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Residential Tower With Sports and Recreation Facilities Proposed on Darragh Street

Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au

A proposal for 49 dwelling units across a 15-storey residential tower on Darragh Street in Kangaroo Point is currently being assessed by Council.

Su Ing Pty Ltd lodged a proposal last December 2022 seeking to establish a 15-storey tower containing 49 dwelling units, a 33 sqm small food and drink outlet with an adjacent outdoor seating area.

Located at 51 Darragh Street, the Peddle Thorp Architects-designed proposed development includes a continued provision of indoor and outdoor sports and recreation facilities – two tennis courts, change facilities and a swimming pool.

Artist’s impression of tennis courts, change facilities and a swimming pool on the proposed 15-storey residential tower on Darragh Street | Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au

The 49 dwellings comprise 42 three-bedroom units and seven four-bedroom units. Generous balcony sizes between 25sqm and 67sqm will be provided for each dwelling unit. A 2,672 sqm of communal open space is also proposed in the form of a roof garden containing a rooftop pool, pool terrace recreation area, yoga lawn, communal exercise equipment, communal barbecue area and a multi-purpose lawn.

“The proposed multiple dwelling has been designed as a ‘tower in a garden’ and will provide a high-quality architectural and landscape architectural outcome for the site. The building has been designed to incorporate a combination of architectural features, materials and building recesses across all facades of the building. in particular, the architecture of the building takes inspiration from the materiality and features of the Kangaroo Point landscape. This will ensure a highly articulated and visually interesting building that will make a positive contribution to the Kangaroo Point skyline.” – Urbis

The indoor sports and recreation facilities will include a gymnasium on the ground floor level and will have a gross floor area of 184 square metres. Meanwhile, the outdoor sports and recreation facilities will contain a two-level tennis court with an adjacent pool on the northwest part of the site. Change rooms and amenities are also provided in the plans.

The proposal’s design ensures that the sports and recreation facilities can continue their operations at all times during the development’s construction and operation.

proposed food and drink outlet and outdoor seating — Proposed food and drink outlet and outdoor seating | Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au

A cafe is proposed at the building’s ground level with a gross floor area of 33 sqm and is proposed to operate between 6 am to 8 pm. It will have additional outdoor seating in the adjacent garden.

A total of 109 car parking spaces will be provided across three basement levels consisting of 102 resident and seven visitor car parking spaces.

To facilitate the development, the existing three-storey building which contains a pool, gym, tennis courts and associated cafe will be demolished.

Published 14-March-2023

Shafston House Could Be Restored To Its Former Glory As Residential Dwelling

Shafston House in Kangaroo Point has been many different things to many people — a family residence, a school, and a care facility after the war, among other uses. Did you know it could soon be restored to its former glory as a residential dwelling if plans push through?

Read: Work Begins On The Tallest Office Tower In Kangaroo Point

A proposed developed project, which has received hundreds of submissions from locals who mostly oppose the project, is now up for Council approval.

The State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) has given its nod to the project, given that the developers will adhere to certain requirements, such as limiting its future use to single dwelling and keeping the grassed lawn area free from development.

Burgundy Group, the developers behind the project, scrapped plans to build two two-storey homes on the northern edge of the site.

In its website, developers highlighted that the formal lawn area between Shafston House and the river will be retained, protected and maintained to a higher standard.

Based on the planning documents, Burgundy is planning to build a single 15-storey residential apartment building on the site. If approved, it will feature 37 spacious three and four bedroom units.

“The proposed development concept ensures that significant view lines to Shafston House, to and from the Brisbane River will be retained, as will the formal lawn through the middle of the site,” Burgundy Group stated.

They said the planned development is in keeping with Council’s planning guidelines for the site and for Kangaroo Point as set out in the Brisbane City Plan 2014 planning scheme.

Further details about the proposed development can be viewed at Council’s PD Online with the reference A005933994.

History of Shafston House

Located at 23 Castlebar Street, Kangaroo Point, the single-storeyed residence, was originally built for Rev. Robert Creyke as ‘Ravenscot’ in 1851.

In 1852, Darling Downs pastoralist and politician Henry Stuart Russell acquired the property and renamed it Shaftson, taken from a place in Jamaica where his wife was born.

By then, it was constructed of brick and stone, contained a drawing room and dining room separated by folding doors, five large bedrooms, closets and a roomy pantry.

After Mr Russell, the property had several owners including grazier and sugar-grower Louis Hope, pastoralist James Henry McConnel, and Mary Jane Foster, wife of Charles Milne Foster of Brisbane ironmongers Foster and Kelk.

In 1915, it was leased to the Creche and Kindergarten Association as a teacher training centre.

However, it was acquired by the Commonwealth government who converted it into Anzac Hotel, a care and treatment facility for ex-servicemen in 1919 after the Great War. It underwent extensive alterations at the time.

The property was converted to freehold title between 1998 and 2002. Shafston House was entered on the Queensland Heritage Register on 7 February 2005.

Read: Kangaroo Point Green Bridge Project Reaches Important Milestone

Burgundy Group Property Development, current owners of the property, reportedly acquired in 2020 for $15 million.

Kangaroo Point Green Bridge Project Reaches Important Milestone

The first steel bridge deck span has been installed for the Kangaroo Point Green Bridge project, marking a crucial milestone for one of the city’s new green bridges.

Read: Two Dining Destinations Planned for Kangaroo Point Green Bridge Site

The recently installed bridge deck span will help connect the CBD landing site at Alice and Edward Streets to the first bridge pier.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner anticipates that the Kangaroo Point Green Bridgeproject will be an icon for Brisbane when complete, with images of the bridge and its striking 83-metre mast certain to become synonymous with the city in the years to come.

The bridge is also expected to provide a critical link between the Gabba Stadium and the CBD, especially during the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“Wherever I go in Brisbane, people are keen to know more about this fantastic project, so it’s great we can start the year by announcing the bridge has reached this key milestone,” Cr Schrinner said.

Brisbane City Council has added two waterfront food and beverage opportunities to the project. The restaurant, which will feature both indoor and alfresco seating, will be set above water and promises stunning views of the river, the CBD, Story Bridge, and Kangaroo Point Cliffs.

It will also have its own cafe, measuring 90sqm and will be located near the new urban plaza that will be constructed where Edward and Alice Streets meet the Brisbane River.

Construction areas map (Photo credit: www.brisbane.qld.gov.au)

Based on the Council’s timeline, the final fit out of the bridge and landing points, including paving and landscaping will take place in 2023. Later this year, they will work on the construction of the Main Street and Deakin Street connection.

Works for the green bridge are expected to be complete by 2024. Because of the works being done, Council is advising pedestrians, motorists, and cyclists to go on detour routes during the temporary fully road and footpath closure at the corner of Edward and Alice Streets.

Read: Story Bridge Restoration Project in Kangaroo Point to take More than 10 Years

Further construction updates about the project can be viewed via Council’s website. You may also sign up for email/SMS updates about the Kangaroo Point Green Bridge project.

New Director at Catherine’s House – Mater Moves to Kangaroo Point To Take on Inaugural Role

Infant and perinatal psychiatrist Dr Beth Mah has moved to Brisbane from New South Wales to take on the inaugural role of Director of Catherine’s House for Mothers, Babies and Families at Mater Hill.

“Goosebumps” is how the former Saint John of God Healthcare clinical lead psychiatrist described what she felt about the prospects of leading Mater’s new perinatal mental health centre and its multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, lactation consultations, allied health practitioners, paediatricians, nurses, and other professionals.

Queensland’s first integrated perinatal mental health service, Catherine’s House is set to open in early 2023. The facility will cater to parents experiencing serious depression, anxiety and other mental health issues around the birth of their baby. Here, they can stay with their infants whilst receiving treatment.

Catherine’s House, formerly Sisters of Mercy convent, features a comprehensive, integrated perinatal mental health service including 10 in-patient beds that are available for public and private patients. There’s also a Parent Support Centre for parents and babies up to six months after birth, a home-visiting service to help improve infant-parent relationships, individual and group therapy treatments and day programs.

“Catherine’s House will be helping women who are not well enough to be looked after in their own community,” Dr Mah, from Kangaroo Point, said.

“We will also admit mums who are suffering post-partum psychosis, which is a severe and debilitating illness that really interrupts family life, and mums who have complex and numerous diagnoses that often stem from childhood trauma, severe depression, and anxiety.

“It makes me feel very proud and excited. I am so impressed with the huge body of work my colleagues have done over the past years to get this project to where it is today, close to opening.”

Dr Mah, 56, is the recipient of more than 10 research scholarships, including a grant from the Hunter Children’s Research Foundation for Neurofeedback for complex PTSD symptoms in Aboriginal foster children.

“I want families to palpably feel that we respect their growth as a parent,” she said.

“We want them to use the time in our centre to settle the symptoms they are struggling with to become the kind of parent they want to be.

The fit-for-purpose, custom-built Catherine’s House was delivered through community donations to Mater Foundation amounting to more than $17 million, as well as funding from the State Government.

Published 29-January-2023

W Brisbane’s Float In Cinema Returns For A One-of-a-kind Valentine’s Day

If your idea of a perfect Valentine’s is spending an evening watching a film whilst sipping cocktails, W Brisbane’s Float In Cinema has you covered.

Read: New Bubble Tea Shop In Brisbane CBD Will Leave You Wanting ‘Moo’-re

This year, it will be taking over WET Deck at the iconic hotel for a special three-night event, with these films to look forward to!

The Other Woman

Sunday, 12 February 2023 at 6:30PM

Photo credit: www.20thcenturystudios.com

The 2014 rom-com, starring Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann, and Kate Upton, is often regarded as one of the best movies to watch with friends. Beyond the romance, revenge, and infidelity, this movie deals more about friendship and how the lead characters support and empower each other despite their differences.

Focus

Monday, 13 February 2023 at 6:30PM

Although Focus isn’t a rom-com movie, this Will Smith-starrer tells the story of how his character Nicky, a veteran con man, was reunited with Jess (Margot Robbie), the woman from his past who later became an accomplished femme fatale.

Valentine’s Day

Tuesday, 14 February 2023 at 6:30PM

The star-studded movie is worth watching if you’re into romantic comedy. As the tagline of the movie says, it’s a love story, more or less.

Meanwhile, each ticket at W Brisbane’s Float in Cinema ($109pp) comes with your choice of Grazing Box, and a glass of bubbles or the “I Heart You,” specialty cocktail on arrival.

Guests will be able to enjoy these romance-inspired films whilst settling into their own ultra-comfy inflatable pool recliner lounge. Additional drinks and food will also be available for purchase throughout the night.

Read: Two Dining Destinations Planned for Kangaroo Point Green Bridge Site

For more details about the event, including getting your tickets, visit W Brisbane’s Facebook page or visit Eventbrite.com.au.

Duke Street, Kangaroo Point Soon to Be Home of New 86-Unit Apartment Development

Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Council has recently granted approval to a development proposal seeking to establish a new 86-unit apartment project on Duke Street at Kangaroo Point.

The Pelicano project will be built on a 1,400 sqm site located at 21 Duke Street, Kangaroo Point. To be called “Story House”, the eight-storey building will comprise 86 one and two-bedroom apartments plus a lap pool with a pool deck and spa, a yoga lawn, a lounge, a dining and barbecue area, and an outdoor gym.

Duke Street, Kangaroo Point Soon to Be Home of New 86-Unit Apartment Development — Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au

The units at Levels 1 to 3 are designed to be “flexible’, in that they can be utilised as either short-term accommodation or multiple-dwelling units. This is to take advantage of the project’s location next to the planned Olympics Stadium. Meanwhile, the rest of the units on the above levels will be for multiple dwelling use only.

Each unit will be provided with a private open space area except for the accommodation units on levels 2 and 3 which will instead be provided with access to the rooftop open space area.

There will also be 73 parking spaces across two levels with onsite bicycle parking also provided within the bicycle parking room on the ground floor and on the basement levels.

“…the design includes warm, natural tones, textures and finishes to the building ‘base’, providing a more natural feel to the public realm and recollection of material tones historically in the area. The top section of the building responds to the current trends of the developing area, with a play on textured off white and grey finishes to break down the vertical layering of the building while emphasizing the sculptural articulation of the balcony form’ – DBI Architecture

Family-owned Pellicano also has several other developments underway including Perry House in Bowen Hills, Solarino House in Brunswick, Pivot House in Geelong and the Berwick House in Fortitude Valley.

Published 19-January-2023

Eagle Street Pier Complex Nearing Demolition After Court Allows Waterfront Brisbane

Residents and businesses have lost a hard-fought campaign against a developer’s plans to tear down 30-year-old Eagle Street Pier complex to build the $2.1-billion Waterfront Brisbane, located across the Brisbane River from Kangaroo Point.

Read: Two Dining Destinations Planned for Kangaroo Point Green Bridge Site

This comes after Judge Michael Williamson of the Planning and Environment Court has dismissed the appeal, ending a two-year battle between residents and Dexus, the developers of Waterfront Brisbane.

Eagle Street Pier — Photo credit: David Patterson/Google Maps

Brisbane City Council approved the project back in December 2020. However, it received opposition from the community, particularly property owners nearby, just a couple of months later. Among those who wished to have Council’s rulings overturned were the apartment owners of the neighbouring 53-storey Riparian Plaza.

One of the tenants of the skyscraper believes Waterfront Brisbane is just oversized and would be disproportionate to the rest of the riverside buildings.

The demolition of Eagle Street Pier impacted many establishments in the area, especially restaurants which were forced to close in July 2022 in preparation for the billion-dollar development of the precinct.

A handful of restaurants and bars already ceased trading in the area, including Coppa, City Winery, Naga Thai, The Coffee Club, The Bavarian, and Mr and Mrs G.

Waterfront Brisbane Construction

Photo credit: https://www.waterfrontbrisbane.com.au/

Waterfront Brisbane will deliver two new towers with a combined 120,000sqm of office space, enhanced retail offering, and substantial improvements to the riverwalk.

Works also include construction of large public plazas opening on to the river, a widening of the riverwalk to at least six metres for the full length of the site, ramping to allow cyclists ease of access to street level.

John Holland, contractors of the 49-storey, north tower of the project, originally planned to begin construction by the end of 2022 and have it complete by 2027. The company is expecting to employ up to 650 workers at the peak of construction.

Read: Story Bridge Restoration Project in Kangaroo Point to take More than 10 Years

The delivery of the Waterfront Brisbane scheme will also require temporary closure and diversion of the Riverwalk. Riverwalk closure is planned for 2023, with reopening scheduled for 2024.

For updates about Waterfront Brisbane, visit Dexus’ website.

Site Surveys Underway to Prepare Raymond Park for the Olympics

A group of locals has strongly opposed plans to use Raymond Park, the only green space in Kangaroo Point, as a warm-up field for Olympic athletes, as residents start receiving letters informing them of a two-week site survey on Raymond Park to potentially prepare the area for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

The letter was taken as an indication that the redevelopment of Raymond Park will forge ahead even with little public consultations, as some residents claim that attempts to raise their concerns with officials have fallen on deaf ears.

Friends of Raymond Park Page has a copy of the letter on a post saying that the potential Olympic-standard warm-up track could leave eight families homeless as their houses are at the front of the park. Changes to the green might also destroy the community garden, remove the dog park and the outdoor gym, and impact the 100-year-old soccer club.

Raymond Park letter — Photo Credit: Janita Dal Cin

Paul, one of the residents whose houses could be resumed for a temporary event, also spoke on the radio with Bill McDonald. He said they have been trying to get answers about the plans but no one from the government has replied to their emails.

Max Chandler-Mather, the Federal MP for Griffith, reacted to the letter.

“The first letter residents of Kangaroo Point have received from the Government about the Olympics isn’t to offer a consultation, or ask them if they would like to host an Olympics warm-up track in their backyard, it’s been to inform them that the decision has apparently been made, congratulations, say goodbye to your local park,” Mr Chandler-Mather posted.

“The Queensland Government is pretending like this decision has already been made, when the Federal Government won’t even confirm if they support building a new stadium, let alone demolishing the Gabba, East Brisbane State School and Raymond Park.

“The Government has told residents it’s an “enormous privilege” to host the Olympics. Well it’s not a privilege to lose a brilliant local green space with 100-year-old fig trees, a playground, a dog park, the Kangaroo Point Rovers soccer club, and a community garden.”

No designs nor details of the project scope for the Raymond Park warm-up fields have been released. Both State and Federal Governments have yet to finalise the funding arrangement that will pay for the construction and refurbishment of Olympic facilities.

Meanwhile, Kangaroo Point residents have started a campaign to save Raymond Park and proposed Giffin Park in Coorparoo as the alternative for the warm-up track.

Clinton McGoldrick Becomes First Aboriginal Deacon In Brisbane’s Archdiocese

Deacon Clinton McGoldrick has made history as the first Indigenous man to serve in the Brisbane diocese, after being ordained at St Stephen’s Cathedral in November 2022.

Read: Will the Story Bridge Fly the Aboriginal Flags Permanently?

Deacon McGoldrick’s wife, Karley and their two sons, came to support him at his ordination to the permanent diaconate on 26 November 2022, along with friends and fellow deacons and priests.

Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge, who led the ordination, said that through Deacon McGoldrick, as an Aboriginal man, God might teach the rest of us, the Church and others, what it means to befriend and love the Indigenous peoples, the First Nations of this land.

Deacon Clinton McGoldrick found Archbishop Coleridge’s words moving and said it was an amazing day not just for him but for many Indigenous people who were in the congregation.

In his ordination, he brought a picture of St Oscar Romero, who was known as the “voice for the voiceless.” Just like St Oscar Romero, Deacon McGoldrick believes his call and mission was to use his voice on behalf of the voiceless.

“Certainly there’s a lot of Indigenous Catholics in Australia and even so in Brisbane and I hope they see (ordained ministry) as a new way to express their vocation or spirituality,” he said.

He believes this new role is a very rigorous and lengthy process and there are not too many Indigenous people who can meet the requirements and commit to that process for various reasons.

“To be somebody who has been able to successfully navigate that program, I want that to be a sign to other people to say, ‘I can do that as well,” he said.

Read: Meet Lilian Cooper And Josephine Bedford, Notable Women Who Once Lived In Kangaroo Point

Deacon McGoldrick’s ministry would centre on army chaplaincy. He will transition to Full Time Chaplaincy in the Australian Army in mid-January 2023 and will be based at Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera.

New Japanese Restaurant Izakaya Publico Opens At Hotel Indigo

Brisbane’s Hotel Indigo, one of the closest hotels to Kangaroo Point, gets a stylish new spot for grilled meat, sashimi, and drinks with the opening of Japanese restaurant Izakaya Publico.

Read: Two Dining Destinations Planned for Kangaroo Point Green Bridge Site

Izakaya Publico, as the name suggests, is an izakaya-style restaurant. Izakaya is a Japanese word which translates to “stay-drink-place” and is comparable to casual places where people would drink after-work, much like a pub or a Spanish tapas bar.

Interestingly, its accompanying bar, Bar 1603 which is located upstairs, was named after the year ‘izakaya’ was born, which was 1603 or during the Edo period in the history of Japan.

Like most izakayas, they have nama (raw menu), kushiyaki (skewers), robata (coal-grilled), noodles, tempura, and fried dishes curated by Executive sous chef Chris Jang and executive chef Sumit Batra.

Raw dishes, which come from the freshest of daily catches, include warayaki tataki, a hay seared market fish; maguro, a tuna sashimi served with wasabi and ginger; and kaki which is oyster with Tosazu jelly and chives.

Selections for the coal grilled robata skewers include teriyaki salmon, fried tofu, and pork belly.

The beverage menu covers beers on tap including a few from Japan, plum wine, Japanese whisky, highballs, sake, shochu, traditional cocktails, as well as spirits and Australian wines that you can order by the glass or by the bottle.

Izakaya Publico can comfortably seat up to 80 guests and offers a visually inspiring interior, with a highlight on traditional Japanese elements that bring a level of warmth and authenticity. There are oversized lanterns all throughout to provide elevated mood lighting across two floors.

There’s also striking artwork throughout the restaurant, painted by Sydney-based artist and illustrator Blends.

Read: New Bubble Tea Shop In Brisbane CBD Will Leave You Wanting ‘Moo’-re

To further spice things up, the restaurant is planning to add Japanese whisky dinners, a collaboration with Japanese guest chefs and origami classes in the future.

Izakaya Publico is open Wednesdays to Saturdays from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. They are located inside Hotel Indigo, at 35 Turbot Street, Brisbane.