterprises has been creating meaningful opportunities for people with disability through its operations based in Eagle Farm. The organisation’s work centres on providing employment pathways, training programs, and social enterprise initiatives that foster independence and strengthen community ties. Its inclusion in this year’s finalist list reflects a continued dedication to driving positive social outcomes while supporting Brisbane’s growing and diverse workforce.

Recognition in the Social Enterprise Category

Help Enterprises is one of four finalists in the Hutchinson Builders Social Enterprise Award, a category that recognises businesses addressing social challenges through innovative, impact-led models. The nomination acknowledges organisations that prioritise people and community benefit alongside commercial activity. This recognition highlights how enterprises like Help contribute to Brisbane’s inclusive growth and demonstrate the city’s capacity to blend economic development with social purpose.

Two Decades of Celebrating Local Innovation

The 2025 Lord Mayor’s Business Awards mark the 20th year of celebrating Brisbane’s innovators, entrepreneurs, and visionaries. This year, 31 businesses and eight business leaders—44 finalists in total—are competing across 11 categories. The awards span multiple sectors, from sustainability and property development to tourism and technology. Winners will be announced at a gala event on Thursday, 6 November 2025, at Brisbane City Hall.

Eagle Farm’s Role in Brisbane’s Business Landscape

Eagle Farm’s industrial precinct continues to play an important part in Brisbane’s economy, housing enterprises that support both commercial growth and community impact. Through Help Enterprises’ efforts, Eagle Farm has become a hub for inclusive employment and social innovation, illustrating how local industry can help shape a more equitable city.

Looking Ahead

Help Enterprises’ recognition as a finalist reinforces the value of inclusive business models and highlights Eagle Farm’s continuing role in Brisbane’s success story.

Published 7-Oct-2025

Time & Temp Brings Small-Batch Precision to Albion’s Baking Scene

Photo Credit: timeandtemp_/instagram

A new name in Brisbane’s baking community, Time & Temp, has drawn attention in Albion for its focus on precision and simplicity.

A Measured Approach to Baking

Melbourne-trained duo Manning Young and Palita Cai run Time & Temp, a small Albion bakery known for its pastries and precise coffee. It opened in August 2025 in a 45-square-metre space on Sandgate Road, formerly Brewbakers.

The name reflects their focus on time and temperature in every process. Young handles the coffee roasting, while Cai leads the pastry work. They use seasonal produce, Pepe Saya butter, and sustainable flour from Wholegrain Milling Co.

From Melbourne to Meanjin

Before starting the business, the pair worked across Melbourne’s food and coffee scene. Their experience shaped a philosophy built on quality and restraint rather than expansion. They chose Albion for its growing local food identity and sense of community.

Most of the space is devoted to baking, with only a small counter and a few outdoor seats. The focus remains on production, not presentation, aligning with their goal to serve simple products made well.

Pastries Worth the Queue

Time & Temp has quickly gained attention for its signature items including plain croissants, pain au chocolat, and cardamom buns. Each weekend brings new flavours such as maple pecan pie, corn danish, or rhubarb crumble danish.

The bakery operates Friday to Sunday from 7 a.m. to noon, though customers are often met with early sell-outs. Coffee service is limited to batch brew, with blends roasted by Young and priced between $4 and $6.

Community Response and Next Steps

Albion locals have embraced the new bakery for its clear purpose and consistency. Early visitors described the space as clean, warm, and efficient.

The pair plans to keep operations small and focused, preferring to rotate offerings based on seasonal produce rather than expand the menu or seating.

The business reflects a growing Brisbane trend toward neighbourhood bakeries that prioritise craftsmanship over scale.

Published 3-October-2025

Royal Queensland Golf Club Redevelopment Approved in Eagle Farm

Photo Credit: MID-0125-0907

A redevelopment of the Royal Queensland Golf Club in Eagle Farm has been approved, including a new nine-hole course, pavilion, and upgrades to existing facilities.

A Century-Old Venue Prepares For Change

The Royal Queensland Golf Club, which has a history of more than 100 years, will undergo a major redevelopment following the approval of a Ministerial Infrastructure Designation. The site has been identified as a potential venue for golf events during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

New Facilities To Support International Sport

The redevelopment plan features a championship-standard nine-hole course, an Eastern Pavilion with amenities and an undercover deck, an administration building, and a kiosk. Outdoor racquet sport facilities are also included. This is alongside upgrades to the existing course. These works form part of wider preparations for hosting international sporting events.

Royal Queensland Golf Club — Photo Credit: MID-0125-0907

Returning Golf To Eagle Farm’s Eastern Side

The redevelopment will return golf facilities to land east of the Gateway bridges at Eagle Farm, an area that once formed part of the club’s original course. The project is intended not only to support Olympic requirements but also to contribute to the long-term future of the venue.

Mixed Community Reactions To Approval

Public opinion has been mixed. Comments on social media raised concerns about other priorities such as healthcare, housing and public infrastructure, while others acknowledged the redevelopment as an opportunity to strengthen Brisbane’s sporting legacy and tourism profile linked to the 2032 Games.

Brisbane 2032 — Photo Credit: MID-0125-0907

Next Steps For The Royal Queensland Golf Club

With approval granted, the Royal Queensland Golf Club is now able to move forward with its redevelopment plan. The upgrades are aligned with preparation for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, after which the enhanced facilities will continue to serve members and the sporting community.

Published 29-Sep-2025